Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim your services through my extended health care benefits (insurance) through my place of employment?
Psychotherapy services may be covered by some extended health care benefit plans. It is always best to check with your particular provider and plan for exact coverage details. Please verify with your benefit plan provider to see if the therapist (and the credentials they hold) are covered with your plan.
Do you provide tele-consultations either by telephone or via secure online video platform?
Yes! Therapy can be done via secure online video through OWL Practice, or over the phone. Commonly, people want to know if meeting online or on the phone is as effective as face-to-face sessions and, in our experience, yes – it absolutely can be.
I need a note or a form to be completed, can this be done or provided for me?
Sometimes clients may require notes or forms to be completed in order to take time off from work/school, to support a workplace or school accommodation or to provide to an insurer if they are already off work. It is important to note that notes and forms are only given/completed for existing clients, therefore, a client who attends one single appointment will likely not be eligible for this service.
Should you require a note or a form to be completed, it is imperative that you share this with your therapist as early as possible so that your therapist can advise you if this is within their scope of practice and if it will be possible for them to complete based on their knowledge of you, your history and the situation at hand.
If a note or a form is completed for a client an administrative fee will apply.
What can I expect throughout the counselling process?
Committing to therapy is an important decision! In the first few sessions, we will determine if our relationship is a good therapeutic fit and complete an intake assessment. Once we have explored your background, we will collaboratively outline your goals and develop a personalized treatment plan. The number of sessions will be based on your specific needs, but this is something we would discuss and revisit frequently throughout the duration of the counselling process.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
The subtle differences can be confusing. In short, counselling is a more direct, short-term approach to dealing with specific areas or situations in your life. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is a deeper and more engaged process of inner exploration and healing. Psychotherapy tends to entail a detailed treatment plan and leverages evidence-based approaches to support you working towards your goals.
I am looking to access some mental health support, but what support do I need? There seems to be different types of mental health professionals out there.
You are right, there are different types of mental health professionals out there and you may need to access specific ones, depending on your needs. Here is a breakdown that might help you determine what service(s) you may require. A psychiatrist is a doctor (who has attended Medical School) but is a specialist who has done more extensive studies in the field of mental health and can legally prescribe medication, diagnose people, and provide mental health therapy. A family doctor can also legally prescribe medication, diagnose people and some do at times provide mental health therapy. A psychologist detains a Doctorate in Psychology and can diagnose people and provide mental health therapy, but not prescribe medication. A psychotherapist or a social worker has a Master’s Degree and can provide mental health therapy, but not prescribe medication or diagnose people. And a life coach can provide guidance on life decisions and peer support, but cannot prescribe medication, diagnose people, or provide mental health therapy.
Should I have my appointments in-person or done remotely (via phone or video)?
Several of our therapists offer both in-person and remote service-delivery options, so the choice is yours. We use a secure video platform through OWL Practice that is easy to use and does not require any applications to be downloaded on your end. Commonly, people wonder if meeting online or speaking over the phone is as effective as face-to-face sessions and, in our experience, yes – it absolutely can be. If you are not sure what you would prefer, book a free consultation with someone on our team to explore your options.
What is an intern therapist?
Intern therapists are students currently completing their final year of a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology or a related field of study. These students have completed a significant amount of their course work and training, are engaging in on-going training during their time working at our practice and also attend weekly supervision with experienced therapists on our team. Although they are newer to the field, they provide the same high-quality therapy that you would receive from our associates. Some of our interns are also registered as psychotherapists with the CRPO, so their services may be covered under some insurance plans. Most of our interns work with us for 8 to 12 months and they offer a reduced fee to reflect their experience level.
What is a sliding-scale rate?
A sliding scale rate would be a lower rate than what we standardly charge and would be discussed and negotiated with your therapist based on your current financial circumstances. Should you need a sliding-scale rate, please discuss this further with your therapist.
What is a pro-bono space?
A pro bono space would allow an individual to access free counselling sessions with their therapist for a determined period of time. Limited pro bono spaces are available and eligibility is assessed case by case by reviewing each individual’s financial circumstances. Please inquire with us if this is something you are hoping to access.