Question 1

What is psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional to address emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues. It aims to help individuals understand their feelings, build more adaptive coping methods, meet personal goals, and improve their quality of life.

Question 2

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

Accepted Answer

You might consider therapy for your child if your child is experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress, and/or is having trouble managing daily responsibilities, or facing social or academic difficulties. It's also beneficial if you're looking to help your child improve their social-emotional and coping skills to deal with everyday life stress or to support them in achieving a particular goal.

Question 3

How do I know if I need parenting support?

Accepted Answer

Parenting support might be beneficial for parents who are seeking to help their child develop more adaptive ways of coping with their emotions and/or to support their child in building skills to meet daily social, academic, or household expectations. It may also benefit parents who are seeking to understand their child's challenging behaviours more, and who are looking to make a shift to more positive, proactive, and effective discipline methods that are rooted in what we know about brain development and the science of attachment.

Question 4

Do I need a referral to schedule an appointment?

Accepted Answer

You do not need a referral to schedule an appointment. You can simply call my office, use the online booking system, or send an email if you wish to connect. I offer free 15-minute phone consultations to answer any questions that you may have and to help you determine if I am the right fit for you/your child.

Question 5

How long does each therapy session last?

Accepted Answer

Typically, therapy sessions last about 50 minutes. The frequency and duration of sessions may vary depending on your child's needs and the treatment goals.

Question 6

How many sessions will I or my child need?

Accepted Answer

The number of sessions required varies from person to person. Some may benefit from just a few sessions, while others might need longer-term therapy. We'll work together to determine a plan that suits you/your child's needs and that allows you/your child to achieve their goals.

Question 7

Is therapy confidential?

Accepted Answer

In general, therapy is confidential, as all the information shared with a therapist is treated as your/your child's medical health information. However, there may be some circumstances when a therapist may need to disclose information to a parent or third party, and these generally involve concerns about safety. The specifics of confidentiality are discussed with you during the first session.

Question 8

What should I expect during the first session?

Accepted Answer

Generally, both parents attend the first appointment without their child. I will review my consent form with you, and we will discuss your reasons for seeking therapy and current concerns. I will also gather information about your child's developmental, medical, family, and social-emotional history. We will discuss your child's interests and strengths and also set goals for treatment. At this first session, we will discuss the treatment plan together, and I will share more with you about the treatment methods, risks and benefits of therapy, and the potential outcomes. I will answer any questions that you may have about the process.

Question 9

Where are services available?

Accepted Answer

I provide secure virtual psychological services to children, youth, and parents throughout Ontario. In addition, I offer in-person psychological services to families in Burlington, Ontario, and the surrounding area.

Question 10

What are the fees for therapy?

Accepted Answer

My present rate is $275 for 60-minutes of psychological service. Psychological services are not covered by OHIP; however, many insurance companies have coverage for services offered by Psychologists.  You may wish to check with your insurance provider to determine the extent of your coverage.

Question 11

How can I contact you in case of an emergency?

Accepted Answer

I do not offer emergency or crisis service. If there is an emergency or you/your child require immediate support with your mental health and well-being, please contact a crisis line, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. Below are some possible crisis line options:

Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text "CONNECT" to 686868

Question 12

How can I contact you in case of an emergency? (copy)

Accepted Answer