Irene Peterson & Associates Counselling has been providing professional clinical counselling services to the community for almost thirty years. Irene Peterson began her counselling career out of her home through her desire and passion in supporting positive change in individuals and families. Since then, the counselling practice has grown and expanded to include many skilled, professional and committed therapists. As a counselling group, we are driven by our belief in an individual’s personal growth and ability to change and transform their lives to better reflect their full potential.

There are many benefits to therapy and each individual determines their personal goals in therapy. Therapy can help a person to gain new understanding about their lives and how it is currently assisting or hindering them in achieving their personal goals. Therapy allows a person to learn new ways of coping and solving their own identified problems. Therapy can help a person to develop new skills and to change behaviour patterns. Therapy can contribute to improved ability to cope with stress and difficult situations and can increase understanding of self and others. Essentially, the therapy process is a personal one between the individual and the therapist. The therapist is there to help an individual achieve their own goals not the goals of the therapist. Although a therapist can help a person identify the goals they would like to achieve, the therapist does not tell a person what is their ‘problem’.

Irene Peterson & Associates place a high value on the confidentiality of the information that their clients share with them. Personal information that you share may be entered into your records in written form. However, every effort is made to avoid entry of information, which may be especially sensitive. Your therapist is the only person with access to your file.

If for some reason there is a need to disclose information in your file with someone (for example, your physician, another therapist, or professional), you will first be consulted and asked to sign a form authorizing transfer of the information. Because of the sensitive nature of the information contained in some records, you may wish to discuss release of this material with your therapist and the related implications before you sign. You can revoke your permission at any time by giving us written notice.

Exemptions to confidentiality

There are several important instances when confidential information may be released to others.

If the Court (“court ordered”) has referred you to us, you can assume that the court wishes to receive some sort of report of evaluation. You should discuss with your therapist exactly what information may be included in a report to the court before you disclose any confidential material. In such instances, you have a right to tell us only what you want us to know.
If you are involved in litigation of any kind and inform the court of the services that you received from your therapist, you may be waiving your right to keep your records confidential. You may wish to consult a lawyer regarding such matters before you disclose that you have attended counselling.
If you threaten to harm either yourself or someone else, and your therapist believes your threat to be serious, he or she is obligated under the law to take whatever actions seem necessary to protect people from harm. This may include divulging confidential information to others and would only be done under unusual circumstances where someone’s life appeared to be in danger.
If your therapist or any other professional has reason to believe that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected, they are obligated by law to report this to the Ministry for Children and Family Development or the Police. The law is designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm and the obligations to report suspected abuse or neglect is clear in this regard.

The counselling office participates as an approved student placement facility for graduate and undergraduate students from universities and colleges in the Lower Mainland and across Canada, and meets all accreditation standards.