Frequently Asked Questions about Therapy & Counselling
ASKED QUESTIONS
frequently
We recognize finding the right therapist can be difficult. We’re here to help you figure this out! We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to help you determine if someone at Whole Sum Wellness is a good fit for you. During this conversation, you can ask questions about therapists’ approach, areas of expertise, schedules, fees, or anything else you’re interested in to determine if they align with your expectations and availability. Please go to the contact page or email emily@wholesumwellness.ca to book a consultation.
Registered Social Workers (RSWs) have completed a bachelor degree, master’s degree, and/or Ph.D. They are trained to take a biopsychosocial-structural approach, recognizing that a person’s health, wellbeing, and overall experience are affected by multiple factors including, but not limited to, genetics, family dynamics, education, socioeconomic status, and policy. Social Workers are required to participate in ongoing professional development as well as integrate social justice into their practice. In Ontario, their standards and ethics are set by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Social Workers can work in schools, hospitals, social service agencies, or in private practice. They can provide psychotherapy but cannot diagnose mental health conditions, conduct psychological/psychoeducational assessments, or prescribe medications.
Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) have completed a bachelor degree and a master’s degree focused on the practice of psychotherapy. They are trained in different theories and therapeutic modalities to support clients better understand and cope with their thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and behaviours. Psychotherapists are required to engage in ongoing professional development and their practice is governed by the Colleges of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Psychotherapists can provide psychotherapy but cannot diagnose mental health conditions, conduct psychological/ psychoeducational assessments, or prescribe medications.
Clinical Psychologists have completed a bachelor degree and a master’s degree or a Ph.D. They are trained in psychological testing and assessment, case conceptualization and consultation, interventions and psychotherapy, as well as research on mental health conditions. In Ontario, their standards, ethics, and licenses are overseen by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. Psychologists may work in hospitals, schools, the justice system, or in private practice. Psychologists can provide psychotherapy as well as perform psychological/psychoeducational assessments (for learning (dis)abilities, autism/ASD, ADHD, giftedness, etc.) and diagnose mental health conditions. Psychologists cannot prescribe medications.
Psychiatrists have completed a bachelor’s degree, medical school, a residency program, and certification. They are trained as medical doctors with a specialization in psychiatry which focuses on the assessment and pharmaceutical intervention of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists in Ontario regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Psychiatrists may work in hospitals, community health centres, academic or research institutions, or in private practice. Psychiatrists can provide psychotherapy, diagnose mental health conditions, conduct psychological/psychoeducational assessments, and prescribe medications. Typically, you will need a referral from a physician to see a psychiatrist.
If you haven’t already, we suggest taking advantage of the free 15-minute consultation to determine if we are the right fit for you before booking an intake session.
To book an intake session, please email emily@wholesumwellness.ca or go to the contact page.
To book follow-up sessions, the easiest way is online using this link. Otherwise, follow-ups can be arranged with your practitioner at the end of a session.
Although it is not mandatory, we encourage you to book several sessions in advance to guarantee you and your practitioner can build a strong rapport, you receive continuity of care, and it ensures a secured spot for you in your practitioner’s schedule. Booking sessions in advance can also help you to maintain steady progress. If you have any questions about booking sessions or our policies, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Services provided by Registered Social Workers (RSWs) are eligible to be claimed under the Medical Expense Tax Credit with the Canadian Revenue Agency. Additionally, Social Work services are covered under many benefits plans. So, if applicable, we encourage you to contact your insurance provider to confirm your coverage eligibility.
We do not offer direct billing at this time, but receipts will be provided following each session. You can submit these receipts to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
No, you can self refer to begin working with someone at Whole Sum Wellness. Some insurance providers may require a referral from a physician or medical doctor. We suggest speaking directly to your insurance provider to confirm this before your intake session.
It’s natural if you come into your first session with mixed feelings – maybe a little nervous, excited, or something else. It’s a big step to get to your first session, now let us support you on the rest of your journey!
During the first session or two, the main goal is for your practitioner to get to know you. Learning about your lived experience, your challenges, goals, and strengths will help us to develop a personalized therapy plan with you. An intake session is also the time to discuss how we can make therapy a space where you feel safe and brave enough to talk about things openly. These can be ongoing discussions and your practitioner will work with you to create and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. We can’t wait to meet and connect with you!
Fees are dependent on the specific practitioner and their services. Emily Davison’s services and rates are listed under the Policies section.
Whole Sum Wellness does have limited time slots available for those who are in need of sliding scale costs due to financial hardship and life circumstances. Due to the high volume of demand, there may be a waitlist for sliding scale services.
The most convenient and seamless way to pay is through direct billing to your credit card using Jane (our secure clinic software). If you input your credit card information into your Jane account then payments will be processed and you will receive a receipt within 24-48 hours of your session. Other payment methods include cash or cheque. Please speak to your practitioner if you have any questions or concerns regarding payment.
Yes, we offer virtual and telephone sessions Mondays-Fridays.
Virtual video sessions take place on Jane (our secure clinic software). You will be sent an email with a confirmation of your session with instructions and a link to your session.
We require a minimum of 24 hours notice for cancellations. There will be a “No show/Late Cancellation” fee equal to the cost of your session should there be less than 24 hours notice.
You can change or cancel your sessions as needed using your profile in our booking system (Jane). If this is not available to you, you can contact your practitioner by email to arrange any changes. To avoid a late cancellation fee, we encourage you to make any changes more than 24 hours before your scheduled session.
