Frequently Asked Questions
Starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions. Here are some of the things clients commonly want to know before reaching out.
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Yes. I offer a free 15-minute consultation.
It's an opportunity for us to briefly meet, talk about what brings you to therapy, ask questions, and get a sense of whether we might be a good fit.
There's no pressure to book a session afterward. Finding the right therapist matters.
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Individual sessions are $120.
Couples/family sessions are $150.
Payment and appointment details will be discussed when you book.
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Many extended health benefit plans include coverage for Registered Psychotherapists.
I don't offer direct billing, but I provide receipts that you can submit to your insurance provider.
Because coverage varies between plans, I recommend checking your benefits before beginning therapy.
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That's completely okay.
You don't need to know therapy terminology or have a clear explanation for everything you're experiencing.
You can simply tell me what has been difficult lately, and we'll work from there.
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There is no required minimum number of sessions.
Many clients begin with weekly or biweekly sessions, depending on their needs and goals. We'll revisit your progress and determine together what frequency makes sense.
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The first session is primarily about getting to know you.
We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, what has been difficult recently, and what you'd like to be different. We'll also review consent, confidentiality, goals, and what you can expect from our work together.
You don't need to arrive with everything figured out. We'll take it one step at a time.
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There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
Some people come to therapy for support through a specific transition or challenge. Others want to work more deeply on longstanding patterns.
We'll regularly check in about your goals and whether therapy continues to feel useful.
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Yes. East Psychotherapy currently offers virtual therapy across Ontario.
Online therapy can make accessing support easier when life is already busy, particularly for parents, professionals, students, and people who find it difficult to fit travel into their schedules.
You'll need a private space and a reliable internet connection for your sessions.
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No. You can contact East Psychotherapy directly to inquire about therapy.
Some insurance plans may require a physician's referral for reimbursement, so check with your provider if you're unsure.
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Adults may seek therapy for:
Anxiety and overthinking
Burnout
Perfectionism
People-pleasing
Boundaries
Self-worth
Emotional overwhelm
Life transitions
Teens may seek therapy for:
Anxiety and excessive worry
Academic pressure
Perfectionism and fear of failure
Self-esteem
Emotional overwhelm
Family or friendship stress
Life transitions
Pressure to meet expectations
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Trauma-informed therapy recognizes that past experiences can influence the way we respond to stress, relationships, emotions, and ourselves.
It means creating a therapeutic relationship based on safety, collaboration, choice, respect, and compassion.
You don't need to have experienced a single dramatic event to benefit from trauma-informed care. Difficult relationships, chronic stress, loss, invalidation, family experiences, or other challenging circumstances can also shape the ways we cope.
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I ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule.
Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice are subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
If something unexpected happens, please reach out. Life happens.
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Current availability includes:
Monday–Friday: 9:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Wednesday evenings: 8:15–10:15 p.m.
Some Saturday and Sunday appointments may also be available.
Availability can change, so please check the booking calendar for current appointment times.
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The easiest place to start is with a free 15-minute consultation.
You can tell me a little about what's bringing you to therapy, ask any questions you have, and see whether we'd be a good fit.
You don't have to make a decision on the spot.
Questions About Teen Therapy
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Ideally, a teen will have some willingness to participate in therapy, even if they aren't completely sure about it at first. Therapy tends to be most helpful when a young person has some opportunity to have a voice in the process.
If you're a parent and your teen is hesitant, you're welcome to reach out for a consultation to discuss the situation and whether therapy may be appropriate.
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Parents and caregivers can play an important role in supporting a teenager, while therapy also needs to provide the young person with a space of their own.
Parents are welcome to contact me to discuss their concerns and ask questions about the therapy process. When a teen is the client, I will also speak with the teen directly about therapy, explain what to expect, and involve them in decisions about their care.
When appropriate, I may communicate with parents or caregivers about practical matters, general treatment goals, or ways they can support their teen. I do not routinely share the details of what a teen discusses in therapy.
At the beginning of therapy, I will discuss consent, confidentiality, and parent involvement with the teen and parent or caregiver so that everyone understands what to expect.
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Yes. Privacy and confidentiality are an important part of creating a therapy space where teens can feel safe being honest and talking about things they may not feel comfortable sharing elsewhere.
When a teen is capable of consenting to their own treatment, what they share in therapy is generally kept confidential. I do not routinely provide parents or caregivers with a detailed account of what their teen has said during sessions.
At the beginning of therapy, I explain confidentiality and its limits in an age-appropriate way so the teen understands what to expect. If there is a situation where information must be shared because of a legal or safety requirement, I will discuss this with the teen whenever possible.
Parents and caregivers can still be involved in appropriate ways, such as discussing practical matters, general treatment goals, or ways to support their teen, while respecting the teen's privacy.
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Parents and caregivers can expect to be included in appropriate ways while also respecting their teen's privacy.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include discussing practical matters, general treatment goals, ways to support your teen outside of therapy, or concerns that affect their wellbeing. I will not routinely provide parents with a detailed account of what their teen has said during sessions.
We'll discuss expectations around communication and confidentiality at the beginning of therapy so that everyone understands how the process will work.
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Parents and caregivers are welcome to reach out to me to ask questions, share concerns, and learn more about whether therapy may be a good fit for their teen.
When a teenager is the client, I also want them to have a voice in the decision to participate in therapy. Before therapy begins, I will meet with the teen and discuss what therapy involves, answer their questions, and make sure they understand and are comfortable with moving forward.
Consent is an ongoing part of therapy, not something that happens only once at the beginning. I will continue to check in with the teen about their experience and involve them in decisions about their care.
I also discuss confidentiality and its limits at the beginning of therapy, including how information may be shared with parents or caregivers. My goal is for teens to have a space where they can speak openly and feel that their privacy is respected.
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Not every teen is comfortable talking openly right away, and that's okay. The first sessions are an opportunity to get to know one another and build comfort and trust. Therapy doesn't have to mean immediately talking about everything that's difficult.
I aim to create a space where teens don't feel pressured to have the perfect explanation or know exactly what they need before they begin.