Abound Counselling – Lori Kolesnik MA, CCC

Below are a few commonly asked questions you may have.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call my cell phone at 204-797-8839 or email me at: aboundcounselling@gmail.com

Q.  What are your professional qualifications?

I have a Master's Degree in counselling and am nationally certified as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA - CCC #10001027).

CCPA's Counsellor Certification Program is a national service that identifies to the public those counsellors who CCPA recognizes as qualified to provide counselling services in Canada.   Obtaining the status of Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) includes recognition of standards of professional preparation (Masters Degree and specific counselling training), continuing education, and a formal code of ethics.   As a self-regulating body, CCPA provides advice and discipline for certified members on matters of professional conduct.   Certification with CCPA is different from membership with CCPA.   This distinction between membership and certification is for the benefit of the public.   Certification represents a successful evaluation of a member’s qualification to practice.   Only counsellors who are certified by CCPA are permitted to use the trademarked title Canadian Certified Counsellor and/or the acronym ‘CCC’.

Q.  What can I expect from my first appointment?

Our first meeting is an opportunity for us to get to know each other.   I will email my intake form to you before the appointment; it contains pertinent information about me, my approach and the counselling process in general.   I will carefully listen to your counselling concern and together, we will collaborate to formulate initial goals for therapy.   I will then develop a general treatment plan for the initial way forward and share my recommendations with you.

Q.  How often will we meet?

It depends on the nature of your counselling concern.   Most often I recommend one visit per week to start.   8-12 sessions is considered short-term therapy, but some people decide to continue for a longer term.   Others however, might require only a few sessions or decide to follow-up on an ‘as needed’ basis.   We will collaboratively re-assess frequency as the process continues.

Q.  How do I make an appointment?

I welcome your inquires by phone (Cell: 204-797-8839) or email me at: aboundcounselling@gmail.com.

I am always willing to have a 15 minute phone conversation ahead of booking your Intake (Initial) appointment.
Feel free to give me a call.

Q.  When are you available for appointments?

I have appointments available Monday to Friday; during the day and some early evenings.

My current schedule is normally:
Monday:  11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday:  11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday:  11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday:  11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday:  10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Q.  Where are you located?

My counselling office in Suite 205 (2nd Floor) at 383 Provencher Blvd, Winnipeg MB.
There is ample free parking on the west side of the building and my waiting room has a beverage stand.

Q.  Can I connect with you for counselling sessions via On-Line 'Video Calling' or Phone?

Yes, I am able to conduct counselling sessions via secure video calling using Doxy, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime or similar means.

Q.  What are your counselling session fees?

For Individual Sessions I charge $140 for 50 minutes and $195 for 80 minutes.

For Individual EMDR Sessions I charge $205 for 80 minutes (standard EMDR session time).

For Couples Sessions I charge $165 for 50 minutes, $235 for 80 minutes and $315 for 110 minutes.

For Family Sessions I charge $165 for 50 minutes, $235 for 80 minutes and $315 for 110 minutes.

*Note: GST IS INCLUDED in these prices.

Q.  What are my payment options?

I accept cash, cheque, e-transfer, debit and credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover).
* Payment is due at the START of the session.

Q.  Can I claim your fees with my insurance company?

You can often claim my Clinical Counselling services through Blue Cross, Desjardins Insurance, Great-West Life, Green Shield Canada, MPI “Grief Counselling”, Manulife, Public Service HCP, RCMP, Sun Life, Veterans Affairs, insurance policies having a “Health Spending Account” and other policies or EAPs, depending on the exact policy that you hold.
* I encourage you to call your provider ahead of your appointment to be sure.

This is the information about me that you might need when you call your insurance company:

Blue Cross:
Manitoba #  31225
National # 10001027.

Manulife, Sun Life, Great-West Life, Desjardins and other companies (mention my credentialing information):
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association:  CCPA
Designation:  "CCC" or Canadian Certified Counsellor
Membership # 10001027

Q.  What is your cancellation policy?

I request a 24-hour cancellation notice.   If the cancellation occurs within the 24 hour window, there will normally be a $50 cancellation fee.

Q.  How does couples therapy work?

Most often, the purpose of couples therapy is to explore the challenges and negative cycles in the relationship that prevent a secure, intimate connection.   Often, there have been what I call ‘relationship injuries’ that require exploration and resolution for both partners.   Together, we can explore the experiences that led to disconnection or the breakdown of the relationship in order to resolve the issues and work toward healing and reconnection.   In other cases, we may be working together to discern the viability of the relationship going forward.

I have additional training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), as well as Level 1 and 2 training in the Gottman Method.
* Both are well researched, evidence based approaches to couples counselling.
You can read more about these two approaches here:

EFT:  http://www.iceeft.com/index.php/about-us/what-is-eft

Gottman Method: https://www.gottman.com/about/the-gottman-method/

Q.  What if my spouse does not want to come to couples therapy?

I would invite you to come on your own.   Together, we can begin working toward positive change in your intimate partnership.

Q.  Do you work with children and youth?

Yes, I have extensive experience working with children and youth ages 14+.   I have a broad set of skills to approach a wide variety of issues that affect children and youth, as well as their parents and caregivers.