FAQ

What is Psychotherapy? – College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (crpo.ca)

Psychotherapy is a form of talk therapy, the goal of which is to help people with emotional difficulties and variety of mental health conditions.  Psychotherapy aims to help people to live in a way that is fulfilling and meaningful to the individual. Through talk therapy an individual is invited to learn about themselves, their symptoms and effect they have on their life; it also teaches a person to find strategies that allow them to function better and increase well-being and healing.

No. Not everyone who benefits from psychotherapy is diagnosed with a mental illness. Psychotherapy can help with the stresses and conflicts of life that can affect anyone.

• Help in resolve conflicts you might have in your life (with your partner, relatives, work)
• Relieve anxiety or stress you may encounter in personal or professional life
• Cope with major life changes, such as moving home, break up or divorce, the death of a loved one,  the loss or change of a job
• Learn to manage unhealthy reactions, such as numbing self through unhealthy copping strategies, isolating from others,
• Come to terms and learn to live with an ongoing or serious health issue, such as immune disease, diabetes, cancer or long-term pain.
• Recover from abuse or witnessing violence.
• Cope with sexual problems, whether they’re due to a physical or psychological cause.
• Sleep better if you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.
• Help with a sense of not feeling good enough in personal or professional life.
• Aid in finding answers to your meaning and purpose in life
• Guide you in understanding yourself and your reactions to the world, for example, why certain things make you feel happy, while in other seemingly similar situations leave you feel disconnected.

In some cases, psychotherapy can be as effective as medicines, such as antidepressants. But depending on your situation, talk therapy alone may not be enough to ease the symptoms of a mental health condition. You also may need medicines or other treatments.

The length of therapy is very individualized. It is decided between the client and the therapist, based on the client’s needs and progress made in therapy. Some issues can be addressed in a short time, others require a long term approach.

Source: Questions to Ask a Registered Psychotherapist – College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (crpo.ca)

Here are some practical questions you can ask when you’re speaking with a Registered Psychotherapist for the first time:

• What should I expect on my first visit?
• How long will my appointment be?
• How much will it cost? And how will I need to pay? Do you accept my health insurance?
• When can I schedule a session (mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends)?
• What happens if I miss a session?
• Can I contact you using email or text? Can I contact you outside regular business hours?
• Will you make notes during our sessions? What happens to the notes?
• Is everything I tell you confidential? How can I be assured of that?

Unfortunately, psychotherapy is not covered by OHIP.  However, many companies offer services of a psychotherapist in their benefits.  Please check with your benefits provider.