Policies
Crisis Intervention & Resources
I am not available for emergency or crisis intervention between sessions. In case of emergency, call 911, go to a hospital emergency room, or call an appropriate helpline.
See my resources page for more information.
If you are in crisis, call the Canadian distress line at 1-833-456-4566.
Scheduling & Cancellations Policy
It is your responsibility to schedule and keep your appointments with me. I require at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations. I reserve the right to charge up to half of the session cost for cancellations made within 24 hours, and up to the full session cost for missed appointments. If you cancel or miss more than three (3) consecutive appointments without appropriate cause, I reserve the right to discontinue your treatment.
Rates & Billing
My fee is $150 (Canadian) per 50-minute session. Payment is due on the day of the session. Outstanding fees may be subject to additional interest.
I reserve approximately one-third of my sessions for ‘sliding scale’ clients. These clients pay between 50% and 75% of my regular fee (so between $75 and $112.50), depending on what I have available.
Please note that the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover psychotherapy. Many extended health care plans cover mental healthcare to varying degrees. Check with your provider before making an appointment, and look into coverage for psychotherapy or a healthcare spending account that you can use for therapy. I provide receipts for insurance purposes, but it is your responsibility to contact your insurance company, to determine your coverage, and to collect reimbursement.
Communications & Social Media Policy
I use email and telephone for administrative purposes only. Please do not email me or leave voicemails about clinical issues, because these methods of communication are not private or secure.
My phone service uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. As I am often in sessions and cannot answer the phone, this line is primarily for receiving voicemail. I’ll try to return your call as soon as possible, but I am definitely quicker to reply to emails!
I may use social media to advertise and share information, but my clients are in no way obligated to interact with or look at what I post. Any actions you take on public social media platforms are made at your own risk. My main concern is with your privacy, since some interactions may be visible to the general public; use your own discretion here!
Note that guidelines regarding privacy and confidentiality do not allow therapists to accept requests for online connections from current or former clients. I won’t follow or ‘friend’ any client on social media, nor will I respond to client comments or direct messages on these platforms. We can definitely talk about ‘online stuff,’ but just note that this discussion must take place in sessions, not online.