The therapeutic process can bring up a lot of questions. The list below answers those commonly asked – I hope they help but reach out if there’s anything more!
The Therapeutic Process
What can I expect in therapy?
Therapy is considered a professional support (versus the informal support of a friend or family member). The journey begins either with an initial consultation to determine fit or an initial session. With every appointment, you’ll be met with warmth, non-judgment and empathy – a promise I will uphold throughout the process. Therapy may give you the sense of untangling a giant mess of yarn into an orderly ball that brings clarity and soothes the soul. Goals are stated at the onset and are regularly assessed so that we can agree when it’s time to graduate from therapy.
Why is the client-therapist relationship important?
Empirical evidence has shown that with all the tools and theory at a therapist’s disposal, the single most important element in helping a client reach their goals is the relationship between them. It’s my job to ensure you feel safe in our space so that you can fully engage in the process which may include moments of vulnerability. If a client trusts their therapist, the dialogue is more likely to flow freely – which is the key ingredient in talk therapy!
What is confidentiality and why does it matter?
Confidentiality is considered the cornerstone in the therapeutic process. It is my duty to entrust the private information you disclose in session so as to honour and safeguard each word. Doing so is not only an ethical obligation of my profession but also impacts our relationship – if you know I have a duty to protect your private information, you’re more likely to share and thereby there’s greater potential to meet your goals.
Are there risks?
As with any journey, there are risks in the therapeutic process. In some cases, exploration into the past can cause painful memories to resurface and old hurts to feel fresh again. As your therapist, I generally ask permission before moving into potentially difficult or sensitive areas, and will track your window of tolerance. It can be a good idea to schedule downtime after therapy sessions – an outdoor stroll, for example, can be beneficial to help soothe your system.
Does the quality of therapy differ between video, phone or in-person?
While each format does feel different for clients, the quality of service received will be exactly the same. As a psychotherapist, I have been trained to modify my techniques depending on the format. With phone sessions, for example, the tone/tempo/fluctuations of voice are carefully monitored and provide important information into the client’s state. In all sessions, I regularly check-in with clients over the course of our time together to clarify what I’m seeing or hearing.
Can we meet in person?
Carol Pitre Psychotherapy offers sessions via video, phone or in-person and will adhere to all Covid-19 public health guidelines. If in-person sessions are preferred, the location is 151 Harbord Street, Toronto, and currently available on Tuesdays only.
Psychotherapy, Psychology, and Psychiatry
What is the difference between a psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist?
All of the above mental health practitioners are considered formal support networks. The underlying skillset available from each professional is talk therapy but there are important differences:
– a psychotherapist uses talk therapy with clients and is trained to note when a diagnosis might be required. If a diagnosis is requested, a referral will be made to one of the professionals below.
– a psychologist uses talk therapy with clients, and is able to diagnose mental health disorders.
– a psychiatrist uses talk therapy with clients, is able to diagnose mental health disorders, and can write prescriptions for medications.
If you have questions about which professional might be the right fit for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out and I’ll do my best to provide further clarification.
What else is there to know about Registered Psychotherapists?
A Registered Psychotherapist (RP) is authorized to use the controlled act of psychotherapy and is governed by the authority of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). The CRPO maintains professional guidance and ethical practices and provide RPs with a set of competency standards. This is a safeguard for the public to assure that quality care will be provided to all clients.
Payments
How are payments made?
There are two options for payments: credit card or e-transfer. At the close of each session, clients will be asked to make the payment and a receipt is automatically generated to your inbox.
Is psychotherapy covered by employee benefit plans or Ontario Health?
Unfortunately, Ontario Health does not cover the cost of mental health care for its residents. (Although there are exceptions when care is received in a hospital or medical setting, which I cannot offer.)
Individual employee benefits plans may cover psychotherapy services but clients must do their due diligence to ensure coverage. Please note that some benefits plans offer psychology, psychiatry or counselling coverage — a plan must specifically state ‘psychotherapy services’ to be eligible for coverage. If you have coverage, a receipt will be issued after payment is received, which can then be submitted for reimbursement.
If coverage is not offered by your plan, it’s worth requesting that the services of a Registered Psychotherapist be included. Psychotherapy became a regulated profession just in this past decade – some insurance companies are simply not aware of this fact and haven’t updated their plans to include this service.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
Carol Pitre Psychotherapy offers a set number of reduced rate spaces for clients experiencing financial hardship. The reduced rate is set at $120 per individual session and is non-negotiable. UPDATE: November 2022 – there are reduced rate spaces currently available.
Carol Pitre Psychotherapy 