FAQ
This section focuses on the most frequently asked questions. If you have questions, that are not answered here, please connect with our admin for a free 15 minute consultation. We are looking forward to supporting your progress towards increased growth and helping you to thrive!
What is the difference between therapy and talking with a friend?
Friends are important, and accessing friends for support is often encouraged by your therapist…however chatting with a friend and attending a therapy appointment is (and should be) quite different.
Therapy appointments are designed to outline a treatment plan to support you with skills and interventions to manage challenges – specific goal oriented interventions based in evidence based treatments.
Our therapy services take it a step further. Instead of focusing solely on coping and managing challenges, we are here to support you to level up, and decrease what feels like obstacles. We’ll help design a treatment plan to improve your skills to cope, increase your resilience, and providing the opportunity to step into your greatness and thrive.
Connect with us today to get started.
What is more effective, in person or virtual therapy?
The short answer is both virtual and in person therapy can be effective.
Previous to the pandemic, virtual therapy was not as common as in person therapy.
Since 2020, virtual therapy services have come a long way and we have found few circumstances where in person is required.
Virtual therapy services are an excellent way to access therapy without having to manage time, gas, parking, and traffic. It has been a wonderful option for people to access the support they need over their lunch, between classes, at a cafe or home or even out on a walk.
There are some circumstances where therapy should occur in person. Some of the biggest concerns would be an adult who is not living in a safe environment, or an adult who experiences dissociation due to trauma.
If this is the case, please let us know, so we can arrange therapy options that meet your safety needs.
Some people prefer to get out of the house or meet with their therapist in person. If this is your preference, please let us know and we will identify what is available.
How many appointments will I need to attend?
This really depends on the goals you would like to work on.
Typically, a focus on coping skills and abilities range from 3-8 sessions.
Again, this depends upon some of the challenges you are working on and the supports you currently have in place.
A focus on changing how your body, emotions and thoughts respond to challenges, and life feeling easier, would involve several more appointments.
Be sure to discuss this with your therapist.
One of the wonderful aspects of the therapy interventions we utilize, is that you are able to stop and restart as needed, with sustainable improvement and changes.
You’ve been doing a great so far, we are here to support you to level up and fast track your success, when and as you need it.
Will my appointments be covered by my benefits/insurance?
If you have insurance, or benefits that cover therapy services by a social worker, our services may be covered.
Sometimes insurance or benefit packages cover a certain amount of sessions, a percentage of sessions, and at times benefits may cover an unlimited number of sessions.
Please contact your insurance or benefit provider to inquire about what you are covered for.
Our therapists have their Master of Social Work degrees and are registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers (the regulatory body permitting social workers to practice). Each receipt will provide the name and licence number of your therapist. Should your insurance company or benefits require additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Will therapy be effective?
There are no guarantees with therapy.
There are some steps that may help with noticing positive changes.
- Attend regularly. We often reccomend therapy appointments to occur weekly or every 2 weeks.
- Make the committment to try using the suggested strategies. (You can only determine if an intervention is working, if you try it.)
- Communicate with your therapist if you are noticing improvements or not. (There are alternate treatment intervention options they can introduce.)
- Be open with your therapist about what you need.
- Be patient. Ideally working on one challenge at a time will yield in the most sustainable changes (instead of focusing on a new challenge each session, work towards making progress in one area first.)
- Your therapist does not have the solution or cure. This is about working collaboratively, and having a trained professional support you on your journey towards living a life with greater ease.