Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know I need therapy?
As a psychotherapist, I hear this question a lot. Sometimes, clients tell me that they put off starting therapy because they didn’t think their problem was “serious enough.” The one thing I wished was more widely known is that you don’t need to be suffering with your mental health to speak with a professional. Working with a therapist before things become too intense can help us put some protective changes in place so you don’t reach a breaking point.
How many sessions am I supposed to do?
The average session length for psychotherapy services is around 8-12 sessions. Each session is 50 minutes long. The number of sessions you book depends on your needs, modality, and, of course, the cost. We’ll work together to decide on a number of sessions that makes the most sense for your needs. You can absolutely do less than 8 sessions. Typically, the less sessions you book the more action-focused we have to be. I might ask you to do homework between sessions to strengthen what we’ve worked on and prepare for our next meeting. Some people really like that and others do not. We’ll find a balance that works for you.
What’s your cancelation policy?
I require 24-hour notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. For cancelations or rescheduling with less than 24-hour notice, there is a late fee. If you do not show up for your appointment, you will be charged the full session price.
What happens if I’m late?
The 50 minute session starts at your scheduled appointment time. Due to my schedule, I cannot extend appointments. If you are late to your session, it cuts into your therapy time. One of the great parts of virtual therapy is that there’s no commuting time. It’s quick and easy to login to our meetings. If you are late, I will wait for you in our meeting room for the first 25 minutes of our session. If I haven’t heard from you by then, I will end the session and consider you a no show.
Do you send out reminders?
Yes! I run Kind Start through Owl, which is a secure platform commonly used by psychotherapists. The Owl system has the option to send out reminders through text, email, or both. You can also customize when you receive your reminders (ranging between 2 - 96 hours in advance).
How do I pay?
I accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and etransfer. I require a card on file for any appointment bookings.
Is this covered by insurance?
If your insurance covers Psychotherapy, then yes. Some insurance providers only cover therapy from a Psychologist, in which case my services would not be applicable.
What’s the difference between a Psychotherapist, Psychologist and Psychiatrist?
In Ontario, a Psychotherapist (like me) is someone who holds a Masters Degree in psychology-related field. Psychotherapists can provide therapy but are not allowed to clinically diagnose clients. They can explore and assess potential diagnosis, but then they have to refer the client to a Psychologist or medical doctor to confirm.
A Psychologist is someone who holds a Ph.D. in a psychology-related field. They can do therapy with clients and provide clinical diagnosis. Both a Psychotherapist and Psychologist cannot prescribe medications. If a client needs medication they must obtain their prescription from their family physician or a Psychiatrist.
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialized in the brain. They often work in hospital or clinical settings and clients are referred to them for diagnosis or medications. Sometimes family doctors make referrals for their patients to meet with a Psychiatrist if they require specialized treatment.
What happens in a free consultation?
The free consultation takes place over a 15 minute phone call. It gives us the opportunity to get to know each other a little bit before your first appointment. In the consultation, I can tell you more about myself, Kind Start, or answer any questions you might have. The most important thing in therapy is trust between the client and the therapist. The consultation gives you a better idea of how we might work together and if you want to continue to book therapy services with me.