The first counselling session is an opportunity for counsellor and client to get to know each other and establish a connection. The counsellor will go over confidentiality and any policies that need to be brought to the clients’ attention.

You will be emailed the intake paperwork prior to your first counselling session and it is recommended that you complete the paperwork before your first session, so that you have more time to speak with your counsellor. However, if you do not have a chance to fill out the paperwork you will fill it out in the office.

The counsellor will be interested in finding out about your story, and perhaps looking at what brought you to counselling at this specific moment in your life. The counsellor will also be interested in finding out what your goals for counselling are. The counsellor will ask if you have ever attended counselling in the past and what that experience was like?

The counsellor will make you feel safe and comfortable so that you can share this information. Additionally, you may be given some “homework” from your counsellor to be completed before your next session. Please do not worry about the homework as it will be discussed together to make sure you are comfortable with it. At the end of the first session, the counsellor will check in with the client to see how he or she felt about this initial visit and to see if they have any questions for the counsellor.

It is very normal to feel nervous before your first counselling session. This is completely normal and very common. Rest assured the counsellor will make you feel welcome and as comfortable as possible. Rest assured that it is not as scary as it may seem. Most clients feel less nervous after their first counselling session. The counsellor will guide you throughout this process.

Counselling is for everyone. It is for people from all walks of life. Life is often full of its difficulties and challenges and counselling is beneficial to help individuals navigate these experiences. Counselling is even recommended when life seems to be going well as often there are still issues from the past or present that are affecting our life. Those issues may still in need of our attention.

Mary does offer counselling to children and youth. Alexandria offers counselling to individuals 19 years or older.

Absolutely, we are accepting new clients and referrals are always appreciated.

Mary does offer availability on Saturday’s for clients to book their counselling sessions.
Please email info@kelownaonecounselling.ca if you need a different evening or morning time that is not currently available on the website under the counsellors’ schedule and we will try our best to accommodate your request.

They range from $162.75 dollars (50-minute session) to $290 (1 hour and 50-minute session).

Our phone and email are answered Monday to Friday from 9 am-5 pm. We will try our best to respond to any emails or phone calls within 24-72 hours to answer any questions you may have or inquiries about wanting to book a counselling session.

We accept Mastercard, Visa, Debit, and e-transfer. We do not accept cash or cheque. For online counselling sessions, payment will be taken prior to the counselling session.

No, sorry we do not do direct billing. However, many insurance plans provide mental health coverage. The client will be provided with a receipt to their email address which can then be submitted to the individual’s insurance plan for reimbursement. Please check with your insurance plan administrator to see what qualifications and credentials are covered specifically under your plan. If you are unsure of your benefits covering counselling with a “Registered Social Worker” it is recommended that you contact your insurance company directly to ask what your plan coverage will cover.

The length of time varies greatly between clients as each client’s circumstance is different and will depend on certain situations. Your individual counsellor will determine the length of time needed for treatment. Generally, clients will initially attend once a week for a 50-minute counselling session. After the first several weeks, it is often recommended to attend bi-weekly. Eventually, clients will attend one to two sessions a month.

Currently, we do not offer a sliding scale or discounts for our sessions.

If you are not able to keep your appointment, we require 24-hour notice. If this is not possible, you will be charged by your credit card on file, the regular full fee for your session. Some emergencies will be exempted at our discretion. If you are ill/sick, please do not attend counselling sessions in person. Please email info@kelownaonecounselling.ca to see if you can re-schedule your appointment for a different date or request to have your appointment switched from in-person to online counselling.