COMMON QUESTIONS

"Asking questions is the first way to begin change." - Kubra Sait

Have a question you’d like to ask? I’m committed to helping normalize therapy and providing clients with a good idea of what to expect! Check out the answers to the FAQs below, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any additional questions - alongthewaycounselling@gmail.com.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?

Generally, clients reach out and we connect through email. I'm happy to offer a 15-minute phone call to answer questions, or just make sure it'll be a good fit for us both. When questions are answered, and you're ready to begin - I create a profile for you on my Jane account. From there, you get an email with a way to create your log in and a second email with my Informed Consent. This document contains all the information you need to know. I ask clients to read it before our first session to maximize our time during that first session. When we meet for the first time, I will go over it with you - answer any other questions you have, and then gather some information. Usually, I like to hear a bit about why you reached out and some related history. My hope is by the end of the first session we can have a goal or goals made to have a clear direction for our sessions. I find the first couple sessions tend to be a bit heavier on information gathering, and then the real work begins.

HOW OFTEN DO WE MEET?

This is entirely up to you! I have had clients meet two times in a week during a time of crisis, and I have clients who reach out when they feel ready. I have found a consistent pattern seems to have the best result when it comes to meeting goals. I also want to honour and respect that there are costs associated with therapy, and sometimes spreading sessions out is best for you financially. Some clients want to meet weekly for a while well they work towards their goals, and then like to check in monthly or so just to get some feedback. Other clients come for a couple sessions, and just need some validation over a particular decision for example, and others will last for months. It really is all about what is best for you as the client. Usually in my intake session, I try to check in with clients about what their needs are and plan from there.

WHAT TECHNIQUES DO YOU USE?

This is a good question! I will never consider myself a purist in any one modality of therapy, and instead recognize that many modalities serve different purposes and help clients with different needs. There really is no 'one size fits all' approach to therapy!
Having said that, I really love Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Based Techniques, Narrative Therapy, and Family Systems Theory. At times I might incorporate aspects of other modalities too - including Internal Family Systems (IFS) or Exposure Therapy, as examples. I am culturally sensitive, trauma informed, and continuously learning!
If you have a modality that you particularly enjoyed or one you loathed in a previous therapeutic setting, please feel free to share! Different things work better for different clients, and I always want you to feel in control.

HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION TAKE?

I book sessions for 50-minute time periods during an hour time slot. This allows me for time between clients to write down any notes I may want to remember and prepare for my next session. I book an hour apart in case our sessions run a couple extra minutes over the 50-minute mark, but I try to honour everyone's start time. Having said that, there are times a session runs over due to unforeseen reasons. It is important to me to keep the sessions as on time as possible, but in this field sometimes things happen especially when people are in crisis. If your appointment starts late, I will still make sure that you get your full appointment time.

WHAT IS THE COST?

Currently I am booking clients at $140 per 50-minute session. I can prorate the cost for longer appointment times when necessary. My rates are competitive because I am new to the field and wanted to be fair. Having said that, I still receive a lot of supervision time and so working with me means I have a more experienced supervisor to ensure I am providing you with the best therapy possible. On that note, I accept e-transfer, debit, credit and cash. Upon receiving the payment, I will send you a PDF copy of your receipt. I do ask that you make payments the same day of your session or during your session to allow for my record keeping to be up to date. If you are unable to make a payment, please let me know. Many clients will save their credit card on their Jane account and then I can automatically charge their account after their session. I do also have a debit machine on me during sessions. There is a missed appointment fee as well if you cancel within the last 24 hours, and fees for any paperwork you may need. This is all explained in the informed consent as well.

WILL MY INSURANCE COVER THE COST?

Many private benefit companies do cover the cost of psychotherapy! Make sure you look into your plan and check out your coverage so you have an idea of what is covered. For some clients, it is a partial coverage, and for others they have a few thousand dollars a year. It is a good idea to look into this ahead of time. Clients pay me directly and then submit their receipts to their insurance company. Unfortunately, I do not offer direct billing.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN I'M DONE?

Again, this varies from client to client as well! Some clients are long term, while others meet their presenting goal in a few sessions. When your goals are met, they're met. We will usually wrap up with a review and recap session and I'll offer alternative resources if possible. If you have other goals we can work on, I am open to that as well. Again, you are in the driver's seat.

OKAY, SO WHAT SHOULD I ACTUALLY EXPECT?

Technical stuff aside, I want you to be comfortable with me. Come dressed how you like, bring a snack or a drink, this is YOUR session, so please make yourself comfortable. If I can help in any way, let me know. Expect me to have my clip board. I will write dot jot notes - usually these are things I want to remember to come back to so I don't interrupt, or maybe a name of a key person in your life so I don't forget. Sometimes I may give "homework" but that depends on what we are working with. I have hand outs for certain terms or forms and assessments I may give to clients from time to time. Sometimes this helps give you a copy of what we've been working on, other times I can use assessments as a way to measure things like anxiety or depression. I will explain anything I give you, and the reason for giving it.

Expect to laugh! For real, I love using humour when possible. And for the serious sessions - expect to cry. As humans we have such a huge assortment of emotions, and all are welcome in my office. There will be kleenex in person and crying never makes me uncomfortable. In fact, I consider it an honour that people can feel their feelings honestly and openly with me. Some clients like to swear, others bring their faith, some use analogies, others fidget (I have some on hand for in person sessions!). Literally anything goes. Again, this is YOUR session and I want you to feel comfortable. No topic is off limit, no judgements are made by me, and nothing surprises me! Bring your truth, I'm ready for it!

Therapy isn't like McDonalds - you can't expect the same experience from every therapist. Different programs have different focal points, and every therapist brings their own unique worldview to the therapeutic session. Sometimes people won't like my style, and that is okay! I am happy to help make referrals, provide resources and give you whatever support you need. Just as if you've had a previous therapy experience that didn't go so well, please let me know! I never want to recreate that situation and just want to help you recieve the best care possible.

COURTICE CLIENTS: For those meeting in Courtice at Evergreen Counselling Centre - we are located at 1689 Bloor St in Courtice (by the flea market.) Our office is behind Hope Fellowship - Drive around to the rear of the building and you will see it. Come on in, the second door on the left is a waiting room and there is a keurig machine to help yourself to. There is a washroom next to the waiting room and I will come meet you there. I work out of office number 4 there.

PORT HOPE CLIENTS: Currently I am renting office space from a fellow practitioner just outside of Port Hope in Wesleyville.I will provide the address upon booking and meet you there. There is no waiting room, but I will watch for you and meet you at the door. There is a washroom available. Most Port Hope appointments are Friday, though there may be some flexibility there depending on the office's availability.

VIRTUAL CLIENTS: Jane schedules all virtual appointments and sends the link out ahead of session. Google Chrome is the best for this service. Some clients have used their laptop or their cell phone. I log in when I am ready and then have the option to "admit client" when you're there. Some clients are camera shy - and that is okay. Remember that your voice and mine carries so please make sure you have privacy wherever you are. In the event that the mic or speakers aren't working (this happens from time to time) I will phone you. I will use the chat option to communicate. I have phoned clients to hear them and kept our video on so we see each other too.