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Did you know? For most clients, coverage provided by their employer’s extended health benefits plan or their private insurance company pays for at least some psychological counseling sessions. However, most plans limit the amount they will pay for the services of a psychologist, so it is a good idea to read your plan or consult with a Human Resources specialist at work to find out how much funding you have available for various health-care professionals, including psychologists. Some plans require you to use a psychologist registered with the BC College of Psychologists. Dr. Williamson meets this requirement.

Our Address: 1 - 4361 Kingsway Burnaby, BC, V5H 1Z9 (near Metrotown & Patterson Skytrain Station) Call: (604) 439-1604 Fax: (604) 432-9231 Get directions

Psychological Services

Psychological counseling can help you resolve a variety of life problems. If you need more help than can be provided by friends, family, or clergy, you may find it helpful to talk with a professionally trained therapist who can provide an objective viewpoint.

Psychotherapists help people understand themselves better, thereby improving their ability to make important life decisions and increasing their overall satisfaction with life.

In our fast-paced and often confusing modern world, people can find them­selves dealing with a wide range of life issues, including stress, marital or family problems, alcoholism and drug addiction, and depression, to name a few. If you are experiencing such concerns, you know they can affect you in ways ranging from minor but persistent dissatisfaction with life to a virtual inability to function on a day-to-day basis. No matter which end of this spectrum applies to you, if you are suffering from life quality issues, you may find that objective and professional help at the right time can significantly improve your overall personal effectiveness, not to mention your satisfaction with life. At Medspa Health Center, we provide a program of psychological counseling tailored to your issues and how they affect your life.

How do I know if I need psychological counseling?

When we are experiencing life problems, we often turn to friends, family, or clergy for help. If, however, we cannot seem to resolve our problems, or if we start to experience negative long-term effects such as reliance on drugs or alcohol, or persistent depression or anxiety, we need more help than our friends and family can give us. At these times, a professionally trained therapist provides an objective point of view in a confidential setting. Psychological counseling can help address stress, anxiety, persistent sadness (depression), conflicts with others, career or job-related problems, marital discord, and parenting concerns, as well as many other issues. Trained therapists help people understand themselves better, improve their ability to make important life decisions, and increase their satisfaction with daily living. They do this by providing an empathetic sounding board, by helping clients see their problems from a different point of view, and even by suggesting ways of handling life situations more effectively.

What is a psychologist?

A Registered Psychologist such as Dr. Williamson typically has a four-year undergraduate university degree, and a four-year doctoral degree specializing in most aspects of human mental function, including cognitive, perceptual, develop­mental, interpersonal, and emotional health. A one-year supervised clinical internship and comprehensive licensing examinations by the BC College of Psychologists complete the qualification process.

Should I come in alone or with my partner?

Counseling helps individuals manage their symptoms and feelings. It helps them improve their ability to make decisions and deal with the world in general by providing a greater under­standing of self.
Couples come to counseling to improve their communication and mutual support, their conflict-resolution skills, and the quality of their intimacy. They may also address specific problems that get in the way of a satisfactory relationship—child-rearing issues, money disagreements, problems with the extended family, marital infidelity, sexuality, and addictions, to name a few.

What can I expect if I decide to see the psychologist?

You can expect your psychologist to be both competent and friendly. To start with, the two (or three) of you will spend some time determining the nature of your concerns and formulating a plan. This may involve discussions about your present situation and relevant past events. Your psychologist should be able to help you understand the problem in a way that makes sense to you, and should provide a specific treatment plan. This may involve further counseling sessions or, in some cases, referral to another specialist. You may also be asked to do some work between sessions, be that reading specific material, keeping a journal, or doing other prescribed exercises.

Is what I say confidential?

Yes. With a few exceptions, what you talk about in a counseling session stays between you and your psychologist, so you can feel comfortable disccussing sensitive personal matters. Psychologists are ethically bound to keep your information confidential. They do not release information to anyone without your written permission. There are a couple of important legal exceptions to client confidentiality: if the psychologist feels that a child or senior needs protection, or that the client or another person is in immediate physical danger, this must be reported to the authorities. As well, a psychologist who is subpoenaed to testify in court must do so, even if it violates client confidentiality.

Which is better, counseling or medication?

Both counseling and medication have benefits and risks. In most cases, counseling alone is sufficient to meet client needs. However, for clients experiencing severe symptoms of mental illness such as hallucinations, inability to distinguish between reality and fantasy, or over­whelming anxiety or depression, medication prescribed by a physician can correct the brain-chemistry imbalances that can keep the client from benefiting from the psychological counseling. Medication alone is not as effective as medication combined with psychological counseling. Your psychologist will assess your need for medication based on your symptoms, and if necessary, can help you talk to your physician about them.

Caring, respectful service

We realize that facing personal problems with the help of a professional counselor can be very difficult and takes a great deal of courage. Understanding, patience, and warmth can help ease the struggle along the path to mental and emotional health. At Medspa Health Center, we make an extra effort to be courteous and respectful, and to provide effective, professional service that honors every individual.

We make a difference. We care.

Call us (604) 439-1604 to make an appointment.

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