Anxious about what to expect? It is commonplace to feel apprehensive about starting therapy. After all, you may be dealing with something that is intensely personal that only a few of those closest to you know about. Perhaps you’re feeling isolated and alone and haven’t been able to talk about the issues you want to bring with anyone at all. Either way, the prospect of talking with a stranger can be an unsettling one.

We’ll work together at a pace and intensity you’re comfortable with and will begin with an assessment that will set the stage for identifying your goals for therapy. From there, we’ll work collaboratively to structure safety and enhance stability in your life and will cultivate a compassionate space where we can begin to process the root causes of the difficulties you’re facing. As we make progress, we’ll begin to integrate and connect this work with how you want your life to look moving forward.

The journey will be different for everyone and therapy is often hard work but you are not alone and transformative change is possible.

The length of time you spend in therapy will depend on the issues you bring, your history, support systems, current commitments, and goals. Some of these may lend themselves to short-term work over a handful of sessions while others may require longer-term work over months or years. After meeting with you and completing an assessment I should be able to give you some idea of how long therapy might take in your specific case.

There are a plethora of therapists out there and the process of finding one that fits for you can be an intimidating one. While there is no list of attributes that can serve as an easy checklist, there are a few important considerations that can help you narrow down the choices and make an informed decision. Three in particular stand out.

First, look for someone who you can trust and build a relationship with. A meaningful relationship with your therapist is the foundation for all the work you’ll do together so it is crucially important. Studies (like this one, for example) have shown that people determine whether or not they can trust someone less than a second after looking them in the face. Trust your gut about whether you think this is possible.

Second, look for someone who is skilled, confident, and flexible enough to adapt to your goals. A good therapist is not simply a good listener and should be capable of working in a way that resonates with you. This sounds simple enough but is becoming increasingly difficult to find because of the rise of protocol or manualized therapies. Look for someone who can work across different therapeutic approaches instead of being overly committed to one and someone who is genuinely interested in your uniqueness and capable of creating a new therapy just for you.

Third, look for someone who has done their own therapy. This, too, appears to be becoming rarer but is what separates good therapists from excellent ones.

Generally, only medical doctors and psychologists can diagnose and only medical doctors can prescribe medication. Psychiatrists are specialized medical doctors who focus on diagnosing and prescribing medication for mental illnesses. I am part of a collaborative care network called Psychotherapy Matters that includes psychiatrists and can initiate and participate in consultations at which diagnoses and medication recommendations can be made by an psychiatrist. If you have questions about the process, please feel welcome to connect with me.

Standard 50-minute sessions cost $160 for individuals and $185 for couples. While psychotherapy can have meaningful and long-lasting benefits, it is also expensive and simply out of reach for many. For further information, including sliding scale options and benefits which you may be able to access, please see the Rates & Benefits page.

Your appointment time is reserved just for you. To avoid being charged for missed appointments, I require 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule. With adequate notice I will be able to accommodate your request and offer the time to another client. Of course, sometimes life happens and if an emergency or extenuating circumstance arises, I'll waive the fee.

While the professional services of Registered Social Workers (RSW) are covered by provincial health benefits in certain contexts (e.g., when they are provided in a hospital), private practice psychotherapy services are not currently covered. However, most insurance companies that provide extended health benefits do offer coverage for counselling and psychotherapy services. To see if you’re covered, review your policy or contact your insurance provider to see if your plan covers counselling or psychotherapy provided by a Registered Social Worker (RSW) or a professional who holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. For more information, see the Rates & Benefits page.

Rhizome Counselling is not an emergency or crisis counselling service and I do not have the capacity to be available on a 24/7 basis. If you are at risk of harming yourself or someone else, please call 911. If you are experiencing a crisis that you feel requires immediate attention there are some helpful community resources that you can access at any time, such as the following:

·      Call HERE24/7 (1-844-437-3247) for crisis support in Waterloo-Wellington.

·      Call or text the national Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988 anywhere in Canada.

·      Go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

I’m glad you asked! See my about page for an explanation of what a rhizome is and what it has to do with psychotherapy.