Welcome
I'm so glad you're here. You are not alone.
To know joy
is to know sadness
Our emotions allow us to be fully connected to ourselves and to others. Emotions offer us important information about our passions, desires, dislikes, and boundaries so that we are better able to get our needs met.
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To experience moments of joy and gratitude, we must be able to compassionately and tenderly be with our most vulnerable selves.
Pain is a part of life, not evidence of failure
Painful experiences can sometimes however get in the way of our ability to feel. They can cause us to cut off or shut down our emotions. We may unconsciously seek ways to avoid feelings of sadness, hurt, disappointment, fear, grief, shame or self-loathing. We may experience feeling numb, overwhelmed, depressed, uncertain, or anxious. In our effort to emotionally protect ourselves we might inadvertently become our own worst critic. We may be afraid that allowing ourselves to feel, will cause us to get stuck.
Psychotherapy is an opportunity to experience being fully present in your life, to truly accept your whole self, and to experience the full breadth of your emotions without getting stuck. It can create an opening for you to reconnect to yourself - the person you are meant to be - and importantly, to have meaningful and connected relationships with others.
A SENSE OF BELONGING AND CONNECTION IS INTRINSIC TO THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
About Me
Hello. My name is Cara Moody. I completed my Masters degree in Social Work at the University of Victoria. In addition to my private practice, I work as a therapist in an outpatient HIV clinic. I have worked for several decades in the areas of HIV, addiction, women's health, LGBTQIA2S+ issues, and trauma (in its myriad forms). My approach is informed by Psychodyanamic Therapy, Intersubjective Self Psychology, Relational Psychoanalysis, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Attachment theory, and a social justice lens. Both from my own lived experience and my experience working with others, I have come to understand that the cumulative effects of feeling unsafe and not fully seen can have lifelong and profound impacts on how we relate to ourselves and to others.
The relationship you and I build together has immense potential for growth and healing. My style of therapy is empathic, strengths-focused, curious, collaborative and playful. I don’t presume to know who you are, but will join you in discovering who you are meant to be. We will work to understand what you’ve been through and how those experiences have shaped you and your beliefs about yourself. You and I will develop a relationship that makes the unbearable bearable. We will compassionately explore and make conscious the unconscious ways you might inadvertently undermine yourself. Together we will build a foundation that will launch you into the life that you envision for yourself.
My Services
I offer individual therapy to individuals 18 + who are struggling with a wide range of difficulties including feeling depressed, flat, insecure, worthless, inadequate, overwhelmed, misunderstood, or lonely. My clients frequently enter therapy with concerns about relationships, food and/or body image, perfectionism, substance use, anxiety, panic attacks, sexual and/or gender identity, experiences of violence (including discrimination, racialized and/or migration trauma), feeling a lack of meaning, or simply feeling stuck. Whatever your struggle, together we will work to create meaningful change towards building a fulfilling life where you feel truly understood, fully accepted, deeply seen, and genuinely worthy.​
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you charge?
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Sessions are $150 for a 50 minute appointment, paid by etransfer at the end of session. Receipts with my registration number will be provided.
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What financial coverage is available?
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Counselling services provided by a Registered Social Worker (RSW) are covered by many insurance companies' extended health benefits. Please contact your human resources department or insurer to confirm whether you are eligible for coverage.
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I am a registered with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and provide coverage for counselling services for people who access the Mental Wellness and Counselling Program (MWCP). For more information and eligibility please see here.
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Additionally, Registered Social Workers are authorized as “medical practitioners” under the Income Tax Act for the purpose of claiming medical expenses on income tax returns.
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How are sessions offered?
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Session are offered on-line, in-person, and occasionally by phone.
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How often should we meet?
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In the initial stages of therapy, I prefer starting with at least one session per week. This frequency ensures that progress is made in treatment rather than just “catching up” during sessions. As you make improvements and feel ready to transition towards ending therapy, we will work together to gradually increase the time between sessions, all while continuing to focus on your growth and well-being. The goal is to empower you to eventually say goodbye to therapy when you feel confident and prepared to do so.
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That said, not everyone can afford or has the time for weekly therapy. If this therapy sounds like a fit for you but the frequency is not possible, let's talk about how we might make this work.
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How long are sessions?
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Sessions are scheduled for 50 minutes. Longer sessions can be arranged if needed. We can discuss pricing for these sessions when arranged.
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What happens if I miss an appointment?
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Your appointment is held for you specifically. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please provide at least 48 hours notice. Missed, rescheduled, or canceled appointments with less than 48 hours notice are charged the full fee.
Book now or contact me to schedule a free 15-minute phone appointment to determine whether we are a good fit.
Booking
I acknowledge with deep gratitude my presence as a settler on the traditional and unceded territories of the xÊ·mÉ™θkÊ·É™yÌ“É™m (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sÉ™lilwÉ™taɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples.