Frequently Asked Questions

A consultation is a free 20-minutes phone call where we determine if we are a good fit to work together. You would get the opportunity to ask questions regarding therapy approach, services offered, fees, and more, as well as discussing your concerns and hope for therapy.

Every extended insurance plan is different so you need to inquire with your insurance provider directly to learn whether you are covered. 

I recommend that you reach out to your insurer before our session to confirm whether your services are covered and eligible for reimbursement. 

What to ask for: 

• Does my plan cover for psychotherapy offered by a Registered Psychotherapist or a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)?
• What psychotherapy services are covered? (individual, couples, or families)
• Is a referral from a physician required for services to be covered?
• Who is covered under my plan?
• What percentage of the maximum allowed amount will my plan pay? (there may be a portion of the fee that is covered per visit i.e. 80% of the session fee)
• What is the maximum coverage per year for psychotherapy?

After our session, you will be provided with a receipt that includes all the information required to submit to your insurer for reimbursement.  If you have not been reimbursed, remember to keep your receipts to claim for tax deductions as medical expenses on your personal income tax filing. 

Psychotherapists typically do not do direct billing in Ontario.

Payments are required before the start of the session. Regardless of payment method, a credit card on file is required before booking your first session. This is to hold your appointment only and it will not be charged until you arrive or the cancellation policy is not withheld. 

If paying by eTransfer, payment must be received prior to the start of session.

We also accept the following payment types: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover. You will be emailed with a receipt after the payment is processed.

Checks or cash are not accepted as it is a virtual service. 

Yes, I accept a limited number of clients on sliding scales for 8 sessions. It is for individuals who do not have insurance. Sliding scale fee ranges from $60+HST to $80+HST and is determined by the client and the therapist. 

Currently, there is no sliding scale for couples or family therapy. 

In order to avoid cancellation fees, we require a 48 hours notice before your scheduled appointment. However, we understand that life can be unpredictable which is why at The Therapeutic Way, cancellation fees varies to accommodate you.

Cancellation fee is charged as follows: 

• Less than 48 hours before the appointment: 50% of session rate
• No-show appointment: 100% of session rate
• In case of illness or emergency, one time exemption and thereafter we require 48 hours notice

Arriving beyond 20 minutes late will require a re-scheduling of your appointment. 

Currently, all sessions are done virtually, over phone or video. Services are limited to Ontario residents. 

The term psychotherapy and counselling are often used interchangeably with some slight differences. Psychotherapy refers to the treatment based for psychological disorders and mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, ect. Counselling refers to wellness support and providing insights and clarity which leads to growth or personal betterment. At The Therapeutic Way, we provide both psychotherapy and counselling. 

The first session is an assessment. I encourage you to complete and send me all necessary questionnaires and forms prior to attending the first session. This way in the first session I can get to know more of you, outside of the paperworks. In the first session, I will be listening to you, getting to know the issues you are going through, reasons you are seeking therapy, and your goals for therapy. Therapy begins in the second or third session. 

If you are in couples counselling, we will first meet together as a couple and then I will meet each of you individually, and then we would reconvene together. 

I understand that therapy can be intimidating, which is why I encourage you to book a free 20 mins consultation over the phone so we can talk beforehand.

If your partner does not want to attend therapy with you, that is okay. They may have their reasons for not attending. Regardless, individual relationship counselling can still be effective as you will be happier, have better communication skills, and you can still share the techniques with your partner. AND the best part is you won't have to share a therapist! By seeing your growth and how individual therapy has helped you, your partner may change their mind. 

The length of therapy sessions depends on you, if you have met your goals, and if you are satisfied with your progress. To achieve this, usually it takes anywhere from 6-12 sessions. That being said, it is also depended on your progress, whether you are applying and mastering the skills you are taught, and whether you feel ready to go about your life without needing therapy. 

It is recommended clients come to therapy for minimum 3 sessions to determine if the therapist-client relationship is a good fit. This will also give you an idea of how the therapy works and give you a chance to learn and practice some skills. 

To see and make progress, it is recommended that the client attend sessions weekly or every other week. This will give you a chance to practice skills on your own time. 

At The Therapeutic Way, we see therapy as an investment rather than an expense. But ultimately, you have the option to attend sessions, weekly, every two weeks, bi-weekly, or as needed. The choice is yours.