Frequently Asked Questions About Psychotherapy
Who may benefit from psychotherapy and counselling
People come to therapy with many different issues in mind. Some are facing changes and transitions in their lives. Others need help in managing stress or dealing with a range of clinical problems, such as anxiety disorders or depression. Other clients may be struggling with relationship issues.
Together, we will be able to choose the best therapy strategy to meet your specific needs.
Our main theoretical approaches to mental health issues are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP). Numerous studies have shown these modalities to be the most effective psychological treatment for anxiety and mood disorders and have proven to be very helpful to people with low self-esteem and to those who feel they lack the assertiveness needed to succeed in life.
Individuals who are seeking therapy in order to resolve a specific problem in their life or those who need help in making an important decision may benefit from a short-term Solution Focused Brief Therapy.
Parents will benefit from learning strategies for dealing with their children's issues and behaviours.
Is coming for therapy a sign of weakness or strength
Some people are reluctant to come to therapy because they see asking for help as a weakness. They may feel ashamed that they are not able to cope with their problems on their own.
Starting therapy is the first step toward changing unhelpful patterns that may have been preventing you to live your life to the fullest. It takes courage and self-awareness to acknowledge that you have a problem and this acknowledgement is in itself the beginning of a change process.
Therapy provides a safe and supportive space to work through personal challenges, develop coping skills, and gain new perspectives on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It can also help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, your values, and your relationships with others. Therapy is not just for people with severe mental health problems, it can also be helpful for anyone looking to improve their overall quality of life.
What to expect
Usually, the first one or two sessions are used to assess the situation and to establish therapy goals, however, in some cases one or two session consultation may be all you need.
Appointments usually last 50 minutes; however, some people prefer longer sessions, which can be accommodated.
Please read more about what to expect at the first session here.
Confidentiality
Everything discussed between counsellor and client is strictly confidential.
No one will be aware of what we discussed unless you share it with them. The only exceptions would be:
A court order issued for the release of information
If a client demonstrates a clear and imminent danger to himself or another
In the case of suspected child abuse or neglect
If a client reports sexual abuse by a regulated healthcare professional
How long does therapy last?
The length of therapy can vary depending on the individual and their needs. Some people may see improvement after a few sessions, while others may need to attend therapy for several months or longer.
The majority of clients in our clinic suffer from long-standing OCD or anxiety disorder and usually require longer treatment.
There are several things you can do to facilitate the treatment and achieve progress faster:
Practice exercises assigned by your therapist daily.
Ask your therapist to assign relevant readings and aim to read consistently throughout the week.
If you have OCD, register for our OCD therapy group which is a very effective way to have intensive therapy for a much lower cost.
If you have OCD, booking longer and more frequent initial sessions (2-6 hours per week for the first 2-3 weeks) usually shortens the length of the treatment and reduces the overall number of sessions required.
How often should I attend therapy?
Usually, weekly sessions are recommended.
In acute situations (especially with OCD or severe depression) more than one weekly session is beneficial at the start of the therapy. As your symptom subside, you and your therapist will discuss gradually expanding sessions to biweekly and later monthly.
How do I choose a therapist?
You can see all our therapists’ bios and videos here. Please note that some therapists may be fully booked and are not currently accepting new patients. You can see everybody’s current availability here.
Will the psychotherapy sessions be covered by my extended health benefits?
Psychological and psychotherapy services are usually eligible for insurance coverage under most extended health benefit plans that cover the services of a Psychologist and/or a Registered Psychotherapist.
All our services are provided by a registered psychologist, registered psychotherapist (RP), or under the supervision of a registered psychologist. As per the very specific requirement of the CPO, all the documents are co-signed by the psychologist responsible for the treatment. The supervising psychologist's name and registration number are on every receipt as the psychologist is legally and ethically responsible for the case. The receipt also states the name of the psychological service provider that assisted with the session.
If you are covered for a psychologist, you will likely be reimbursed by most insurance companies but of course, it's up to the insurance company and we are not responsible for non-reimbursement due to insurance issues. If in doubt, please verify with your insurance provider regarding the type of coverage.