I am registered with British Columbia and Ontario as a Registered Social Worker (RSW) therapist and can serve clients and couples from both provinces. I offer individual and couples therapy. I offer in-person, virtual, and phone sessions for British Columbia clients. I offer virtual and phone sessions for Ontario clients.
Counselling Approach
My extensive experiences and comprehensive training have equipped me with a diverse array of therapeutic modalities, enabling me to offer a tailored approach to meet the unique needs of each individuals and couples I work with. These therapeutic modalities encompass: Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Grief Counselling, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Mindfulness, Talk Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with diverse clients facing a wide spectrum of challenges, including but not limited to: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma and PTSD, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions, Adjustment Disorder, Relationship Issues, Stress Management, Caregiver Burnout, and Employment Burnout.
My diverse skill set, combined with a deep commitment to understanding and empowering individuals and couples, allows me to provide a compassionate and effective approach to therapy. Your well-being and unique circumstances are at the forefront of my practice, and I am dedicated to helping you navigate your path toward healing and personal growth.
Background
I prioritize a client-centered approach for individuals and couples I work with and believe in addressing the root causes of issues with utilizing evidence-based clinical practice modalities. I'm passionate about listening to unique stories, offering compassionate support, and helping you achieve better outcomes on your personal journey.
My experience and a career in healthcare has taken me through challenging hospital units, providing psychosocial support, counseling, and risk assessments in areas like Oncology, ICU, Kidney Transplant, and more. I've also contributed to the Mothers and Babies Research Program at Northwestern University in Chicago, offering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I have also practiced EAP Counselling via virtual healthcare platform.
As for my education, I'm a dedicated Registered Social Worker (RSW) therapist associated with the British Columbia College of Social Workers and The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in Toronto, Ontario, followed by a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Erikson Institute in Chicago, Illinois. I've practiced in San Diego, California, and now call Vancouver, British Columbia, home.
Which Insurance Companies Cover Counselling?
Registered Social Workers (RSWs) are regulated healthcare professionals, and when you seek counselling and services from an RSW, you can qualify for a medical expense tax credit when filing your income tax returns. Although counselling fees are not covered under the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) and Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) , many health benefit plans do include counselling coverage that reimburse you for visits to a Registered Social Worker (RSW). If your insurance is provided by one of the below companies, check with them to see how much your plan covers per calendar year. However, if your insurance company is not listed below, this does not mean that they won’t cover costs. Refer to your insurance company benefits package or Human Resources Department to find out what type of coverage you have.
The following plans are known to cover some or all of counselling provided by a RSW:
- Canada Life
- Great West Life
- Beneva/SSQ
- Sunlife Insurance
- Manulife
- Green Shield Insurance
- Empire Life Insurance
- Chambers Plan
- The Co-operators
- Dejardins
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Publically funded services such as Non-Insured Health Benefits for Aboriginal people
- *Family Assistance Programs
- *Workers Compensation Board (WCB)
- *Victim’s Assistance Services (call 604-660-3888 or toll free in BC at 1-866-660-3888 to enroll with CVAP)
- * ICBC (if involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident causing anxiety and trauma)
- *Depends on the client’s reasons for seeking counselling and requires proper approval from the company.
If your insurance company does cover counselling from a RSW, simply provide the receipt Counsel Me Vancouver gives you to your insurance company and they will reimburse you.
If you find that RSW visits are not covered under your plan, you may want to contact your employer, Human Resources Department, or insurance company directly to request a small change to the plan’s coverage. This isn’t difficult, doesn’t cost the employer anything, and at the same time increases your employee benefits. Most employers like to increase the amount of benefits that their employees can access, especially when it does not cost the employer any additional fee. Often plans will cover visits to a Psychologist but not a qualified RSW who is less expensive. By adjusting the plan to include RSW’s, your counselling dollars will actually go further.
Virlyn Collantes Reaches
Clients throughout British Columbia
Clients throughout Ontario