Here’s my answers to common questions.
What is the difference between a psychotherapist, psychologist, and a psychiatrist?
While each deal with mental health and are regulated by their respective provincial colleges, psychotherapists provide talk-based therapy and counselling, some of which falls under the controlled act of Psychotherapy which they are authorized to perform. Psychologists can provide talk-based therapies as well, and also have the legal authority and training to provide testing and diagnoses. A psychologist may be better suited to you if you are seeking accommodations or assistance where a diagnosis is required. Psychiatrists on the other hand are medical doctor’s with psychological training who in addition to the above can prescribe medication.
How do online sessions work?
You will login to a secure client portal to connect to your video sessions. I host sessions on a service that is compliant with PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act) and PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act), the privacy laws in Ontario and Canada respectively.
You will need to assist me to keep your session confidential and interruption-free by finding a private space to speak from for each and every session. It is also recommended to use headphones/earbuds to prevent acoustic disruptions during one-on-one sessions if possible.
Do you take insurance?
While direct-to-insurance billing is not available, both individual and couples therapy may be covered under your extended health benefits through your employer, school, or spouse’s insurance. You can find out about your coverage by contacting your plan administrator or the insurance company directly. Note that some plans may require a physicians referral to therapy before considering you eligible for coverage. So be sure to ask if you’ll need a note from your doctor as well.
No insurance coverage? Check your budget to see if and how frequently you can afford to have sessions without coverage. While many people start with weekly sessions, you may benefit from biweekly sessions too. In the beginning, consistency is the key.