Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About the Therapy Process:

How will I know you are the right fit for me?

Very important question! In order to see whether we are a good match, I offer a free consultation over the phone to discuss your concerns and explore what kind of supports you are looking for. This will be a good opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have and for both of us to decide whether it is a good idea to work together. Please refer to the Client Rights tab on this website for a step by step guide on how to get the most out of consultation calls with potential psychotherapists. Note that there is no obligation to book an initial session when we have the consultation call.

What happens during the initial session?

Typically during an initial I will explain what the therapeutic process will look like and go over policies and procedures such as confidentiality and payment process. After obtaining your written consent, we will begin the session. During the initial session, I will be doing a lot of information gathering so that I have a good understanding of your concerns in order to come up with a treatment plan that caters to your unique needs. By the end of the session, together we will identify 2-3 goals that you feel will be good to work on during sessions with me.

What happens in sessions after the first session?

What happens after the first session will depend on the concerns that you are coming in with and the goals that you would like to work on. Some clients prefer more brief work focused on tools and strategies to manage unhelpful thoughts and emotions in the moment. For this I draw from the CBT and DBT models. Other clients prefer to go a bit deeper. For this, I use a trauma informed lens combined with EFT and Narrative therapy models to explore and identify the roots of unhealthy beliefs, thoughts patterns and triggers which may be coming up for clients. You will know what is right for you once we have our initial session.

How many sessions will I need?

You as the client will get to decide the frequency of sessions and how long you would like to work with me. I will follow your lead on this. Some clients prefer a few sessions while others like to see me long-term when the need arises and as new stressors come up in their life. The client’s decision about the frequency of sessions is sometimes impacted by their schedule, the urgency of the concerns they’re coming in with, and budgeting. I have found over the years that typically between 6-12 sessions are needed for clients to achieve their therapy goals.

Questions About Fee and Payment Process:

What is the fee and duration of your sessions?

Individual counselling sessions are $150 + HST = $169.50 and last 60 minutes.

Couple and family sessions are $200 + HST = $226 and last 75 minutes.

Do you offer a sliding scale or reduced rates?

Yes, I offer sliding scale rates to ensure that therapy services are accessible to clients regardless of their financial status. This will be done on a case-by-case basis and I'd be happy to chat about this further during your free phone consultation.

Will my insurance/health benefit cover your services?

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover the cost of the services of a counsellor in private practice. Some work-based Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) may do so.

Please consult your benefits plan first to see how much coverage you are entitled to.

Some questions to ask your insurance provider:

What is the total amount of coverage that you are entitled to every year?
What are the necessary credential requirements of the provider (e.g., a Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Social Worker, or a Registered Psychologist)
How much is covered per session (e.g., 100%, up to a certain amount, etc)

Note: Some University/College student benefit plans cover a percentage of sessions up to a certain amount

(ie. University of Guelph student benefit plans covers up to 80% of the cost of sessions up to $500)

Unfortunately, I am not able to do direct billing, but I will provide you with a receipt to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

What payment methods do you accept?

I currently accept cash, credit card, or e-transfer as payment options.