Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Psychotherapy or counselling is a form of talk therapy that can be a beneficial, non-pharmacological way to treat mental heath concerns. It offers a way for individuals to work through challenges with a skilled therapist in order to enable personal growth. Schedule a 20-minute consultation today to see how therapy can benefit you.

Therapy can be a valuable resource for anyone, regardless of where they are in life. Whether it's the right time for you depends on your readiness to discuss the thoughts on your mind. If you're considering it, reaching out for a conversation can be a meaningful first step. I provide a free 20-minute consultation, offering you the chance for a brief chat to explore how therapy might provide insight into your feelings. Feel free to connect with me anytime; I’m here to support you.

Therapy is a transformative process with numerous benefits. It provides the opportunity to enhance self-awareness, boost confidence, and improve coping skills for life's challenges.

Life often presents unexpected circumstances, and collaborating with a skilled therapist can facilitate a deeper understanding of our thoughts, actions, and emotions in response to these situations. Through this collaborative effort, we strive to cultivate a healthier lifestyle and enhance our overall sense of well-being.

Let’s have a chat and see how therapy can benefit you and your unique situation. Book your complimentary 20-minute consultation today.

The first appointment will be primarily gathering information and history on what brought you to therapy. This is called a biopsychosocial assessment, and can sometimes require 1-2 sessions.

At the end of the full assessment, we will collaboratively discuss treatment goals and develop a treatment plan to work with throughout therapy. Goals can change in therapy and that’s okay too. It is important to refer back to these goals so that we have something to work towards throughout our journey.

Many extended health insurance providers include coverage for a Registered Social Worker. Please double check your coverage as this may vary between various insurance plans. Direct billing may also be available. Please inquire.

Counselling/Therapy services provided by Registered Social Workers can also be claimed as a medical expense tax deduction when you file your income tax return.  A receipt will be issued to you after each session, which can be used for reimbursement from your insurance company and income tax purposes.

Yes! I believe that therapy should be as accessible as possible. Although my standard rate is $160 per 50-minute session, I do have limited sliding scale/reduced-fee spots available on a case-by-case basis and by request for those who need it. Get in touch to find out more.

Depending on multiple factors, some clients may need only a few sessions, some more than that, and some clients continue therapy on an ongoing basis for extra support, regularly or just occasionally.

At the end of our first appointment, we will discuss the treatment plan and this will include a collaborative approach on approximately how many sessions would work for you. This depends on your current state, availability, insurance coverage/payments, etc.

This all depends on the individual and their unique circumstances. I often recommended at the beginning of therapy, that the first few sessions be more regular and frequent (i.e., once a week or biweekly) so that rapport and momentum can be built. After the first 2-3 sessions, the appointments can be more spread out. Of course, based on various factors, including availability, finances, and personal need, some clients are seen less frequently, even from the start.

Since the global pandemic, virtual services, including psychotherapy, grew in popularity and became the norm. You may be wondering whether therapy is secure enough, but rest assured, at Psychotherapy GTA, we use a secure platform in session that is compliant with PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act)/PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act).

Short answer? Yes!

Research has shown that virtual or online therapy is just as effective as face-to-face therapy (if not more!), particularly for those who are experiencing anxiety disorders and depression.

The biggest advantage of virtual therapy is that it is convenient, as it allows clients to be in the comfort of their own home. This can reduce the stress overall of having to travel to a physical location or to find a babysitter.

Check my booking calendar here for an updated schedule. Weekday hours and limited weekday evenings are available at this time.

I work with a flexible schedule so feel free to contact me and we can determine a time and day that would work. Appointments are not necessarily on the same day or at the same time for every session.

Click here to book a free 20-minute consultation!