Counselling | ICBC Counselling

What is Counselling?

Counselling is a collaborative and dynamic process. At its essence, counselling involves one part insight – that spotlight of clarity in the dark fog – and one part action. Counselling is a process which develops as a working partnership develops between client and therapist. Therapy is not always comfortable or straightforward as difficult emotions and ways of being often have to be sorted through in order for new energy and change to appear. Clients should feel comfortable with their therapist and be able to ask about whatever is on their mind regarding the process. In spite of the uncomfortable emotions experienced, clients often feel that the temporary pain of working through the process is well worth leaving behind the continual pain of living the way they had previously.

Our Vancouver Counsellors and Therapists are BCACC (BC Association of Clinical Counsellors) and RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellors) certified which means your extended health benefits or ICBC claimmay cover their costs. To find out more, call Backs in Action at 604-876-9977, read about our Counsellor Veera Grewal or book online.

What Kinds of Things Do People Seek Help For?

People seek counselling help for a variety of reasons including feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, worried, sad or angry. People also seek out counselling to help change behaviours that are troubling them including addictive or disordered behaviours or behaviours that affect their relationships at home or at work. Some people seek counselling because they have a life goal that has been eluding them and they are ready to explore their barriers. Other people seek out counselling because they know they are going through a difficult time or facing a difficult decision and they desire a place to sort through their feelings and more forward in their life with intention and clear thinking.

Some people see counsellors because they are experiencing relationship difficulties while others have motor vehicle accident (ICBC) related trauma. At Backs in Action, our counsellors also have extensive experience in bringing relief to those suffering from anxiety, depression, grief, and addictions.

Mental Health and Covid-19

See our recent webinar on Mental Health and Covid-19 with topics listed here.

Your First Visit

You can expect to talk about the concern(s) that brought you into counselling and also about your background and personal history. You can share on a level that feels comfortable for you. You can also expect to have some brief paperwork to fill out.

Counselling Approaches

The approach of our counsellors are best described as holistic and integrative. They adopt a variety of perspectives ranging from Mindfulness and Somatic, Cognitive, Emotionally Focused Technique (EFT), to Trauma based interventions (Observed & Experiential Integration).

Counselling Languages

Our counsellors speak English and Punjabi. If you are looking for therapist in another language, we may be able to direct you to a counsellor who speaks a language you may be more comfortable with.

Benefits of Counselling

When a counselling relationship is working well, clients experience new insights into their situations, clearer thinking, increased energy, better understanding of their feelings and needs, release of troubling emotions that have held them back or been confusing, and a greater sense of wholeness and peace within themselves. Therapy is a process, and a working partnership develops between the client and the therapist.

Therapy is not always comfortable or straightforward as difficult emotions and ways of being often have to be sorted through in order for new energy and change to appear. Clients should feel comfortable with their therapist and be able to ask about whatever is on their mind regarding the process. In spite of the uncomfortable emotions experienced, clients often feel that the temporary pain of the working through process is well worth leaving behind the continual pain of living the way they had previously.

Is What I Say to My Therapist Confidential?

Yes. All client-therapist conversations are private and confidential.

It is also confidential information that a person is meeting with a counsellor. As Registered Clinical Counsellors, our therapists follow the professional ethical standards of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. Only in rare exceptions when the safety of a client or someone else is at risk can disclosure of confidential client-therapist information take place.

To find out more, call Backs in Action at 604-876-9977 or email us at info@backsinaction.ca. You can also read about our Counsellors, Alison McCleary and Veera Grewal, or confidentially book your appointment online.

I’ve Been In A Car Accident. Does ICBC Cover Counselling?

Yes. After a motor vehicle accident (MVA) many people experience whiplash, headaches, neck, back, extremity and recurrent pain. They may also experience changes to their mental health. If you were involved in an MVA and have reported the incident to ICBC, you qualify for care at our ICBC Rehab and Wellness Clinic in East Vancouver.

As of April 1, 2019, individuals who have been in a car accident no longer need pre-approval from ICBC for their healthcare treatments as long as they have an ICBC claim number. This means you get access to services to improve your physical and mental health right away from Day 1 of your accident and up to 12 weeks after the accident. After that date, we will work with ICBC to ensure you continue to get access to the care you need until you are at maximal recovery.

If your accident was more than 3 months ago but you’d still like to take advantage of counselling services, we can still help you get access. Please email us or call us at 604-876-9977 with your claim details so we can work with ICBC to get access to the care you need. If you’d like access to other services such as chiropractic care, physiotherapy, acupuncture or massage after your accident, most at little or no cost to you, please visit our ICBC page or call or email us

Who Qualifies?

All British Columbia licensed drivers (Insured by ICBC)
Those who have an active ICBC claim number and were in an accident less than 12 weeks ago. If your accident date was prior to 3 months, we have had success working with ICBC to ensure you still have access to care.
No medical referral is necessary for the following treatments, all of which are offered at Backs in Action. You can call us at 604-876-9977, email us or book your hassle-free appointment online.