FAQs
"Recovery can only take place within the context of relationships; it cannot occur in isolation."
Judith Herman
1. How do I book an appointment?
Booking an appointment is easy. Reach out to the therapist directly if you are working with Natalia or Sandy, or send an email to info@kitchenertherapycollaborative.com, and our administrator will respond with some options. We hope to have online bookings set up sometime in the near future. We are happy to answer your questions and will do our very best to collaborate with you to find the best way forward for you.
2. Do I need a referral to access counselling/therapy?
Unless it is specified by your workplace insurance, you do not need a referral to begin therapy. Our commitment is to a collaborative model and, as such, we do accept referrals from other health practitioners, including, but not limited to, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. We also accept referrals from other services.
3. Why would someone choose therapy/counselling?
Because talking helps. Loneliness, sadness, confusion, pain, grief, trauma, or stress can feel overwhelming. Talking confidentially with an objective, the non-judgemental compassionate professional provides the space to explore difficulties and options. Counselling provides you with the freedom to express feelings and find direction. Receiving support helps you to feel validated and empowered. This can provide an opportunity for you to find your strength and a new way forward and to heal from the pain of the past.
4. How can therapy help?
Therapy can be helpful when you realize that a problem is interfering with your day-to-day life, you find it hard to make important decisions, or you don’t know what to do next. It is also helpful when you need support to see you through a challenge, or when you are caught in a pattern that doesn’t work or you feel stuck. It is better to access counselling before problems get too big or feel like a crisis. That’s when counselling/therapy can help!
5. How does therapy work?
Therapy is a process involving change. When we meet, we will co-create a plan. We will get to know each other and will establish a safe relationship where we can help you create opportunities for growth and change and identify the strategies required to get there.
Sometimes your needs will be clear and straightforward, while other times it may take time to figure out what the core issues are. We will work to develop realistic and achievable goals. Therapy is most effective when you, the client, make an honest commitment of time and energy, and when there is a willingness to be active and honest in the process.
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There are steps you can take that will help make therapy more beneficial to you, such as:
identifying the concerns that have led you to seek help; be prepared to work between sessions, including thinking about the concepts discussed; and be open and willing to explore new views and behaviours. Think about what you would like to discuss, attend and arrive on time for your sessions, and complete any homework.
6. I have made my first appointment. What can I expect?
Making an appointment is a courageous first step! When you meet your therapist, you can expect to be greeted warmly and with gratitude. Usually, this is a get-to-know-you session. We will go over the confidentiality policy and we may ask you to sign some forms.
We will work COLLABORATIVELY with you. We will get a sense of what you want, what you need, and what you hope for. We can also talk about what you don’t want. You will not be forced to talk about anything that you do not want to talk about. The therapist will ask some questions and probably write a few things down. This information will be used to help us co-create a plan that will work for you.
If you find that there isn’t a good fit between you and the therapist, we can help find someone else who is a better fit. Just because one person recommends a certain therapist and has a good relationship with that therapist, doesn’t mean that you will feel the same way.
If all goes well, another appointment may be booked. If you have questions or concerns, please talk to your therapist without hesitation.
7. How much does each therapy session cost?
Please know that we keep our hourly rate in line with our professional college guidelines (OCSWSSW). Most sessions last an hour, but sometimes clients ask for longer sessions or choose to extend their sessions. This will be negotiated between you and your therapist.
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Payment methods accepted include cash, cheque, or e-transfer. Unfortunately, we do not accept credit cards or debit transactions at this time.
8. Is counselling covered by my insurance?
Counselling/ Therapy services are covered by most insurance companies if the provider belongs to a regulatory body. Every workplace and insurance policy has different coverage options. You can find out by calling your workplace insurance company or checking their website. Most workplace insurance company websites offer information about Extended Health benefits, which include mental health services, counselling, or therapy. It will usually specify that the provider is an MSW (Master of Social Work) or an RSW (registered social worker) or RP (registered psychotherapist). All of the providers at Kitchener Therapy Collaborative are registered by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
9. Is therapy/counselling covered by OHIP?
Therapy/counselling services offered through a private practice are not covered by OHIP. At the end of each session, you will receive a receipt that includes the social worker’s registration number, how long the session lasted, and the total amount owed/paid. In some cases, you may be able to submit this receipt to your workplace insurance for repayment. Kitchener Therapy Collaborative does not bill insurance companies directly.
10. Do you offer a sliding scale?
Talk to us. We can discuss options for alternate funding sources (ie: workplace EFAP programs, insurance, government programs, etc) or reduced fees (this would be at the therapist’s discretion). We do not have a formalized sliding scale option. We want to work with you, so we may have to get creative. Call or email us if you have questions.
11. I am a university student. Can I use my student benefits for therapy?
Yes, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo both have benefit plans for graduate students that include coverage for therapy with a social worker. The University of Waterloo also has a plan that covers undergraduate students. Some students may still have coverage under their parents’ workplace insurance.
Please see the links to the Wilfrid Laurier University benefits package:
Undergraduate Student Plan Details: Up to $100.00 per session, up to $800.00 per year.
Graduate Student Plan Details: 60% of the fee, up to $400.00 per year.
Please see the links for the University of Waterloo benefit package:
***Please note that a physician referral is required in order to receive reimbursement in the University of Waterloo Plan***
Undergraduate Student Plan Details: At this time, only registered psychologists are covered.
Graduate Student Plan Details: 80% of the fee, up to $800 per calendar year.
12. What is your cancellation policy?
We know that things come up and emergencies happen. We will do our best to accommodate that. Barring an emergency, we ask that clients provide 24 hours' notice to cancel or to change an appointment time. This gives us the opportunity to offer someone else that appointment time. If it is a missed appointment or without notice, we may ask that you pay 50% of the rate. Please note, that if you miss an appointment and cannot pay, reach out to us. We can work something out. You will always be welcome to reschedule.
13. Is counselling confidential?
Yes, however, there are limits to confidentiality.
14. What are my rights as a client?
You have the right to be respected and you have the right to make your own choices and choose your own path. You have the right to understand our rationale for our approach to helping. You have the right to ask questions during our work together. You have the right to decide when you are finished counselling.
15. What's the difference between counselling and therapy?
For our purposes, NONE! We use the words therapy and counselling interchangeably at Kitchener Therapy Collaborative.
16. What's the difference between social workers and other helpers?
At Kitchener Therapy Collaborative, our therapists have a Bachelor's or a Master’s Degree in social work and are registered with their regulating body, which is the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Social workers provide the majority of counselling services in Ontario. Social workers work with a contextual lens - we take you, your environment, and your history into account.
While a social worker may work with you on an assessment and explore the ideas and symptoms that concern you, social workers cannot diagnose or prescribe medication. However, we may collaborate with other health care practitioners if that is what you need. These professionals might include the following:
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in psychiatry. They diagnose and treat mental health conditions and they prescribe medication. In order to access a psychiatrist, you need a referral from your family doctor.
In Ontario, a psychologist has a Ph.D. and is able to complete diagnostic testing and assessments. Some also provide counselling services. Many psychologists work in private practice.
A registered psychotherapist has a Master's or Doctorate degree in a counselling discipline and is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. In Ontario, a psychotherapist cannot diagnose or prescribe medication.
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**** Only a registered psychologist, psychiatrist or physician can diagnose a person with PTSD or other trauma-related conditions.
17. Where do I park and is it free?
There are many free parking options for you on Belmont Avenue. There is free 2-hour parking in front of our building, on Belmont Ave. There is also a 3-hour free parking lot on Argyle St., just behind our building. Please use the map on this site.