Being in a car accident changes things. Even if you walked away without a visible injury, something shifted — and you may not have the words for it yet. You might feel anxious behind the wheel, disconnected from the people you love, or like you're constantly waiting for something bad to happen again.
That's not weakness. That's what trauma does to a nervous system.
I'm Dave Dyck, a Canadian Certified Counsellor (MC, CCC) based in Nanaimo. As a registered ICBC provider, I offer ICBC-funded counselling with direct billing — meaning in most cases there's no upfront cost to you.
What ICBC Covers After a Motor Vehicle Accident
Under ICBC's Enhanced Care program, you're entitled to mental health support after an accident — regardless of fault.
- 12 pre-approved counselling sessions within the first 12 weeks
- No doctor's referral needed if you start within 12 weeks
- Direct billing — I handle the paperwork, you focus on recovery
- Virtual sessions fully covered — anywhere in BC
- Extensions available if you need continued support
- Family members may also qualify — see ICBC Family Counselling
What Brings People to ICBC Counselling
The emotional impact of a car accident doesn't always show up right away. Many people feel fine at first — then notice things starting to unravel weeks later. You might be experiencing:
- Anxiety or panic when driving or riding in a vehicle
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the accident
- Feeling constantly on edge or hypervigilant
- Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
- Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from yourself
- Irritability, anger, or snapping at people you care about
- Difficulty concentrating after a concussion
- Feeling like you should be over it by now — but you're not
My Approach to ICBC Trauma Counselling
Sessions are practical and trauma-informed. We don't just talk about what happened — we work on how your nervous system responded to it and how to help it feel safe again. I draw on CBT, nervous system regulation, and EMI therapy to help you process the accident without having to relive it in detail.
I work with individuals, couples affected by accident stress, and family members whose lives were disrupted by someone else's accident. If trauma or anxiety are part of your picture, we address those directly.
Serving Vancouver Island — Virtually
I offer virtual ICBC counselling to anyone across Vancouver Island and BC. If you're in Duncan, Courtenay, Parksville, Ladysmith, or Campbell River — geography is not a barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Book a free 15-minute consultation. Have your ICBC claim number handy if you have it — but it's not required to have a first conversation.
Book a Free Consultation →