How can therapy help? Are there risks?

Therapy can help by providing a safe, supportive and collaborative space in which to explore issues which may seem overwhelming. Therapy can provide fresh perspective and new skills to move forward from a place of feeling stuck, to a place of more freedom and positive living.

Risks? Therapy is about change, and so there is a risk of change being implemented in the client’s life, as he or she decides to act on shifts in thinking, emotions and actions in personal and relational life.

What are your rates and cancellation policy?

Fees are charged at the beginning of each session. My policy is to ensure that fees do not create a barrier to service. If fees are of concern, please feel free to speak to me. I require 24 hours notice to cancel a session without charge.

  • Individual Session – 1 hour $140 – $160 + HST
  • Couple/Family Session – 1 hour $160 – $185 + HST

Is therapy confidential?

Confidentiality is ensured, except at times when the therapist is legally bound to disclose for safety reasons. If harm to self or others is at issue, confidentiality  is secondary to safety. Professional and ethical commitment is to come under the ethical guidelines of the AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists) of which I am a Clinical Fellow, and the CRPO (Certified Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario) of which I am a Registered Psychotherapist [in process].

From which school of thought do you work?  What type of therapy do you offer?

I am schooled in many types of therapy, and draw on them all as they relate to client’s struggles. I am a registered Marriage and Family Therapist, and as such, I take into account the individual’s “Family System.” Of particular interest to me is how a client narrates his struggle, and I will look for the themes which may be blocking forward movement (narrative therapy). We look for more helpful themes with which to story one’s life.  I also have a certification for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is very helpful in the treatment of anxiety and depression.

I have a Masters of Divinity from Tyndale Seminary, where I majored in Counselling and Marriage and Family Therapy. This theological underpinning allows me to relate well to clients for whom it is important that their therapist is  able to integrate a Christian World View with the most effective psychological therapies.

What can I expect in a therapy session?

Clients can expect a safe, non-judgmental, compassionate environment in which to explore their issues.  Sessions are one hour in length. In the first session,  we will be discussing your issue, and how it affects your life, and your desired outcome of therapy. If life were better, what would it look like? Then we will sketch a brief map of strategies for change. Benefits will depend on readiness to engage with new strategies and skills taught, and readiness for change. It is recommended that between sessions, some time is spent on reflection and perhaps engaging one’s world in a different way. Therapy works best when the client is engaged in change between sessions. This way, impact can be extended beyond the session.

How long does therapy take? How many sessions can I expect?

This is a difficult question to answer, as this is decided upon in collaboration with the client – you! My policy is to have as few sessions as possible, as the goal of therapy is to have self-directed life change. Periodically we will openly revisit our goals and discuss if we are making progress toward them, adjusting as necessary. I am open to meeting as long as we are making therapeutic progress.