Frequently Asked Questions

Both psychologists and social workers are trained professionals who provide mental health support, but there are some differences in their education and approach. Psychologists typically have a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), and may provide psychological testing or assessments and mental health diagnosis in addition to therapy.

People also often get confused about the difference between psychologists and psychiatrists. While both are called "Doctors," psychologists have a PhD and psychiatrists have a medical degree (MD). Both can diagnose mental health conditions, but only psychiatrists can prescribe medication, and they don't typically provide psychotherapy.

Social workers, like myself, usually have a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW), and we are helping professionals who can work in a wide range of settings including psychotherapy. Something that is unique about social workers is that we are trained to look at the "bigger picture" with those we support, so that we can better understand how different parts of their lives (such as their living environment, ethnicity, culture) impact their health and well-being. Those, such as myself, who choose to do clinical mental health work in psychotherapy often pursue additional training in the areas they specialize in.

Another difference to consider is cost—sessions with social workers are often more affordable than those with psychologists, which can make therapy more accessible for many people. Both professionals can be excellent therapists, and it really comes down to finding someone whose training, experience, and approach are the right fit for you.

I strongly believe in the importance of ongoing education and training in order to provide the best possible psychological care to those I support. As a registered social worker, I take part in a yearly Continuing Competency Program through my college, which ensures that I continue to learn, grow, and stay up to date with current research and best practices in the field.

In addition to this, I am a certified provider in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD, having completed the foundational training and rostering requirements in 2023. I have also completed a certificate program in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) through Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as intensive training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD through the Center for Anxiety and Behavior Therapy.

No, I don't provide formal diagnostic or clinical assessments, meaning that aside from psychotherapy, I don't provide a service that results in an official diagnosis or report for things like school, work, or legal purposes.

The word "assessment" can refer to many different things. Psychologists are usually the ones who can provide the type of formal assessment described above at a cost, if it is required for something specific, such as a work or school accommodation. Although this is not something I offer, assessment is a natural part of the therapy process that happens within the session, starting from the beginning when I'm getting to know you and working on understanding your concerns, and continuing throughout therapy as things evolve, change and improve.

I will always complete a thorough assessment at the beginning of our work together, followed by verbally sharing my impressions and treatment recommendations of what I believe will help you get better.

No, I am not a medical doctor and therefore I cannot prescribe medication. While some people choose to explore pharmacological treatments for their mental health concerns, it is important to know that people often get better and experience symptom relief with the proper therapy, either with or without medication.

If you are interested in exploring medication options for your mental health symptoms, a good place to start is with your family doctor. I am also happy to chat with you about this and provide guidance if needed.

Getting started is simple. First, we'll set up a free 15-minute consultation phone call so you can ask questions, share a bit about what you're looking for, and see if we're a good fit. If you decide to move forward, you will be asked to fill out an online intake form. You will also be asked to review and sign an online consent form.

After this initial paperwork is complete, we will book your initial assessment session. This will be an 80-minute appointment where we can explore things in more depth and start setting goals for your therapy. This is also where we will plan the rest of your course of therapy.

No, you do not need a formal or official diagnosis of a mental health disorder(s) to receive therapy! In fact, many people live with symptoms of mental illness without ever seeing a professional to get "properly" diagnosed, and are equally as deserving to get the treatment that can help them get better.

It is important to understand that unlike psychologists and psychiatrists, I am not licensed to provide psychiatric diagnoses as a social worker. That being said, I have worked with hundreds of clients with various mental health conditions, and I am very familiar with the signs and symptoms of many of these issues.

While some people don't want or care for the label of a diagnosis, other people would find it helpful to have some clarity on what they are going through and want a name for it–either is absolutely ok! For those who would like to understand what they might "have," we can explore this together through therapy, and for many people it's good enough to have their therapist share their ideas on this without seeking a professional diagnosis. If you are ever interested in receiving an "official" diagnosis, I can also help to point you in the right direction.

CBT is a very collaborative approach, meaning that we will work closely together to figure out the specific therapy goals that are most relevant to you and best meet your needs, and make a plan to get you to the finish line. There will be a clear beginning, middle, and end, so you'll always have a sense of where we're headed and what we're working toward.

The typical number of sessions ranges from 8-20, depending on what you're needing help with through therapy. Sessions are usually weekly to start, and become more spaced out as we begin to near the end of your treatment.

For most clients, sessions are $165 for 50-minutes, which is the standard length for individual therapy. Most therapy sessions run for 50-minutes following the initial assessment session, with the exception of "one-offs" and OCD treatment sessions (see below).

The initial assessment session is $240 for 80-minutes. This longer session gives us the time to explore your current concerns, gather relevant background information, and begin setting goals for therapy. In some cases, a longer, one-off therapy session may be booked if required, which would be priced at this same rate (e.g., a family education session).

For OCD-specific treatment, 110-minute sessions are available at a fee of $320. These extended sessions allow time for structured Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) work, which is a key part of effective OCD treatment. Note: Over time as treatment progresses, ERP sessions typically go down to 50 minutes in length. If you have any concerns about the time commitment and/or cost of this treatment, I am happy to discuss this further with you to develop a feasible treatment plan.

Brief phone check-ins (15 minutes or less) are offered at no cost. If you need a longer phone appointment (around 30 minutes), the fee is $90.

Payment can be made by e-transfer on the day of your session. Please consult the fees tab for additional information on insurance coverage and counselling bursaries.

Before we begin our work together, I encourage you to reach out for a free introductory call so that I can answer any questions you have, and so that we can make sure we're a good fit.

People are often unsure what to expect from therapy if they have never been before; or if they have, they would find that different therapists do things differently depending on their foundational training, approach, and style.

I provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is typically a short-term therapy, meaning that it provides a focused structure aimed at helping you build practical skills to tackle the main issue that is causing the most problems in your life. Many people find this to be a relief, because it means that they don't have to be in, and therefore financially invest in, therapy "forever," and can move on with their lives beyond therapy much quicker.

The typical number of CBT sessions ranges from 8-20, depending on what you need help with through therapy. Sessions are usually weekly to start, and become more spaced out as we begin to near the end of your treatment. After I first meet with you and get a better sense of what's going on, I will provide you with treatment recommendations, including how many sessions I think we will need to do some good work together. Of course, staying in therapy is completely voluntary, and it is your choice to continue to stop your therapy at any time. Having said that, people don't often achieve the outcome they're hoping for without finishing a "full course" (or complete round) of therapy, so I will always encourage you to "stick with it" if you are unsure about continuing. It is also very important to let me know if you have any concerns along the way that may be getting in the way of your therapy, so that we can address them together and move forward in a way that feels right and helpful for you.

It is very important to me as your therapist to make sure that we are always doing therapy with a purpose. This is why my approach ensures that we work very closely together to figure out the specific therapy goals that best meet your needs, and make a solid plan to achieve these goals, which I often refer to as a "road map." Just like using a map to reach a final destination, we'll keep the end goal of therapy in sight, so that we can stay on track and make sure our work is moving you in the right direction.

This purpose can also change along the way as things improve or new issues come up, so we will always make sure to update the road map as needed. This also means that your therapy plan is never "set in stone," and things can change, including how long you end up staying in therapy.

Even after you end therapy, you are always welcome to come back! "Booster sessions" are available and commonly used for people who need a refresher on the skills they learned in therapy, if they notice that the issues that brought them in begin to creep up again. These sessions are a natural, built in part of the CBT therapy process that we will discuss as we start to near the end.

It is also ok to come back to therapy for other reasons as well, which I am always happy to discuss with you if you're thinking about returning. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about this!

In therapy, a "50-minute hour" refers to the standard session length used by many therapists. While it is often called an "hour," sessions typically run for 50 minutes. The remaining 10 minutes gives your therapist time to write notes, prepare for the next client, and make sure all sessions start and end on time.

This approach also applies to longer sessions: for example, a 90-minute session would run for 80 minutes, and a two-hour session would be 110 minutes.

This structure helps maintain a steady rhythm to the day and ensures each client receives the same focused attention.

The first session is a bit longer (typically 80 minutes) because it is our chance to get a fuller picture of what is bringing you to therapy; in other words, to complete a comprehensive (or full) initial assessment.

In this session, we will talk about your current concerns, your goals, and some background information that will help me understand your experiences and how best to support you. This extra time allows us to begin building a strong foundation for our work together without feeling rushed. It also gives you space to ask questions and get a sense of what therapy with me will be like.

CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and CBT-T (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Ten Sessions) are both specialized, evidence-based treatments for eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders. While they both aim to help people better understand and address the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that keep eating and body image struggles going, they differ in how in-depth they go, how long they last, and who they are best suited for.

CBT-E is a more in-depth, longer-term therapy that can include up to 20 sessions. It is designed to address a wide range of factors that keep an eating disorder going at a more gradual pace.

CBT-T is a shorter, streamlined version that is delivered in up to 10 sessions. It focuses on making practical behavioural changes to address eating disorder symptoms at a quicker pace.

Both are highly effective treatments. However, CBT-T tends to be well suited for those who are very motivated to overcome their eating disorder sooner rather than later. As your therapist, I will work with you to figure out which approach is the best fit for your goals, needs, and readiness for change.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based treatment designed to help people recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the impact of traumatic experiences. It focuses on understanding how trauma has affected your thoughts, beliefs, and emotions, especially those related to safety, trust, power, control, self-worth, and intimacy.

CPT helps people recognize how trauma may be influencing their thoughts, gently challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and develop more balanced beliefs about themselves, others, and the world. It is a structured, short-term therapy (usually around 12 sessions) that aims to reduce trauma symptoms, improve day-to-day functioning, and support lasting recovery.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that is especially effective for treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). ERP helps people slowly face the thoughts, images, or situations that make them feel anxious, while also learning to resist acting on the urge to do the usual habits or behaviours that temporarily relieve anxiety. With practice, this helps the anxiety go down over time and makes it easier to handle uncertainty or uncomfortable feelings without relying on old patterns.

ERP sessions are 2 hours (110 minutes) to start, and often eventually decrease to 1 hour (50 minutes) in length as therapy progresses.

OCD treatment involves a type of therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which takes a bit more time than a regular session. The longer sessions (110 minutes) give you enough space to do exposure exercises together in session with the support of your therapist, followed by talking through how it went and planning next steps–all without feeling rushed. Having that extra time helps you get the most out of each session and can make progress feel a little more manageable and steady.

Please note, when you begin this therapy, you will receive a full orientation that will explain in detail what ERP is, how it is intended to work, and what to expect throughout the therapy process.

Nope, not unless you want them to be. I only provide individual (not family) therapy, so this will be your very own one-on-one support. It is up to you to decide how much or how little you want your parents/guardians/loved ones to be involved. Sometimes people want their personal supports to be more involved so that they can help them (i.e., help with therapy homework), and others prefer to keep their therapy more private. When it comes to the parents/guardians, they are often the ones paying for therapy, and sometimes want to be involved by getting updates on how things are going. Before I share any information with anyone other than you, I'll always check in and make sure you're okay with it, because it's important to me that you feel in charge of what gets shared and with whom.

Involving other people in your therapy is a personal choice that is yours to make, and you can also change your mind at any time along the way. It is something that we will chat about in more detail when we begin working together so that I can answer any questions you have, and explain a few "rules" about situations where a therapist might have to go against your privacy to give someone else information to protect you or others if there is a risk of being in danger.

It is up to your child whether or not they want you involved in their therapy, and to what extent. Since a lot of the therapy work of CBT is done outside of sessions at home, I often recommend that youth invite their parents (or relevant personal supports) to help them with their therapy if this is appropriate, and many youth prefer to have their loved ones involved in this way. Depending on what is decided, this may include sitting in on sessions (or parts of sessions), communication via telephone or email, etc.

If you're worried about your child's safety and well-being, it is important to understand that I have the professional duty to report any concerns I have about a person being at risk of harm. It is only in this way that a client's confidentiality may be breached in an effort to protect them or others at risk, which may involve providing parents/guardians with relevant information.