My Services
My clinical approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), both of which empower individuals to navigate and overcome life’s challenges.
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SFBT (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy)
Solution-focused therapy, sometimes called “brief therapy,” focuses on what clients would like to achieve through therapy rather than on their troubles or mental health issues. The therapist will help the client envision a desirable future, and then map out the small and large changes necessary for the client to undergo to realize their vision. The therapist will seize on any successes the client experiences, to encourage them to build on their strengths rather than dwell on their problems or limitations.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy stresses the role of thinking in how we feel and what we do. It is based on the belief that thoughts, rather than people or events, cause our negative feelings. The therapist assists the client in identifying, testing the reality of, and correcting dysfunctional beliefs underlying his or her thinking. The therapist then helps the client modify those thoughts and the behaviors that flow from them. CBT is a structured collaboration between therapist and client and often calls for homework assignments. CBT has been clinically proven to help clients in a relatively short amount of time with a wide range of disorders, including depression and anxiety
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My Therapy
Therapy sessions are 50 minutes long with an additional 10 minutes reserved for note-taking. We begin with a brief mindfulness exercise to get you centered and focused and in touch with your emotions. In time, you will develop this as a natural reflex as you anticipate a session. At about 10 minutes before the end of each session I will briefly resume the work we did, your points of focus, questions and what you will be working on to prepare for the next session. We will schedule period progress reviews to measure your progress and the effectiveness of treatment and revise as necessary.
Is Therapy The Right Choice For Me?
Deciding if therapy is the right step for you can be a personal journey and it may take several attempts before you commit to do the work to transform your life. It is a very important and life-changing decision. If despite your best efforts and support from loved ones you still find yourself struggling with persistent emotional challenges, facing difficult life transitions, or experiencing a sense of imbalance in your well-being, therapy can offer a supportive space for exploration and growth. I can help guide you on the path towards healing and personal improvement.
For more information, see the FAQ to the right. If you don’t find an answer there, please check the full FAQ page by clicking the button.
Why should I consider therapy to solve my problems? Can’t I just talk to a friend?
A trusted friend is always a blessing and a wonderful source of support. However, while a friend may soothe and support you, some problems require professional attention. Some situations are so deeply personal and complex that they cannot be shared with a friend or other person who is not trained to receive that information for risk of traumatizing that friend. Therapy provides a platform for healing in total confidentiality, without any judgement whatsoever. The Therapist’s sole mission is to help you get to a healthier, happier life and get you to a position where you can share safely with others if you do decide to in the future.
How long will it take, and how often do I have to attend?
Each situation is as different and diverse as the human individual. However, with CBT, 12 sessions is the average amount of time and SFBT would be at a 6-session maximum. It all depends, among other factors, on the depth, magnitude and persistence of the problem, the client’s motivation to work toward a solution with the therapist, sometimes external supports. As far as frequency is concerned, depending on your resources and need, you might have appointments once a week, or once every two weeks. Sometimes, at the beginning of therapy more frequent sessions may be necessary as in depression cases, for example. The periods between sessions are longer as the client becomes more stabilized and stronger.
It may take more than one session to make a complete assessment of your issues. However, in the first session we will discuss your reason(s) for seeking therapy and decide upon some healthy coping tools to provide some alleviation to your problem.
How do I know which type of professional helper is right for me?
Counselors and psychotherapists come from various professional disciplines including social work, psychology, psychiatry, educational counseling, pastoral counseling and psychoanalysis. All these schools prepare their graduates to do this work, but with differing orientations and specializations. For example, social work includes the psychosocial context and its impact on the individual in considerations of therapy and works to connect the individual to appropriate resources in the community that will contribute to successful outcomes for the presenting issue.
What is most important however, is that you feel that your therapist respects you, does not stand in judgment of you, inspires your confidence, helps you to feel safe and is working as a team with you toward the achievement of your therapy goals. The therapeutic relationship is much more important for success rather than the particular discipline to which the therapist belongs.
Always ensure that whichever practitioner you choose is operating under a valid licence and is trained in the area of specialization that you require. You can always verify this information by checking the website of the relevant licensing authority of your practitioner (e.g. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers). Malpractice insurance is an additional reassurance for clients.
What age groups can you help?
Adolescents
Adults
Elders (65+)
What categories of clients do you serve?
Heterosexual Clients
LGBTQ Clients
Transgendered Clients
Veterans
What approaches to therapy do you use?
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Mindfulness-based (MBCT)
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
How much does each session cost?
$195 per session for couples
What payment methods are accepted for sessions?
We accept the following methods of payment:
- American Express (Amex)
- Cash
- Discover
- E-transfer
- Mastercard
- Visa
There is a $5 surcharge for credit card payments
Do you accept insurance for therapy sessions?
We work with a range of insurance providers to ensure accessibility and support for our clients. Please check with your provider to ensure that you are covered for therapy a social worker. Some providers will cover treatment under “social work services” rather than “psychotherapy.” Generally, I issue a receipt for payment which you submit to your provider for reimbursement. Blue Cross and GreenShield allow direct billing under certain group policies so do check with them first to know if you are eligible for direct billing. We accept most major insurance providers including:
- Aetna
- BlueCross
- Canada Life
- Manulife
- SunLife
- Greenshield
- TelusHealth affiliate insurances