The FAQ’s

Help Center

Everything you need to know about therapy, booking and more.

What is therapy?

Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counseling, is a process where a person works with a trained mental health professional to explore and address personal challenges, mental health issues, or life changes. This process often involves discussing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a safe and confidential environment. The goal is to promote self-understanding, healthy coping strategies, and personal growth.

What is the process of starting therapy?

Starting therapy usually begins with an intake session where you share your concerns, goals, and history. This helps your therapist understand your needs and develop a tailored treatment plan. Subsequent sessions will then be scheduled on a regular basis, often weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your needs and preferences.

What is an Initial Intake Session?

An Initial Intake Session is the first comprehensive session for clients seeking support. This 60-90 minutes session involves a thorough discussion about your concerns, a review of your mental health history, and a comprehensive assessment of your current situation. Whether you're seeking a deeper understanding of your condition, or planning for long-term therapy, this session is a recommended starting point.

What is a Consultation Session?

A Consultation Session is typically shorter and focuses on providing immediate coping strategies or general advice about a specific issue. If you're seeking brief support or guidance, this session would be suitable.

What's the difference between a counseling psychologist and a clinical psychologist, and who should I see?

Both counseling and clinical psychologists are trained to provide therapy and mental health services, but there can be differences in their training and approach.

Counseling psychologists typically focus on helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges and improve their wellbeing. They work with clients on a broad range of issues and often focus on helping clients develop coping strategies, resilience, and self-understanding.

Clinical psychologists also provide therapy but are often involved in more in-depth psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders. They are trained in a range of therapeutic approaches and work with clients on both short-term and long-term mental health concerns.

The choice between a counseling psychologist and a clinical psychologist often depends on your individual needs and the nature of your concerns. If you're seeking support for life stressors, transitions, or relationship concerns, you might start with a counseling psychologist. If you're seeking help for a specific mental health disorder, suspect you might have a mental health condition, or are looking for in-depth psychological assessment, you might choose to see a clinical psychologist. Please note that this is a general guide, and both types of professionals are equipped to support a wide range of mental health needs.

How do I know if I need a Initial Intake Session or a Consultation Session?

The clinical intake session is recommended if:

You're struggling with ongoing issues like anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, etc., and you're seeking a comprehensive understanding and treatment plan.
You suspect you may have a specific psychological condition and you're seeking a diagnosis or assessment.
You're interested in long-term therapy and you'd like to get the most comprehensive initial evaluation.

On the other hand, if you're seeking brief consultation, immediate coping strategies, or general advice about a specific issue, you may not require a full clinical intake session. Please discuss this with our team if you're unsure.

Are sessions available both online and in-person?

Yes, we offer both online and in-person therapy sessions. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy, and it allows for more flexibility in scheduling and location.

How much does therapy cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on the length and type of session. Please refer to our services page for detailed pricing information. We believe in making mental health support accessible and can discuss a sliding scale fee structure if needed.

How long does therapy last?

The duration of therapy can vary widely depending on your individual needs, goals, and the nature of what you're dealing with. Some people find relief in as few as 5-10 sessions while others continue for several months or longer. The therapist will work with you to evaluate your progress and decide the duration of therapy.

Why are therapy sessions 50 minutes instead of 60 minutes?

Therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes to accommodate a 10-minute buffer between sessions. This allows the therapist to prepare for your session and ensure that they're fully present and focused during your time together. It also respects the fact that many clients have back-to-back commitments (like a lunch hour), making a full hour session less practical. We've found that this timing doesn't compromise the effectiveness of therapy and often makes scheduling more convenient for clients.

What happens if a session goes over the 50-minute mark?

If a session extends beyond 50 minutes but is within 60 minutes, there will be no extra charge. However, if the session extends by more than 10 minutes, it will be counted as a 30-minute session extension and will be billed accordingly.

How will I know if therapy is working?

Progress in therapy can look different for everyone. Some signs that therapy is working might include feeling more understood, noticing changes in your thoughts, feelings or behaviors, finding it easier to cope with stress, and seeing improvements in your relationships. Remember, progress can sometimes be slow and nonlinear, and it's okay to discuss any concerns about your progress with the therapist.

Do you prescribe medication?

As psychologists and psychotherapists, we do not prescribe medication. However, we can provide referrals to psychiatrists or other medical professionals if medication is something you're interested in exploring.

Will my psychotherapy be confidential?

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy, and we take your privacy very seriously. All discussions during therapy are confidential, in accordance with professional ethics and laws. There are a few exceptions to this rule that involve situations of imminent danger or harm, which your therapist can discuss with you.

What kind of people seek psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is beneficial for anyone who wants to explore their thoughts, behaviors, or feelings more deeply, or who is struggling with a mental health issue. We welcome clients of all cultures, religions, genders, sexual orientations, or occupational groups. Psychotherapy can also be effective for couples, families, teenagers, and children, in addition to adults.

What is your policy for rescheduling or cancelling a session?

We require clients to notify us at least 24 hours in advance if they wish to cancel or reschedule a session. If a cancellation is made with less than 24 hours notice, we may need to charge a cancellation fee (50% of total therapy cost). Please refer to our specific cancellation policy for more details.

Therapist availability for crisis?

While we strive to be as responsive as possible, we are not equipped to provide immediate crisis support. If you're in a crisis, please reach out to a local emergency service or crisis hotline. For non-emergency concerns between sessions, please contact us to discuss the best course of action.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?

Please refer to our cancellation policy on the 'Mental Health Policies' page of our website. We understand that life can be unpredictable, so we aim to be as flexible as possible. However, we appreciate as much notice as possible to reschedule sessions to prevent disruption to our service.

What happens if I'm late for a session?

If you're running late, please inform us as soon as possible. Be aware, however, that sessions will still end at the scheduled time to accommodate subsequent clients. Session extensions are subject to the availability of the therapist and may incur additional costs. If you're significantly late, it may be best to reschedule the session.

I'd like to discuss something that happened in a previous session, how should I bring this up?

We encourage open communication in therapy. Feel free to bring up any thoughts or feelings about your therapy process, including reactions to previous sessions. It's important to remember that therapy is your space to explore and understand your experiences.

How can I make the most out of my therapy sessions?

Active participation is key to effective therapy. This includes being open and honest about your thoughts and feelings, doing any tasks or exercises suggested by the therapist, and applying what you learn in therapy to your life outside sessions. Additionally, providing feedback to the therapist about what is or isn't working can help tailor the therapy to your needs.

Can I request to change therapist?

It's essential to feel comfortable with the therapist, and sometimes, for various reasons, you might feel that a different therapist would be a better fit. If this is the case, please contact us, and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.

I've reached my therapy goals. What's the next step?

Congratulations on your progress! The next steps depend on you. Some people choose to end their therapy once they've achieved their initial goals, while others may decide to explore new goals or continue therapy to maintain their gains. This is a great topic to discuss with your therapist.

What if I have a crisis or emergency between sessions?

What is a psychological assessment?

A psychological assessment involves a series of tests and tools to evaluate a person's mental health, behaviors, capabilities, and certain personality characteristics. It can help in making a diagnosis, planning treatment, or determining how a person is functioning in various areas of their life.

How are assessments conducted?

Psychological assessments involve a range of techniques, including structured interviews, questionnaires, and standardized tests. The specific methods used will depend on your individual needs and the information you're seeking.

How long do assessments take?

The length of a psychological assessment depends on the nature of the assessment, but they typically take several hours spread over multiple sessions. Please contact us for more specific information about your situation.

Who should consider psychological assessments?

Psychological assessments can be helpful if you're seeking a specific diagnosis or if you need documentation of your mental health condition for a third party (like a school or employer). These assessments can provide a detailed understanding of your strengths and challenges and can guide your treatment planning.

Can psychological assessments be done online?

Yes, many psychological assessments can be effectively administered online. The same standards of confidentiality and professionalism apply to online assessments as in-person sessions. However, for some specific types of assessments, in-person testing may be necessary.

Who will be conducting the psychological assessments?

Psychological assessments are generally conducted by clinical psychologists. They are trained in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of a wide range of psychological assessments.

How should I prepare for a psychological assessment?

You don't need to do much to prepare for a psychological assessment. The best advice is to ensure you're well-rested, and that you've eaten beforehand so you can focus. It's also beneficial to bring any relevant previous psychological or medical reports.

What is a career assessment?

A career assessment is a tool designed to help individuals understand how various personal attributes — their interests, values, preferences, motivations, aptitudes and skills — impact their potential success and satisfaction with different career options and work environments.

Who should take a career assessment?

Anyone who is uncertain about their career path, considering a career transition, or wanting to understand their strengths and areas for growth in their current role could benefit from a career assessment.

Can career assessments be done online?

Yes, many career assessments can be effectively administered online. The same standards of confidentiality and professionalism apply to online assessments as in-person sessions.

How should I prepare for a career assessment?

There isn't much you need to do to prepare for a career assessment. The main requirement is to approach the assessment with an open and reflective mindset. It's beneficial to come prepared to discuss your career history, current situation, and future aspirations.

What can I expect after a career assessment?

After the assessment, your psychologist will review the results with you. They will discuss your career-related attributes and how they relate to potential career paths. The goal is to provide insights that will help guide your career decisions and planning.