Frequently Asked Questions

• Psychiatrists have a degree in medicine and focus on the biological aspects of mental health.

  • They are regulated health professionals and are legally allowed to diagnose mental health issues.

  • They mainly focus on medication management and consulting with family physicians, psychologists and other health professionals.

  • Their services are covered by OHIP.

• Psychologists have doctoral degrees in psychology and advanced training in psychotherapy and the science of behaviour change.

  • They are regulated health professionals and are also legally allowed to diagnose mental health issues.

  • They offer assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of impairment in cognition, emotion, thought, personality and behaviour.

• Psychotherapists have varied types of training and levels of experience.

  • They are regulated health professionals.

  • However they are not allowed to diagnose mental health issues, nor can they prescribe medication.

  • They treat mental health and emotional problems, and help people work through stressors by talking through the issues and encouraging behavioural changes.

  • Their fees are not covered by OHIP, however insurance companies may cover the expenses.

• Social workers have completed a master of social work degree.

  • They are regulated health professionals. Social workers work in different settings that promote client well-being in a more practical sense.

  • They look at people’s problem’s within the context of their families, workplace and communities and consider the connection between personal problems and larger social issues.

CRPO defines psychotherapy as “a talk-based therapy”. The goal of psychotherapy is to help people to improve their mental and emotional well being by allowing them to talk openly about their feelings and concerns with a trained professional at a confidential setting.

• Psychotherapy helps people recognize their feelings and what situations can make them feel good, nervous or depressed, which, in turn, helps them cope with difficulties in a more constructive way.

• Therapists cannot read minds and don’t get kicks from analyzing people.

• There isn’t always a couch for you to lie down on, and even if there is, you don’t have to lie down on it.

• Therapy doesn’t “fix” you because you are not broken.

  • In other words, a successful therapy experience does not mean you are “cured”, it means that you have the necessary resources and coping skills to deal with the ups and downs of life.

• Progress happens gradually; change doesn’t happen overnight.

• Therapists do not give advice; they don’t tell you what to do: they will guide you. The goal of psychotherapy is to empower you.

  • It is up to you to apply what you learn during sessions into your life.

  • For therapy to be successful and to get better results from therapy, you will have to actively participate in the process: regularly attending sessions, being honest while describing symptoms, completing the structured and/or experiential homework assignments and so on.

  • In other words, you have to want to be there.

• Therapy will look different for everyone, as each person has different issues and goals.

• Some of the things you can discuss during therapy include but aren’t limited to current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and the improvements you have made.

Everyone benefits from psychotherapy based on their individual needs. Not everyone who benefits from psychotherapy is diagnosed with a mental illness; everyday life’s stresses and conflicts can affect anyone.

• Psychotherapy helps with a diverse set of problems.

• The ways psychotherapy can help you with include but are not limited to :

  • personal growth and gaining a better understanding of yourself

  • developing skills to improve relationships

  • coping with major life changes, such as a divorce, the death of a loved one or the loss of a job

  • learning coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships issues, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues

  • improving communication skills

  • changing old and unhealthy behavior patterns and developing new ones

  • improving your self-esteem

  • handling emotions from triggers or problems, even if they aren’t traumatic or life-altering

  • coming to terms with an ongoing or serious physical health problem

OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan)
At this time, psychotherapy is not covered by OHIP.

Health Insurance Plan:
Some insurance companies will cover sessions conducted by Registered Psychotherapists (RP), however that is not guaranteed. The coverage for each insurance provider is different, so please check your insurance plan.

Here are some questions you may want to ask your insurance provider:

• Do I have coverage available for psychotherapy/psychological services?

• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?

• What is the procedure to file for claims?

• What are the details required on receipts?

• Do I need a referral for psychotherapy from my physician?

• Therapy is an interactive process as it is a relationship.

  • Research suggests that the relationship between the client and therapist is one of the most important factors for a good outcome.

  • However finding the right therapist for you can be an overwhelming process. There are a lot of amazing therapists out there, and each therapist brings something different to the session as each therapist has a different set of skills.

• Beginning therapy is an investment in both time and money, as well as your future.

  • Think of hiring a therapist as buying a new car or house; you have to do your research.

  • It is okay to shop around for therapists and ask if they offer consultation sessions.

• Most therapists offer a complimentary consultation session where you can explain your goals and ask them questions. Make sure to take advantage of complimentary consultation sessions.

  • During the consultation, you want to make sure that you feel comfortable and safe, as well as accepted and respected.

  • It is also important to find a therapist that meshes with your personality.

  • Here are some questions you may want to ask a therapist during your consultation:

    • how long they have been practicing

    • what licenses and certifications they have

    • what they specialize in

    • how many clients have they had with similar circumstances to your own

    • how they can help you

    • questions about fees and confidentiality

• Your first therapy session will involve a comprehensive evaluation of your needs and presenting issue(s), by the end of which I will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what our work will include.

• I will also be asking questions about your personal history relevant to your issue(s) and your background. You will find yourself talking about your childhood, your romantic and platonic relationships, your interests and hobbies, and your current symptoms.

• We will also discuss your goals in psychotherapy and create an initial treatment plan based on your needs and goals.

• Therapy duration depends on you and your needs; it may take weeks, months or years until you feel that you’ve reached your goals.

• Some people stay in therapy for a short time, and some use it as means to achieve greater self awareness over a longer period.

• There is no rule as to how long you should stay in therapy.

• Therapy is complete when you feel confident that you’ve developed the skills and tools to cope with the emotional challenges that brought you to therapy to begin with.

• Speaking to a stranger about the details of your life can be very anxiety provoking. Often, people are concerned about their private information and how it will be safeguarded. Confidentiality is an integral component of the services provided.

• Except in rare and specific circumstances, your conversations with your therapist are strictly confidential.

  • These specific circumstances will be provided in a written copy of my confidentiality disclosure agreement , also known as the “Informed Consent” and will be discussed before we start our first session.

• As a client, you can expect a level of ethical conduct that will ensure the protection of your personal information. I adhere to all the rules and regulations of the CCPA and the CRPO.

• A typical individual psychotherapy session lasts 50 minutes.

  • The other 10 minutes is spent completing session related paperwork, which you do not need to be present for.

• A typical hypnotherapy sessions lasts 80 minutes.

  • The other 10 minutes is spent completing session related paperwork, which you do not need to be present for.

• Longer sessions are available for an extra charge.

• How often you come to therapy will depend on your goals, your schedule and your budget.

  • Many clients start with weekly sessions, gradually tapering down to once every two or three weeks to once a month as treatment progresses. We can establish an appropriate frequency based on your specific needs.

• Hypnotherapy, also known as guided hypnosis, is a powerful treatment modality and a complementary tool to be used in psychotherapy. It is a trance-like state of highly focused attention and concentration, which is achieved with the help of a clinical hypnotherapist’s suggestions.

• Hypnotherapy can help you engage in deepest sense of knowing and healing, while also helping you change your unhelpful perceptions, thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

• Hypnosis is not magic, nor is it a cure for anything.

• You will not be unconscious, asleep, or out of control of yourself.

• No one is ever forced to share anything against their will.

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.

• It lets the brain to go back to its own natural healing process instead of focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts or behaviours resulting from the distressing issue.

• Focus is given to past disturbing memories and related events, as well as to current situations that cause distress, and to developing the skills and attitudes needed for future actions.

  • An 8-phase treatment approach is used to address these items, during which eye movements or other bilateral stimulations are used

• For more information, please visit: www.emdria.org