Starting Therapy

Grab a cup of tea. Make yourself comfortable. I’m so glad you’re here.

I know reaching out for help isn’t easy. I hope this page will provide you with the information you need to get started.

Who I Work With

I primarily work with adults living with acute, chronic or life-limiting illness, pain or disability. You don’t need to have a diagnosis for us to work together. I also support caregivers and anyone who would like to explore their relationship with their body, self, health and environment from an Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) perspective.

I am registered to practice in Ontario Canada and can only work with individuals who reside in Ontario.

I do not provide couples or family therapy but am happy to include support people in session if it’s clinically relevant and helpful for you. Animal friends are always welcome!

How To Become A Client

The first step is to schedule a 20-minute Complimentary Discovery Phone Call via my online booking page. The Discovery Call is a great opportunity for us to connect, ask any questions you might have and determine if I’m the right fit for you at this time. Prior to your Discovery Call you will receive an email inviting you to participate in a short survey to help us make the most of our time together. You’re under no obligation to book with me after a Discovery Call.

If we decide to work together we can schedule your first therapy session while we’re on the phone or you can use the online booking page. Once you’ve confirmed your first session appointment time you will receive my Service Agreement Form & Intake Assessment by email. You will have the option of reviewing and completing this in advance of your first session or we can go over it together in session together.

Availability

I offer appointments on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with daytime and evening time slots. You can view my calendar online and book in directly or we can schedule your follow up appointment at the end of your session.

Please allow 24-48 hours for me to return your call or email. I do not offer crisis services. If you are in crisis please dial 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.

Online Counselling

Sessions take place by video or telephone. Many people find these convenient methods for accessing therapy as it means you can choose the location of your session and does not require travel. For folks with health issues, this may be particularly important during the pandemic.

I Jane App, which is a a secure online portal with telehealth services that is compliant with provincial and federal laws governing the use and storage of personal health information.

Your video session can be accessed by clicking the link in your appointment email which will open on your web browser. Jane recommends using Chrome as your browser for best results.

You can also download the Jane app on your tablet or phone.

The below video walks you through how to join an online appointment:

Rates

My hourly rate $140 CAD and my promise to you is that I will value your time and investment.

A small number of sliding scale spaces may be available for individuals who are experiencing financial need. My range is between $100 to $140 per hour.

Payment is required at the end of each session and can be made using credit card through Jane or e-transfer through your online bank. You will receive an itemized receipt by email after each payment. You will have the option of keeping your credit card on file for convenience. This can be done through your Jane client portal in advance of our first appointment or at the end of your session.

Insurance & Financial Support

Many health insurance plans cover Registered Social Workers (RSWs) and social workers with a Masters of Social (MSW). I fall under both of these categories.

It’s important for you to check directly with your insurance provider to understand what is covered under your individual plan. You may want to ask the following questions:

1) how much coverage do I have for the cost of counselling services this year?

2) What type of mental health provider is covered under counselling? Ex. RSW, MSW etc.

3) Is this coverage shared with any other providers/services?

I am able to direct bill to your insurance if your plan is with Greenshield Canada. You will be responsible for covering the cost of the co-pay, if there is one. I’m working on expanding the list of insurance providers I work with.

TIP: If you do not have insurance you can submit your therapy receipts as a medical expense on your personal income tax.

TIP: If you are a post-secondary student you may be eligible for support with counselling and other disability related expenses through the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD). Contact the Accessibility Centre at your school for more details.

Cancellations and Appointment Changes

You can opt in to receive email or text appointment reminders for appointments with me. You also have the ability to reschedule your upcoming appointments online up until 12 hours before your appointment time. Log in to your Jane client portal to make changes. .

I don’t charge a fee for cancellations and understand that, despite our best intentions, the unforeseen can happen. As a small business owner, all I ask is that you provide me with as much notice as you can. A held appointment means the spot is not available to any other clients and in many cases is a loss of income for me. I appreciate your assistance with this.

An arial view of an open laptop sitting on a coffee table. A filled cup of tea sits to the right and a candle and crystal sit on the left.