Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if you're the right therapist for me?
Therapy is most beneficial if there's a good fit between you and your therapist. Successful outcomes depend a lot on developing a strong alliance – a relationship that is trusting, non-judgmental and challenging in a good way, one that lets you open up and explore what's going on for you. It can take a little while to feel comfortable, especially if this is your first time seeing a therapist, or if you've had difficulty trusting people and expressing yourself.
However, you should get a sense early on that your therapist is attentive to your concerns, uses language and ideas you feel comfortable with, and can help you develop a vision of the changes you want to make. Therapy is an active process, not a passive one where you get “fixed” by an expert who tells you what to do. You'll get much more out of your counselling sessions if you feel comfortable enough to question, reflect and try out new ideas.
And if we are not the right fit, we can help you find someone else who might be.
How long will it take to see changes?
This is a difficult question to answer, because change depends on a lot of factors, especially how much energy you can put into it, and the nature of the problem that brought you to counselling. People often feel some relief after just a few sessions. They may begin to slow down, understand their own emotions more clearly, see themselves or their loved one in new ways, and change their reactions a little. Short-term therapy can be a very effective way to deal with specific issues or to learn skills that can help you cope with an immediate problem. Long-standing patterns and more complex problems generally take more time to resolve. How much time really varies from one person to another.
What questions will you ask?
Your therapist will ask more about what you hope to get out of our time together, and something about the history of the problem(s) that brought you in. Most importantly, we’ll ask about your values, plans or dreams, and what steps you've taken (even tiny ones!) to address the problem. We'll also want to know about your general health, your living situation, your supports, any medications, your emotional patterns or reactions, and times you've felt more resilient than you do now.
With EFT Couple Therapy, we will ask about what prompted you to seek counselling now (research shows couples wait an average of 6 years before seeking help – that's a long time to struggle!) and how you each see the difficult patterns you get stuck in. We will want to know how you met, and what you still value or feel is good about your relationship. We'll begin talking about how you stopped feeling close, how you fight, and who reaches out to repair (if you do). Gradually, you’ll find yourselves slowing down, talking to each other in ways you maybe haven't before... starting to rebuild that safety and understanding you need – together.
How often should I make appointments?
This depends a lot on the person and the issue, but generally every week or two for the first few sessions, and then gradually spacing appointments a bit further apart.
What are your fees?
Therapy/counselling: $160 per session (50 minutes); $240 (75 minutes)
Court testimony: $350/hr
Gender/hormone assessment (including letter): $320
Counselling intern fee: $85
All fees include HST.
Payment
We accept payment by Visa, Mastercard, cash, cheque, or e-transfer sent ahead of the appointment.
Are the fees covered by my insurance or EAP or tax deductible?
Some insurers will cover fees for Registered Counselling Therapists and some do not. Please check with your plan administrator before making an appointment. Sara is also an approved provider for Blue Cross and several Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
Fees for therapy are considered medical expenses for tax purposes, and may be claimed on your income tax form.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
No. You can contact us directly. Some insurance companies do require a doctor's note, however, so it's wise to check with your insurer.
Can I bring family members or friends with me?
If you like, you can bring someone along. Together, we can discuss the supports you need.
Should my whole family attend family therapy?
We’ll discuss your situation beforehand, to make sure we have clear goals and a shared view of how to proceed. We may meet with different parts of your family at different times. When working with children under the age of 16, we generally meet with parent(s) or guardian(s) for one or more sessions first, to get some background.
What if I have a complaint about my therapist?
As a first step, we invite you to raise any concerns about your therapy directly with your therapist. Although this can feel challenging, it typically leads to good, open conversations about what's not working, and provides an opportunity to repair and even strengthen the therapeutic relationship.
If you have a complaint that cannot be resolved, or is of a more serious nature, contact the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. The form for filing a complaint is here. This infographic outlines how to file a complaint.
For more information on the guidelines that govern ethical behaviour in our profession, please refer to the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.