Common Questions

• What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist?
  • Psychologists are trained in psychology (PhD, PsyD, or Masters level), and can diagnose mental health conditions in addition to providing treatments.
  • Psychiatrists are trained in medicine (MD), and can also diagnose and treat, but treatment is typically focused on medication management.
  • Psychotherapists are Master’s trained in a related therapy field (e.g., Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Counselling or Educational Psychology, Divinity, etc) and can provide psychotherapy, but cannot communicate a diagnosis or prescribe medication.

  See Mental Health Professional comparison chart for a more detailed slide prepared by the Ontario Psychological Association.

• Are psychologists covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)?

  Psychologists are not covered under OHIP.

  Most private health insurance plans cover psychological treatments. It is important that you check to see what is available to you through your employer or student health plan. You will likely need to submit a receipt in order to be reimbursed all or some of the fee.

  You are also eligible to claim treatment from a registered psychologist as a medical expense on your income tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency for any costs you have not been able to get reimbursed.

• How long does therapy take?

  Most people find that they have improved after about a few months of weekly therapy (8-12 sessions). But this very much depends on the nature of the problem. Some conditions may be more chronic and require “booster” or monthly maintenance sessions afterwards. Cost may also limit the number of sessions you are able to commit to if you do not have any supplemental benefits coverage for reimbursement.

• How is my personal information kept private?

  As a licensed psychologist, I am required to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safekeeping of your personal information, in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, the Psychology Act, and the Health Information Act. I am committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. I will only collect, use and disclose personal health information in order to serve you. Sometimes a family member or health care provider may share information to help with the assessment, treatment, or to coordinate payment. Your information will not be shared without your permission and informed consent (with the exception of a few limits of confidentiality that exist).

• What can I expect for my first appointment?

  Much of the first session is spent getting to know one another. There may be more questions asked during this appointment than later appointments, in order to get a better understanding of the problem and obtain background information that might be helpful. By the end of the appointment we will have a better idea of whether we can work together on the identified problem or desired goals. If I believe that you would be better helped by someone more specialized in a specific area, I will provide you with some options for accessing other potential treatments.

• What types of therapy are available?

  The type of therapy used depends on the presenting problem, and what the research has shown to be effective for treating that problem (i.e. evidence-based). Therapies most commonly drawn from include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): learning how to identify and change thought patterns that have a negative influence on emotions and behaviors. (Dialectic Behavior Therapy, a form of CBT, helps individuals learn how to cope with distressing emotions and improve relationships with others.)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: focus shifts to allowing unpleasant or negative thoughts and feelings to exist without trying to change or ignore them, while increasing involvement in meaningful activities most consistent with personal values and life goals.
  • Meaning Centered Therapy: recognizes the vital role of meaning-making and finding purpose in coping and adaptation. For significant life events such as loss, transformation of self (identity and goals) occurs through the meaning-making and benefit-finding process.
  • Family Therapy: designed to address specific issues affecting the health and function of a family (e.g., difficult periods of time, a major transition, or mental / behavioral problems in family members)