Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Mareel
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Mareel is a word from Shetland that means the bioluminesence or sparkle you can see in the ocean on a dark night. Lisa’s family is from Shetland and she has always loved when you poke beneath the surface of the ocean at night and see this sparkling magic. It reflects how she feels about counselling.
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Counselling can be very useful for many concerns you might be having - including; relationship struggles, past trauma or feeling stuck in your life. It can also be very effective to come to counselling to be proactive during any life transitions and to give your relationship the occasional tune up!
Everyone is different in the issues they bring to counselling, their budget, their expectations and hopes for counselling and how they respond to counselling.
Some people may need only a few sessions and others might need or want longer term work. Many will do a series of sessions and then come back in the future as needed.
Even though this varies, most people will feel some movement or relief after the first few sessions.
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Yes! Numerous studies show that video appointments are just as effective as in person.
For many, it makes access easier and they are able to attend counselling for the first time.
It is a personal choice and you can even try both.
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During a first session, we will discuss what your goals are and what you hope to get from therapy. The first goal is always to create a feeling of comfort and safety. Every session will involve a check in to see how you are feeling and to revisit our progress.
All work is done with the principle that you are the expert in yourself and the tone is always one of care and respect. Each session will be a little different depending on what has come up for you or what we are working on.
With relationship therapy, there is the possibility that some sessions may be individual if we decide that would be beneficial.
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Many extended insurance plans cover therapy done by a Registered Clinical Counsellor. You can submit the receipt and receive reimbursement from your plan if this is covered.
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Talking about your life and thoughts with a new person can create a feeling of vulnerability. We work hard to make sure our clients feel heard and accepted. Everything said in therapy is completely private with a few legal exceptions. For example, if we know that you are a danger to yourself or others, or feel that a child is in danger, we have a legal duty to report.
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If we see you in public, we will not acknowledge you. You are more than welcome to come up and say hello, but we will respect your privacy and never approach you. Just like in a therapy session, you are in charge!
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Contact us first, and we will arrange a time to have a consultation to make sure that we are a good fit for counselling.
After this, you can book all your appointments online through the booking app. If you need help with booking, or prefer to book directly through us either by email or during our appointments, that is fine too.
Payment is set up through the booking site. If this is a problem, we can discuss alternatives.
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We go beyond being aware and are knowledgable. We all have many courses and take every opportunity we can to learn more.
Lisa has worked in sexuality and sex education for over 30 years so has had a lot of time to accrue the knowledge! We work together as a team to build and share our knowledge.
While we always want to know more about you as an individual, you will not need to educate us about most areas of sexuality.
Questions about sex therapy in Vancouver
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Sex therapy at Mareel is 100% talk based. Sessions are a private, confidential space to explore anything related to your sexuality, past experiences, current challenges, identity, functioning, or simply wanting to understand yourself better. Nothing is off the table and nothing you bring in will be treated as unusual or too much.
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Sessions run either 55 or 80 minutes.
For our associate RCCs, a 55-minute session is $160 and an 80-minute session is $240.
For Lisa and Tamara, a 55-minute session is $175 and an 80-minute session is $255.
Our masters level counsellor Nicole offers sessions at $110 for 55 minutes and $160 for 80 minutes, with lower rates negotiable.
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Not at all. Many of our clients come to sex therapy as individuals. Your sexuality is yours to explore whether or not you choose to share it with someone else.
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Sessions with our Registered Clinical Counsellors may be covered depending on your extended health benefits plan. We recommend checking with your provider directly, as coverage varies. We are happy to provide receipts for submission.
Questions about relationship therapy in Vancouver
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Anyone in any kind of relationship. We work with couples who have been together for decades and those who are just figuring things out. We work with monogamous, polyamorous, ethically non-monogamous, and all other consensual relationship structures. Every relationship is welcome here.
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For our associate RCCs, a 55-minute session is $180 and an 80-minute session is $265.
For Lisa and Tamara, a 55-minute session is $200 and an 80-minute session is $290.
Nicole offers relationship sessions at $130 for 55 minutes and $180 for 80 minutes, with lower rates negotiable.
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Not necessarily. We often weave in individual sessions alongside joint ones depending on what feels right for you and your relationship. We will talk about what makes the most sense at the start.
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That is a completely valid reason to come in. We do not come with an agenda around keeping relationships together at all costs. Our job is to help you both figure out what you actually want and support you through whatever you decide, whether that is rebuilding or parting ways thoughtfully.
Questions about groups, classes and events at Mareel
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We run workshops and group sessions on a range of topics including attachment, boundaries, sexuality, relationships, communication, and more. Some are educational, some are more experiential, and they vary in format from one-time sessions to multi-part series. Check our groups and events page for what is currently on offer.
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Many of our events are free or low cost. Pricing varies depending on the format and length of the workshop. Details are listed on each individual event.
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Not at all. Our groups and events are open to everyone. They are a great way to learn and connect even if you are not ready for one-on-one therapy.
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Yes. We offer educational presentations and workshops on topics related to sexuality, gender, relationships, communication, and stress and anxiety. These can be one-time or multi-part and are flexible to your needs. Reach out and we can put together a plan that works for you.
Questions about fees, sliding scale and low cost options
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Yes. All of our counsellors are currently able to take some sliding scale clients, with rates negotiated before the first session. Please note that Lisa and Tamara's sliding scale spots are currently full.
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In addition to offering sliding scale, we also have interns joining us in summer 2026 who will offer very low cost and free sessions. We never want cost to be a barrier so if you are not sure what you can afford, just ask and we will do our best to find something that works.
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We ask for 24 hours notice for cancellations. Late cancellations or no-shows may be charged the full session fee. If something comes up, just reach out as soon as you can and we will always do our best to work with you.
Your first step starts here
Every new client at Mareel begins with a free 15-minute consultation. It is a relaxed, no-obligation call to introduce ourselves, hear a little about what you are looking for, and make sure we are the right fit before you commit to anything. You are welcome to meet more than one of our therapists, and you can switch at any time. There is no wrong reason to reach out.