Frequently Asked Questions

A COUNSELLOR can be anyone as this role is not regulated. Typically counsellors will hold some type of college or bachelor degree in a related field. Counsellors are allowed to be supportive figures but ethically can not do therapeutic interventions, cannot diagnose, and cannot prescribe medication.

A PSYCHOTHERAPIST holds a Masters degree and is able to apply supportive counselling skills as well as therapeutic interventions. A psychotherapist may belong to a regulated college where they are held to certain ethical standards. A psychotherapist cannot diagnose and cannot prescribe medication. 

A PSYCHOLOGIST holds a Doctorate (PhD) degree. A psychologist is qualified to conduct clinical assessments and diagnose mental health conditions. A psychologist cannot prescribe medication. 

A PSYCHIATRIST has gone to medical school and holds an M.D. A psychiatrist can conduct psychiatric assessments, psychotherapy, diagnose, and can prescribe medication. 

A therapeutic intervention is a technique used by therapists that has been developed to treat certain issues based on psychological theories. 

For example, Cognitive Behavioural Theory is one of the most commonly used techniques in therapy. It treats a wide range of conditions such as depression and anxiety. The theory states that problems are a result of unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns. 

One kind of CBT based intervention is a thought record. This is where the client writes down their thought/worry, rate the distress level associated with it, the likelihood of it happening, a more likely alternative thought, and a final balanced thought. 

- Does your insurance cover a portion or all of your services?

- How frequently can you afford to attend therapy?

- Am I ready to commit to this process show up for myself? 

- How ready am I to talk about the things going on?

- Am I ready to face the fact that on top of improving relationships in my life, I may also lose some that no longer serve me? 

- Am I ready for a therapist to possibly point out unhelpful patterns I may not be aware of?

- Do I have a safe and confidential space for sessions?

- What other supports, if any, do I have in my life right now as I go through this period of self-discovery and change?

Several years ago, I was asking this same question. It wasn't until becoming a Therapist myself that I learned about all of the fees associated with being able to be a therapist. Because I believe in transparency of funds, I think you as a client have a right to know a cost breakdown of services. As Registered Psychotherapists, we belong to a regulatory college which we pay a fee to every year to remain apart of. We also have biweekly or monthly supervision which is a requirement of the college. This can cost us between $150-$400 a month. We are also required to have liability insurance, monthly fees of our online charting system, fees to be able to market our practice, fees for mandatory professional development courses and workshops and more. If a therapist rents an office space for services, that can range anywhere from $300-$1500 a month. If a therapist is part of a clinic, often the clinic takes 25-40% of their hourly fees. In independent practice, we also must deduct our own income tax and possibly even pay for our own health insurance. That being said, I whole heartedly believe therapy should be accessible to everyone and I do hope one day that this will be an OHIP covered service.