FAQs
In this section, I answer common questions.
How does insurance work?
I have a completely private pay practice. However, extended health benefits might cover some or all of the cost of my services. Confirm with your health insurance provider (either through your employer or the employer of one of your family members) to see if services for Psychotherapy or a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario are covered. If you’re outside of Ontario and still within Canada, check to see if services for Counseling or a Certified Counsellor are covered. I will issue you a receipt so that you can submit it for reimbursement.
What is a Registered Psychotherapist (R.P.)?
In Ontario, the act of psychotherapy is controlled by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). A Registered Psychotherapist is a psychotherapist who is a registrant of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Only practitioners who are licensed by the CRPO are permitted to use the title of ‘Registered Psychotherapist (R.P.)’.
Are you a Registered Psychotherapist?
Yes, I am a Registered Psychotherapist (RP).
What is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.)?
In 1986, the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) established a credentialing service for members. Its purpose is to identify to the public those counsellors who the CCPA recognizes as qualified to provide counselling psychotherapy services in Canada. With the C.C.C. status, the CCPA recognizes standards of professional preparation, continuing education, and a formal code of ethics. Only counsellors who are certified by the CCPA are permitted to use the title of ‘C.C.C.’.
Are you a Canadian Certified Counsellor?
Yes, I hold this designation.
I’m not living in Ontario, can I still work with you?
It’s very possible. I can provide counselling or psychotherapy services to clients living in most provinces and territories in Canada (excluding Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island).
When are your session hours?
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 4:30pm to 9:30pm EST.
What are your rates?
For a standard 50-minute session, my fee is $170 per session.
How long will I be in therapy?
My style of therapy aims to provide you with support within your first few sessions. This will make room for short-term relief, and let us focus on creating longer-lasting changes.
That said, remember that the therapeutic process isn’t a simple 5-step program. Humans are complex, and sometimes the larger impact of change may take weeks or months (or years) to start experiencing. Some people choose to come to therapy for years to maintain a momentum of accountability and growth, others prefer to get the tools they need and return periodically for follow-ups.
The good news is that there’s no one “right” way to attend therapy. While I would like to see you forever, I do believe in working with my clients to a point of self-efficacy. I can certainly provide a starting place to you for how long I believe it makes sense for you to attend therapy. This is typically between 6 to 12 sessions, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the situation.
What can I expect from my first session?
In your first session, I’ll review some administrative details with you regarding the therapeutic process, virtual counselling (if virtual), and confidentiality. Then, I’ll spend some time getting to know you and your hopes for therapy. You’ll likely find yourself sharing your personal history, current situation, and struggles while we connect these to your goals, relationships, interests, and strengths. If you find you feel comfortable discussing your personal issues with me, and we decide we want to keep working together, we can agree on the plan for treatment. Many people share that they gain momentum for change and start to feel relief even after their first appointment.
How often do I need to attend therapy?
The short answer is regularly. I can suggest what would make sense, but often it’s having a session every week or every two weeks to start. The regular, consistent attendance of therapy ensures we get and keep the momentum and effectiveness of the therapeutic work.
What kind of therapy do you do and how does it work?
I use an integrated approach of mindfulness, somatic, and psychodynamic psychotherapy modalities. My philosophy is to see you and help you as a whole human — mind, body, and soul — rather than as a specific diagnosis.
That means I focus on understanding your worldview. With this understanding, I hold space for you to talk about your issues, and ask intentional and thought-provoking questions to help you take productive, tangible steps towards confidence, self-advocacy, motivation, healthy boundaries and relationships, and decisiveness. I listen carefully to the words you use and when it makes sense, I gently challenge you to see your thoughts, emotions, and situations from different perspectives. I emphasize your strengths and survival skills so that you recognize what skills, tools, and techniques you have at your disposal to handle your day-to-day and bring you towards your longer-term goals. We can work through body-awareness, value exploration, compassion, and mindfulness exercises and techniques that can allow you to regulate your nervous system and find a place of compassion and calm.
You might experience change as we work together to make shifts to your perspective and understanding of yourself, your relationships, and your worldview. This is focused not only on immediate and short-term relief but also on the long-term and sustainable changes that are needed to bring you lasting wellness.