frequently asked questions

The frequency therapy varies from person to person and depends on your goals, motivation, and budget. I recommend doing 6 weekly or bi-weekly sessions to start. This is a good pace for most people to get comfortable with therapy, gain momentum, and make some meaningful changes. After the 6 initial sessions, we will re-evaluate the frequency of our sessions. It's best to book a few sessions out so that you can get the time slot that works best for you.

Just like the frequency of therapy sessions, the length of therapy will vary person-to-person. Some people come to therapy with a specific goal (i.e. to learn strategies to manage burnout at work) and once they achieve that goal, they are good to go! Other people come to therapy wanting work on ongoing concerns (i.e. a lifelong sense of not being good enough) that may be linked to trauma or other challenging life circumstances. In these cases, therapy tends to be longer as we are digging deeper into the roots of the issue. Other people view attending therapy as an important part of their routine health care and are looking for ongoing support. They are interested in connecting with a therapist on a long-term, consistent basis who can give them support through life's challenges and whatever they are navigating at the moment. In these cases, therapy can last years and be a place to receive consistent support from someone who really knows you and understands how you work. Wherever you happen to fall, I'm happy to help and can give you a better idea of the length of therapy I'd recommend after our assessment session.

As a therapist, my job is to identify patterns and help you understand the symptoms you are struggling with. My expertise can help point you in the right direction when it comes to a diagnosis but only medical doctors (such as your family doctor or a psychiatrist) and registered psychologists can provide a formal diagnosis in Ontario.

Most private insurance plans will cover our sessions. Check with your provider to see if you have coverage for services by a Registered Social Worker.

Payment is easy! Before our assessment session, you will add a credit card to your file on our booking website, Jane, and your card will be automatically charged at the end of each session. You will then be emailed a receipt, which you can submit to your insurance to be reimbursed for the session.

In Ontario, all of these terms refer to mental health professionals but there are some important distinctions between the roles, qualifications, and scope of practice. Psychotherapist: Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counseling, is a collaborative and evidence-based approach to treating mental health concerns, emotional difficulties, and psychological disorders. In Ontario, psychotherapy is a regulated act that can only be provided by certain regulated professionals who hold a Master's or Doctoral degree in a recognized field. The most common ones you will see are Registered Psychotherapists, Registered Social Workers, and Psychologists. I am a Registered Social Worker, which means I can provide psychotherapy. Psychologist: Psychologists hold a Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology and are regulated by the College of Psychologists of Ontario. They conduct psychological assessments, diagnose mental health disorders, and provide evidence-based interventions to individuals of all ages. Some psychologists provide psychotherapy and some are more focused on research, consulting, assessment, or diagnosis. Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who specialize in mental health and hold additional training in psychiatry. Some psychiatrists provide psychotherapy, but more commonly they focus their practice on the diagnosis and prescription of medication for mental health.

Therapy can be expensive - especially if you don't have insurance coverage! Luckily, there are some affordable options available: Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): If you are employed, check if your workplace offers an Employee Assistance Program. EAPs often provide short-term counselling services at no cost to employees and their immediate family members. Community Health Centres: Community health centres across Ontario offer a range of health services, including mental health support. These centres operate on a sliding scale fee structure, meaning that fees are based on your income and can be adjusted to make services more affordable. Universities and Colleges: If you are a student, check with your educational institution's counselling or mental health services. Many universities and colleges provide free or low-cost counselling services to their students. Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations: There are non-profit organizations and charities that offer mental health services on a sliding scale or free of charge. Examples include the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and the Family Service Ontario network. Research Studies and Training Programs: Universities and research institutions sometimes offer low-cost or free therapy as part of research studies or training programs. Contact local universities or research institutions to inquire about any available opportunities. The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program (OSPP) allows adults struggling with anxiety and depression to access free, short-term cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). BounceBack offers mental health workbooks and telephone coaching for youth ages 15-17 in Ontario.