Frequently Asked Questions

General

Counselling provides a caring relationship with a skilled professional to work toward your particular challenges towards the changes you want in your behaviour, mood, thoughts, and relationships. Click here for a list of issues that we work with.

There are many different ways to do counselling/therapy. Each type focuses on various areas of change, including thoughts, behaviours, emotions, body/mind, and relationships depending on your situation, symptoms, and goals. Click here for a list of the therapies we offer.

At Boomerang Counselling Centre, we take a personalized, non-pathological approach to therapy, meaning we are not trying to ‘fix’ you, but to support and enhance your growth forward. This means we can not determine a set number of sessions ahead of time.

Each person is unique and has unique needs. Together, you and your therapist will determine what number and frequency of sessions are right for you.

Research shows that different approaches can yield similar results for the same condition or situation and that your relationship with your therapist is the #1 predictor of success in therapy. You can select a therapist based on a specific approach, your personal needs, or your comfort level. That said, results vary based on your specific situation. Click here to schedule a consultation with as many therapists that it takes to find the right fit for you.

We have a beautiful, welcoming space at Lonsdale Quay to meet with you in person, in addition to online and phone sessions. However, the initial consultation is done through telehealth or over the phone. Click here to schedule a consultation or book an in-person session with a therapist.

We have Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology interns whose fee is $60/50-minute session.

We offer free counselling for any child, parent, family, young adult, or anyone experiencing financial hardships. You can book directly online or contact us with any questions or clarification.

  1. The therapist will set the tone to make sure you are comfortable being there.
  2. The therapist will relay information about confidentiality and consent. 
  3. The therapist may ask for some background information, share about how it will look when you are working together, or go right into finding out what brought you to therapy.
  4. The therapist spends time listening to find out more about you and your situation. They may ask questions to help open the conversation to learn more.
  5. This part is very individual, where the therapist and you will explore ways together to best help you. The #1 goal is to help you feel heard, listened to, and put words and an understanding to your situation in a way that makes it manageable.
  6. At the end of a session, you may discuss what therapy looks like for you moving forward. Do you need weekly sessions, bi-weekly, monthly, or as needed? This is an individual question that will be determined by you and your therapist together.

At Boomerang Counselling Centre, counselling is a process that is catered to your needs. Counselling can be a place where you work on a goal, resolve an issue, explore parts of yourself, and master parts of yourself. It starts with what has brought you to counselling, and then you work with the therapist to determine how you want to move through or work on your particular situation.

There are over 1000 different approaches to therapy. There is research that supports a number of those approaches, but the most solid research out there is the power of the relationship to bring about change due to how our systems work together (neurobiological). So, the most important part of therapy is finding the right therapist for you!

We do not take payment in the office. When you book your first full session, you are sent a number of forms, including the payment information, where you are requested to add a Visa/Mastercard debit or credit card.

Jane is protected by the highest level of security. You can read more here. https://jane.app/security-and-trust

The day after your sessions, payments are processed through the online Jane booking system, and a receipt is sent to your email. The receipt will be accessible using the same password you use to get into the Jane booking system.

Receipts are sent automatically to your email once payment has been processed. Payments are processed the day after your session, typically in the morning or afternoon. To view your receipt, click on the link sent to your email and download your receipt.

An initial consultation is for you to meet a therapist prior to booking full-length sessions to see if you would be a good fit. Please note that not all therapists offer consultations due to their high volume of clientele. Consultations are offered when a therapist has space available to accommodate new clients to their schedule.

Starting August 1, 2025, we are moving to a tiered fee system based on the years of experience of the therapist. Therapists with:

  • 1-2 years experience: $150/50-minute session [Josy, Saba]
  • 2-5 years experience: $160/50-minute session [Stefanie]
  • 5+ years experience: $175/50-minute session [Ellie]
  • Doctoral Level: $210/50-minute session [Brandys]

Relationship/couples/family sessions have a slightly higher fee, and 80-minute sessions are scaled accordingly.

For new clientele, prior to August 1, 2025, all therapists are $150 except Brandys, whose rate is $210.

We also offer Low Cost/Free Services (learn more in the FAQ section)

Boomerang Counselling Centre is offering direct billing to select insurance companies (determined by the companies, not Boomerang Counselling Centre). If you are insured by one of the following companies, you can download the direct billing form (the button is located on the first page of the website) and email it to admin@boomerangcc.ca, and we will take care of the rest.

The following insurers provide direct billing with a Registered Clinical Counsellor:

  • Alberta Blue Cross
  • Beneva Inc
  • AGA Financial Group Inc
  • BPA – Benefit Plan Administrators
  • Canada Life
  • Canada Life – PSHCP
  • Canadian Construction Workers Union
  • Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance
  • CINUP
  • ClaimSecure
  • Coughlin & Associates Ltd
  • Cowan
  • D.A. Townley
  • Equitable
  • First Canadian
  • GMS Carrier 49
  • CMS Carrier 50
  • Industrial Alliance
  • Johnson Inc
  • Johnston Group Inc
  • LiUNA Local 183
  • LiUNA Local 506
  • Manulife Financial
  • Maximum Benefit
  • MDM Insurance Services Inc
  • People Corporation
  • Simply Benefits
  • TELUS AdjudiCare
  • Union Benefits
  • UV Insurance
Once you book your first full session with Boomerang Counselling Centre (not a consultation) you will be sent a number of forms, including the intake form, consent form, cancellation policy, etc. The intake form is not mandatory, but the other forms are. If you have any questions about filling out the forms, please submit a message through the contact form.

There is no underground parking at the office as it is on the water. There are three parkades along Carrie Cates Court (Chadwick Court $$$, ICBC $$, Lonsdale Quay $) where you can access parking. You can also look for parking on the surrounding streets.

Please note, the Parkades are heavily monitored and you will most likely get a ticket for even 1-5 minutes late to your vehicle.

Finding our office can be challenging. We are located on the fourth floor of the Waterfront Business Center in the Chadwick Court area. To find the building, head towards the bus loop and the sea bus station. Once you are there, continue past the Starbucks and the convenience store. We are located right beside the Donaire restaurant in the building with the glass doors. Attached is a photo of the building area, and a Google Maps link below.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BcPRMyyoGL2SK5Ph9

Yes. We are here to serve the needs of children and youth. This includes neurodiversity, behavioural, anxiety, attention, learning, social, and emotional problems. We also provide family law support through parent coaching, counselling, and report writing.

A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is a registered member of the BC Association of Registered Clinical Counsellors and is licensed for private practice.

A Registered Social Worker (RSW) is a practitioner approved by the BC College of Social Workers and is licensed to practice.

A Registered Psychologist is a registered professional approved to provide counselling and assessments with diagnosis through private practice.

All new clients can book an appointment in one of these ways:

Option 1: Call 778-639-0955 and speak to our Client Care Coordinator, who will set you up for your first appointment and ensure you are matched with the right counsellor for your needs.

Option 2: Click here to book a 20-minute free consultation directly with one of the available therapists.

Option 3: Please fill out this form, and our Client Care Manager will contact you to make an appointment.

Existing clients can log onto our Client Portal and book their appointment.

A credit card or Visa debit is required at the time of booking your appointment. Your session payment will be processed on the day of your appointment. Our system is fully encrypted, so all your information is completely secure.

If you do not have a payment card, please contact us through the contact form, phone, or text to make other arrangements.

Policies

Cancellation notice is required. Full fees are charged when there is less than 48 hrs’ notice of cancellation or a ‘no show’ (no notice of cancellation and not showing up for your scheduled appointment).

No referral is needed to make an appointment. Some extended health plans may require a referral so please be sure to inquire about the specifics of your health benefits and insurance company.

We accept funding through the following, providing that all the required information is provided upfront.

A credit card is required to book an appointment. Fees are processed on the day of the appointments.

When working with a child whose parents are not living together, we require both parents to consent to counselling for children under 12. If one parent wants counselling and the other does not agree, parents can seek a referral from a doctor/peadiatrician or access legal guidance.

Children 12 and over who can consent to therapy have a right to counselling regardless of parental permission.

New Programs at Boomerang

Newly ADHD Group

We are offering a group for adults who have a new diagnosis of ADHD. This group is intended to help you understand what it means to have a diagnosis of ADHD and how to manage adulting, including in areas of anxiety, relationships, strategies/routines, and accommodations and support medication.

Crunch Lunch

Get something done under the power of body doubling, upping the stakes, and bookending (three techniques we will learn about that help you manage your need for dopamine to complete tasks).

Specialties

We specialize in a variety of neurodiversity, behavioural, anxiety, attention, learning, social, and emotional problems. We also provide family support through parent coaching, counselling, and reunification.