Frequently Asked Questions

Relational Harmony Therapy is pleased to offer ample and convenient free on-site parking!

Absolutely! Relational Harmony Therapy is excited to accept new clients, with no need for a referral! You can conveniently schedule your new client consultation by contacting our office at (343) 883-1372.

Please refer to our hours below:

Statutory Holidays: Closed

Psychotherapy is a type of mental health service that involves talking with a trained mental health professional (e.g. Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Social Worker, Psychologist) to address emotional and behavioural issues. It is often used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, trauma and substance use. Psychotherapy is based on the idea that by exploring and understanding one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours, a person can develop insight and make positive changes in their lives. Psychotherapy can take many forms, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and humanistic therapy. Sessions typically involve a one-on-one conversation between the therapist and client, although couple and family therapy are also common.

Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one’s life such as a divorce or life transitions. Many seek counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including relationship issues, depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in working towards change in their lives and feel stuck.

In the first couple of therapy sessions, we will determine if our relationship is a good therapeutic fit and complete an assessment process to get to know you. Once we have explored your background, we will collaboratively outline your goals and develop a personalized treatment plan. This takes about three sessions to complete.

It is common to experience a range of emotions during the session. Remember that therapy is a collaborative process, and it may take a few sessions to build a relationship with your therapist.

Many people also find that therapists can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or support you in finding a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

The duration and number of therapy sessions varies from person to person. It depends on your specific needs and how you are moving through your counseling goals that are established at the beginning of your therapy process. Session length varies between individuals, couples and family therapy. Typically, individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes, whereas couples and family therapy can be more lengthy, up to 90 minutes per session.

Psychotherapy services are not covered by Ontario’s Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Many employers offer third party health insurance (e.g. SunLife, CanadaLife, etc.), which includes coverage for psychotherapy. Since insurers and plans vary, it is important to verify your insurer’s requirements before booking your first session. At Relational Harmony Therapy, we provide receipts after each session that you can remit to your insurer for reimbursement. We do not offer direct billing to insurance, with limited exceptions. It makes sense to consider checking how much fiscally you have covered, as well as when the fiscal year resets to give you a better idea of how many sessions you can have within a given year. This also provides you a gauge on how you prefer to space out your sessions and how frequently you plan on attending sessions. Keep in mind too that spacing of sessions determines what pace you will be working on your goals.

Please note that we accept credit card and e-transfer payments. Payment is due at the start of each session. After processing your payment and confirming your attendance, a digital receipt will be sent to you. Your credit card will only be charged if we do not receive an e-transfer within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment, unless you have opted to pay by credit card.

Please note that, with the exception of Blue Cross, we do not offer direct billing. For other insurance providers, clients are responsible for full payment at the time of their session. A digital receipt will be provided for easy submission to your insurance for reimbursement.

Please contact us at (343) 883-1372 or by emailing info@relationalharmonytherapy.com as soon as possible. Because we value your time, we do not double-book our clients. As such, your appointment is a valuable time that our team has set aside especially for you. For cancellations made with less than a week’s notice, a 50% charge may apply. For cancellations, no-shows or missed appointments with less than 24 hours’ notice, the full fee may be charged.

Clinical interns are students completing the final year of their Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. These students have completed all of their relevant coursework and training, and engage in frequent supervision with experienced therapists on our team. Although they are newer to the field, they provide therapy services with the relevant course and training they have acquired. Our clinical intern therapists are typically with us for 8 months, so they can offer a full course of therapy in many cases. They offer a reduced fee to reflect their experience level.

All of our psychotherapists are members in good standing with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and hold a minimum Masters-level degree. Our therapy team includes full members (RPs) and qualifying members (RPQs). Our clinical interns are completing Masters’ studies in psychotherapy in a CRPO-recognized training program and are overseen by a psychotherapy supervisor.