FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions and some not so frequently asked questions
Do I offer direct billing?
I direct bill to Blue Cross and other financial insurance companies. You may wish to confirm your coverage with your provider. I accept Visa/Mastercard and e-transfer. Generally, payments are processed at the end of each session unless the client and I have preconfirmed alternate arrangements. Most extended health benefits provide some coverage for a Psychologist's service. Receipts are provided at each session, which you can then submit to your insurer for reimbursement if direct billing is not accepted.
Please be aware that with any health plans, there may be deductibles and copayments for which you could be responsible. Please also note that fees for psychological services may be claimed under tax deductible health care expenses on your income tax return.
How long does each therapy session take?
A counselling hour is considered 50 minutes. Some people prefer a 80 min session if processing takes longer or working through sometime particularly difficult. The frequency of visits are dependent upon your needs. Sometimes weekly is a good idea until you feel like you've gained coping tools, then every two weeks is generally a good frequency in between sessions.
Do you have a specific type of therapy orientation?
I generally work from a integrative perspective. What that means is that I use various modalities during each session to meet you where you are at. I am trained in specific treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. I also use The Grief Recovery Method when dealing with all types of grief. As mentioned, I am Christian and can integrated Christian perspectives into the session.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is a type of evidence-based therapy tool that is proven to be effective in treating a number of conditions. Below are a few resources to help get you more acquainted with EMDR therapy.
WHAT IS THE GRIEF RECOVERY METHOD® (GRM)?
The GRM is just that – a method – a step by step process – an “action program” - for unlocking and respecting the emotional experience of our grief – both the immediate or presenting grief issues – and those that may have been holding us captive for years. Often, the most recent or presenting loss is actually made more difficult by related experiences from our past which were not recognized or addressed at the time – adding weight to that resulting from the current loss. Through a defined step-by-step process, the GRM first explores the “old, ineffective tools” we’ve been using, with the belief that it’s hard to learn new tools if we don’t understand why the old ones might not have been effective. Then, the process shifts to the introduction of new tools which can be used across a wide gamut of losses – from persons, to pets, to hopes and dreams and expectations, to those intangible things like trust, safety or faith. At every step the griever is respected, listened to and heard without judgement or analysis, and is supported in identifying and giving voice to the array of emotions that accompany the full extent of the loss. Once the GRM process is completed for one loss, it can be used over and over again, to address other past losses, and to help more quickly address new losses.
What is the GRM process like – how is it different from other grief support programs?
The GRM is an action-based program that involves reading and writing assignments as outlined in “The Grief Recovery Handbook, the Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce and Other Losses.” .
The GRM has been shared for over 40 years, on six of seven continents, with the book having been translated into over 20 languages over those years.
The GRM is a time-limited program – with a set number of sessions, depending on whether one is working the program alone or in a group. If done in the group format, it is not a “drop in” group, meaning that those who participate are there throughout the entire program, to help build the sense of safety and trust.
The GRM is facilitated by a Grief Recovery Specialist, certified by the Grief Recovery Institute. These Specialists, are trained to deliver the GRM, and have experience in working with a variety of types of loss, and people form all walks of life.
The GRM is an evidence-based program, having documented statistically significant improvements in grievers’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to grief. More information about the research can be found at https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/evidence-based.