What can I expect from therapy? A typical therapy session will be 50 minutes long. During the first session we will discuss and arrange the frequency of sessions and how this will be incorporated into our treatment plan. The number of sessions will be discussed with the client and determined based on their needs and situation.
The first few sessions of psychotherapy will generally include a variety of questions and information gathering in order to make an effective assessment. Much of this will focus on the reasons you have decided to come to therapy. We will have a discussion in order to outline your personal goals and issues, and to eventually create a personalized treatment plan.
What are the benefits of therapy? Some of the benefits of psychotherapy include improved mood and sense of well-being, increased understanding and insight of personal issues, effective stress management and coping skills, as well as enhanced communication.
Will my health insurance/benefits cover therapy? Many health care benefit providers will reimburse the cost of psychotherapy sessions. Please contact your insurance provider directly to determine how much coverage you will receive.
Please verify with your insurance company what their specific requirements are, and if you will be covered for these services. You will be issued an official receipt after each session.
What happens if I don't have health insurance/benefits? While OHIP does not currently cover the cost of counselling/psychotherapy, I do have a limited number of sliding scale spots available. Please inquire when making your first appointment.
What forms of payment do you accept? I accept cash, email transfer, debit or credit card.
I'm nervous about starting therapy, is this normal? This is absolutely normal! Most people experience feelings of stress or nervousness when making the decision to engage in therapy. This is a huge step, one that could potentially have lasting effects in your life. While feeling nervous is normal, I will do my best to create a safe and comfortable environment, in which you will hopefully begin to feel at ease. Please feel free to ask questions at any time, in order to further your understanding of both the therapeutic process and my own personal approach, qualifications and experience.
What does your dog do in the therapy room? Rutabaga is currently learning how to be an effective therapy animal. While she still has a lot of puppy energy, the ultimate goal is for her to to let you, the client, define her role within the therapy room. While some clients enjoy having Rutabaga sit with them during the session, others prefer to interact with her at either the beginning or end of their time. Her presence is often comforting, and can be beneficial for different reasons and at different parts of your own personal therapeutic journey. If you have any other specific questions regarding Rutabaga, my past experience with therapy animals and/or animal-assisted therapy, please do not hesitate to ask.