The short answer to this question is, IT DEPENDS!

Sometimes we find that we are going through a really tough time and need some help to navigate through it. It may only be one or two specific issues, and as a result, visits could only last 3-6 times. *This is not a guarantee.

Other issues that you may be struggling with may be longer lasting, sometimes things from childhood, or something that has been bothering you and affecting your life for maybe 5-10years?

These issues may be complex or connected, or deeply rooted. It is only through time and slow discovery..like peeling back the layers of an onion, will we, together, determine how long therapy may last.

BUT! You are ALWAYS in the driver’s seat and can stop sessions or take a bit of break from sessions anytime you need. There will be no judgement if you choose to make this decision. I am not going anywhere, and you can resume when you feel ready to do so.

If you ever feel that therapy is moving at too quick of a pace for your comfort, then please share this with me and we can slow the pace down so that you feel more comfortable.

Therapy can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to completely knock you down and out either.

Absolutely not. We start where you are most comfortable where to start. If you are unsure where to begin, I can ask some questions to get you going.

Sometimes clients may need a bit of a gentle nudge to discuss what has happened in their life, but you will never be forced to speak about anything before you are ready.

Occasionally therapy is like a valve being opened and clients can verbally “vomit” everything out in a new session. If I see this happening, I will gently stop you because if you haven’t spoken to anyone about what may have happened, bringing it out into the open all at once can lead to a lot of intense feelings after the session. My primary aim is to keep you safe; so, instead of a full-on torrent, we turn down the tap so that it is a gentle trickle. I promise everything will be discussed, just not all at once.

If this happens, then you are more than welcome to speak up and discuss your feelings with me. It may be that we are moving too quickly, or what we are uncovering is triggering you more than what you expected. All of which are normal experiences when clients come to therapy.

After discussion, if you still feel that therapy is too much for the moment, you are more than welcome to stop and take a break. OR, you may choose to dial things down and remain a client through my Holistic Life Mentorship. This avenue does NOT include ANY psychotherapeutic techniques or strategies, but it does examine and review aspects of your life; and through discussion, I can make recommendations and suggestions in how to shift your perspective and how to create new habits that can shift current perspectives into more positive and constructive thought process and actions. As this is not therapy, I cannot legally discuss episodes of trauma or any mental health diagnosis that you have been provided. This is a NON-MEDICAL intervention.

Please note, that Lifestyle Mentoring, is NOT covered under health insurance plans and that this would be an out-of-pocket expense.

Yes, virtual or online therapy is as good as in person and can offer some distinct advantages.

Online therapy is convenient as you don’t have to travel anywhere, you can stay in your pyjamas if that suits. For those struggling with anxiety or depression, it brings the therapy to you rather than you going to therapy. Therefore, it can make the process feel a little easier and not as scary to start.

If you have physical challenges with going out to access therapy, online treatment takes the accessibility variable out of the equation, allowing the client full access without the hassle of ensuring that in person therapy is accessible.

You can schedule therapy when it is convenient for you. Which means timelines for getting to and from therapy are taken away. It is a one-hour session without the added travel time.

Sometimes the addition of a computer screen between the client and the therapist offers a sense of comfort and distance, per se, reducing feelings of vulnerability and anxiety.

I use a cloud based teletherapy service that is both PHIPA and HIPPA compliant which protects and ensures confidentiality.

Part of what makes therapy feel scary is not knowing what questions will be asked. Here are

some examples of questions I can ask.

What brings you here today?

Have you ever been to therapy before? How long ago? What did you like or dislike about your previous therapist? How long did you attend therapy? What made you stop attending?

What do you feel like is your biggest stumbling block? And how is it affecting you?

How do you feel about this problem[s]?

How are you currently coping with your problems? Issues?

How is your sleep/appetite/work life/sex life/relationship/task completion?

What do you like/dislike about yourself?

If you are in crisis or want to speak with or see someone right away:

Call 911 OR go to your nearest Emergency Room.

Call 9-8-8 from any phone to speak with a Crisis Counselor

Look up your local CMHA location (Halton, Peel, Hamilton, Niagara, etc) and at the top of their homepage will be your local crisis number to call.

If you are under the age of 21, you may contact Kids help phone: 1-800-668-6868.

As an RN, the College of Nurses of Ontario allows Nurses to practice psychotherapy; BUT, there has not been any formal standardized training in psychotherapy for Nurses who wished to provide psychotherapy services to clients and patients. I have completed the Certified Nurse Psychotherapy course offered by the College of Health Studies. With this new advancement in Nurse Psychotherapy training, it provides a standard of knowledge and experience that patients and clients can depend on and trust.

The advantage for patients and clients in seeing a Certified Nurse Psychotherapist is that Nurses have the training and knowledge around medication pharmacology, disease pathophysiology, diagnostics, as well as how medications can interact with co-morbid (other medical) conditions. Nurses can determine and discuss possible side effects or changes in patient’s and client’s mental and/or physical status possibly before the client notices and can direct them and/or discuss directly with their primary treatment provider to pursue further assessment.

With psychotherapy training, Nurses can provide equal and effective psychotherapy services that Registered Psychotherapists and Social Workers can provide.

The addition of Certified Nurse Psychotherapists is a win-win for clients and patients. This gives power and control for patients and clients to CHOOSE which provider is BEST for them.

As this is a new designation, Insurance Companies are beginning to become aware of Nurse Psychotherapists and are including this designation for insurance coverage. Contact your Insurance Company to determine if a Certified Nurse Psychotherapist can be covered on your plan.

In my experience, those who invest fully in the cost of their healing and growth tend to demonstrate a greater commitment to the necessary work for success. I view money as a form of energy and advocate for an equitable exchange of energy, which is why I set my prices accordingly.