How do I pay for virtual sessions?

Can virtual sessions be helpful?

Won’t video sessions be awkward?

You can reach me at (519) 717-3124.If you would like to e-mail me or use a contact form, please visit the contact me page.

Please visit the referral page for more information.

Or you may download the Brantford Psychology Referral Form (here).

I believe in a collaborative approach, one in which we explore your difficulties, and work together at finding solutions. My goal is to create a strong therapeutic relationship, by offering a warm and trusting environment for us to work together. My primary approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is an evidence-based treatment. One of the central ideas of CBT is that our thoughts, behaviours and feelings influence each other. CBT focuses on your feelings and changing how you think (the Cognitive part) and what you do (the Behavioural part). The CBT model focuses on the present, by working on what is maintaining the problem and difficulties, rather than focusing on the past.

When appropriate, I also use skills from other evidence-based approaches, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness Based Therapies, and others.

Who do you see?

My area of expertise is working with adult clients on an individual basis.  I do not work with children or couples.

I work with adult clients that may present with the following issues:

• • Social anxiety / shyness
  • Panic attacks
  • Generalized anxiety / excessive worry
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder
  • Health anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Perfectionism
  • Posttraumatic stress
  • Depression / low mood
  • Mood swings
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Stress management
  • Procrastination
  • Anger control
  • Self-esteem
  • Assertiveness
  • Communication skills
  • Relationships (dating, marriage, conflict, break-up/divorce, trust and boundary issues)
  • Other life adjustments (dealing with illness, loss, grief, unemployment)

If you are dealing with something that is not on the list, please contact me and we can discuss if it is something I can help you with, or if I can help you find another referral source.

Listed below are crisis lines in Brantford that are available 24 hours a day.

• Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
  (519)752-4357 | 24 hour crisis line
• Sexual Assault Centre of Brant
  (519)751-3471 | 24 hour crisis and support line
• St. Leonard’s Community Services Brantford
  (519)759-7188 or 1-866-811-7188 | 24 hour mental health crisis line

If you are an existing client, we will have developed a plan for what to do if you are in crisis.

I will ask you to arrive early for our appointment so you can fill out some paperwork.We will start off the session discussing confidentiality and other clinic policies. Our first session will be a chance to get to know each other. During the first appointment I will be asking lots of questions to learn as much as possible about you and the difficulties that you are experiencing which caused you to seek help. During this assessment phase, I may ask you to fill in questionnaires to gain further information. This first appointment is also an opportunity for you to ask additional questions and raise any concerns you may have.

The goal of the assessment is to understand your difficulties, and determine your goals for treatment. We will discuss strategies that can be used when working on your particular issue, and the pros and cons of the different approaches. It is important that we discuss expectations – both your expectations for change, and expectations of the approach. Some approaches are less structured; whereas with other approaches there would be the expectation that work be completed in between sessions, such as reading, completing worksheets, and trying different exercises.We will also discuss whether we want to continue to work together. When engaging in therapy, not only is it important that your therapist has the expertise to help with your particular problem, but there also needs to be a good fit with the style and approach. I want to make sure that I feel competent in being able to work with you on your particular difficulties. It is equally important that you work with someone that you feel is a good match for you – someone you can trust, and who you feel gets where you’re coming from.

If we decide to work together, we will develop a plan, including the approach and the frequency we can meet. Sometimes this assessment phase takes more than one session.

I wish there was a straightforward answer to this question. The number of sessions varies depending on the issues we are working on, the approach used, individual preference for pace of work, and limitations due to budget or insurance coverage. One of the reasons that my primary approach is CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is because it is a brief evidence-based therapy in which clients can start to see change in as few as 6 to 12 sessions. I cannot make any guarantees or promises about the outcome for you, or how long it will take for you to feel ready to end therapy. Prior to starting treatment, we can discuss your specific situation and estimate how many sessions may be helpful. We will also discuss goals and progress on an ongoing basis during therapy.

• • How much coverage do I have in a given year? It is important to know the maximum amount you will be reimbursed.
  • When does the year change? This is important, as not all insurance plans start on January 1st.
  • Can you choose your provider? Some plans require that you seek services through an employment assistant program. Many plans also require that treatment be provided by a licensed psychologist.
  • Does your plan cover 100% of the bill? Plans may cover the total bill up to the yearly maximum; whereas other plans cover only a percentage of the bill.
  • Does the coverage require that you have been referred by a physician? Although I do not require a referral, it is possible that your insurer may have this requirement.
  • How long will it take for you to be reimbursed? This may be helpful for your budget.

The answers to these questions will help us in developing a treatment plan that works with your budget.

If you do not have coverage, then services would need to be paid for by the individual seeking treatment at each session. While the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) sets a recommended hourly rate for psychological services, my rates are lower, so that care is more accessible. Further fee reductions may also be negotiated based on your current situation.Therapy is an investment in yourself, one that can be worthwhile in helping you explore issues and experience change. It may require examining your budget and determining if you are able to pay for treatment. When the cost of accessing services is an issue, I will try and work with your budget to space sessions out and suggest more self-guided exercises to do on your own.However, I recognize that psychological services are an expense that may not be in every person’s budget. If you are unable to pay for services, I can often suggest services that may be available in the community (at free or lower cost), or recommend self-help resources.

I would love to hear from you!

Feel free to contact me