Frequently Asked Questions

Individual psychotherapy is a collaborative process where you meet one-on-one with a licensed therapist to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a safe and confidential space. Therapy sessions typically last about 50 minutes and may focus on concerns such as anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship challenges, life transitions, or personal growth.

In psychotherapy, your therapist will help you:

• Understand patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviours
  
• Develop practical coping strategies
  
• Improve emotional regulation and self-awareness
  
• Work toward meaningful personal goals
  

Therapy in Ontario is client-centred, meaning the pace and focus of sessions are guided by your needs and priorities.

Couples therapy provides a structured and supportive space for partners to strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and navigate relationship challenges together.

During couples therapy sessions, your therapist may help you:

• Improve communication and conflict resolution
  
• Understand patterns that create disconnection
  
• Rebuild emotional intimacy and trust
  
• Navigate life transitions or stressors together
  

The therapist remains neutral and supports both partners in feeling heard and understood while working toward healthier relationship dynamics.

A free 15-minute meet and greet is a brief consultation that allows you to connect with your therapist before booking a full psychotherapy session.

During this call you can:

• Share what brings you to therapy
  
• Ask questions about the therapist’s approach
  
• Learn about therapy modalities used in the practice
  
• Determine whether the therapist feels like the right fit
  

This consultation is not a therapy session but a chance to ensure you feel comfortable moving forward.

As a client receiving psychotherapy in Ontario, you have important rights that help ensure therapy is respectful, ethical, and centered around your well-being.

These rights include:

• The right to respectful, professional, and non-judgmental care
  
• The right to confidentiality and privacy
  
• The right to informed consent before beginning therapy
  
• The right to ask questions about your therapist’s qualifications, approaches, and recommendations
  
• The right to participate actively in decisions about your treatment
  

Throughout the counselling process, you also have the right to:

• Request a review of your progress in therapy at any time
  
• Ask for a referral to another therapist or health professional if you would like additional or different support
  
• Withdraw consent for the sharing or disclosure of your personal information, unless disclosure is required by law
  
• End the counselling relationship at any time by informing your therapist
  

You also have the right to access your counselling records. Upon request, you may review or obtain a copy of the information contained in your therapy file, subject to applicable legal requirements. This right continues even after the counselling relationship has ended.

Your therapist will review these rights with you as part of the informed consent process so that you feel fully informed and comfortable throughout your therapy experience.

Psychotherapy sessions are confidential; however, there are specific legal and ethical limits to confidentiality in Ontario.

A therapist may need to break confidentiality if:

• There is risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else
  
• There is suspicion of abuse or neglect involving a child or elder
  
• A court orders the release of records
  
• A regulated professional is involved in a legal investigation
  

Your therapist will review these limits with you during the informed consent process so you understand how your information is protected.

While psychotherapy is beneficial for many people, it can sometimes involve emotional discomfort. Exploring difficult experiences or emotions may temporarily increase feelings such as sadness, anxiety, or vulnerability.

These experiences are a normal part of the therapeutic process and often lead to greater insight, emotional healing, and long-term mental health improvement.

A skilled therapist will support you through these experiences at a pace that feels manageable.

The frequency of therapy sessions depends on your goals, needs, and current life circumstances.

Many clients begin with weekly sessions, which allows for consistent progress and support. As therapy continues, sessions may shift to bi-weekly or monthly as you integrate new insights and coping strategies.

Your therapist will collaborate with you to determine a schedule that best supports your mental health.

The number of therapy sessions varies widely from person to person. Some individuals experience noticeable improvement within 8–12 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term psychotherapy for deeper personal growth.

Factors that influence the length of therapy include:

• The nature of the concerns being addressed
  
• Your therapy goals
  
• The frequency of sessions
  
• The type of therapeutic approach used
  

Therapy is a flexible process that can be adjusted based on your needs.

You should start to feel supported by your therapist, even when you share difficult information. You should continue to feel the support even when they are encouraging you to go deeper into insights or challenge maladaptive thought processes. You and your therapist will co-collaborate on goals at the start of the therapeutic process and continue to monitor and check in on these goals.