FAQ

The FAQ below includes a list of questions commonly asked to our UpliftU team. If your question is not on this list, please email us and we will contact you directly.

Frequently asked questions

Billing

Can sessions be covered under Insurance or MSP?

Although counselling fees are not covered under the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP), you may likely be covered by you or your partner’s extended health benefit plan through work. Visits to a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) are often included under those plans. Refer to your plan manual for details.



How much do I have to pay towards treatments?

This will depend on your benefit plan. The services covered are listed under the Paramedical section of most insurance policies. Generally, insurance plans will have a limit they pay per treatment in addition to an annual limit on what you can spend. We will bill insurers who accept direct billing for your treatments. Our patient support team will let you know how much your insurer paid and all you have to pay is the difference between the treatment price and your insurer's payment.



What is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)?

Registered Clinical Counsellors are professional counsellors who are registered with and accountable to the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). The BCACC meets the strictest academic and professional qualification standards and all RCC’s are required to adhere to the Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Clinical Practice. All RCC’s have also fulfilled the Association’s rigorous requirements with respect to education, supervision, and clinical experience.



Do I need a referral from my family doctor to see you?

No, you do not need a referral from your family doctor, or anyone else, to come and see me. You can contact us directly to schedule an appointment.



Is everything we discuss in counselling kept confidential?

Yes, as Registered Clinical Counsellors, we are required to keep everything that is discussed in counselling in the strictest of confidence, unless you give us voluntary written consent to do otherwise. There are 3 exceptions to this rule: 1. If your counsellor feels that you are a serious danger to yourself or others. 2. If your counsellor, or your counselling file is officially subpoenaed in a court case. 3. If there is information shared about current child or elder abuse.



Does Upliftu offer free initial consultations?

Yes, we offer a complimentary 15 minute initial phone consultation in which you can ask your practitioner questions, and share what your present concerns are. If we decide we’d like to work together, we can then book a session.



How many counselling sessions will it take?

In our experience, people often begin to feel some relief after the first session. It can be incredibly healing to finally have a safe space to talk openly about your concerns and feel genuinely heard. As everyone is unique and has different goals, there is no prescribed time frame or number of sessions.
For specific concerns clients often come for 6 – 10 sessions, and for more complex issues such as seeking significant change in lifelong challenges, patterns, or beliefs, or working through things like trauma or significant loss it will take until you feel you no longer need counselling. The counselling process is a journey which, although without a set time frame for completion, is often characterized by significant and long-lasting personal growth, peace, and healing.



Are there any risks involved in therapy?

Although benefiting from therapy is highly likely, there are also some potential risks. The therapeutic process may bring up past and painful memories, may evoke strong feelings or reactions, and may change how you understand yourself or relate to others (which can be initially painful). Sometimes things even feel worse before they feel better. You can always, ALWAYS talk about anything you are going through with your counsellor.



I’ve gone to therapy before and it didn’t help. Can you guarantee that it will work this time?

Having an unpleasant or unsuccessful experience in therapy can be discouraging, we understand. Although we cannot guarantee success, our therapists will do everything they can to understand why you didn’t find your previous experience helpful and to make sure that a more suitable mode of therapy is utilized this time. Our team at Upliftu does not take your commitment to therapy for granted. We know that it’s an investment of your time, energy, and money, and your success and healing in therapy is our top priority.



What is your cancellation policy?

A full 24 hours must be given for the cancellation of all appointments. If not, the full session fee will be charged. There is a high demand for services, especially at certain times of day and your session is reserved exclusively for you.



How does payment work?

Payment is processed prior to each session in the form of debit/credit, or cash (for in-office sessions). Some clients prefer to authorize us to charge their credit card automatically so that they don’t have to worry about payment beyond the first session. For telehealth counselling sessions, we can take payment through E-transfer. Alternatively, you can set up your account on our booking page and add in your credit card and billing information. We will send you an invoice for your session, and you can pay through the attached link. With your authorization, we can charge your card automatically prior to your booked session(s).