Virlyn Collantes
Areas of practice
- Anxiety and/or Panic
- Attention Deficit Disorder - ADHD
- Caregiver Support
- Death and Dying
- Depression
- Employee Assistance
- Family Caregiver Stress
- Grief and Loss - General
- Life Transitions
- Marriage and/or Relationship Issues
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Postpartum Depression
- Racism Issues
- Stress Management
- Trauma Counselling
Approaches used
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- Grief and Loss - Complicated.
- Humanistic Therapy
- In Person Counselling
- Mindfulness approaches
- Motivational Interviewing
- Online / Virtual / Telehealth Counselling
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Telephone Counselling
- Video Counselling
Other languages spoken
- Tagalog
Counselling practice website:
www.counselmevancouver.comPractice information:
About Me
I am a fervent advocate for addressing the root causes of individuals' issues and firmly believe that every person's unique story deserves to be heard and supported. Seeking help is a significant first step in one's journey, and I am committed to providing compassionate assistance. I look forward to the privilege of hearing your story, understanding you better, and walking alongside you on your path to personal growth and well-being. The importance of your journey is of utmost significance, and together, we can work towards brighter outcomes and a deeper understanding of your story.
I am a dedicated Registered Social Worker (RSW) associated with the British Columbia and Ontario Colleges of Social Workers. My journey in social work has taken me across continents, driven by a profound commitment to individual well-being and a relentless desire to effect positive change.
Born in the Philippines and raised in Toronto, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, providing the foundation for my future pursuits. I furthered my education in Chicago, where I obtained a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Erikson Institute. Afterward, I practiced in San Diego and eventually settled in Vancouver, where I currently practice as an RSW.
My professional journey has been marked by diverse experiences, primarily in healthcare settings such as Oncology, Intensive Care, Bone Marrow Transplant, Kidney Transplant, and the Emergency Department. In Chicago, I contributed to the Mothers’ and Babies Research Program at Northwestern University, engaging in both macro-level social work and micro-level therapy, offering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to expectant mothers to prevent post-partum symptoms.
Through my education and professional experiences spanning Chicago, San Diego, and Vancouver, I've gained a deep understanding of healthcare systems, witnessing the systemic and psychosocial barriers affecting health outcomes. This insight has fueled my dedication to promoting overall well-being and mental health, shaping my approach to a health equity, biopsychosocial, and client-centered model when working with diverse clients.
My Clinical Approach to Counselling
My extensive background and comprehensive training have equipped me with a wide range of therapeutic modalities, enabling me to offer a personalized approach to address the specific needs of each individual I work with. These modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Grief Counseling, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Talk Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Over the course of my career, I've had the privilege of assisting a diverse clientele dealing with a broad spectrum of challenges, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), grief and loss, life transitions, adjustment disorders, relationship issues, stress management, caregiver burnout, and employment burnout.
My diverse skill set, along with a profound dedication to understanding and empowering individuals, enables me to provide a compassionate and effective therapeutic approach. Your well-being and unique circumstances are always at the forefront of my practice, and I'm committed to guiding you on your journey towards healing and personal growth.
What About Cost?
Counsel Me Vancouver believes that pricing for counselling should be fair and reasonable. Most importantly, it should be affordable. Cost has been carefully considered through the comparison of other comparable service providers, professional level of the counselling being offered, and the desire to provide counselling to as many clients as possible. The fees are also in accordance with the recommended fee guidelines set forth by the BC College of Social Workers and BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
For individual counselling, each session costs $180 per session. Most individual sessions generally run for 1 hour. Check your health benefits as many plans cover some or all of this cost. I also am ICBC and CVAP approved if you have funding through these programs. If you have any questions regarding the fees, do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
The initial 15-minute phone session is free of charge. This call insures that I can assist your personal mental health concerns within my scope of practice and gives you the opportunity to ask any questions prior to scheduling an appointment. It also allows me to prepare for your first session so that you get the most out of your counselling experience. I also offer a free 15-minute in-person consultation so that you can come in to the office, meet me, and get a general idea of the work that we'd be doing in session. It's important to find a counsellor that fits your needs and this consultation can help you decide if you want to work specifically with me.
*All canceled appointments require 24 hours notice.*
Counselling is a Smart Investment in Yourself
From time to time, we reward ourselves with a treat-a cup of coffee, a new electronic gadget, a massage, perhaps a new watch or clothing. However, we often forget the importance of our mental well-being. Consider rewarding your inner life and budgeting some of this money for counselling. There is no better, long-term investment than improving the quality of your life-your health, well-being, and relationships. Counselling can help alleviate problems before they take physical, mental, and financial tolls. Make your mental health a priority and improve your quality of life. Come in for a free 15-minute consultation to see if counselling is a fit for you.
Which Insurance Companies Cover Counselling?
Registered Social Workers (RSWs) are recognized healthcare professionals, and when you seek counselling and services from an RSW, you can potentially 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, 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:
- Great West Life
- Canada Life
- Beneva/SSQ
- Empire Life Insurance
- Dejardins
- Sunlife Insurance
- Green Shield Insurance
- Chambers Plan
- 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.
Specialized training:
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy (Institute for SFBT)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Northwestern University)
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT Centre of Vancouver)
Client fee individuals:
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