Policies & Procedures

APPOINTMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

Please remember to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance. You will be responsible for the entire fee if cancellation or rescheduling occurs less than 24 hours before your appointment start time.

Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours' notice or missed without notice will be charged a fee of $175. This fee will be charged automatically at the time of your missed or late-cancelled appointment. If the fee is not paid for any reason, it must be paid before or at the time of your next appointment.

Exceptions may be made for emergencies or unexpected illness at my sole discretion. Multiple missed appointments or late cancellations may result in termination of services.

SESSION INFORMATION

  • Standard individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length.

FEE SCHEDULE

  • Initial phone consultation (up to 15 minutes): No charge

  • Individual therapy (50 minute session): $175

Note: Fees are subject to periodic review and may change. You will be notified of any fee changes at least 30 days in advance.

INSURANCE AND PAYMENT

  • Mental health services may be covered by your extended health benefits plan.

  • I do not directly bill provincial health insurance plans, as most psychological and counselling services are not covered by provincial healthcare.

  • I do not direct bill for any extended health insurance providers.

  • For all other insurance plans, I provide receipts that you can submit for reimbursement.

  • You are responsible for verifying your coverage for mental health services prior to your first appointment.

  • I accept credit cards and Interac e-transfer

  • Payment is due at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made.

  • Mental health services may be eligible for the Medical Expense Tax Credit on your income tax return.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATION

Due to the importance of your confidentiality and the importance of minimizing dual relationships, I do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc). I believe that adding clients as friends or contacts on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. It may also blur the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please bring them up with your therapist.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

I cannot ensure the confidentiality of any form of communication through electronic media, including text messages. If you prefer to communicate via email or text messaging for issues regarding scheduling or cancellations, I will do so.

Email should be limited to scheduling, billing questions, and other administrative matters. Please do not use email to discuss clinical matters as these are not secure forms of communication.

While I will try to return messages in a timely manner, I cannot guarantee immediate response and request that you do not use these methods of communication to discuss therapeutic content and/or request assistance for emergencies.

TELEHEALTH SERVICES

  • Telehealth services are available for eligible clients.

  • Telehealth sessions are billed at the same rate as in-person sessions.

  • Insurance coverage for telehealth varies by plan. Please check with your insurance provider regarding telehealth benefits.

  • You must be physically located in Ontario during telehealth sessions, as I am licensed in Ontario.

  • Technical requirements include a reliable internet connection, a device with camera and microphone capabilities, and a private location.

  • In case of technical difficulties, I will continue the session by phone.

  • If the session cannot be conducted or must be discontinued due to the patient's technical issues, the full fee will apply. Rescheduling or extending is at my sole discretion and is reserved for exceptional circumstances.

  • Please refer to my Telehealth Consent Form for detailed information.

MINORS

If you are a minor, your parents/guardians may be legally entitled to some information about your therapy. I will discuss with you and your parents/guardians what information is appropriate for them to receive and which issues are more appropriately kept confidential.

For clients under 18, parents/legal guardians generally have the right to access treatment records, though we will work together to establish agreements about what information will be shared.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All information disclosed within sessions and the written records pertaining to those sessions are confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your written permission except where disclosure is required by law.

I maintain secure electronic health records in compliance with provincial privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and/or provincial privacy legislation.

Exceptions to Confidentiality

  • Risk of harm to self or others: If I have reason to believe that you are at risk of harming yourself or another person, I am obligated to take protective actions, which may include contacting family members, emergency services, potential victims, and/or the police.

  • Suspected abuse or neglect: If I have reasonable cause to believe that a child, elderly person, or vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected, I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities.

  • Legal proceedings: If you are involved in legal proceedings, your records may be subject to subpoena or court order. While I will make every effort to protect your privacy, I must comply with valid court orders.

  • Insurance billing requirements: If you are using insurance, I may be required to provide certain information to your insurance company, such as a diagnosis, treatment plan, or treatment summary.

  • Professional consultation: I may occasionally consult with a supervisor about aspects of your case to provide the best possible care, but I will not reveal any details of your identity without your consent.

Please refer to my Privacy Policy for detailed information on how your personal health information may be used and disclosed.

PROFESSIONAL RECORDS

I am required to keep appropriate records of services provided. These records include dates of service, assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and billing information.

You have the right to request access to your records or a summary of your care. Records are maintained for seven years, or seven years after the client turns 18, as required by provincial law and the OCSWSSW professional standards. Records may be released to third parties only with your written authorization or as required by law.

COORDINATION WITH OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

  • With your written consent, I may communicate with your family physician, psychiatrist, or other healthcare providers to coordinate your care.

  • If you are prescribed medication by a psychiatrist or physician, I recommend regular communication between providers to ensure coordinated care.

  • Please complete a Consent to Release Information form for each provider with whom you would like me to communicate.

OTHER FEES

Please be aware that some of the above requirements or offered services may result in the application of additional fees. Some examples include:

  • Writing or filling out any letters, reports, treatment plans, and other documentation as may be required by you, other treating healthcare providers, legal representatives, employers, or insurance companies.

  • Other forms of communication with the above-listed parties.

  • Review and provision of your healthcare records to a third party.

Such services are always at the direction of the client and related fees will be disclosed in advance. Failure to pay agreed-upon fees may result in termination of services.

TERMINATION

Ending relationships can be difficult. Therefore, it is important to have a termination process in order to achieve some closure. The appropriate length of the termination depends on the length and intensity of the treatment.

Therapy may be terminated when treatment goals are met or when either the client or therapist determines that treatment is no longer beneficial.

I reserve the right to terminate services if:

  • You no longer need or are benefiting from treatment

  • You have missed multiple appointments

  • You have an outstanding balance without a payment arrangement

  • You have violated clinic policies

  • Your needs are outside my scope of practice or competence

If services are terminated for any reason, I will provide you with a list of qualified psychotherapists to treat you. You may also choose someone on your own or from another referral source.

Should you fail to schedule an appointment for more than six consecutive weeks, unless other arrangements have been made in advance, for legal and ethical reasons, I will consider the professional relationship discontinued.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency department. For other mental health support, you can contact the Suicide Crisis Helpline by calling 998 or the Toronto Community Crisis Service by calling 211. Additional crisis supports are available through the Distress Centres of Greater Toronto at (416)‑408‑4357, or the Gerstein Crisis Centre at (416)‑929‑5200

CLIENT FEEDBACK AND CONCERNS

I value your feedback about your experience with my services. If you have concerns about your treatment, I encourage you to discuss them with me before escalating the issue, filing a credit card dispute, or leaving a public review. However, be advised that you have the right to file a complaint with my provincial regulatory college, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).

CHANGES TO POLICIES

I reserve the right to change any of the policies described above. If I make any changes, I will provide you with a revised copy of the policies at your next session. Any changes will be communicated to clients with at least 30 days' notice.