Therapy involves a personalized exchange of mostly verbal communication between the clinician and the client(s). Its goal is to help you gain insights into your struggles, issues, or needs and provide you with tools to make positive changes in your activities, mood, thoughts, and feelings. Is usually a friendly supportive process that requires personal effort and willingness to work on yourself.

When choosing a therapist, it’s important to find someone who truly listens to you, understands you, and makes you feel comfortable enough to open up. If you don’t feel a good connection right away, remember that you have the option to request another referral or seek out a different mental health professional. Before your initial session, consider researching your clinician online to help you feel more informed and prepared. Many therapists offer a free initial consultation, providing a great opportunity to gauge the compatibility with the professional.

As a unique individual, your goals are just as unique. It’s important to communicate your therapy goals during your initial session with the therapist. This will help determine if the therapist can assist you or if a referral to another professional who better aligns with your needs would be more beneficial.

Research has demonstrated the benefits of integrating psychotherapy with medical treatment, as prescribed by a physician, for specific disorders. It’s important to understand that the use of therapy alongside medication varies depending on each person’s circumstances. Equally important is the recognition that only doctors are authorized to prescribe medication. Mental health professionals, such as psychotherapists, psychologists, and social workers, are not permitted to suggest or prescribe drugs.

In our interconnected world, therapists come from diverse genders and sexual orientations. They all adhere to professional codes of ethics, which prioritize respect for diversity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, origin, and other personal characteristics. When selecting a therapist, it’s more about finding someone whose personality aligns with yours rather than focusing on their gender.

Therapy processes usually require more than one session. The number of sessions needed depends on your individual circumstances, needs, and goals. There is no standard number of sessions for each client, but you and your therapist can agree to start with 4 and then decide how many more sessions may be necessary. For instance, Brief Focused Therapy typically lasts for 4 to 6 sessions, while other approaches might take longer, sometimes months, depending on your needs. You can discuss the expected duration of your therapy process with your therapist from the first session to have a better understanding of what to expect.

It’s important for you to feel comfortable with your clinician from the start. If you don’t feel a good fit during the first session, don’t hesitate to ask for a referral to another mental health professional within the same or a different clinic, or to seek out a different therapist on your own. Remember, your therapist is a professional and should respect your decision. To ensure a good match, consider requesting a 15-minute free consultation, either virtually or by phone, with the therapist before committing to a full session.

To ensure that you get the most out of our sessions, it’s important to attend each one on time. If you ever need to reschedule, please give us a call at least 24 hours in advance. If you cancel after that time or miss a session, we’ll need to charge you for the full session. Thank you for your understanding.

Seeking therapy is a positive step towards managing difficult situations and improving your well-being. There isn’t a fixed time to start therapy; it depends on your current circumstances. Many people choose to seek mental health support when they’re struggling to cope with stress, anxiety, sadness, anger, lack of motivation, or finding it hard to concentrate at work or school. It can also be helpful when dealing with grief or other common life challenges

Mental Health professionals are now equipped to provide you with diverse session options. You can choose to meet in person at our location, connect online via teleconference, or have a session over the phone. While the therapist can provide recommendations, the final decision is yours as the client.

When scheduling your first psychological or psychotherapeutic session, it’s crucial to confirm with both your health insurance company and the mental health provider that they have a working relationship. Most psychotherapists in Ontario do not bill insurance companies directly, so you would need to obtain an invoice and receipts from your therapist to claim your reimbursement.

Ensure from the outset that your insurance covers these sessions and inquire about any annual coverage limits. This proactive approach will help you manage your mental health expenses effectively.

To ensure that you get the most out of our sessions, it’s important to attend each one on time. If you ever need to reschedule, please give us a call at least 24 hours in advance. If you cancel after that time or miss a session, we’ll need to charge you for the full session. Thank you for your understanding.

Only certain cases necessitate an assessment prior to the initial psychotherapeutic session, contingent upon the specific need for seeking help. Typically, assessments are warranted for children with a diagnosed or suspected disorder by another health professional, as well as for youth and adults who have encountered accidents, trauma, or prior significant experiences that have impacted their current mental well-being. It is imperative to emphasize that psychotherapists are not authorized to provide diagnoses; therefore, individuals requiring assessment are advised to seek assistance from another health professional.

It is not mandatory to engage with other healthcare professionals to initiate your therapy process. As mental health professionals, we may collaborate with other healthcare practitioners as a supplementary measure to approach your treatment and objectives. If, at any point in the process, the therapist deems it necessary for you to receive support from another health professional, they will engage in a discussion with you prior to making a referral.

Unfortunately, government-issued Health Cards do not typically cover psychotherapy services. However, many companies provide benefits to their employees that may include access to psychotherapy. It is recommended to reach out to your HR department to inquire about these options.

It is typically more effective to be consistent with your appointments and to work on yourself between each session. However, you always have the right to start or end the therapy whenever you wish, nevertheless, it is important to discuss it with your clinician first. Note that being committed to your own therapy process is essential in order to see results.

Numerous psychological approaches have given rise to various types of therapy. You might be familiar with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Psychodynamics, EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy), Gestalt, or many others.

While these approaches vary in their perspectives and techniques for addressing issues, they are all geared toward promoting your well-being. You may naturally feel more at ease with certain psychological approaches than with others. Typically, your therapist is trained in one or more of these models, so feel empowered to inquire about their specific training and how it could be beneficial for you.

Psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers are all authorized to conduct the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy. However, the training and therapeutic approach of these mental health professionals can differ based on their respective scopes of practice. Psychologists are typically equipped to conduct psychological assessments, whereas psychotherapists and social workers primarily focus on treatment, and are not allowed to diagnose.

First, put yourself safe, try to take a deep breath, and depending on your current situation get your phone and consider reaching out to any of the following options:

Primero, ponte a salvo, intenta respirar profundamente y, dependiendo de tu situación actual, toma tu teléfono y considera comunicarte con cualquiera de las siguientes opciones:

• Contact your family physician/Contacta a tu médico familiar
• Call 911
• Connex Ontario 1 866 531 26 00
• Cope Line 1 855-310-COPE (2673) or 905-310-COPE (2673) York Area
• COAST Halton 1-877-825-9011
• Talk Suicide Canada 1 (833) 456 4566
• Suicide Prevention Hotline 905-522-1477
• Salvation Army Suicide Crisis Line 905-522-1477
• Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000.
• SAVIS Sexual Assault Centre 905-875-1555
• Toronto Distress Centres  416-408-HELP (4357)
• Mental health hotline in GTA 833-456-45
• Halton Women’s Place 905-332-7892
• Wellness Together Canada 1-866-585-0455 (24/7)
• Text: SAFE (#741741)
• Kids Help Phone 1 (800) 668 6868
• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness 1 (855) 242 3310
• Trans Lifeline   1 (877) 330 6366
•  Barrett Centre for Crisis Support 905-529-7878