FAQs
What is the process for starting therapy?
#1: Book a free consult call so that we can have a first meeting, get to know each other a bit and see if it feels like a good fit. You can use the booking link at the end of this page to find a convenient time for you!
#2: If the vibes are right and we both feel confident in starting this journey together, we will discuss mutual availability and book a first session.
#3: We have our first session! You may feel excited/nervous (normal!) about this step you are taking for yourself. We will go over any questions you may have and work on setting the stage for healing together. You are so worth it.
Do you offer in-person or virtual sessions?
I primarily offer virtual sessions at this time to clients located in Ontario, and I strongly believe that they offer a convenient and effective way to engage in therapy wherever you are! I use a secure online platform called Jane to hold our video sessions.
For those who live in Ottawa and prefer to meet in-person, I also offer limited sessions at an office location in the central/west area (near Carlingwood mall), on Monday mornings/early afternoon. This is subject to change depending on demand.
What is your availability?
I have availability Monday-Thursday, from 10am-4pm, with some limited evening time slots.
What is your fee?
My fee is $150 for a 50-minute session. You will receive a receipt after payment is completed for each session. Payment can be sent by a secure e-transfer, or cash/cheque if meeting in-person. Note: A limited number of sliding scale spots are available, so please reach out if you feel you might qualify.
Do you take insurance?
Psychotherapy is not included in Ontario health care coverage (OHIP), but there are many private health insurance plans that offer partial or full reimbursement. Please check with your insurance provider to make sure they cover services by a “registered psychotherapist”. I do not currently offer direct billing, but after payment is made a receipt will be given to you that you can submit to insurance for reimbursement.
What will my first few sessions be like?
The first session is an “intake” session, where we will go over important admin details, explore your history/background, and discuss in more detail what is bringing you to therapy. After this, we will work together on creating some goals for therapy that feel right for you, and begin a tentative plan (that can change as we go!) for addressing your concerns and working towards your goals.
It may take a few sessions to feel “settled in”, and this is normal! As we get to know each other better, it should feel easier and more comfortable to talk about your concerns and practice skills together, but if you are still feeling unsure at any point, we can talk about it and find a solution.
How often will we meet, and how many sessions will I need to have?
This is completely up to you! It may be that after having a few sessions, things start to feel “lighter” and you are ready to try out your newly learned skills on your own. It may also take longer for you to feel like you have begun to meet your goals, that is also totally normal, and you are always in the driver’s seat when it comes to that decision! In general, most clients will have 15-30 sessions before ending or taking a break for awhile.
As for frequency, it’s usually best to meet every week for the first several sessions, to establish a comfortable relationship, create therapy goals together and get started on a plan or approach that feels right for you. After this, you can decide whether you’d like to continue meeting weekly or less often (such as biweekly or monthly), depending on your preference, schedule and goals. We can always make adjustments as we go along, or if your life situation changes at any point!
Will therapy work for me?
It is totally normal to wonder whether therapy will finally be the thing that “fixes” the struggles you have been going through. I can imagine that what you are carrying must feel so heavy. However, therapy is not about offering a way to quickly “fix” things, even though it is definitely important to reduce immediate distress and find some more stable ground to begin on.
The main purpose of therapy is to discover the deeper patterns, beliefs and wounds that are causing issues for you and take the time to process them, while developing healthy skills that increase your confidence in managing the ups and downs of life. Hard things will always be a part of life, but finding a new approach to them is a first step in creating a life that feels more authentic, purposeful and worth living.
What if I feel like we’re not a good fit?
I want to emphasize that finding a therapist that you feel comfortable, safe and happy with is always the most important thing. You are never obligated to continue therapy once you start if it does not feel right to you, and there is absolutely no judgment or shame here around that! Just like every human is different, so is every therapist. I am confident that a good fit for each person is out there, it just might take a few tries to get it right.
If you feel that our time together is not working out the way you were hoping, all you need to do is say so. I know this can often be a bit difficult to talk about, so I will regularly give opportunities for you to share your feelings openly about how things are going. We can discuss if there is anything that could be adjusted or improved, but if for any reason that is not possible, then we can part ways with only the best wishes for your journey. I will also be more than happy to offer some referrals to colleagues who might be a better fit, if that is something you are interested in!
Still have questions? Please reach out and I will be happy to answer!
OR if you are ready to book a free 20-minute consult call,
click below!
“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know”
– Pema Chödrön