1. How do I know if psychotherapy is right for me?
If you have the curiosity and intention to understand yourself and your behaviours better, psychotherapy may be beneficial for you. It is important to also have the time to commit to regular sessions, and a private space with a secure and stable internet connection, so that you can join the virtual sessions and focus your attention in session. I also recommend meeting your therapist beforehand to see if you feel comfortable working with them and to get a sense of what the process of working together might be like for you (I offer a complimentary 15 minute consultation which you can request on the contact page).
2. How often should I come?
At first, it is recommended to come every week to give yourself a chance to build on the work you do in the previous session. Like learning anything new, commitment and consistency can be helpful in the therapeutic process. Eventually, you will know when you’re feeling better, and when it’s time to move to less frequent appointments.
3. What is the difference between psychotherapy and counselling?
Both psychotherapy and counselling are treatments for mental health problems, and involve talking to a trained provider, exploring your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and working collaboratively with your provider towards goals that will reflect positive changes in your life and a greater sense of wellbeing. While the two services can seem quite similar, generally, counselling can be considered more of a short term treatment that focuses on a specific issue, while psychotherapy can be seen as a more holistic exploration of a person and their life, to help address a broader range of issues. Because of this psychotherapy can be seen as a longer-term treatment.
4. How many sessions will I need?
Psychotherapy is a subjective process, unique to the individual, their goals and their needs. Because of this, it’s difficult to know how many sessions you’ll need to achieve the changes you are intending for yourself. I recommended committing to 6-10 sessions in the beginning, to start the process of understanding yourself better and learning tools to change. Even when starting to feel better, some people choose to continue longer-term therapy to work on new or deeper issues, while others choose to take breaks and come in for maintenance sessions as needed. If you are looking for counselling for a specific issue, a shorter term treatment plan can be collaborated on during the consultation. Because this process can also be subjective, we will check-in on your progress along the way and make adjustments to the treatment plan accordingly.
4. Are psychotherapy and counselling covered by OHIP, MSP or extended health care?
Psychotherapy and counselling are generally not covered by OHIP or MSP but you may have coverage in your extended health care plan. Please check with your insurance provider to see whether you have coverage for Psychotherapy, Clinical Counselling or Registered Psychotherapy. You’ll be issued a receipt following each session which you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement should you have coverage.