Question 1

What’s the difference between a consultation, intake, a regular session, and an extended session?

Accepted Answer

Excellent question, for me…

The Consultation: Commitment free 15-min introduction to get a sense of who I am and how I work therapeutically. Here I’ll try to get a sense of what you are looking for, as I may or may not be the right connection point for that. Exploring this website will help you decide with informed consent.

Intake Process- This can be a short or longer process, depending on the individual circumstances of each unique person. Its a deeper glimpse into how we work together.  Should we be to move forward, we set the terms, sign the forms, and set a schedule.

Regular Therapy Sessions- Generally is a 60- minute session but can be somewhat flexible. Scheduled based on both need and availability. Together we determine the frequency of how often we meet. Typically, starting with weekly or bi-weekly, adjusting by decreasing, or increasing as needed.

Question 2

Getting Started

Accepted Answer

If you are here reading this, you already have! Welcome. Finding the right person for you, might feel overwhelming, confusing, exciting, or something totally different than that. Regardless, its important to take some time to look around, checking all or some of the information available.

Booking a free consultation with me and/or with others potential therapist, is an opportunity to genuinely feel out who you feel a connect with. This consultation is cost and commitment free, without imply we will be moving forward or working together.

Question 3

Do you offer phone, online video, and/or in-person sessions?

Accepted Answer

All consultations, intakes, sessions, and workshops are currently being offer online by video communications, done through the HIPAA approved platform Simple Practice. This assurance the highest level of online safety and security, with your Privacy and Confidentiality protected. Cr8tv Therapy Studio adheres to the Personal and Information Protection and Electronic documents Act (PIPEDA) and will not disclose or dispense any personal information.

Emails, text, and phone communications can be utilized for coordination and logistical matters, although used  sparingly as they are still subject of record.  My hope, and dream is to return to offering in-person services soon.

Question 4

What are your fees for services, and do you offer a sliding scale?

Accepted Answer

For 1:1 Psychotherapy Session (Online),

60 min. session = $135.00 +HST
90 min. session = $180.00 +HST
Couples or Family 60 min. sessions = $180.00 +HST

Generally, you will pay for your session within the 24 hour period before the scheduled session is provided, and will automatically be issued an invoice after the session through your client portal.

I do not formally offer a sliding scale.

Question 5

What happens if I have to cancel, reschedule, miss my appointment, or want a refund?

Accepted Answer

This is therapy CPR (Consistency, Predictability, and Reliability) that is built into most therapeutic practices. Clients are encouraged and held accountable for attending all scheduled sessions to fully benefit from the therapeutic experience.

Should a client cancel, accidentally miss, or reschedule a session within a 24 hours period before the scheduled appointment, clients will be charged the full amount for the session time reserved. Should a person arrive late, their will be no time extension at the end of the session to make up for the lost time. If a person chooses or is not able to complete their pre-paid therapy package within the stipulated time frame,  as there are no refunds offered.

Should there be the rare circumstance where a client clearly communicates how an unforeseen or unavoidable situation occurred preventing attendance,  a one time reduction or fee wavier may be considered.

Question 6

What is the main difference between a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, and Psychotherapist, and why it matters?

Accepted Answer

It is important distinction, particularly when considering the specific designations covered by your insurance provider. Beyond that, you want to ensure you find the right combination of styles to support that suits your unique needs. These designations can seem somewhat overlapping, but there are significant differences that dramatically distinguish them from each other. To dramatically oversimplify it...

Psychiatrist are medical doctors who can offer and prescribe medication for diagnosed conditions. Some are in therapeutic practice, where as others providing access to resources and referrals to therapeutic services.

Psychologist, support the individual through offering assessment, diagnose, and signing mental health notes, or court documents, but do not provide medication. Some are in therapeutic practice, where as others are more research oriented or diagnosis based practices providing access to different resources and referrals.

Psychotherapists can be one of those resources or referrals. These are therapeutic practitioners or therapists who focus directly on supporting individual through different training and techniques. They do not provide medication, diagnosis, typically only offering case notes. We can work in collaboration with medical health professional such as a family doctor or Psychiatrist with signed consent forms provided by the CAPT (Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy).

Question 7

How does this work with Work Benefits, Insurance Providers, Taxes, and OHIP?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we are not yet covered by OHIP.

Many extended health care plans, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) provide coverage for Registered Psychotherapists (RP). As a Registered Psychotherapist, or even a qualifying one, I am covered by many different providers, such as but not limited to Blue Cross, Greensheild, MDM Insurance, and SSQ Financial.  Please contact your HR person or the specific provider directly to inquire about coverage details for the specific designation of Registered Psychotherapists. You may want to confirm if your insurance fully covers the cost, and if there is a deductible, or the maximum annually.

Please note, I do not directly bill insurance companies. Generally, you will pay for your session within the 24 hour period before the scheduled session is provided, and will automatically be issued an invoice after the session through your client portal. You can then submit the paid receipt to your specific insurance company. Many pay back that amount within a 7-10 business days. Now that Psychotherapy is part of the Regulated Health Professions, if your plan does not currently include coverage for Registered Psychotherapists, you may be able to advocate to have it included. The Registered Psychotherapists Insurance Committee (RPIC),(http://rptherapybenefits.ca/) which has information and resources that can help. Including a form letter you can use to submit to your employer or union.

If you don’t have insurance and are an Ontario Resident, you can claim the cost of non-reimbursed psychotherapy services as a Medical Expense on your income tax return.

Question 8

Working with Minors, Families, Schools, or Other Medical Professionals?

Accepted Answer

According to the College of Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) There is no minimum age for the right to privacy and confidentiality, “Clients of any age are considered capable of refusing or providing consent to their own treatment as long as they possess the maturity to reasonably understand the information provided and can appreciate the consequences of their decisions.”

This means, I have to use my professional judgement and exercise appropriate care when determining which minors are able to provide informed consent regarding their own mental health care and decision making. In the case they are not ready or incapable of providing their own informed consent, I will obtain consent through a Substitute Decision Maker (SDM).

There is a clear process around any intentional use of a disclosure procedure, to parents, schools, medical or health care professional, police, and/or lawyers. This may include a signed document regarding the clients Consent to Release Information when applicable.

Question 9

What are my legal right to Privacy, Confidentiality, Informed Consent, and your use of Disclosure Procedures?

Accepted Answer

Cr8tv Therapy uses Simple Practice, a HIPPA approved platform that complies with all legal requirements of Personal Privacy and Information Protection and Electronic Document Act (PIPEDA). All information is kept strictly private and confidential and can only be disclosed without consent under the following circumstances for both minors and adults.

To eliminate or reduce significant, imminent risk of serious bodily harm.
Reasonable grounds to suspect a child is in need of protection due to harm, abuse or neglect.
When subpoenaed by courts or authorized by federal or provincial warrant.
Reasonable grounds of abuse by a Regulated Health Profession

In the event of a disclosure, I try my best to obtain informed consent. Should this not be an option and I am legally obligated to disclose information, I use a procedure that allows the client as much control and autonomy within the process as possible.  For as much transparency and informed consent as possible, I always discuss these obligations together at our first encounter. As well as encourage you to read any therapy agreements and this website carefully.

Question 10

Do you offer legal letters, testimonials for insurance claims, custody battles and court documents, or disputes resolution agreements?

Accepted Answer

As I strive to ensure a secure, private, and confidential space to process and work together, keeping the integrity of this aspect of my practice is vital. Based on my credentials , I am not a doctor, a lawyer, or qualified to sign legal documents, or provide court documents unless required to do so by law. I do not offer or sign insurance claims, testimonials, nor work directly with insurance providers. I do not offer legal documentation, binding agreements, or opinions admissible in a court of law.

Please Note: There is a fee attached for any request of Case Notes. The client will be held responsible for financially covering any legal costs incurred, Lawyers fees, hour rate for paid work, and/or lost wages in regards to court appearances.

Question 11

How do I get someone I care about into Therapy?

Accepted Answer

This can be a struggle I know, but both of you are worth considering here.  It is easy for some people to ask for help or consider therapy when needed. For other people, it can feel extremely difficult, if not impossible. Many exist somewhere in between. Their is endless reasons a person might deny therapy, feel it is to expensive, have judgments or shame around it, and believe its unnecessary even as loved one, friends, or well intentioned others are recommending it.

Unfortunately, we are not able to contact or reach out to anyone concerning another persons mental health, nor enable you to reach out for them. Therapy is a completely voluntary process that needs a continuous consent all the way along. Even if they agree to one thing, does not mean they agree to everything.  Each person has the right of refusal at any time, and I have to accept and respect that.

They are the ones who are going to have to commit, open up, and follow through on this process in order for it to work. So each person needs to be ready and willing to enter into this process on their own. But you can remind them they maintain their own level of control at all times  (as long as it is accordance with legal parameters), and they can leave or stop the process any time they want.

Worst case scenario, the best way to support another is to ensure you are getting enough support for yourself in having to navigate whatever situation or circumstances are impacting you. Sadly, this might not be the answer you were hoping for. I get it.

Question 12

What if I am in Crisis, have an emergency, or need an urgent response?

Accepted Answer

Please be aware I do not offer crisis or emergency response services. For any mental health  crisis or emergency, please reach out to supports below.  Otherwise, I do my best to respond in a timely manner whenever possible during my working hours, and to the best of my ability.

I have tried to provide some resources (Toronto) below that might help depending on a variety of urgent needs:

Ontario Suicide Support Hotline: 1-833-456-4566
Suicide and Crisis Hotline (Canada Wide): 1-800-448-3000
Mental Health Crisis Line (Canada Wide): 1-888-893-8333
Reach Out- (Mental Health, Addiction): 1-866-933-2023
Assaulted Women's Helpline (Canada Wide): 1-866-863-0511
Smokers Helpline: 1-877-513-5333
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Parents Help phone:  1-888- 603-9100

Toronto:

Distress Centre of Toronto:  416-408-4357
Gerstein Crisis Centre:  416-929-5200 
Assaulted Women’s Help Line: 416-863-0511
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape: 416-597-8808
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: 416-236-8956
Alcoholics Anonymous:416-487-5591
NARC Anonymous: 416-236-8956
Mood Disorders (Formerly Manic Depression Society) :  416-486-8046
Non-Emergency              Police line: 416-808-2222
                                                Ambulance line: 416-638-7306

Helpful Links:

Anxiety Resources
 
 • http://anxietycanada.com(http://anxietycanada.com/)
 • http://www.adaa.org/(http://www.adaa.org/)
 • http://www.nimh.nih.gov/(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml)

Depression Resources​
 • https://psycom.net/depression.central.html(https://psycom.net/depression.central.html)
 • http://www.depressioncenter.net/(http://www.depressioncenter.net/)
 • http://www.nimh.nih.gov/(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml)
 • http://www.feelinggood.com/(http://www.feelinggood.com/)
 • https://braincentertms.com/am-i-depressed-test/(https://braincentertms.com/am-i-depressed-test/)
 • https://www.suicideinfo.ca(https://www.suicideinfo.ca/)

Stress Management Resources
 
 • https://www.headspace.com/(https://www.headspace.com/)
 • http://franticworld.com/free-meditations-from-mindfulness/(http://franticworld.com/free-meditations-from-mindfulness/)
 • https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/(https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/)

Sleep Disorder Resources
​
 • https://yoohealth.com/sleep-deprivation-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/(https://yoohealth.com/sleep-deprivation-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/)
 • https://mysleepwell.ca/(https://mysleepwell.ca/)
 • https://howtosleep.co.uk/guides/the-complete-guide-to-insomnia(https://howtosleep.co.uk/guides/the-complete-guide-to-insomnia)

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