Questions about therapy, answered plainly

Yes. Research consistently finds video therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship difficulties. It also removes the commute, the waiting room and the scheduling gymnastics, which is why most clients find it easier to stay consistent, and consistency is what actually drives progress.

Most Ontario extended health plans cover services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP). Coverage typically ranges from $500 to $2,000 per year. Check your plan for the words "Registered Psychotherapist" specifically, since some older plans only list psychologists or social workers. I issue a receipt after every session that you submit to your provider for reimbursement.

Not for extended health plans. Payment is made at the time of the session and you receive a receipt with my CRPO registration number on it, which you then submit to your insurer. Most providers reimburse within a few business days. Third-party funding works the other way round: for motor vehicle accident claims, VQRP+ and the Interim Federal Health Program, the treatment is approved first and billed to the funder rather than to you.

No referral is needed to see a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario. You can book a free consult directly. Some insurance plans do ask for a doctor’s note to release funds, so it is worth checking your specific policy.

Individual therapy is CA$150 per 50-minute session. Couples and family therapy are CA$200 per 50-minute session. Psychotherapy services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist are exempt from HST. The initial 20-minute consult is free.

Sessions are 50 minutes. Most people begin weekly, which builds momentum early, then move to every other week as things stabilize. There is no minimum commitment and you decide the pace.

Yes. Everything you share is confidential and protected under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). There are narrow legal exceptions that every regulated therapist in Ontario shares: a risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, or a court order. I go over these with you in the first session so there are no surprises.

Fit matters more than any technique, and it is a completely normal thing to name. Tell me and I will help you find someone better suited, including a referral where I can. You are never locked in.

Less than people expect. We talk about what brought you here, what you have already tried, and what you would like to be different. You share only what you want to share. By the end we agree on where to start. There is no requirement to tell your whole story on day one.

Everywhere. Sessions are held online by secure video or by phone, so I see clients anywhere in Ontario: Toronto, Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, London, Windsor, Sudbury and every community in between.

Usually, yes. Ontario accident benefits cover psychological treatment after a collision regardless of who was at fault, and you do not need a lawyer to access them. Bring your claim number and your adjuster’s contact details to the free consult and I will prepare the treatment plan your insurer needs in order to approve sessions.

Yes. I am an approved provider for both, and in each case the funder is billed rather than you. VQRP+ is arranged through your local Victim Services agency and IFHP sessions need approval in advance from Medavie Blue Cross, which I request on your behalf. Tell me at the consult which one applies and I will handle the paperwork.