Here to Help
Frequent Questions
It’s normal to have questions when you are considering therapy, especially if you have never been or it has been a while. Questions frequently asked by clients:
How do you know when it is time to get support?
People seek out therapy for many different reasons, and is almost always beneficial. One common reason for seeking therapy is feeling as though you are having difficulty functioning in your day-to-day life, or perhaps you have difficulty experiencing joy or calm, or maybe you want to heal past wounds or combat a sense of isolation.
Whatever the issue, if you feel as though you would benefit from seeking therapy, book your free consultation now.
What can I expect in a therapy session?
In our early sessions we will spend a lot of time getting to know each other. If you are unsure of where to start I will ask you some questions about what brings you to therapy and what you are hoping to get out of it. Together we will explore strategies and tools to help you meet your therapy goals. Over time we will revisit your therapy goals to see if they have changed, and to make sure we are still heading in a direction that is working for you.
Growing up during the boom of the internet, I am accustomed to and very comfortable using many online methods of communication. Soon you will feel like you are speaking with someone you’ve known for years.
Alternatives include: meeting by video but doing an activity together on each end to take the edge off (e.g. colouring), or talking on the phone. I also offer in-person services once a week in downtown Peterborough.
How long does therapy last?
I offer one, one and a half, and two-hour session lengths for individual sessions. The length of each session is up to you, although for some cases I will recommend some longer sessions at the beginning of the therapeutic process. Please note that your free consultation is only one hour in length.
The length of the entire process altogether varies depending on the client’s preference and what the presenting issues are. Therapy is customized to each client’s particular needs, and the length of the whole process is something we can openly discuss at the beginning, though things often change during the process itself. You are free to end therapy at any time.
Do you offer therapy for couples or families?
Currently I am only offering therapy for individual adults and teens. I enjoy working with teens, and have significant experience working with young people ages 16-30 and adults in their 60’s as well as younger to middle-aged adults.
How do you take payment?
Inner Alchemy Psychotherapy accepts payment via e-transfer and credit card.
Will the cost of my therapy be covered?
The cost of your therapy will not be covered by OHIP. In some cases, third party coverage may cover the cost of your therapy; please be sure to inquire directly with your insurance or benefits provider regarding whether or not they will cover treatment by a registered psychotherapist. Relevant third parties may include:
- Extended Health Care Benefits
- Legal Representative
- Legal Aid
You can submit your payment receipt for reimbursement through your third party benefits or coverage, or to claim as a medical expense on your income tax.
Can you prescribe medication for me?
Registered psychotherapists are not able to provide prescriptions for medication, however, I am happy to speak with you about why you feel as though you might want to consider medication. Some clients may choose to discuss this option with me and their doctor. Whether you choose to pursue this route or not, seeking counselling or therapy during this time will be beneficial.
What platform do you use to conduct online therapy?
Inner Alchemy Psychotherapy uses a secure practice management platform called Jane App that allows us to use its integrated video platform for video sessions, and you can even enter your credit card right into your account to make billing easy. For phone sessions, Inner Alchemy uses an encrypted VOIP line to ensure that your personal health information is protected and secure. Using your account you can book and manage your appointments online yourself if that is your preference.
Do you offer in-person sessions?
A limited amount of in-person client spots exist for clients local to the Peterborough area. Please contact me directly to inquire about in-person availability. In-person sessions cannot be booked online.
I noticed you are very busy; is there a waitlist I can add myself onto?
Inner Alchemy does have a waitlist where clients can indicate days of the week and respective times, and if a cancellation arises matching the indicated days/times the client will be booked into the available slot. Clients can add themselves onto the waitlist using the link in the lower left corner of the client portal booking page. To be waitlisted for in-person sessions, please contact me directly.
