How do I book my first appointment with a counsellor at Touch Brain Counselling?
Getting started is easy! You can book your first appointment by calling us at +1 (647) 552-5070, emailing us at info@touchbraincounselling.ca, or filling out the secure contact form on our website click to book. We often recommend starting with a brief, complimentary phone consultation to discuss your needs, answer initial questions, and ensure we're the right fit for your initial consultation at our Coquitlam clinic.
What are your session fees, and do you accept insurance or specific funding programs (like ICBC, MCFD, FNHA, CVAP)?
Our current session fees are outlined on our Fees &Insurance page. We are pleased to accept several funding sources, including ICBC, MCFD, Autism Funding Unit (AFU), CVAP, and FNHA. Many private extended health insurance plans also provide coverage for services offered by our Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) or other qualified therapists; we advise checking directly with your provider about your specific plan details and coverage amounts.
Are my conversations during therapy with your therapists kept confidential?
Absolutely. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy and is protected by provincial law (PIPA) and our professional ethical codes. What you share in your sessions is kept strictly confidential with the following legal exceptions: if there is an imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or another person; if there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult; or if your records are subpoenaed by a court of law. We will discuss these limits thoroughly during your first session to ensure you feel fully informed.
What should I do if I'm experiencing a mental health crisis between my sessions?
Although our counsellors at Touch Brain Counselling are here for you at the time of need, we do not operate as a crisis intervention centre, and our therapists may not sometimes be immediately reachable outside of scheduled appointments. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis, please contact the BC Crisis Centre Distress Line at 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE), call 911, or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room. We can work on safety planning together during your regular therapy sessions.
What kind of mental health concerns or issues does your counsellors address?
Our Coquitlam therapists support children, teens, adults, couples, and families facing a wide range of challenges. This includes anxiety, depression, stress management, trauma and PTSD, ADHD and executive functioning, neuro developmental differences, relationship difficulties, family conflict, parenting support, grief and loss, life transitions, and personal growth. Please reach out if you'd like to discuss your specific situation.
What is Neurofeedback and who might benefit from it?
Neurofeedback is an evidence-based therapy that trains your brain to operate more efficiently, much like physical exercise that strengthens the body. We typically begin with a QEEG Brain Map, which measures your unique brainwave patterns to guide the neurofeedback training. This approach can be highly beneficial for individuals, teens, and children experiencing challenges related to ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, concussion recovery, sleep disturbances, learning difficulties, stress regulation, and even optimizing cognitive performance.
How is therapy different for children and teenagers compared to adults?
Counselling for children and teens incorporates techniques appropriate for their age, to help them engage and express themselves comfortably. For younger children, this often involves therapeutic approaches like Play Therapy and Art Therapy, utilizing their natural modes of communication. With adolescents, we focus on building a trusting therapeutic relationship, addressing their specific developmental challenges, and navigating the balance between their need for confidentiality and essential communication with parents/guardians, always adhering to legal and ethical guidelines.
What is EMDR therapy and what issues can it help with?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy method designed to help people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (like specific eye movements or tapping) to help the brain effectively process and integrate troubling memories and associated feelings, thoughts, and sensations. EMDR is commonly used to treat PTSD, anxiety, phobias, grief, and the effects of various traumas.