Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of a session reflects much more than the time spent with your therapist.  It includes the therapist's required supervision and professional training to ensure high-quality care, and ongoing education to stay current with best practices.  It includes planning and preparation time necessary to tailor sessions to unique needs and goals, and operational costs of running a private practice, including office space, administrative expenses, and materials.  

The cost of an Assessment and Treatment Planning session reflects the additional time and work involved.  This session is longer, typically 90 minutes, to allow for a thorough understanding of needs, history, and goals.  Additionally, after the session, I dedicate time to carefully assemble a personalized Treatment Plan that will guide our work together.  This process ensures that your care is tailored, effective, and aligned with your unique circumstances, making it a vital step in achieving meaningful progress.

While you are not required to book an Assessment and Treatment Planning session as your first appointment, it is strongly recommended.  Without it, the process of assessment and treatment planning will naturally spill into future sessions, taking more time to complete.  In the end, it would likely cost the same or more, as the work would be spread across multiple shorter sessions rather than addressed in a focused, dedicated session upfront.  Starting with this session helps us establish clear goals and direction early on, so you can begin making progress as quickly as possible.

A sliding scale is a fee structure designed to make therapy more accessible by adjusting the cost of sessions based on a client's financial situation.  It allows individuals who may not be able to afford full fees to still access the support they need.  In my practice, eligibility for the sliding scale is determined by factors such as household income and financial circumstances.  Clients who qualify are offered a discounted session rate that aligns with their ability to pay.  If you think you might benefit from a sliding scale, feel free to reach out to discuss your situation.  Limited sliding scale spots are available at any given time.

The frequency of therapy sessions depends on your unique needs, the nature of the challenges, and your personal preferences.  Many people find that weekly or bi-weekly sessions are helpful, especially at the beginning of therapy to build momentum and establish a strong foundation for progress.  However, this level of frequency is not always necessary or possible for everyone.  Some individuals may benefit from more frequent sessions during particularly challenging periods, while others may prefer to space sessions out as they gain tools and confidence to work through issues independently.  Together, we can determine a schedule that works best for your goals, availability, and circumstances.  The most important thing is to create a plan that feels right to you.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy, and I take it very seriously.  In most cases, what you or your child share in therapy stays private.  However, there are limits to confidentiality, as outlined by law and the standards of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).  These limits can include risk of harm to self or others, suspected child abuse or neglect, court orders, supervision or consultation, or consent from the client.

I will always make an effort to discuss any necessary breach of confidentiality with you beforehand, unless doing so would put someone at greater risk.  If you have questions or concerns about confidentiality, I encourage you to bring them up so we can address them together.

Whether or not you attend therapy with your child depends on the unique situation, needs, and goals of the primary client- your child.  In some cases, having a parent involved can be helpful, while in others, it might create a hindrance.  Even if you feel your child shares everything with you, there may be things they are hesitant to say in front of you.  Additionally, if you are present, your child may begin to rely on your input and participation rather than engaging themselves.

When a parent is involved, the dynamic and focus of therapy can shift toward working on the parent-child relationship or helping you learn how to best support your child.  This type of therapy/counselling, often referred to as dyadic counselling, is more complex and therefore has a different cost structure.

Ultimately, the decision will be made collaboratively to ensure the approach is in the best interest of your child's growth and therapeutic progress.

Yes, you absolutely can!  While my primary focus is on supporting children and youth with challenges related to mental health, academic success, and the transition to adulthood, I am trained to help with a wide range of concerns.  If I believe your needs would be better addressed by a specialist or other professional, I will discuss this with you and provide recommendations or referrals to ensure you receive the best possible care. 

Yes, I do!  Although my primary focus is on supporting children and youth, I am trained to work with individuals across a variety of ages and am happy to help adults address their challenges and work toward their goals.  Whether you are seeking support for yourself or as a parent, caregiver, or educator, I can provide tailored guidance to meet your unique needs.