Who may receive counselling?
- A victim may be awarded up to 48 one-hour sessions, plus up to 24 sessions tied to qualifying legal proceedings under current rules.
- An immediate family member may be awarded up to 36 one-hour sessions, plus up to 18 tied to qualifying legal proceedings.
- A witness may be awarded up to 12 one-hour sessions, plus up to 12 tied to qualifying legal proceedings.
- For someone who was under 19 when the offence occurred, CVAP may approve additional recovery sessions in specified circumstances.
What does a provider need?
Current rules require acceptable professional liability insurance and a satisfactory criminal record check. Reimbursement categories also depend on education, supervised experience and professional affiliation. Registered Clinical Counsellors in good standing with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors are expressly recognized in a current rate category when the education requirements are also met.
Can counselling be online or by phone?
Yes, remote counselling is permitted under the current CVAP Counselling Guidelines.
The provider must have no identified concern about providing care remotely, the claimant must agree, and the work must follow the provider's governing-body requirements and the same CVAP expectations as in-person counselling.
How should I choose a counsellor?
- Confirm that the provider works with CVAP and meets current program requirements.
- Ask whether they have experience relevant to your needs and whether in-person or remote care is available.
- Discuss privacy, scheduling, missed-session policies and any cost not covered by CVAP.
- Make sure you feel respected and able to ask questions. You may consider a different provider if the fit is not right.
What about trauma therapy, PTSD or EMDR?
A provider may use approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) when clinically appropriate, but mentioning a therapy does not mean CVAP will automatically fund it. Funding follows the approved counselling benefit, provider requirements and treatment plan—not a marketing label.
