I sure do. I joined the Water Stone Collective, a group of other therapists and body workers who offer services out of a very warm and inviting clinic space located in downtown Victoria. To ensure my services remain accessible to as many people as possible, I offer online sessions as well.

Yes, I do, but spaces are limited. Please contact me directly with your need, either using the contact form on this website or through Leanne @heartworkguide.com

Let’s start with a free consult over video call. That gives us a chance to “meet” and for you to ask any questions you have. After the call, you’re welcome to book whatever session fits your need and your schedule.

Great question! The TLDR answer is “probably, but let’s make sure.”

As a Registered Social Worker, my practice is guided and regulated by the BC College of Social Work, including the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. A response to this question can be found within their regulatory documents, especially those about dual relationships and the potential for a conflict of interest. Let’s look at these separately, starting with the definitions:

Dual relationship is defined as a situation in which a College member (that’s me!), in addition to his/her professional relationship, has one or more other relationships with the client, regardless of whether this occurs prior to, during, or following the provision of professional services.

This means I know you as a person I am supporting therapeutically but I also know you as a student.

A dual relationship does not necessarily constitute a conflict of interest; however, where dual relationships exist, there is a strong potential for conflict of interest and there may be an actual or perceived conflict of interest.

Relationships beyond the professional one include, but are not limited to, those in which the College member receives a service from the client, the College member has a personal, familial or business relationship with the client, or the College member provides therapy to students, employees or supervisees.

Our situation falls in to the last example listed, but you can see this issue pertains to all kinds of relationships. I am grateful that the College considers the relationality of the profession (simply put, we get to know a lot of different people in this career!) and offers this direction.

To me, the most important language here is the last bit: provides therapy to students, employees or supervisees. What exactly is our relationship? Are you still my student? I think that puts us both into risky territory. I am happy to refer you to someone else. Were you a student previously but that relationship was terminated when the class was over? In that case, there are not two conflicting relationships happening here.

Conflict of Interest is defined as a situation in which a member has a personal, financial or other professional interest or obligation which gives rise to a reasonable apprehension that the interest or obligation may influence the member in the exercise of his or her professional responsibilities. Actual influence is not required in order for a conflict of interest situation to exist. It is sufficient if there is a reasonable apprehension that there may be such influence. One of the hallmarks of a conflict of interest situation is that a reasonable person, informed of all of the circumstances, would have a reasonable apprehension (in the sense of reasonable expectation or concern) that the interest might influence the member. The influence need not be actual but may simply be perceived. However, a mere possibility or suspicion of influence is not sufficient to give rise to a conflict of interest. The interest must be significant enough to give rise to a “reasonable apprehension” that the personal, financial or other professional interest may influence the member in the performance of his or her professional responsibilities.

To explore that, let’s use some examples.

· Example A: Jane took a class from Leanne in 2023 and is still a student of the university. There is potential that Jane will enroll in another class with Leanne. Leanne has a professional obligation to the university to offer instruction free of bias, and she also has a professional interest in offering therapy, especially to individuals in the helping professions. Leanne would experience a conflict of interest in supporting Jane as both her instructor and her therapist.

· Example B: Jonah took a class from Leanne in 2022. It was their last class of their degree, hurrah! Jonah liked how Leanne talked about being a helping professional. As they start their own career, Jonah comes up against some old patterns of thinking and being that they realize are limiting them at work. They remember Leanne’s previous advice and know she offers therapy in private practice. Leanne agrees to meet with Jonah. Their previous relationship has been terminated naturally with the end of the class (and even the degree) and Leanne has no influence on Jonah’s educational or professional life anymore. There aren’t any things in conflict here. They proceed with a therapeutic relationship.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you are considering therapy or coaching and are unsure of how that would work if we have ever had any kind of connection in the past. If I’m unable to help you, I’ll do my best to refer you to someone who can.

Yes! The BC College of Social Workers shared this exciting announcement:

https://bccsw.ca/public/

And here’s further confirmation from the Canada Revenue Agency:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-claim-on-your-tax-return/authorized-medical-practitioners-purposes-medical-expense-tax-credit.html#wb-auto-4

You will always receive a receipt for services obtained. Please retain those receipts and submit with your tax return.

**If you submit some or all of the expense to your insurance, then you cannot claim it again as a medical expense.

It really depends on whether or not your specific plan has opted in to coverage from a Social Worker. To find out, log in to your account online and click on something like “Practitioner Services.” This will take you to a list of different types of helpers. I am a Registered Social Worker and I have a Masters of Social Work degree, so if either of those things are listed, likely you can claim our work together.

Examples of plans that cover social work:

University of Victoria Students Society Plan covers Mental Health Practitioners that have a Masters of Social Work:

https://www.studentcare.ca/rte/en/IHaveAPlan_UVicUniversityofVictoriaStudentsSocietyUVSS_Health_HealthCoverage_HealthPractitioners_Psychologists

The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan historically has covered Registered Social Workers:

https://www.chamberplan.ca

Canada Life also frequently covers Registered Social Workers:

https://www.canadalife.com/?referrer=gwl

The University of Victoria uses Pacific Blue Cross for their employees’ extended health benefits. They cover the services of a Registered Social Worker, listed under “Practitioner Services.”

https://www.pac.bluecross.ca

I am a registered provider for some plans, including the First Nations Health Authority, the Crime Victims’ Assistance Program and others. If you think you might have this coverage, reach out to those programs directly to confirm. I’d be happy to support you.

I draw mainly from Internal Family Systems theory and Narrative Therapy, but I’ve been trained in, and taught at the university level, for a wide range of other modalities. I’ll use what I think is best for you, in that moment, on that day.