Free Consultation

If you are a first-time client, you are invited to meet with one of our qualified therapists for a free 15-minute consultation. This may be done either on the phone, or in person at our Coquitlam or Maple Ridge clinics.

What is a consultation?

A consultation is not counselling. It is an opportunity to meet with a therapist, to ask questions, and generally to get a feel for whether you and your therapist could work together.

Ultimately, your therapeutic goal is to change your current emotional state, so that you can live a healthier life. Hence in therapy, it is important that you feel that your therapist understands what you’re saying. This is not an understanding of words, but an understanding of the depth of your emotion and your pain. You must feel comfortable and that your therapist “gets you”. You must feel that your therapist is empathetic and caring. Most importantly, that they have the skills to help you change whatever it is that does not appear to be working.

These are some of the things you could discuss at your free 15-minute consultation:

An idea of what you’re experiencing

Your consultation is an opportunity for you to tell your therapist your story. We would encourage you to share what you experienced, and how it is impacting your life. You may be emotional as you tell your story, and that’s ok. We are all emotional beings, and we want to validate our emotions, not deny them. We would encourage you to be honest, not just with your therapist, but more importantly, be honest with yourself.

Certainly, we understand how difficult it is to pour your heart out to a stranger. Be assured that your therapist is a trained professional, and we are here to help.

Goals for therapy

This is a great opportunity to discuss what you want to get out of therapy. Some of us are very clear about what we want, some of us not. It is our experience that when we start giving voice to our emotions, we become clearer about what we want to achieve. Do not be concerned if it is not immediately clear, your therapist is here to help you.

Extended health plans and financial concerns

The consultation is also an opportunity for you to discuss extended health plans and billing. All therapists at Innova are trained with a Masters degree, and are Registered Clinical Counsellors.

We are also members in good standing with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.

Our qualifications are covered by all the major healthcare providers in British Columbia. These include Great West Life, SunLife, Manulife, and so on. Our credentials are also accepted by WorkSafeBC, ICBC, CVAP, to name a few.

What’s worked for you in the past

If you have experienced counselling previously and have found a particular therapeutic method to work, do share this information with your therapist. If your therapist is not familiar with the method, they would suggest an alternative therapeutic model that could work for you.

There are many different, evidence-based methods available. Your therapist would be able to inform and answer any questions you may have. If you are not comfortable with the suggested method, do discuss it with your therapist.

Here is a list of the different therapeutic models that we use.

Call Innova Therapy today for your free 15-minute consultation at 604-484-2737.