You need to decide if I am the right counsellor for you!

Please contact me by email at richard@therippleffect.ca or by phone at 604-940-5534 and leave a detailed message and I will contact you promptly.

Counselling and psychotherapy both use similar methods to help clients make change. The significant difference is that counselling is typically short term and focused on ‘fixing’ a behavior. Whilst I am trained in both forms of therapy, I do lean towards in-depth work in psychotherapy to facilitate long term change. The Australian Counselling Association defines psychotherapy as: “an evolutionary process that helps a person look at long-standing attitudes, thoughts, and behaviours that have resulted in the current quality of one’s life and relationships. It goes much deeper [than counselling] to uncover root causes of problems… Ultimately, psychotherapy aims to empower the individual by freeing him/her from the grip of unconscious triggers or impulses through increased self-awareness.”

Therapy provided by Registered Clinical Counsellors is not covered under the basic BC Medical Services Plan. However, therapy may be covered by extended health care plans and workplace benefits. Please check with your insurance provider about coverage for counselling services.

Extended Health benefit plans are designed in collaboration with employers therefore, if not already included, clients should speak to their employers and request that RCC’s be added to their benefits plan. Having an employer add an RCC designation to an extended medical plan is a simple process and will usually not increase the cost of your benefits or employer contribution. Fees that aren’t covered by your employer may also be claimed as an income tax deduction under medical expenses.

You are required to cancel your session 48 (business day) hours (Monday to Friday) prior to your appointment to avoid paying the full fee for the counselling session. Unavoidable medical emergencies are an exception to this agreement. If I am able to fill your cancelled appointment time with another client, no cancellation fee is assessed.

Confidentiality is limited in the following instances:

• There is a risk of imminent danger to an identifiable third party or to self.
• There is suspicion of child abuse or neglect.
• A disclosure is ordered by a court.
• The client has agreed to share information with another person (e.g., physician, family member).

I am well known for my relational, interactive and engaged approach to therapy. Therapy with me will be a collaborative process whereby we will work together on what matters most to you. I will help you to develop an awareness of how underlying issues are often related to a problem that is perpetuating unhelpful and unwanted patterns of behaviour. I can guarantee that you’ll leave my office with plenty to think about. Therapy can be an exciting experience. Yes, it’s really true!

The first session is an opportunity for us to meet and for you to determine if you feel comfortable sharing your concerns with me. You will have the opportunity to share the issue(s) you may be struggling with as well as your history and how it may influence who you are today. I’ll learn about you, your strengths, what has worked to get you through tough times and what hasn’t/doesn’t work. Together we will determine what you are hoping to get out of the therapy process and how I see the process unfolding.

My sessions run for 50 minutes.

Please add yourself to my waitlist and ensure you have done the following: Add only the times you are available for appointments; add only the days you are available for appointments.

The Jane booking system sends out a text and email notification to those clients whose availability aligns with the opening.  Please note that Jane sends notification to all  matched clients at once so bookings are then on a first come basis.

If you receive a notification of an available appointment you wish to book, please do so right away and then add yourself back on the waitlist for future appointments.

Please note that for wait list clients you can only book one appt a week due to my wait list demand.

I do not offer a sliding scale.

There are some clients or clinical diagnosis that I do not treat as I have not the level of specialized training to support their healing. These groups are:

• ASD – clients with Autism
• Children
• Pedophilia Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Schizoid personality disorder

I will respond to emails and phone messages during scheduled work day hours from 8 am to 7 pm Tuesday to Thursday.

My cell phone is to be used for appointment changes only.

We do not allow clients to bring their pets into the office. The only exception is for certified service dogs.

I use an evidence based approach when working with couples.  The goal is to restore emotional connection and increase intimacy.

Couples therapy protocol:

• Couple has first 1 hr session to establish connection, goals and begin process.
• Couples must complete the Gottman Relationship Assessment after their first session which provides me an in-depth analysis of the relationship issues and dynamics. The cost is $150 + GST and the information provided equates to a value of 3 in-person sessions. The assessment enables me to tailor interventions and treatments quickly and effectively. I will send this assessment to clients post the first session.
• The subsequent sessions will be guided by the assessment and I will use Gottman tools to address the issues, resolve conflict, improve communication and restore intimacy and connection.
• Couples can expect to have 1 in person individual session with me after session 3 to address any concerns arising from their own assessment.
• If clients present with trauma or addiction it will be processed in session if appropriate.
• Most couples see me for a minimum of 12 sessions.