Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can I expect in the first therapy session?

Your first session is all about getting to know you and what brought you to therapy. Your therapist will:

  • Invite you to share your story and your goals.

  • Ask about symptoms you’re experiencing, your strengths, and current stresses.

  • For kids and teens: we usually meet with parents first to gather background information before meeting your child.

  • For psychoeducational assessments: the first meeting is with the adult client or the parents of the child being assessed. We’ll discuss concerns, history, and what you’d like to learn from the assessment.

By the end of the session, you and your therapist can decide if it feels like a good fit and set a plan for how often to meet.

2. Do you have evening or weekend appointments?

We do — but they go fast! Check our online booking page for the most up-to-date availability.

3. How much does therapy cost?

Our psychologists and child psychologists are highly trained and experienced in evidence-based therapy for anxiety, OCD, and related concerns. Fees range from $227–$297 per 50-minute session, depending on the therapist.

Insurance & coverage:

  • Many extended health plans (e.g., Blue Cross, Manulife) cover $500–$5000 of psychological services per year.

  • Any portion not covered may be claimed as a medical expense on your tax return.

💡 Lower-cost option: Vancouver Anxiety Centre is a training site for doctoral students in clinical psychology (UBC & SFU). Student sessions are $127 per 50 minutes, supervised weekly by Dr. Korol. Many insurance plans reimburse sessions supervised by a registered psychologist.

4. I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help. Why would this be different?

That’s a common experience, and it doesn’t mean therapy can’t work for you.

At Vancouver Anxiety Centre, our therapists use structured, evidence-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). That means:

  • Reviewing progress each week.

  • Teaching practical skills (e.g., how to challenge unhelpful thoughts).

  • Assigning between-session practice (and reviewing it).

  • Asking for your feedback at the end of each session.

While no therapy can guarantee results, this structured approach — combined with your active participation — makes it much more likely you’ll see meaningful change.

5. Do you treat children and teens?

Yes!

  • Dr. Christine Korol is a child psychologist in Vancouver who accepts patients age 9+ and provides parenting support for infants, preschoolers and early elementary aged children.

  • Dr. Brittney Russell, Dr. Dana Cochrane, and Dr. Raj Hayre are also trained as child psychologists who are able to see children provide parenting support. They are currently offering online appointments.

  • We offer psychoeducational assessments for ages 6 and up to help with school planning and support.

6. Do you do medical-legal assessments?

No, we do not provide medical-legal assessments or accept ICBC/WorkSafeBC cases.

7. Do you do autism assessments?

No, we do not conduct formal autism assessments. Our clinic focuses on psychoeducational assessments (learning and behavioural challenges).

For autism evaluations, we’re happy to connect you with trusted professionals who specialize in this area.

8. How do I get started?

Getting started is simple:

We also offer free consultations to help you decide if we’re the right fit.

9. How long does therapy take?

It depends on your goals and situation. Some people feel relief after just a few sessions, while others prefer longer-term support (e.g., if you have more than one concern, like depression and trauma, it might take a little longer). On average, many clients start noticing change within 6–12 sessions of CBT for anxiety or OCD. Your therapist will check in with you regularly to make sure therapy is on track. Whether you receive your cognitive behavioural therapy sessions in our office in Vancouver or online from the comfort of your own home therapy will work just as well. There are years of research showing that online therapy is just as effective as an in person session.

10. Is therapy confidential?

Yes. Everything you share with your therapist is confidential, with a few legal exceptions (for example, safety concerns). At the start of therapy, your therapist will explain confidentiality and answer any questions you have.

11. Do you offer online therapy?

Yes! All of our therapists provide secure virtual cognitive behavioural therapy for residents of BC, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Dr. Korol is also registered to practice in the Yukon and Alberta and can see you if you are located there. Dr. Cannon is also registered in Alberta and Saskatchewan and can see you if you are in those provinces. You can attend sessions from the comfort of home — all you need is a private space and a reliable internet connection.

12. What kinds of problems do you treat?

We focus on helping clients with:

  • Anxiety and panic

  • Insomnia

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Social anxiety

  • Work stress and burnout

  • People-pleasing and boundary-setting

  • Grief and loss

  • Relationship and family challenges

  • Health-related stress and adjustment

  • Cyberbullying and online shaming