Question 1

What can I expect from the first session?

Accepted Answer

Individual adults (& older teens requesting services themselves): Your first session (the intake appointment) is an opportunity for you to share what has led you to seek psychological services and what you hope to achieve. We’ll discuss your current needs, challenges, strengths, history, and any questions you have about the psychotherapy or assessment processes. I’ll explain how services typically work/my approach, and how these might be adapted to your needs. Together, we’ll clarify your goals, priorities, and preferences. The primary objectives of the initial session are: (1) to ensure you feel comfortable and informed, and (2) for me to begin understanding you and your needs.

Individual children & teens (whose parents initiated the service request): The initial session (the intake appointment) for children’s and most teens’ services is usually attended by the parent(s)/caregiver(s) only. We’ll discuss your child/teen’s current needs, strengths, challenges, and history, and what you hope they’ll gain via psychological services/therapy. I’ll explain how I typically work with children/teens and what therapy (or assessment services) might look like for your child specifically. I’ll also answer any questions you have. Following this initial meeting (regarding psychotherapy services), we’ll schedule the first 1-3 one-on-one sessions for your child/teen. The goals of the first 1-3 sessions attended by your child/teen are for me to begin getting to know them, and to build rapport with them in a comfortable, engaging manner that incorporates their strengths/interests while respecting their preferred pace. Interactive games, stories, audiovisual materials, and multisensory activities (e.g., drawing) are often incorporated into sessions with young people to help capture their interest and promote engagement.

Question 2

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy: The number of sessions varies from person to person and depends on your/your child’s needs, goals, complexity of concerns, and life circumstances. Some individuals with specific, straightforward goals find 4-8 sessions sufficient to achieve them and can maintain their progress independently thereafter. Others—including many neurodiverse clients—need or prefer longer-term support as they move through different life stages, transitions, and new or challenging life circumstances as they arise. Many people begin by attending sessions weekly or biweekly for a period, then transition to monthly or bimonthly appointments. This allows them to remain engaged with support, albeit at a lower intensity.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to determining service duration. Together, we’ll review your/your child’s progress and needs on an ongoing basis and decide, collaboratively, what feels right for you/your child at each point in time.

Question 3

How involved are parents in psychotherapy services for children and teens?

Accepted Answer

Parents are typically involved in children's psychotherapy services in some capacity. The timing, extent, and nature of parent/caregiver participation in intervention services depend on many factors, e.g., your child’s age, needs, and the goals being addressed. For teens, the degree of parental involvement in their psychotherapy services is highly variable, ranging from regular parent consultation at the beginning or end of most sessions, to brief/occasional coordination with parents, to teens participating in psychotherapy (almost) entirely independently. I work with each client/family to collaboratively determine the optimal level of parental involvement to support the client's needs and goals.

Question 4

Are sessions and the information shared with you confidential?

Accepted Answer

All information shared or collected during psychological services is kept strictly confidential and not shared with anyone without appropriate consent. There are some exceptions to confidentiality under Ontario/Canadian law, which will be explained in writing prior to your/your child’s first appointment and reviewed verbally during the appointment. It is sometimes beneficial for your/your child’s healthcare providers/educators to consult one another to address your/their concerns collaboratively. Your/your older child’s informed consent will be sought prior to the sharing of any information with another party; you have the right to decline to consent. 
Respect for privacy—as it applies to psychological services rendered to children/teens and the extent to which information may (or may not) be shared with parents/legal guardians—will be discussed during the initial intake appointment with the parent(s)/caregiver(s).

Question 5

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

We generally require 48 hours' notice for cancellations. Your sufficient notice will allow another client to access the open appointment. A fee (not exceeding the fee typically associated with the cancelled service) may apply—at the clinician's discretion—for appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice. If you need to cancel your/your child's appointment due to illness or an unforeseen emergency, please inform your clinician as soon as possible. We understand that illness, emergencies, and other unanticipated events occur in life and take these factors into account when addressing cancellations. In some cases, we may require more than 48 hours’ notice for cancellations without charge; you will be notified in advance should this apply to your/your family’s appointment.

Question 6

Do you offer virtual or telepsychology appointments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Video appointments are offered via a secure online platform. Video-based, online psychotherapy has been shown to be as effective as in-person sessions for many concerns. However, online/ telepsychology services are not appropriate in all cases. Depending on the client's age, presenting concerns, and other relevant factors, it may be recommended that sessions take place in person or that a combination of virtual and in-person sessions be arranged.

Question 7

Do you offer services in French?

Accepted Answer

Having grown up in Montreal, French is my second language. I’m comfortable working with Francophone clients who understand spoken English. I’ve provided many services in “franglais”, i.e., with bilingual Francophone clients speaking mostly in French, me speaking mostly in English, and each of us speaking a blend of the two languages at times. Monolingual Francophones would be best served elsewhere, by a clinician with a Mastery level of French proficiency (https://espo-opht.ca/notre-equipe/)

Regions & Populations Served

SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN, TEENS, ADULTS, PARENTS, PROFESSIONALS, AND STUDENTS.

frequently asked questions