Friends and family are an amazing support when you feel down or confused; when you need to make an important decision, or when you just need to talk. However, sometimes we need a third person who can help us bring a different perspective, explore different options and scenarios, and come up with specific strategies to achieve our goals, at our own pace, and whatever our goals may be…

In general, counselling aims to help you “find solutions and make choices through [the] exploration of options, identification of strengths and needs, locating information and providing resources, and promoting a variety of coping strategies” (Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, or OCSWSSW) while Psychotherapy aims to help you address difficulties that could be of a more emotional nature “for the purposes of promoting positive personal growth and development” (OCSWSSW).

Whatever form of support you need, what it is important to know is that both modalities offer a very empowering experience which can help you not only achieve your goals, but also gain more clarity and emotional wellbeing. They can also help you re-frame your story, finding different narratives to your experiences; narratives that transform painful experiences into stories of strength and resilience as you approach them from a different perspective.

Counselling and Psychotherapy will help you find the tools to deal with whatever difficulties you may be experiencing, whether they are of a personal, interpersonal, emotional, or professional matter. You can go as deep as you want, share whatever you want to share, and go at your own pace. 

The process usually starts with a brief consultation over the phone or in person to determine whether counselling/psychotherapy is for you. Counselling/psychotherapy works best when the individual identifies a need to work on a specific area.

If you determine that you want to give it a try, then a 90 minute assessment session is scheduled. During this session you will be given some forms and asked questions that will help your Counsellor know you better and design a treatment plan that will be tailored to your own needs and goals. Subsequent sessions have a duration of 60 minutes. Couples and Family sessions have a duration of 90 minutes.

The treatment can last as long as you want. Scientific studies have shown that even one session can facilitate improvement, however, in order to obtain better results, it is recommended to attend at least four sessions. However, this is your choice. You can have as many sessions as you want. If at any moment you decide to stop, have a break… or after having taken a break, you decide to resume your counselling/psychotherapy process, you can just openly share it without any fear or concern. This is your journey, and you are in charge!  

Assessment sessions – 90 minutes, $218 per session

Individual sessions – 60 minutes, $145 per session

Couples and family sessions – 90 minutes, $218 per session

Most insurance companies cover Counselling/Psychotherapy by Social Workers. Please contact your insurance company to find more information. Sessions are paid in full by cash, e-transfer or credit card. An official receipt will be issued so you claim your expenses.

Please note that we do not offer crisis counselling . If you find yourself going through a crisis which requires immediate attention, for example, if your safety or life is at risk, if you are concerned about hurting yourself or others, or a child may be at risk, please call 911, go to your nearest hospital, or to your nearest police station.

You can also contact:

The Assaulted Women’s Helpline:

416-364-4144

http://www.awhl.org

Distress Centres of Greater Toronto:

416-408-4357

www.dcogt.com

ConnexOntario

1-866-531-2600

www.connexontario.ca

Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), Emergency Department:

416-979-6885, http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/care_program_and_services/Emergency_Department/Pages/guide_emergency_service.aspx

Children’s Aid Society of Toronto:

416-924-4640

http://www.torontocas.ca/

Peel Children’s Aid

905-363-6131

http://www.peelcas.org

You can also call 211, or visit https://211ontario.ca to find other resources 

Please note that do not provide counselling/psychotherapy for:

Substance addictions (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.)

Anger management or PAR (Partner Assault Response)

Severe medically untreated mental health conditions

Learning disabilities

We are not able to provide psychological assessments; access visitation and/or custody assessments, reports or recommendations; assessments, reports or recommendations to present or to include as part of hearings, trials or any other legal related process.

From time to time we receive calls from very caring and loving family members or friends who are worried about a loved one, but this loved one does not want to seek help. As mentioned before, Counselling/Psychotherapy works best when the individual identifies a need and fully consents to participate.

If you find yourself in a situation in which you identify a need for services for a loved one but this person doesn’t seem aware of such need, minimizes your concerns or denies any problem, do not let that deter you from seeking help for yourself. Sometimes we focus all our attention on trying to help others but we forget about ourselves. Trying to force Counselling/Psychotherapy on a person can have the complete opposite results.