About My Approach
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#19432) and a qualified Mindfulness Teacher, with Doctoral and Master’s degrees in psychology. My counselling style draws upon principles of motivational interviewing and mindfulness-based inquiry. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another mental health challenge, please contact me for a free 15-minute consult. I also routinely offer mindfulness based stress reduction classes. I have a very unique teaching and counselling background and toolbox of interventions that can help you better cope with life challenges.
Early Career
I have graduated with a Psychology MSc degree from Trnava University in Slovakia where I specialized in factors conducive to changes in drug users undergoing residential treatment in therapeutic communities. I then pursued a PhD in Social Psychology, at the same university, which investigated the quality of social interaction and personality characteristics of people who use drugs across a range of settings. Having studied the subject using both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, I then moved on to synthesize the evidence base about psychosocial interventions for problem alcohol use in people who use illicit drugs through a Cochrane systematic literature review at the University College Dublin and the University of Limerick, Ireland.
My debut Cochrane systematic review won the best paper award from the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland (RAMI). It laid foundations for my research on implementing psychosocial interventions in opioid agonist treatment in Ireland, U.S. and Canada. This work received the INVEST award from the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) to train with Dennis McCarty, PhD, in the Department of Public Health at Oregon Health & Sciences University. I was fortunate at the time to participate in the most ambitious project in history to bridge the gap between practice and research in the field of addiction. Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Clinical Trials Network began in 1999, and 25 years later is responsible for over 500 publications.
I recently examined training of healthcare providers in the care of people with substance use disorders and related harms – a project awarded by the Early-career Fellowship award from the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM).
I began my clinical career during my undergraduate studies when I have been actively involved in community organisations, first as an Outreach Drugs Worker and later on as an Assistant Project Manager in a needle exchange project in Downtown Bratislava. I further utilized the knowledge and expertise gained from this work in a community employment service (Hungary), in a community drugs initiative for at risk youth (Ireland), and in a stabilisation day program for people contemplating a reduction in their use of drugs (Dublin).
Recent Work
In 2022, after working as a PhD researcher for over a decade, I returned to clinical work, joining a group practice in Vancouver, BC focused on treating post-traumatic stress disorders and teaching Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) online. I’m a fully Certified MBSR Teacher via Brown University.
For my continuing professional development, I have advanced my counselling and research skills, focusing on: brief psychosocial interventions (University College Dublin, Ireland), motivational interviewing (Justice Institute, BC), career counselling (Douglas College, BC), clinical interventions for people who use drugs (BC Centre on Substance Use), addictions (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands), psychotherapy research methods (University of Trier, Germany), and a range of workshops in clinical trials research methodology.
Education
- PhD, Social Psychology, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia, 2011
- MSc, Psychology, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia, 2005
Certifications
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy via Centre for Treatment & Study of Anxiety, University of Pennsylvania Medical School (2022)
- Motivational Interviewing via Justice Institute (2022)
- Certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teacher via Brown University (MBSR, 2024-Current)
- Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), 19432 (2022-Current)
- INVEST Fellowship, Oregon Health& Sciences University, Portland, OR (2013)
My professional and research interests lie broadly in the areas of education research, systematic reviews and qualitative methodologies. For more information about my academic training and background, please visit my old academic website.
I bring to counselling my experience from community substance use services, research on addictions, and life in many countries around the world. My style and approach will fit some clients more than others. I am passionate about pursuing truth, and believe life is a continuous journey of discovering our true nature. My own work in this area has led me down many paths, such as training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, time spent meditating and participating in various retreats, and dedication to the spoken word and writing. Check out my spoken word style of poetry at my old website.
For those unfamiliar with mindfulness science, I like to say it’s the quality of mind that arises in the present moment when observing our internal experiences without judgement. As a counsellor, I appreciate the incredible complexities and challenges people struggle with in life, and leverage my academic and meditation background in helping clients work on even the thorniest of problems.
If you think I would be a good match for your needs, book a free 15-minute consultation with me.
Please note that clients interested in PTSD therapy with me need to contact the West Coast Resiliency Centre via email: westcoastresiliency@gmail.com or phone: (778) 654-5384.
Booking Appointments, Locations & Fees
My services include teletherapy (online sessions) and in-person sessions for people located in Vancouver, BC – I work from offices in the Burnaby/Boundary and Fairview neighborhoods.
Burnaby/ Boundary office:
Being and Becoming Counselling and Wellness
Address: Prospect building, 405-3701 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC
Fairview office:
West Coast Resiliency Centre (PTSD)
Address: 702-1788 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC
I also offer online mindfulness programs and in-person workshops.
Existing Clients
Click this link to Book, Modify or Cancel Appointment here.
New Clients
I recommend booking a free consultation to see if we are a good fit.
New Client Evaluation
Depending on your needs, I may suggest you complete an intake form provided to you via email following the free consultation, or prior to the first session.
I accept self referrals. A referral from a physician is not required.
Once I review your form, I will try my best to connect with you based on the fit between your reasons for seeking services and my scope of practice, as well as your preferences and availability for appointments.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please understand that I cannot guarantee goodness of fit between you and my approach. You may request an initial, brief phone consultation (10-15 mins) with me before booking your first appointment. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Fees
I charge $200 per hour for all counselling and psychological services, which are supervised by a Registered Psychologist. GST tax is not added on top of the fee. Payment is due at the end of each session.
Payment Methods
You may pay by credit card (visa or mastercard only, no American Express card or Visa Debit), or e-transfer. If you elect to pay by e-transfer, a credit card is required to be kept on file. If e-transfer payment for a session is not received within 48 hours of your appointment, the fee will be put through on your credit card.
At this time, I am not accepting clients on a sliding-fee scale, but am always willing to make referrals and discuss various treatment options over the phone.
Insurance
My services are not covered by MSP. Because I am practicing under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist, our sessions will be billed as psychological services under the name of the Psychologist. Our sessions may be covered by your extended health benefits if your insurance provider covers the services of a Psychologist (please ensure they cover supervised sessions and do not require you to be seen directly by the psychologist). You will be provided a receipt for the service you receive so you can submit it to your benefits plan for reimbursement. Before scheduling your appointment, please contact your insurer to find out the terms and conditions of your plan and annual coverage. I do not offer direct billing. Insurance companies will not share with me details of your extended health plan for confidentiality reasons. I do not currently accept ICBC cases.
Cancellations and late arrivals: A minimum of 24 hours is required to cancel an individual session without charge. If you need to cancel, please contact me, or cancel and reschedule your session using the online booking system. If a session starts late, it will end at the originally scheduled time with the same fee arrangement as for a full session.
Learn more about Jano and book personal counselling appointments at janklimascounselling.com