Psychotherapy, or therapy for short, is a form of mental health care that aims to address an individual’s emotional and psychological difficulties. It takes place between a trained mental health professional and a client and is conducted in a collaborative manner.

Psychotherapy, or therapy for short, is a form of mental health care that aims to address an individual’s emotional and psychological difficulties. It takes place between a trained mental health professional and a client and is conducted in a collaborative manner.

The duration of therapy can vary depending on an individual’s needs. It can be short-term (a few sessions) to address a specific issue, or long-term (spanning several months or even years) for more complex problems or personal development.

At the start of our work together I believe it’s beneficial for us to meet more regularly – usually once every 1 to 2 weeks. As you develop and strengthen skills, the time between sessions will increase so you have more time to practice your skills outside of our sessions. The number of sessions needed before you start to see a change depends on how long you have been struggling with your issues, whether or not you have engaged in therapy previously, and whether there are other factors like a history of trauma or abuse.

One thing that is guaranteed is that maintaining our mental well-being is a life long journey that really never has an end point, it just becomes more manageable as we get better at it.

The first step is for your therapist to gather information about your concerns, personal history, and current life circumstances. The therapist and client also develop treatment goals to focus on in therapy. This step helps your therapist obtain a comprehensive understanding of your situation and determine the appropriate treatment plan.

The next step involves your therapist assisting you to explore and express your thoughts, emotions and behaviours to increase your insight into patterns or factors contributing to your concerns. Your therapist may teach you coping skills, challenge unhelpful thinking, and guide you through exercises to change your unhelpful behaviours.

The final step is termination which occurs when you have achieved your treatment goals or decide to end therapy. You and your therapist will review the progress you have made and discuss strategies to maintain your progress outside of therapy.

Individuals from various backgrounds seek therapy for many reasons at different points throughout their life. In some cases therapy is recommended by a physician or other health professional to treat mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

In other cases an individual may seek therapy on their own for the following reasons:

•  they are struggling with overwhelming emotions like sadness, anger, grief, or stress and would like a safe space to explore and process these emotions and develop emotional resilience.
  
• they are experiencing a major life change, transition, or challenge and they are looking for support to help them adjust to the change, cope with any loss, and build resilience to navigate new challenges. Examples can include divorce; job stress, relocation or loss; retirement; academic challenges; chronic health issue; or the death of a loved one.
  
•  they are experiencing difficulties in a relationship , such as with a partner, family member, friend, or colleague, and need help to improve their communication skills, set boundaries, and develop healthier relationship patterns.
  
• as a means of self-exploration and personal development with the aim to gain insight into themselves and develop a stronger sense of identity and purpose in life.
  

Since therapy is a collaborative process which involves open dialogue, mutual respect for diverse perspectives, and shared decision-making, it’s important you prepare for your session in the following ways:

• Take some time to reflect on what you hope to achieve through therapy. Identify the specific concerns you want to address and specific goals you would like to work towards.
  
•  Write down any thoughts, emotions, experiences, or questions you would like to discuss in session to reduce your chances of forgetting.
  
• Take note of any changes, patterns, or triggers you have noticed since your last session as this is useful material to discuss in session.
  
•  It is important that you are able to be present and engaged during your session. Take some time before your session to relax, engage in self-care activities, or engage in an activity that helps you feel grounded and centered. It is also important to arrive with a willingness to actively listen and participate in the therapeutic process.
  

The fees are $130 for a video session (50 minutes) and $145 for an in-office session (50 minutes).

My services are not covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) but are covered by most private health insurance plans. I recommend you check with your insurance provider to determine your coverage for services by a Registered Social Worker. If you do have coverage, I am able to directly bill select providers and we can discuss this during your complimentary consultation call. For those who do not have providers that I can bill directly, do not have insurance coverage, or have an outstanding balance after their provider was billed, I ask that you e-transfer payment to me and I will then send you a receipt.

The first step is to schedule your complimentary consultation call. Once you have decided that you would like to work together, we will then schedule your first session.

If you are in need of help immediately or are in crisis:

• Visit your local emergency department or call 911
  
• Contact a distress centre in Ontario near you:
  
  • York Region Community Crisis Response Service: 310-COPE (2673)
    
  • Distress Centre Toronto: 416-408-4357
    
  • Distress Centre Peel: 905-459-7777
    
  • Distress Centre Halton: Oakville: 905-849-4541; Burlington: 905-681-1488; Milton/Halton Hills: 905-877-1211
    
  • Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 1-866-863-0511
    
  • Talk Suicide: Call 1-833-456-4566 or Text 45645