Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people attend therapy sessions?

People see a therapist or practitioner for a wide range of reasons. Sometimes a specific event occurs that causes an individual to seek out help, while others may attend therapy because it provides a trained objective person to help them work through issues they have been struggling with for years.

 Therapeutic Counselling can be beneficial because a client may feel a sense of control in their life and have the tools to change, or make better decisions in the future. Therapy is a collaborative event, it requires an active role from both the client and the therapist for change to occur.

How long is therapy & how many sessions will I need?

Therapy sessions are typically 60 minutes in length. Clients typically meet on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis depending on the their individual needs. The length of time while in therapy will depend on the individual client circumstance. Some treatment plans are based on situational/short term therapy, while others are based on longer in-depth healing work. The therapist and client will determine that together. You are free to start and stop therapy at any time you wish. However, some consistency will yield better results. Some clients will benefit from regular long term therapy, and some clients will come and go, in and out of therapy throughout their lifetime as needed.

What are some signs that I might need therapy or professional support?

• you just don’t feel like yourself

• your relationships are suffering

• your emotions feel out of control

• you’re altering aspects of your life to accommodate your feelings

• you’re spending a lot of time thinking about your emotions and challenges 

• you’re engaging in high risk, or addictive behaviours

What is the first session like?

The initial appointment will be an assessment to discuss your history, to share more about who you are and develop a therapeutic treatment plan. During the first session, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, review policies and determine if it's the right fit for you. 

Should I prepare for my sessions?

Keeping an open mind about therapy, and being open to the possibility that it can help you is great preparation. Writing down specific topics and issues you want to cover is useful, it can be easy to draw a blank if you're a bit nervous during your first appointment. Speak your mind; your thoughts, and opinions are just as important as your therapist's. 

How do I keep making progress in therapy?

• Keeping up with any homework your therapist assigns

• Maintaining the momentum with consistent therapy sessions

• Being open and truthful about the issues and challenges you’re facing

• Asking questions and giving feedback to your therapist

Are my sessions confidential?

Yes, therapy is completely confidential. Online/Tele-therapy sessions conducted over Google Meet are PHIPA and HIPPA compliant, and all data is encrypted and secure. What you discuss during your therapy sessions is kept confidential. No contents of the therapy sessions, whether verbal or written may be shared with another party without your written consent or the written consent of your legal guardian.

Exceptions are:

a) duty to warn or protect; if you disclose a plan or threat to harm yourself or others, the appropriate authorities will be notified

b) if you disclose, or it is suspected that there is abuse or harmful neglect of children or vulnerable adults (i.e. the elderly, disabled/incompetent), the appropriate agencies and authorities will be notified

c) parents or legal guardians of minor patients have the right to access records

d) requests ordered by the court of law

How does online/Tele-therapy work?

Tele-therapy is a way to meet with your therapist through a video platform. You will need a reliable internet connection. Sessions can take place on any device of your choosing including a phone, tablet or computer. Therapeutic treatment is exactly the same as it would be in person and just as effective. As well, Tele-therapy allows more convenience, accessibility and sometimes lower rates. You can schedule your appointment through the online calendar, or email, or text for more assistance. All sessions are conducted through Google Meet. 

Do I need a referral?

You do not need a referral to book an appointment or start seeing a therapist. It is however, a good idea to keep your primary care physician/family doctor up to date with all treatment you are receiving.

How do Therapists work with other healthcare providers?

To preserve the continuity of care, it’s important to work with school counsellors, psychologists, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, etc. With written permission, therapists can provide treatment plans or answer questions that other professionals may have. If a client needs their therapist to work with other professionals in their life, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Each therapist/Practitioner will have their own skill set, training and scope of practice based on education and regulatory bodies. If your therapist feels that you may need additional specialized support like medical diagnosis or medication, they will recommend a physician referral. For more complex conditions/issues, it is very common to see multiple healthcare providers simultaneously to ensure the best possible outcome and treatment. 

Do you accept insurance?

No direct billing to insurance companies is provided. However, many extended health care plans may cover mental health therapy and/or holistic services. Please check with your individual insurance company. Record of treatment and invoices are available upon request.

What is Therapeutic Counselling?

Therapeutic counselling is a hybrid of therapy and coaching. It is solution-focused, helping clients address emotional issues and achieve personal growth, while providing the benefits of traditional therapy. It provides a supportive and insightful environment for individuals to explore their experiences, gain self-awareness, and create a roadmap for positive transformation. 

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis is a type of mind-body medicine. Hypnotherapy, is a state of deep relaxation and focused concentration. Altered states of consciousness or trance have been documented by several cultures for thousands of years throughout the world from medicine and healing ceremonies to spiritual/ritual practices. Modern hypnotherapy was brought into clinical and therapeutic practice by several physicians/scientists/therapists throughout the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Pioneers include Franz Mesmer, James Braid, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and Milton H. Erikson to name a few. Hypnotherapy is a widely used therapeutic practice that continues to be used in psychological treatment today. One of the primary advantages of hypnotherapy is its ability to access the subconscious mind. Suggestions during hypnosis can cause dynamic changes in brain activity. Areas responsible for processing cognition and emotion show greater activity during hypnosis, as well as hypnosis-induced changes in functional connectivity between anterior cingulate cortex and the large neural network. Hypnotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for several conditions and issues.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a structured, goal-oriented form of talk therapy. Dr. Aaron Beck is globally recognized as the father of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and one of the world’s leading researchers in psychopathology. The key idea behind cognitive behavioural therapy is that what you think and do affects the way you feel. CBT is ‘present focused’, meaning it works with your thoughts and feelings in the here and now. A CBT therapist will try to understand a situation by looking at separate parts i.e. thoughts, behaviours, emotions, and bodily sensations. During CBT, a mental health professional helps you take a closer look at your thoughts and emotions and actions as well as core beliefs that drive behaviour. Through CBT, you can unlearn negative thoughts and behaviours that keep us “stuck” and learn to adopt healthier thinking patterns and habits. You will learn to respond better to stress, pain and difficult situations. It is a collaborative therapy and needs your active participation in order to be helpful. CBT is highly effective.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is a practice that involves training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts, aiming to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. It's a way to cultivate awareness of the present moment, manage stress, and promote overall well-being. Meditation techniques often involve concentrating on a specific object, sensation (like breathing), sound, or concept. This focused attention helps to quiet the mind's constant stream of thoughts and reduce mental chatter. By training the mind to focus and be present, meditation can help to reduce stress and anxiety, leading to a greater sense of calm and mental clarity. There are various types of meditation practices, including mindfulness meditation, mantra meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and more. Each type offers unique benefits and can be tailored to individual preferences. 

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we're doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what's going on around us. Mindfulness is actively and openly paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. It is observing instead of engaging with thoughts and emotions—noticing without judging or evaluating. Studies have shown that practicing mindfulness can result in improvements in cognition, immune system function, sleep, chronic pain, depression, anxiety and more.

What is Intuitive Guidance?

Intuitive guidance refers to the ability to receive insights and direction from an inner source of wisdom, as well as a greater source of wisdom outside of the self.  It's often described as a "gut feeling" or inner knowing, that goes beyond logical reasoning. It's about trusting and acting on these subtle cues, messages or nudges to make decisions and navigate life's journey. This inner guidance can manifest as a feeling, a thought, or a vision, and it's often a source of clarity and direction when faced with choices or challenges. Intuitive guidance is the ability to receive insights and messages from beyond the logical mind. It's about trusting the unseen, tuning into energy. We are all intuitive beings, some more practiced than others. It's just like anything else; a skill that can be developed and strengthened.