FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 Is therapy right for me? 

 Individuals, couples and families choose to seek therapy for a variety of reasons. They may be suffering from anxiety or depression, struggling with painful situations such as divorce or death, or they may have the desire for guidance in self-exploration and personal growth.

Every person and situation is different.  Therapy is right for you if you are experiencing personal distress and are motivated to change.

Do I really need therapy?  I can usually handle my problems.

 Everyone experiences difficulties which can often be resolved without the help of a therapist. However, sometimes problems can be too overwhelming and/or they may be reoccurring. Therapy may provide you with guidance in addressing concerns and with the relief of knowing that you are taking steps toward positive change

Choosing to partake in therapy is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is a sign of courage, strength, heightened awareness and of commitment to a life and to relationships characterized by quality and sensitivity.   

How can therapy help me?

 Therapy takes place in a supportive environment that facilitates personal insight, enhanced self-awareness, and the acquisition of skills to address various life circumstances.

Therapy offers support, problem-solving skills, a means to manage personal growth, and enhanced coping strategies for issues you may be dealing with. Therapy provides long lasting benefits by equipping a person with the tools to avoid stressful behavioural triggers and to re-direct unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns.

Therapy may help you to:

• Attain a better understanding of yourself, your perceptions, goals, and values
• Develop skills for improving your relationships 
• Find a resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Learn new ways to cope with stress and anxiety           
• Manage anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improve communication and listening skills       
• Change old behaviour patterns into adaptive ones         
• Discover new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage  
• Improve your self-esteem and increase your self-confidence

What is therapy like?

Therapy involves a dialogue between the client and therapist. During this dialogue, the client discusses issues and concerns they are experiencing in life. The therapist asks questions to better understand the client and to help them better understand themselves. The client and therapist then move on to explore the details concerning the client’s actions, thoughts, feelings, and relationships. In doing so, the client gains insight into his or her self, rediscovering his or her voice. This can result in finding clarification and solutions to the client’s problems.

Therapy may also involve teaching and acquiring different life skills. When a person notices patterns in their thinking or behaviour that have led to negative outcomes in the past, they could simply be lacking knowledge of how to think or behave constructively. Therapists can teach the client these skills. These skills can then be incorporated into the client’s daily life. Actively practicing these skills is required if therapy is to be effective and beneficial.

What you can expect from therapy:

• Compassion, respect and understanding
• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
• Strategies for enacting positive change
• Effective and proven techniques, along with practical professional guidance
• Confidentiality and privacy

How long does it take?

Therapy sessions can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or long-term, focusing on a variety of more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. The duration of therapy is established on a case-to-case basis, as each person is unique and has individual needs.  

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

We believe that medication is not a substitute for therapy. Research has shown that patients who undergo therapy for depression and anxiety do better in the long term than those who receive medication alone. Depending on the severity of a person’s symptoms, medication may be used in conjunction with therapy. It can help to alleviate distressing feelings immediately, while therapy targets the underlying psychological causes for the negative feelings, to ensure they are dealt with more permanently.   

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

Psychological services are not covered by OHIP but are often partially or fully covered by extended health insurance plans. Various plans differ, so please check with your insurer regarding coverage and claim procedures. 

Is therapy confidential?

Confidentiality is respected at all times. No information will be communicated, directly or indirectly, to a third party without your informed and written consent, with exception of the following:

• inform a potential victim of violence of a client’s intention to harm
• inform an appropriate family member, health care professional, or police if necessary, of a client’s intention to end his/her life
• release a client’s file if there is a court order to do so
• inform the Children’s Aid Society if there is suspicion of a child at risk or in need of protection, due to neglect or physical, sexual or emotional abuse
• report a health professional who has sexually assaulted a client