FAQ

What is ICBC Counselling？

ICBC offers psychological counselling for motor vehicle accident clients to help with anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and other emotional challenges after an accident. This service is fully funded, with no cost to you.

Am I eligible?

If you were in a motor vehicle accident covered by ICBC and are experiencing emotional challenges such as anxiety, panic, insomnia, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you are usually eligible for ICBC-funded counselling sessions.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

No. You only need your ICBC claim number to start counselling — no doctor’s referral is required.

Can I only talk about accident-related issues?

Not at all. While sessions can address trauma from the accident, we also support you with related stress, anxiety, family challenges, and workplace difficulties, ensuring your overall mental health and recovery.

How many sessions are covered?

ICBC usually funds up to 12 counselling sessions within the first 12 weeks after an accident. If additional support is needed, extensions can be requested.

How do I start?

Step 1: Prepare your ICBC claim number

Step 2: Contact us for your first appointment

Step 3: Begin your counselling journey

Can I receive counselling without an ICBC claim number?

Yes, absolutely.

Individual Counselling:
50 mins – $175

No additional GST required.

What is IFS (Internal Family Systems)?

You can imagine IFS as a car:

Some parts act like the accelerator
For example: a part that constantly pushes you to keep working, urging you to achieve goals without pause.
Some parts act like the brake
For example: a part that fears failure and holds you back from trying new things, aiming to avoid risk or embarrassment.
Some parts act like passengers
These often represent past experiences of hurt, fear, or loneliness. Though seated in the back, they continue to shape your feelings and responses.

When the accelerator and brake are pressed at the same time, the car trembles, leaving you exhausted yet unable to move forward.

IFS helps by:

Identifying which parts are pressing the accelerator and which are hitting the brakes
Guiding you to let your Core Self become the driver
Gradually harmonizing the accelerator and brake while tending to the wounded passengers in the back
Ultimately: helping your car move forward safely and smoothly

If I am temporarily or permanently unable to work due to a motor vehicle accident, how does ICBC calculate my income assistance?

If medical professionals confirm that your injuries from a motor vehicle accident (MVA) prevent you from working, ICBC provides Income Replacement Benefits.

Standard Calculation: The benefit covers up to 90% of your net income from employment immediately prior to the accident.
Self-Employed or Variable Income: If you are self-employed, a seasonal worker, or have an unstable income, ICBC will typically request your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax returns (Notice of Assessment) from previous years (up to 5 years) to calculate a fair average income.
Maximum Coverage Limit: Please note that this benefit is subject to a maximum annual limit set by ICBC (which is adjusted periodically for inflation). For high earners whose income exceeds this limit, the remaining gap would typically need to be covered by personal optional top-up insurance or employer group benefits.

Will ICBC provide a lump-sum compensation if the accident leaves me with long-term physical or psychological trauma? How is it assessed?

Yes. Under the current Enhanced Care (no-fault) system, if an accident results in permanent or long-term trauma, you may eligible for a lump-sum Impairment Benefit.

This assessment relies heavily on clinical reports from your medical and professional care team (including specialized physicians, physical therapists, and Registered Clinical Counsellors) and is evaluated based on two core principles:

Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI): This assessment usually takes place 12 to 24 months post-accident. Medical professionals must confirm that your injuries have reached a plateau—meaning that despite sufficient treatment, the condition has stabilized but cannot be fully cured, leaving permanent sequelae.
Permanent Impairment Rating (% of Impairment): This is the most critical standard. ICBC utilizes a standardized impairment guide to evaluate how the trauma substantially affects your daily life, self-care, social interactions, sleep, mental state, and overall Level of Functioning. Your care team’s evidence helps determine an overall impairment percentage. A higher percentage correlates to a larger lump-sum payment.

📌 Important Clarification: This lump-sum Impairment Benefit is completely independent of your personal income. Regardless of your profession or earnings, individuals with the same impairment rating receive the same lump-sum benefit amount. Any long-term financial loss resulting from an inability to work is addressed separately through ongoing Income Replacement Benefits.

Can counselling help with my ICBC Impairment Benefit assessment?

Absolutely. Psychological trauma—such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), driving anxiety, accident-induced depression, and severe insomnia—can impair your daily functioning just as severely as physical injuries.

As Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC), our professional assessment and clinical reports provide crucial, objective evidence for ICBC by:

Quantifying Psychological Trauma: Utilizing standardized clinical assessment tools to translate symptoms into objective data.
Documenting Functional Impairment: Providing detailed clinical evidence on how the trauma limits your daily activities, interpersonal relationships, cognitive focus, and your ability to safely Return to Work.
Supporting MMI Determinations: When your psychological symptoms persist despite ongoing therapy, our clinical reports help establish that the trauma constitutes a long-term or permanent impairment, helping you secure an accurate impairment rating.

The information provided on this website regarding ICBC benefits, regulations, and compensation guidelines is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or official insurance advice. ICBC policies, coverage limits, and assessment criteria are subject to change and vary based on individual case circumstances. For definitive rulings and the most up-to-date information, please consult directly with ICBC or a qualified legal professional.

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Will ICBC provide a lump-sum compensation if the accident leaves me with long-term physical or psychological trauma? How is it assessed?