Are you offering in-person appointments?

I am currently offering appointments via Telehealth (video and audio). I may be offering in-person appointments in future, although I am not certain when this may be at this point in time.

What is Telehealth, and how does it work?

Telehealth is a way to provide therapy online (video and/or audio), or sometimes over the phone. Please click here to read a dedicated FAQ that is all about Telehealth, including tips on how to get the most out of your appointment. I know for some people the idea of telehealth may seem strange and even a bit scary. But, this way of working can actually be quite effective, and even has some benefits over in-person work for many people.

What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

There is often a lot of overlap between the two, which is why you may sometimes see these terms used interchangeably.

Typically, counselling involves more present-day issues, such as learning practical ways to address and overcome challenges, and it is often wellness and strength-focused. It tends to be more short-term treatment.

Psychotherapy is seen as more likely to look at concerns that have a historical nature. That is to say, psychotherapy involves addressing past experiences, or patterns that have developed over time that may be connected with people’s present-day life, or concerns. Since it usually involves the past, psychotherapy can take more time.

I myself am trained in both counselling and psychotherapeutic approaches. I find that a combination of learning, or building on skills and strengths in the present, and sometimes dealing with sticky, unfinished business in the past, can be very effective. So, I can work in both ways, depending upon what my clients tell me they want to address.

Sometimes I work with people very much in the present, and with learning ways to address what is, right now. If we work with the past, it is because my client wants to do so, and so I am never doing that without permission. I want you to be empowered to make choices in our work together. We align our focus to your goals.

What is trauma? What is PTSD?

For a dedicated section that provides an overview about trauma and PTSD, please click here.

How do you work with people? What approaches do you use?

For detailed information to address these questions, please click here.

What happens during the first appointment?

We would begin by reviewing the documents I would have sent to you to complete ahead of time. I will answer any questions you may have about them. Then, we’ll expand on what you filled out in the brief intake form, which asks some general questions about your life and concerns. This helps us with the next step, which is setting one or more goals for our work. We will be looking at how we would know that treatment was successful. This way, we have a benchmark to check in with as we go along, like consulting a compass. Establishing goals helps us make sure we are heading in the right direction. This collaborative planning process helps us get started in our work together.

How long do appointments typically last?

A regular appointment usually lasts 60 minutes, unless previously arranged as part of our collaborative plan to work together. I offer people a full hour of my time, as opposed to what is known as the “50 minute clinical hour.” If I am doing specific forms of trauma processing work, and this is agreed upon ahead of time as part of our collaborative plan, we may arrange for appointments that are of a longer duration (usually 90 minutes). 

How much do sessions cost?

My regular fee is $175 per 60 minute session (no tax on top). Most therapists offer what is called the “50 minute hour.” But, I offer people a full hour of my time. This extra time allows us an opportunity to check in on how you have been doing since the last session, and then to have working time in session. My clients tell me the extra time makes a positive difference in their experience. I also offer 90 minute sessions as an option for targeted work, such as addressing certain issues for trauma processing, according to the treatment plan that we collaborate to create together.

Do you offer a sliding scale (reduced fee) for people who can't afford your full fee?

I have sliding scale spots that are sometimes available, which range from $20 to $60 dollars less per session than my regular fee. If you are interested in working with me, but unsure you can afford my fee, please send me a message, or give me a call for a free consultation, and we can discuss this as part of our conversation about whether I would be a good fit for the type of help you are seeking.

I am a university/college student. I'd like to work with you, but don't have a lot of money. What should I do?

I understand that being a student is expensive. I’ve been one, too, and I remember it well.

Firstly, I would suggest checking whether you have insurance coverage through your school, or parents/family. Many schools now offer coverage for psychological services through health plans students are often automatically enrolled in. Usually, your student services office, or related student services website will provide you with the details of your plan, if you are not sure. Some students opt out of these plans, because they have insurance coverage under their parents/family. Many insurance policies recognize services provided by a registered psychotherapist (RP).

Are sessions covered by my insurance?

If you have an employee or student benefits plan with extended health insurance, you may have coverage for my services, because I am a registered psychotherapist (RP) in Ontario. Please check your benefits plan details under psychological services, or contact your insurance plan directly to ask what registered providers you are covered for.

 

How do I seek reimbursement from my insurance company?

I will provide you a receipt with my name, details, and credentials, and this is usually sufficient to submit to an insurance provider for reimbursement.

 

Do you have evening and weekend appointments available?

I can sometimes offer early evening weekday appointments (currently latest appointments begin at 5:30pm), depending upon availability of these spots. I do not currently offer weekend appointments.

  

When will I start feeling better?

You may start to feel better right away. But, it can take at least several weeks to see more lasting changes. Sometimes, you may start to feel a bit worse before you feel better. This can happen when people, for example, start to look at concerns that they may have been avoiding.

What if counselling/therapy isn't working?

People that I work with often start to notice beneficial shifts and improvements, sometimes even by the second or third session. But, if we’re not seeing an improvement after a month of working together, we can change up our approach. It’s important to me that you feel like you are reaching your goals. At times, just making a few adjustments in our strategy can make all the difference. And, if we’re still not seeing an improvement, we want to look at potentially referring you to another therapist, or other resource option that is in line with your needs. We will check in regularly about our plan and progress, because I want you to feel better, and I don’t want you to be in treatment forever.

How often should I expect to attend? How many sessions will I need?

People usually reach out to work with me when they are ready to address something, and they want to see change. Research suggests, and my own clinical experience shows me that clients get the best outcomes when they meet with me weekly, until they reach their goal(s). So, that is what I recommend.

Once one or more goals have been reached, people will sometimes connect with me for less frequent appointments, and this can be a helpful step to consolidate the work we have done together, and as a transitional phase, leading to the conclusion of our work. This is something that is usually planned, as part of an overall treatment plan.

As to length of treatment, there are a lot of factors that contribute to this, and so it is difficult to predict. These factors include the number of issues someone wants to address, how long something has been going on, and how complex a person’s situation is.

I have seen people make remarkable shifts quickly, and some concerns take more time. We can discuss your situation and come up with a plan that reflects your needs and goals.


When do I know that I am done?

This type of process is not meant to be a constant, with no end in sight. That is why we need to be clear about our working goals, and we need to reach them. Life (as well as counselling/therapy) has ups and downs. But, before we wrap up our work, I want us to know that we’ve made significant progress, that you feel more confident in yourself, and in your life path, and more ready to take on whatever challenges life may be sending your way.

This is one reason why we check in regularly about how it’s going. Some people I work with will reach a specific goal, and then graduate from our work together. Others may reach a goal, and then want to work right away on another one. Some people achieve one or more goals, take a break from our work together, and then reach out later with a new goal, for some additional support, or fine-tuning of their progress. It’s not a one-size-fits-all process. Your goals and needs for our work will help determine when it’s time for us to wrap up, and we’ll plan this in such a way that you’ll be ready to take that next step.

If you have additional questions, or would like to connect for a free consult, please send me a message, or give me a call.