Here are some of the questions I get asked most often:

What’s The Difference Between Coaching and Counselling?

There are no hard and fast definitions for these two words.  Coaching tends to be more future-oriented, not spending too much time looking at how we got where we are, but more focused on how we can get to where we want to go.  Counselling is more of a therapeutic process, designed to help us understand how we got to where we are now, and in many cases, uncover some of the unconscious patterns that keep us trapped in the same cycles over and over.  The work that I do is a combination of both, as needed.  My training  and experience in both counselling and coaching helps me to be uniquely able to switch gears and provide clients with the ideas and perspectives that are going to help you make the lasting changes you’re looking for. 

Who Do You Work With?

I work with parents who have kids between the ages of 6 - 18, and teens as young as 13.  I don’t work with children themselves, but regularly find that even when parents are struggling with their school-age children, the work we do together can have a tremendous impact on their children’s behaviour.  As parents, we set the “tone” in our homes, and in many cases, this is enough to turn around the problem behaviour without ever having to take the children to meet with someone themselves.  If it does seem as though your child could benefit from some counselling him- or herself, I’d be happy to discuss your options with you when the time comes.

 I’ve Never Been To Counselling Before.  What Can I Expect?

In our first session, I’ll go over the confidentiality limits with you and answer any questions you may have.  We’ll start our first session by doing an “intake assessment” - essentially a thorough overview of what you’ve been going through, your goals for our work together, and an big-picture view of how we’ll approach our work together.  After that our sessions will feel more like conversations, where we’ll talk about what’s on your mind, what challenges you’ve been having over the past week, and ideas on where to go from here.  I’ll also get some feedback from you, both at the beginning of each session and at the end, to help me make sure that we’re on the same page in terms of the direction of our work together, and to help me make sure that you’re always seeing positive changes in your day-to-day life because of our work together.  It’s important to me that there are measurable improvements and progress toward your goals.  If there isn’t, I want to catch that right away, so we can change what we’re doing to make it more effective and to make sure that every session we have, is valuable.

If I Have A Question, Can I Call Or Email You Between Sessions?

There is no fee for phone conversations under 5 minutes; any call longer than 5 minutes will be billed in 15 minute increments ($30/15 minute call).  Email messages are not confidential, so I would suggest that you not use that method of communication for any sensitive information. 

How Long Are Sessions?

Each session is 50 minutes in length.

Are Sessions Covered by Extended Health Insurance?

Usually.  Most coverage includes a “psychologist” — which I am NOT.  However, I do work with one, whose name is Dr Dan Dalton.  Give Dr Dalton’s office a call at 888-245-5516 and let them know you’d like to register with the practice as a client of mine.  The intake counsellor will get a few basic details from you (such as contact information, and the reason you’re looking to meet with me) and that’s it!  You’ll then be a patient of Dr Dalton’s, who will provide me with guidance and supervision behind the scenes.  You and I will meet privately in my Oakville office for our sessions. 

Before you do that, though, you may want to check your benefits documentation.  Some policies require that you meet with your family doctor to get a referral before the insurance company will cover the sessions.  You can simply let your doctor know that you need a referral note for “psychological counselling” or something similar if your doctor usually uses a different term.  You can then submit this referral note with your first receipt to your insurance company, and you’re all set.

How Long Do Most People Attend Sessions For?

That’s hard to say.  It really depends on the nature of the concern, and how well you’re able to put into practice the ideas and strategies we discuss during our sessions.  The national average is about 10 sessions, but that’s not a hard and fast rule.

How Regularly Are Sessions Booked?

I recommend to new clients that when we start working together, and a desire for change is particularly urgent, we meet once a week.  I don’t generally meet with clients more often than that (although if there is a crisis and you’re desperate to get together before your next appointment, by all means call me and I’m happy to fit you in if I can).  Once things are starting to run a bit more smoothly for you, whenever that might be, we often start meeting every other week.  And when you reach the point where you’re ready just for check-ins and the occasional dose of support, we’ll meet once a month for the next little while, until you’re feeling ready to go it alone.  Of course, this is just a typical outline — we’ll always base our scheduling decisions on how you feel you’re doing, and adjust as needed.

What Happens If I Have To Cancel An Appointment?

Not to worry - I understand that things come up.  All I ask for is 24 hours notice, so that I can move someone off the waiting list and into the now-available slot.  For sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, the full session fee will be charged for that time.

How Do I Know If You’re The Right Person To Help Me?

Book a 20 minute consultation so we can find out for sure.  There’s no charge for this meeting, and you’ll have an opportunity to give me an idea of what you’re struggling with, and I’ll give you some feedback and thoughts on how we might work together.  Evening and weekend appointments book up fast — don’t wait to set up your consultation.  Call the clinic office manager Karen today at 905-901-3402 to book your consult, or send me an email.

Have a question that’s not answered here?  Please contact Andrea by phone at 905-901-3402 or email.