What are the fees per session?

Individual therapy: $180/50 minute session.

Couples therapy: $180/50 minute session for grandfathered clients who are already receiving therapy and $200/50 minute session for new clients.

Will my sessions be covered under insurance?

Psychotherapy services are covered under most health benefit insurance plans. A receipt is provided at the point of payment which you can then submit for reimbursement. It’s a good idea to check with your provider for coverage details. 

What method of payments are accepted?

We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express and e-transfers. Your account balance must be paid in full before your next scheduled appointment.  

How is therapy provided?

Therapy is provided through secure online video conferencing or over the phone. The choice is yours. This is as effective as in-person sessions.

There are also a few added perks to online therapy:

• Get access from anywhere as long as you have Internet connection.

• Convenience: Save time traveling to and from appointments. Connect out of the convenience from your home, office, hotel, car or anywhere else.

• Affordability: Save other out-of-pocket expenses for parking and gas.

What browsers and devices are supported, and how does the virtual meeting room work?

Online therapy sessions are best experienced on a computer or laptop using Chrome or Firefox web browsers.

If you’re on an iOS device (iPhone, iPad) you will need to use Safari, the default browser on your device. When entering the virtual clinic when using an unsupported browser, you will be asked to copy and paste a link you will be provided in the Safari browser.

All desktop, laptop and iOS device users will be asked to turn on the video and audio option after entering the waiting room. Next, just enter your name, and I will let you into our secure and private meeting room, at our scheduled appointment time. I look forward to seeing you!

Is online therapy secure?

Absolutely. The online therapy system that Coastal Psychotherapy Clinic uses is compliant with Canadian privacy regulations. This means that video, audio, and chat communications cannot be recorded. Online sessions are also encrypted and none of the data is stored anywhere, at anytime.

Are our conversations confidential?

The information disclosed during therapy is strictly confidential, except when:

• the law requires that confidential information be disclosed;

• you or others are threatened with real and imminent danger;

• a child is in need of protection; and/or

• there has been sexual abuse of you by a healthcare professional.

What is the best way to do online therapy when you live with other people?

Many of my clients live with other family members, roommates, or a partner. Here are common solutions to help:

• shut your bedroom door and turn on some light background music/white noise;

• sit in your car for the session, and have a headset for even better sound; or

• ask your family/partner/roommates for some privacy and to go for a walk or drive while you are in session.

What can I expect on my first appointment ?

Reaching out is the first step - this shows your strength to improve and grow, and that you are ready to accept help. Research shows that the therapeutic relationship is a great predictor of success - and I want you to be successful. My clients often speak of how quickly I make them feel comfortable to share and be open. I listen without judgment, and my goal is to hear your needs and help you define and reach your personal goals.

When you are ready to move ahead with therapy, our first time together will involve completing an intake assessment, exploring your background in further detail, identifying critical points and areas you’d like to work on, and determining your goals. You will receive a personalized treatment plan to help you reach your goals.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions you will need depends on your goals and individualized needs. Sessions are typically booked once every two weeks. We would discuss the frequency and duration of our sessions together and revisit the need for additional sessions throughout the duration of the counselling process. 

Where are you located?

Coastal Psychotherapy Clinic is based out of Ottawa (Orleans), Ontario. We provide therapy and counselling primarily to residents from the Ottawa, Kanata, Orleans and Greater Toronto (GTA) areas.

Online and telephone therapy is also available to serve clients outside of Ontario.

What are your hours of operation and how do I book an appointment?

Daytime and some evening sessions are available from Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Send an email to info@coastalpsychotherapyclinic.ca to book your preferred date and time.

What is the cancellation policy?

To cancel and reschedule your appointment, please provide as much notice as possible. “No shows” or cancellations less than 24 hours notice will result being charged for the full session fee.

It is important to notify us ahead of time if you are not able to make your appointment - this means another person can be helped. There is no fee to change your appointment. To cancel or change your appointment date/time, please email info@coastalpsychotherapyclinic.ca or call 613-834-1941.

What is the difference between psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists?

The “three p’s” of mental health professionals overlap in some of the areas they cover, but there are big differences among each profession and what they can offer. Finding the right healthcare practitioner for you means understanding exactly what you need. Here are some of the unique differences:

Psychiatrists are medical doctors and prescribe medication. Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that involves the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders. Many psychiatrists provide only prescriptions and medication management; however, you would still need to see a professional for talk therapy. There are traditional psychiatrists who continue to practice psychotherapy or talk therapy. Depending on where you live, wait times to see a psychiatrist can be up to a year or more. 

A psychologist studies how people think, feel, and behave from a scientific point of view. Psychologists apply this knowledge to help people understand, explain and change those behaviours. In addition to performing talk therapy, they have training in psychological testing and they can also perform research protocols. In other words, their training is in academics and they have a great understanding of how to add research and ensure that testing and patient treatment is evidence-based. Wait times to see a psychologist is less than to see a psychiatrist.

Psychotherapists are trained to treat people for their emotional well-being. Psychotherapists work with individuals, couples, groups, or families, and therapy focuses on gaining insight into how make positive changes for better emotional health.

Psychotherapy looks at an individual’s thought processes, and how these may be influenced by past events such that they cause problems in the present. In other words, psychotherapy addresses the root cause and core issues of current problems so that lasting change and personal growth can occur. There are several different types of therapy that fall under the umbrella of psychotherapy, including approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy. The wait time to see a psychotherapist is typically much less than seeing a psychologist. Don’t delay your care, I am here to help you.

It can be overwhelming to choose the right psychotherapist from so many profiles. However, the most important step is to find one that you can trust and feel comfortable with. The level of trust you will have in your mental health care practitioner plays the greatest role in whether the therapy will be successful.