What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy? 

In counselling, the focus is on providing information, giving advice, encouragement or instruction. For example, a counsellor may work with you to foster life skills, teach you techniques for coping with immediate causes of stress or anxiety, or offer crisis intervention. Psychotherapy occurs when a regulated professional with the ability to provide the controlled act of psychotherapy enters into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both the therapist and the client work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feelings, behaviours and social functioning. People seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day to day lives and relationships. 

What is the difference between a psychotherapist, social worker, psychologist and psychiatrist? Can you make a diagnosis or prescribe medications?

A psychotherapist/social worker has earned their master's degree in psychotherapy, counselling, or social work. They are specifically trained and educated in practicing psychotherapy to help clients manage mental health diagnoses, as well as other mental health, relationship, or life issues that do not fall under specific diagnoses. Psychotherapists and Social Worker’s cannot diagnose clients or prescribe medications.​

A psychologist has earned their PhD in psychology, and can diagnose as well as practice psychotherapy. Clients can self-refer to psychologists.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D.) who typically does not practice psychotherapy but can diagnose as well as prescribe medication. Patients require a referral from a medical doctor (usually their family physician) to see a psychiatrist.

What is psychotherapy? 

As defined by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario: “Psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy and is intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being. Psychotherapy occurs when the Registered Psychotherapist (RP) or Registered Social Worker(RSW) and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy life”.

As of December 30, 2017, the controlled act of psychotherapy has been proclaimed in force, and becomes one of fourteen controlled acts defined in the Regulated Health Professional Act. 

As of December 31, 2019, performance of the controlled act of psychotherapy is restricted to members of the following regulatory colleges:

• The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

• The College of Psychologists of Ontario

• The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

• The College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

• The College of Nurses of Ontario

• The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario

Is Psychotherapy confidential?

At VAULT Psychotherapy, you are under the care of professionals who are registered by a regulated body in Ontario. Therefore, your confidentiality and privacy are protected. We respect each person’s confidentiality and what is shared in sessions remains private within legal guidelines. As registered healthcare professionals, there are limits to confidentiality which will be reviewed during the first appointment with you.

What do I look for in a therapist?

"Fit" is important any time you begin working with a new therapist. If you do not feel comfortable speaking frankly with your care provider in the first few sessions, the fit may not be right for you.  If, however, you begin to feel uncomfortable after a period of working well with your care provider, it is important to name and address this discomfort directly. Doing so is likely to create opportunities to identify and change patterns in how you manage emotions within relationships.

What should I expect in the first few sessions?

In the first few sessions, we will talk in depth about your current challenges, and the experiences that have led to this point in your life.  We will work with you to develop a shared understanding of your current experience, how it has developed over time, and our plan to help you to move forward. By the third or fourth session we will typically begin to actively address the concerns that have brought you into therapy, aiming to begin processes of transformation.

It is not uncommon for clients to experience an increase in symptoms or emotional discomfort prior to experiencing improvement - after all, facing difficult emotions seldom feels good. However, in our experience it is a necessary precursor to sustained change. As we explore the reasons that brought you into therapy, other issues may be identified which appear to underlie current difficulties.  

How many sessions will I need?

Duration of therapy varies widely depending upon an individual’s concerns, and desired outcomes.  Therapy duration can vary from a few sessions for challenges that have arisen recently, to one or more years for symptoms stemming from significant neglect or trauma earlier in life.  In research settings, treatments of 16 sessions have resulted in improvements in depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms in the majority of clients.

Will our sessions be covered by insurance or OHIP?

Psychotherapy services are not covered under OHIP. If you have an insurance provider, you can contact them to inquire:

1. If you have coverage for services offered by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and/or Registered Social Worker (RSW). 

2. The maximum yearly coverage you receive for psychotherapy.

3. How you will be reimbursed?

Fees that are paid without coverage are tax-deductable as they qualify under the category of medical expenses.

Do you provide direct billing to insurance companies?

VAULT Psychotherapy cannot provide direct billing to insurance companies, but in our experience, it is often a straightforward process for clients who would like to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed through their benefits. We provide clients with a receipt after payment is received, which they can then submit to their insurance company or use to claim on their taxes as a medical expense.

How do I pay?

Fees are payable before or immediately after each session by cash, cheque or e-transfers. A receipt is issued when payment is received. Please retain these receipts for your insurance or income tax claims.

What is the policy for cancelled or missed appointments?

Please try to attend your appointments consistently and on time. If you cannot attend, or will be late, please contact us ASAP to reschedule so that we can reassign your session time to another client. If you do not arrive within 15 minutes of your session time, and you have not provided notice in advance, your session will be considered ‘missed’. Without exception, ‘missed’ sessions or sessions cancelled with less than 1 working day notice are subject to the regular hourly rate. This fee must be paid before any further sessions occur. Insurance companies do not provide reimbursement for cancelled or missed sessions.

If you cancel or miss multiple consecutive appointments(three appointments), or do not respond to our attempts at contacting you we reserve the right to discontinue your treatment and you will be provided with information about others that be of assistance if this is of interest to you. After 30 days of no contact, your file will be closed. Fees for missed or cancelled sessions are not typically covered by extended health benefit plans. 

Cancellation or missed session fees may be waived on compassionate grounds in the event of emergency or illness.