A psychotherapist provides therapy to help individuals overcome emotional and psychological difficulties. Psychotherapists are NOT permitted to provide assessment and diagnosis.  Psychotherapists come from a variety of educational backgrounds including, psychology, social work or sociology. They hold a minimum of a master’s degree and specific training in psychotherapy.  In the provice of Ontario, psychotherapists are regulated and licensed through the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario. Other Canadian Provinces and other countries regulations may differ.  

A Psychologist has a focus on assessment and diagnosis and also provides treatment for various mental health disorders. They often provide psychotherapy and conduct psychological testing and research. Psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D or Psy. D) in Psychology.  Their training normally includes understanding psychological theory, research methods, clinical practice aand supervised clinical experience. In the province of Ontario, Psychologists are licensed and regulated though the College of Psychologists of Ontario. 

A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialize in mental health. They diagnose and treat mental health disorders using a combination of medication and psychotherapy.  Psychiatrists complete medical school followed by a residency in Psychiatry. They are trained in general medical education and specialized training in psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. Psychiatrists are members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. 

The number of therapy sessions varies greatly on a number of factors, including the nature and severity of the issues presented, the goals for therapy, the type of treatment and individual commitment and progress. Ultimately, the therapeutic journey is a collaborative decision between the client and therapist, regularly revisited throughout the therapeutic relationship to ensure that the client’s needs and goals are being met effectively. 

The frequency of sessions will vary based on client needs and goals. Typically, it is recommended that therapy begin on a weekly basis to allow for consistent progress and implementation of therapeutic tools and strategies. Regular assessment and open communication between the therapist and client are essential to ensure the frequency of sessions meet the evolving needs and goals. As progress is made, the therapist and client can discuss moving to bi-weekly, monthly or maintenance sessions. 

To provide the best possible service to all clients and manage the therapists schedule effectively, a 24-hour cancellation policy is in place. This policy ensures that the therapist has adequate time to offer the appointment timeslot to another client if needed. Clients must notify the therapist of any cancellation or rescheduling at least 24 hours before their scheduled appointment. If a client cancels or reschedules within 24 hours of the appointment time, or does not show up for the scheduled session, they will be billed for the full cost of the session. Cancellations or rescheduling can be communicated via email at hello@domentalhealth.ca or by logging into the client portal and independently cancelling the appointment.  The notification must be received and confirmed by the therapist or administrative staff. Exemptions to this policy may be considered in cases of emergency or unforeseen circumstances, at the discretion of the therapist. Clients are encouraged to discuss such situations with the therapist as soon as possible.

Therapy services are billed directly to the clients, as these services are not covered by OHIP. Clients may then submit the receipts to their extended healthcare providers for reimbursement, depending on their coverage plan. Clients are responsible for paying the full session fee immediately following the time of service. After each session, clients will receive a detailed receipt, which includes the therapists registration number, the date of service, the duration of the session and the fee paid. Clients are responsible for submitting their receipts to their insurance provider. It is recommended that clients check with their insurance provider beforehand to understand coverage details, including eligible services, reimbursement rates and any required documentation.

The therapist’s 24 hour cancellation policy applies, as previously described. Clients billed the full session fee for late cancellation or no show, must know that these charges are typically not reimbursed by insurance. 

The first therapy session is an important step in the therapeutic process, setting the foundation for the therapeutic relationship and treatment. For the first session, clients can expect to be greeted and be provided with an overview of what to expect in the session. Clients will be expected to complete a consent form prior to the first session, which the therapist and client will go over to understand consent, confidentiality and limitations of confidentiality.

The first session will be the start of the rapport building to provide comfort and have the client feel at ease. This may involve casual conversation and introductions. The therapist may ask the client to describe the issue or challenges that brought them to therapy. This may include discussing symptoms, recent events and clients thoughts and feelings about their situation. The therapist may inquire about the clients personal history, including family background, relationships, work or school life and any previous therapy experiences. The therapist may conduct an initial assessment to better understand the client’s mental health status. This can involve asking about mood, behaviour and any specific symptoms. The therapist and client will discuss the client’s goals for therapy and what they hope to achieve. This helps in setting a direction for future sessions. Overall, the first therapy session is a collaborative and foundational step, aimed at understanding the client’s needs and starting to build a trusting therapeutic relationship. 

Currently, Desired Outcome Mental Health services is a fully virtual practice. We used a software program called Jane which securely provides ease for appointment scheduling, appointment reminders, billing to be completed and video conferencing.  The platform is fully confidential and meets the requirements for compliance with Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) as well as Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).