Virlyn Collantes,MSW, RSW

My Approach to Helping

More Info About My Practice

I am available for in-person, virtual, and phone sessions for British Columbia clients. I am available for virtual or phone sessions for Ontario clients.

I’m a dedicated Registered Social Worker (RSW) medical practitioner affiliated with the British Columbia College of Social Workers and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. My journey in social work counselling has taken me to Toronto, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and then to Chicago, where I obtained a Master of Social Work (MSW) at the Erikson Institute. I later worked in San Diego, California, before settling in Vancouver, British Columbia, where I practice as an RSW.

My diverse education and professional experiences have given me a comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems and the social and systemic barriers that affect individuals, couples, families, and communities’ health. I am committed to promoting overall well-being and mental health, following a health equity, biopsychosocial, and client-centered approach with my clients.


Which Insurance Companies Cover Counselling?

Registered Social Workers (RSWs) are regulated healthcare professionals, and when you seek counselling and services from an RSW, you can qualify for a medical expense tax credit when filing your income tax returns. Although counselling fees are not covered under the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) and Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) , many health benefit plans do include counselling coverage that reimburse you for visits to a Registered Social Worker (RSW). If your insurance is provided by one of the below companies, check with them to see how much your plan covers per calendar year. However, if your insurance company is not listed below, this does not mean that they won’t cover costs. Refer to your insurance company benefits package or Human Resources Department to find out what type of coverage you have.

The following plans are known to cover some or all of counselling provided by an RSW:
- Canada Life
- Great West Life
- BenevaSSQ
- Sunlife Insurance
- Green Shield Insurance
- Empire Life Insurance
- Chambers Plan
- The Co-operators
- Dejardins
- Manulife
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Publically funded services such as Non-Insured Health Benefits for Aboriginal people
*Family Assistance Programs
*Workers Compensation Board (WCB)
*Victim’s Assistance Services (call 604-660-3888 or toll free in BC at 1-866-660-3888 to enroll with CVAP)
* ICBC (if involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident causing anxiety and trauma)
*Depends on the client’s reasons for seeking counselling and requires proper approval from the company.

If your insurance company does cover counselling from an RSW, simply provide the receipt Counsel Me Vancouver gives you to your insurance company and they will reimburse you.

If you find that RSW visits are not covered under your plan, you may want to contact your employer, Human Resources Department, or insurance company directly to request a small change to the plan’s coverage. This isn’t difficult, doesn’t cost the employer anything, and at the same time increases your employee benefits. Most employers like to increase the amount of benefits that their employees can access, especially when it does not cost the employer any additional fee. Often plans will cover visits to a Psychologist but not a qualified RSW who is less expensive. By adjusting the plan to include RSW’s, your counselling dollars will actually go further.