Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve never been to therapy before. What can I expect?
First of all, you are not expected to know how therapy works or what you are supposed to say. Taking the first step is the hardest part, and we’re so glad you’re here.
We’ll spend some time getting to know you, talking about what brought you in, and figuring out what you’re hoping to get out of counselling. From there, we’ll work together to make sense of what’s going on and find approaches that feel helpful for you.
What happens if I don’t know what to talk about?
That’s completely okay. You do not need to show up to every session with a perfectly organized list of things to discuss. Sometimes we’ll have a specific topic to work through, and other times we might start with what has been happening in your life lately and see where the conversation takes us. We can help guide the conversation when you’re not sure where to start.
Will you give me homework?
It depends! Sometimes it can be helpful to try something between sessions, whether that’s a specific exercise, paying attention to a pattern, having a conversation, or simply noticing what comes up during the week. We believe that what happens outside of the therapy room matters too, but homework does not always mean worksheets and assignments. We’ll figure out what makes sense for you.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes! We offer a free 15 minute consultation before you book your first session. It’s a chance for us to get to know each other a little, hear what you’re looking for, answer any questions you have, and see whether we might be a good match. It’s not a sales pitch, and there’s no pressure or commitment to book afterwards.
You can schedule a free consultation here or by sending us an email.
How many sessions do I need?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The number of sessions you need depends on what you’re coming to counselling for, what you’re hoping to work on, and how things progress over time. Some people come for a few sessions to work through something specific, while others benefit from longer-term support. We’ll have ongoing check-ins to make sure therapy continues to feel helpful and relevant to you.
How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?
Honestly, we recommend talking to a few therapists before deciding. Finding the right therapist is a personal thing, and it can take a little trial and error to figure out what you like, what you do not like, and what helps you feel comfortable opening up.
That’s one of the reasons we offer free consultations. You can ask questions, get a feel for how we work, and see whether the connection feels right. We also welcome feedback throughout the therapy process. If something is not working for you, we want to know so we can adjust, try something different, or figure out what you need.
You can learn more about our therapists here.
Are sessions in-person?
We currently offer virtual and telephone sessions. You can choose whichever option works best for you, and we can always switch between the two if your needs change.
How often should I book sessions?
This can vary depending on your needs, goals, and availability. We typically recommend starting with weekly sessions so we can build momentum and establish a strong foundation. As you begin to make progress and feel more confident using what you’re learning outside of sessions, we can gradually transition to biweekly or less frequent sessions.
Do you accept insurance?
We don’t offer direct billing to insurance companies. However, we provide receipts for each session that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Coverage varies between plans, so I recommend checking with your provider to confirm whether your plan covers services from a Registered Psychotherapist.
What does a first session look like?
Think of the first session as getting to know each other. We’ll talk about who you are, what’s been going on, and what brought you to counselling in the first place. We’ll also chat about what you’re hoping to get out of therapy and what you’d like to feel, think, or do differently.
You don’t need to have everything figured out or come prepared with a detailed explanation of your entire life. You can just show up as you are, and we’ll take it from there.
How much does it cost?
We offer a wide range of price points depending on your needs. Including pro bono (no cost) and sliding scale (reduced cost) options.
You can find our session fees here.
How is my privacy maintained?
Your privacy is incredibly important to us. We use Jane, a secure platform, for virtual sessions and to securely store all client information and notes. We’ll also talk through confidentiality and its limits during your first session, so you know what to expect and can ask any questions you may have.
Protecting your privacy and creating a space where you feel safe to be open and honest is one of our top priorities.
What type of therapy do I need?
You do not need to figure that out before you come in. There are lots of different therapeutic approaches, and the best fit depends on what you’re looking for and what feels helpful to you. I use a variety of approaches and often draw from different modalities depending on what you need.
Therapy is not one size fits all, so if something is not feeling helpful or we realize a different approach would make more sense, we can always pivot and try something different. We’ll figure it out together.
Learn more about some of the modalities we use here.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
We ask for at least 12 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Cancellations or rescheduling requests made with less than 12 hours’ notice are subject to a $40 fee.
We understand that life happens, so if something unexpected comes up, just send us an email and we can figure it out.
Can I book online?
You can book your initial consultation online through our booking calendar. If you do not see a time that works for your schedule, please reach out and we will do our best to find a time that works.
After your initial consultation, ongoing sessions are booked directly with your therapist by email..
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Feel free to reach out for more information.
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