Question about Psychotherapy?

If you have apprehensions about beginning therapy, I understand. My hope is that these questions will help you make a decision about whether Aura Counselling is a good fit for you. If you still have questions left unanswered, please feel free to reach out to have your questions answered.

The number of sessions you will need is dependent of your therapy goals and progress. Once you have reached your therapeutic goals, we will discuss the remaining duration of your sessions.

Sessions are 50 minutes in length and cost $175.00. Sliding scale rates are available upon requests and can be negotiated with your therapist.

You may have your doubts about therapy. To ensure that you are getting what you need from therapy, we will monitor your progress as we go by completing assessments that will track your progress. 

Think of it this way: Do you believe that it is possible to go a lifetime without suffering from any physical injuries? If your answer is no, I would probably agree with you. We often have little aches and pains here and there, and when we do, we generally know that we need to take care of our injury otherwise it will worsen. The same is true with mental aches and pains. It is impossible to go through life without emotional turmoil’s or hurts, and if we do now deal with them appropriately, the issue will only get worse. Seeking help can help you overcome whatever aches and pains you are experiencing, and better yet- provide you with tools that will help you manage them on your own in the future.

OHIP does not cover counseling and psychological services; however, many third-party health care providers reimburse the services. I encourage you to check with your employer or your insurance policy to verify. Aura Counselling psychotherapy services are provided under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist, which most insurers require in order for psychotherapist services to be covered. The Clinical Psychologist’s name is included on your receipts along with the registration number that you can use to make your claim to your insurance provider. Sometimes, your insurer will require that you have a referral from your doctor first. If that is the case, make an appointment with your doctor and explain that you would like a referral for counseling and psychological services; then after your first session you will submit the referral form with your first receipt. If you do not have a third-party health care provider you may inquire about a sliding scale rate, which is available to clients experiencing financial strain or low income.

Counselling is right for anyone experiencing some sort of hardship in his or her life. The biggest myth about counseling, is that you have to be presenting with serious mental health symptoms. Sometimes peoples start wondering about therapy because they are going through hard circumstances; others are experiencing undesirable symptoms as a result of anxiety, depression, stress or other mental health concerns. Sometimes people seek counseling because they are concerned about a loved one, or their marriage or relationship. Still, some may simply want to learn about themselves and understand their emotions and/or behavours. Counselling is a safe haven for exploring the deeper parts of yourself.

Here are some details on what to expect when you contact me:

· I do my best to check my emails regularly and get back to you within 48 hours. 

· I will respond using the preferred method you indicated (email or phone) to offer a few options for booking as well as additional information regarding fees and tele-counselling options prior to booking your first session.

· Once our first session is booked, I will send you two forms for you to fill out and return to me via email. The first form is a physical health questionnaire and consent form that will ask you about your physical and mental health history, and to consent that you understand the terms and conditions of therapy, including limitations to confidentiality.

· During your first session, we will review the forms you filled out and discuss any questions or concerns you might still have.

Tele-counselling provides flexibility in receiving psychotherapy services by removing the barriers that sometimes exist for in-person counselling. You can receive counselling from the comfort of your own home, removing certain barriers such as commuting and scheduling challenges. With that said, tele-counselling is not for everyone; you may not have the same privacy at home than you do going to your therapists' office. Internet connections, data, and device(s) are required for secure video counselling. I suggest that you verify your data package/speed with your telecommunication provide