Counselling Support Centre

Are the forms used in your practice inclusive of various sexual orientations and gender identities (e.g., opportunities to fill in pronouns, etc.)?

—Yes

Do you collect and use preferred names (rather than legal names) for all communications?

—Yes

Do you and your colleagues have experience providing services that support clients with navigating gender dysphoria*?

*TransCareBC describes gender dysphoria as a term "intended to describe the distress some trans people experience with relation to their gender identity, particularly if they would like to transition but have not yet done so".

—Yes, to some extent

I as a supervisor and director of the centre have had some training in supporting gender dysphoria, but our clinicians don't necessarily have that specific training at the time they enter the centre and start counselling. We would place with counsellors those that have that experience as requested or needed.

Please tell us how equipped you feel to support a client in determining if/when their mental health symptoms are related to their gender-related experiences or other factors? Please describe your response choice below.

—Very confident

Do you/your colleagues understand the difference between gender dysphoria and mental health conditions/symptoms that are unrelated to gender dysphoria or distress?

—Yes, to some extent

Do you and your colleagues have experience working with people who identify as living with a disability or chronic illness? Please tell us more about your experience and any training you have received.

—No

Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for Two-Spirit, queer, or trans Indigenous individuals accessing your services?

—Yes, to some extent

We are supportive for all individuals that come but we don't have a specific focus on the barriers related to 2S/LGBTQ+-, because of this if someone that comes that needs individual counsellors that are aware or skilled in these areas we will provide general support as we bridge to other services that may be needed.

Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for LGBQ individuals accessing your services?

—Yes, to some extent

Are you and your colleagues comfortable asking relevant questions about gender identity and sexual orientation?

—Yes

Do you offer Indigenous 2S/LGBTQ+ specific resources, for example Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers?

—No

At this time we don't , but as we grow in our knowledge of resources, we would be able to provide that information to individuals that need resources or bridging support.

Do you and your colleagues ask clients about pronouns and use them appropriately?

—Yes, to some extent

Our forms capture preferred pronouns if someone requests pronouns used our counsellors would use preferred pronouns.

Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for trans individuals accessing your services?

—Yes, to some extent

Does your practice have gender-neutral washrooms?

—Not applicable (please explain why this is not applicable)

We are an online service

Are there clear anti-discrimination policies that include gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation in your organization or practice?

—Yes

Are all individuals involved in service provision actively engaged in decolonizing their practices and/or organization? If yes, please type below what actions you and/or your organization are taking.

—Yes, to some extent

Our practice is based on Trauma informed practice and the understanding of our approaches to counselling that may relate to colonization. Our forms and having to pay are probably the most rigid colonizing expression. So we actively engage with a free, f2f intake that provides a decolonizing approach to inform and provide awareness of our services. All of our counsellors are using an individual trauma informed approach. Including supervision.

Are all individuals involved in service provision actively engaged in anti-racist practices, policies, and systems in their care model?

—Yes