How do I choose a psychologist?

Some people get referred to a particular psychologist through a family doctor or lawyer, or another professional, or a friend.  However, if you have not been referred to a particular psychologist, you may wish to see the list of clinicians in our Nanaimo and Victoria offices to view a brief profile of each of our clinicians.  Should you have any further questions, our support staff would be pleased to assist you in this or any other regard.

What will I get out of therapy?

People usually decide to see a psychologist when they (or their relatives) believe they are stuck in unproductive ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving.  The goal of therapy is to help clients gain awareness and develop new and more adaptive ways of being, leading to greater life satisfaction and satisfaction in relationships.

What will my child get out of therapy?

The specific therapeutic needs of your child will be assessed and goals will be established in collaboration with you and/or your child.  Early intervention is both useful in addressing current problems and in preventing additional difficulties in the future.  Depending on the specific needs of your child, therapy is often aimed at developing specific skills (e.g., social problem-solving; emotional regulation such as anger and anxiety management; relaxation) and improving interpersonal relations, including family relations.

How long will it take?

Frequency of sessions and length of treatment are discussed and are guided by the needs and desires of the clients.  Many issues or concerns can be addressed in 10-12 sessions.  Some clients may wish to pursue longer term therapy based on their specific needs and/or goals.  Clients who do not have access to funding and/or who have limited resources may benefit from seeing a psychologist for just 1 to 3 sessions to gain insight and guidance in addressing their concerns.

What will it cost?

Some individuals have coverage through extended health benefit plans that will re-imburse for the cost of services in whole or in part. Our Psychologist and Clinical Counsellor rates are charged in accordance with recommendations from the BC Psychological Association and BC Association of Clinical Counsellors respectively. Please contact our office for specific information.

Is funding available?

Many of our clients have access to funding to assist in payment for services. A number of employers provide extended medical plans or rehabilitative services which include coverage for services provided by a Registered Psychologist. Insurance companies may also fund services when there has been an injury and victims of crime may be able to access funding through the Crime Victims Assistance program. First Nations clients may have funding for services through their Bands or First Nations and Inuit Health Services. Many of these organizations require pre-approval of services and some require a referral from a physician. Services are not covered through the standard BC Medical Plan.

What is a psychoeducational assessment?

A psychoeducational assessment is a thorough individual assessment that involves gathering developmental, family, school, social/emotional, personality/temperament, and health histories and administering and interpreting norm-referenced tests.  A composite of this information is then used to help formulate a profile of a child’s or adult’s pattern of strengths, challenges, behaviours, and life circumstances so that specific suggestions and recommendations can be made.  The entire psychoeducational assessment process generally takes 15 to 20 hours, depending on individual assessment needs.  Drawing on the expertise of several clinicians, Campbell & Fairweather Psychology Group generally uses a team approach in conducting such assessments to help individuals reach their unique potentials.

Are there funding and tax credits for psychoeducational assessments?

There are personal tax credit programs and benefits available for individuals with disabilities that can help offset psychoeducational assessment costs.  Many people with personal health insurance have extended coverage which may cover a portion of psychological testing for individual family members. It is advisable for clients to review the details of their coverage to see whether their plan includes coverage for such assessments.  If so, it is the client’s or parents/caregivers’ responsibility to submit their claims directly to their insurance providers after full payment has been made to Campbell & Fairweather Psychology Group.

What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is currently one of the most well-established scientifically validated approaches to psychotherapy.  It has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of difficulties and preventing relapse and is appropriate for individuals of all ages.  All of our practitioners are versed in this approach and use it when it is indicated.  In short, CBT focuses on helping individuals identify and challenge maladaptive thought patterns that may be influential in the development and/or maintenance of symptoms.  It also involves the development of skills in areas such as assertion, interpersonal problem-solving, anxiety and/or anger management, and relaxation and visualization.  Graduated exposure to anxiety-provoking situations and/or trauma-related memories and images also is implemented as appropriate.

What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and families?

EFT focuses on helping partners to shift the emotional responses that maintain their negative interactional patterns. Through a series of steps and approximately 8-20 sessions, the therapist leads the couple away from conflict and deadlock into new bonding interactions that help to build a renewed sense of love and a stronger foundation than ever. This approach is also used with excellent results with families. It also lends itself very well to working with couples where one partner or both partners are presenting with specific problems including depression, trauma, anxiety, low self-esteem, low sexual desire, and/or other sexual problems.

Dr. Leanne Campbell and Dr. David Fairweather were trained and supervised in EFT in he early-mid 1990s by its co-originator Dr. Susan Johnson, and have been using the approach ever since, in addition to training and supervising other clinicians in its use. Campbell & Fairweather Psychology Group is designated as a Centre for the Training of EFT. Visit the Vancouver Island Centre for Emotionally Focused Therapy website for more info.