Therapy FAQs
What is the difference between a Psychotherapist/ Registered Social Workers, Psychologist and Psychiatrist? Psychotherapists/ Registered Social Workers provide counseling and psychotherapy and may implement various therapeutic modalities based on their interests and specialties. Psychologists have doctoral-level education and can conduct psychological testing and therapy. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can conduct assessments, provice mental health diagnoses, prescribe medication, and provide therapy.
What can I expect for my initial consult? This is a complementary 15-minute phone or virtual consultation call. The objective of this is to learn more about your needs and wants in your therapy journey. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask questions or learn more about me as a therapist. There is no obligation to book a session afterwards. It is encouraged for individuals to do as many consults as they feel is needed before landing on a therapist they want to work with.
What can I expect in my first session? The objective of the first session is to learn more about your life, including concerns that lead you to reaching out for therapeutic supports. As the therapist, I will have questions to guide the conversation. This session is meant to dive deeper into aspects of your life that are relevant to the therapy journey.
How often do we meet and how long does therapy take? When it comes to therapy timelines, there is no "one size fits all". Generally, it is encouraged to meet on a regular basis (i.e. weekly or bi-weekly) at the beginning of the therapeutic journey. This is to build trust, maintain momentum when progress is being made and have regular accountability. There are times when we may feel comfortable decreasing the frequency of sessions or completing the sessions. Please know that I will check in frequently throughout our sessions, where we can collaboratively discuss progress and pacing of sessions. Clients can end or terminate sessions at any point.
What are the prerequisites to starting therapy? You do not have to be in crisis or at rock bottom to start therapy. A key to getting the most out of your therapy sessions is an open mind and curiosity. Therapy requires emotional and mental effort and often, you can expect to gain from the effort you put in. It is encouraged to take time for self-care and reflection after heavier therapy sessions.
Do you do direct billing? How do I know if social work services are covered by my insurer? I do not do direct billing. As such, each client is responsible for checking with their insurance provider to ensure that they are covered for social work services.