Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a Psychotherapist?
A Psychotherapist is a trained professional that helps facilitate the process of moving towards emotional intelligence, creating balance, integrating new skills of self awareness and using practical solutions to enhance client's experience of life.
They will guide you in exploring your past to heal and transform wounding, unfinished business, negative self talk and limiting beliefs. It is important to remember that we don't remain in the past ruminating and blaming, we explore it for the roots of our present day issues so we can release it and move forward unburdened by our past.
What is the difference between Psychiatry, Psychology and Psychotherapy?
“iatry” means medical treatment, therefore Psychiatry is the medical treatment of the psyche and is based on assessment and traditional pharmacological courses of treatment
“ology” refers to science or theory, therefore Psychology is the science of the psyche and is largely based on brain research and development
“therapy” means treatment intended to relieve or heal, therefore Psychotherapy represents the many techniques and modalities used with the goal of intended relief from an overwhelmed or disordered psyche
Why would I choose Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a unique client based method of therapy. This means that the therapist is there to follow the lead of the client and work towards client specific goals. Modalities are based on revealing clients self awareness and personal insights to help make sense of their feelings, emotions, thoughts and behaviors to bring about positive changes as identified by the needs of client.
How do I find the right Psychotherapist?
Many Psychotherapists have private practices and advertise on community listing websites such as 211, psychologytoday.com/ca or locally in Simcoe County on nsmhealthline.ca. Many have community partners and work through referrals from Doctors, Chiropractors, Massage Therapists and Naturopaths. You may need to talk to a couple of therapists to see if they feel like a good fit, most will offer a complimentary consultation to answer your specific questions.
What are the fees for Psychotherapy? Is it covered by OHIP?
Each Psychotherapist determines their own fee structure which can often include a sliding scale to allow for more accessibility. You can expect to pay between $100-$175 averagely for each session depending on the skill, experience and years of practice of your practitioner. Many interns can offer significantly reduced rates or even complimentary sessions to work towards their educational requirements. Psychotherapy is an out of pocket and taxable expense. With the proclamation of the Psychotherapy Act 2007 which created the regulatory body of the College of Psychotherapy on April 1, 2015, many extended and private health care insurance companies are now offering coverage for Registered Psychotherapy as well as many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s). Please confirm your eligibility with your benefit provider.
What can a Psychotherapist help me with?
There are many reasons to seek qualified, confidential and professional help at many ages and stages of life. Most people initially seek help in a crisis situation ( life & death). Help is also sought out for major life events, and interpersonal struggles (thoughts, feelings, emotions), challenging behaviors ( addictions, compulsions, self defeating, abusive), and issues with relationships ( spouse, family of origin, parent/child) You can also address other specific issues that interfere with quality of life such as depression, anxiety, panic episodes, chronic pain and disease, stress, safety issues, feeling overwhelmed, disconnected and dissatisfied with where you are in life. Psychotherapists can not only help you navigate through life’s challenges but can also support you in self development (purpose, insights, emotional intelligence, spiritual connection) and skill building to create a more meaningful and purposeful life.
What can I expect in a session?
Most sessions are 50-60 minutes and initial meetings generally involve an intake questionnaire that helps create an overview of your life history to assist you in creating goals of what you want from therapy to best support where you are in life. You will need to review and sign Consent to Treat forms and review policies and procedures of your chosen therapist including limits of confidentiality and information on how to protect your rights as a client. Most therapists use a variety of modalities geared towards making your unconscious, conscious or in other words taking what is hidden in your “inner” world ( thoughts, feelings, emotions, beliefs, self talk, processes), creating awareness and bringing it forward to your “outer” world. This could be done by talk therapy, contemplative exercises (journaling, drawing, role playing etc) worksheets, mirror work, guided imagery, mindfulness training, regression, EFT, body psychotherapy, energy healing, just to name a few. Most Psychotherapists can offer specialized, evidence based therapies to assist their clients in creating real change and transformation.
How long/how often should I see a Psychotherapist?
Most clients start with weekly appointments to get a good handle on personal history and presenting issues. Timing then needs to be discussed openly between client/therapist on what routine works best based on the real needs of the client. Some clients continue weekly, bi weekly, monthly or as needed. The important thing is to honor your commitment to your personal growth and integrate your new awareness and skills between sessions.
How do I know it’s working?
How is talking to a therapist better than talking to a friend?
We all need a shoulder to cry on, a friend to laugh with or get advice from, but a professional therapist is trained to be a non-judgmental, impartial, and reflective listener. They keep what you share private and confidential by law ( unless it meets criteria for limits of confidentiality which you will have discussed with therapist) and they help you reveal your true feelings, thoughts and wisdom around what you are dealing with. Therapy is designed to move through the stages of awareness, acceptance, action and change instead of retelling the same stories as a way to vent/ complain/ruminate. A therapist is also trained in crisis intervention and prevention and has access to other community and professional support services you may benefit from.
It is not really a question of “do I need therapy”?, it is more a question of “when will I need therapy”? This is primarily because our emotional health is just as, if not more important than our physical health. It is the foundation of how we experience life and how we develop coping skills and resilience to face life's changes and challenges.
If you are experiencing a major life event, are struggling with your job, family, relationships, are finding yourself extremely fatigued or “checked out”, are experiencing dis-ease or chronic pain or are even feeling overwhelmed with daily life find someone to help see you through. Support is available, you are not alone. It takes tremendous courage to stand up, speak out and take back control of your life.
I wish you well on your journey to health and happiness!
A Psychotherapist is a trained professional that helps facilitate the process of moving towards emotional intelligence, creating balance, integrating new skills of self awareness and using practical solutions to enhance client's experience of life.
They will guide you in exploring your past to heal and transform wounding, unfinished business, negative self talk and limiting beliefs. It is important to remember that we don't remain in the past ruminating and blaming, we explore it for the roots of our present day issues so we can release it and move forward unburdened by our past.
What is the difference between Psychiatry, Psychology and Psychotherapy?
“iatry” means medical treatment, therefore Psychiatry is the medical treatment of the psyche and is based on assessment and traditional pharmacological courses of treatment
“ology” refers to science or theory, therefore Psychology is the science of the psyche and is largely based on brain research and development
“therapy” means treatment intended to relieve or heal, therefore Psychotherapy represents the many techniques and modalities used with the goal of intended relief from an overwhelmed or disordered psyche
Why would I choose Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a unique client based method of therapy. This means that the therapist is there to follow the lead of the client and work towards client specific goals. Modalities are based on revealing clients self awareness and personal insights to help make sense of their feelings, emotions, thoughts and behaviors to bring about positive changes as identified by the needs of client.
How do I find the right Psychotherapist?
Many Psychotherapists have private practices and advertise on community listing websites such as 211, psychologytoday.com/ca or locally in Simcoe County on nsmhealthline.ca. Many have community partners and work through referrals from Doctors, Chiropractors, Massage Therapists and Naturopaths. You may need to talk to a couple of therapists to see if they feel like a good fit, most will offer a complimentary consultation to answer your specific questions.
What are the fees for Psychotherapy? Is it covered by OHIP?
Each Psychotherapist determines their own fee structure which can often include a sliding scale to allow for more accessibility. You can expect to pay between $100-$175 averagely for each session depending on the skill, experience and years of practice of your practitioner. Many interns can offer significantly reduced rates or even complimentary sessions to work towards their educational requirements. Psychotherapy is an out of pocket and taxable expense. With the proclamation of the Psychotherapy Act 2007 which created the regulatory body of the College of Psychotherapy on April 1, 2015, many extended and private health care insurance companies are now offering coverage for Registered Psychotherapy as well as many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s). Please confirm your eligibility with your benefit provider.
What can a Psychotherapist help me with?
There are many reasons to seek qualified, confidential and professional help at many ages and stages of life. Most people initially seek help in a crisis situation ( life & death). Help is also sought out for major life events, and interpersonal struggles (thoughts, feelings, emotions), challenging behaviors ( addictions, compulsions, self defeating, abusive), and issues with relationships ( spouse, family of origin, parent/child) You can also address other specific issues that interfere with quality of life such as depression, anxiety, panic episodes, chronic pain and disease, stress, safety issues, feeling overwhelmed, disconnected and dissatisfied with where you are in life. Psychotherapists can not only help you navigate through life’s challenges but can also support you in self development (purpose, insights, emotional intelligence, spiritual connection) and skill building to create a more meaningful and purposeful life.
What can I expect in a session?
Most sessions are 50-60 minutes and initial meetings generally involve an intake questionnaire that helps create an overview of your life history to assist you in creating goals of what you want from therapy to best support where you are in life. You will need to review and sign Consent to Treat forms and review policies and procedures of your chosen therapist including limits of confidentiality and information on how to protect your rights as a client. Most therapists use a variety of modalities geared towards making your unconscious, conscious or in other words taking what is hidden in your “inner” world ( thoughts, feelings, emotions, beliefs, self talk, processes), creating awareness and bringing it forward to your “outer” world. This could be done by talk therapy, contemplative exercises (journaling, drawing, role playing etc) worksheets, mirror work, guided imagery, mindfulness training, regression, EFT, body psychotherapy, energy healing, just to name a few. Most Psychotherapists can offer specialized, evidence based therapies to assist their clients in creating real change and transformation.
How long/how often should I see a Psychotherapist?
Most clients start with weekly appointments to get a good handle on personal history and presenting issues. Timing then needs to be discussed openly between client/therapist on what routine works best based on the real needs of the client. Some clients continue weekly, bi weekly, monthly or as needed. The important thing is to honor your commitment to your personal growth and integrate your new awareness and skills between sessions.
How do I know it’s working?
- Here are some questions to gauge your experience…
- Even when it’s uncomfortable, do you feel like you are learning/growing?
- Is there a measurable difference in presenting issue?
- Do you see changes happening that support your goals?
- Are you seeing the quality of your relationships changing?
- Do you have new insights and awareness's that help you make sense of your life?
- Are you learning practical solutions to manage and cope with your challenges?
- Are daily responsibilities becoming easier?
- Have you begun redefining your relationship with yourself and are incorporating beliefs and activities of self care and self love however that fits for you?
- Therapy is not always a quick fix and it is important to take some time to live your learning.
How is talking to a therapist better than talking to a friend?
We all need a shoulder to cry on, a friend to laugh with or get advice from, but a professional therapist is trained to be a non-judgmental, impartial, and reflective listener. They keep what you share private and confidential by law ( unless it meets criteria for limits of confidentiality which you will have discussed with therapist) and they help you reveal your true feelings, thoughts and wisdom around what you are dealing with. Therapy is designed to move through the stages of awareness, acceptance, action and change instead of retelling the same stories as a way to vent/ complain/ruminate. A therapist is also trained in crisis intervention and prevention and has access to other community and professional support services you may benefit from.
It is not really a question of “do I need therapy”?, it is more a question of “when will I need therapy”? This is primarily because our emotional health is just as, if not more important than our physical health. It is the foundation of how we experience life and how we develop coping skills and resilience to face life's changes and challenges.
If you are experiencing a major life event, are struggling with your job, family, relationships, are finding yourself extremely fatigued or “checked out”, are experiencing dis-ease or chronic pain or are even feeling overwhelmed with daily life find someone to help see you through. Support is available, you are not alone. It takes tremendous courage to stand up, speak out and take back control of your life.
I wish you well on your journey to health and happiness!