Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a psychologist? What is a social worker?
A clinical psychologist is either a Master’s or PhD-level professional who has completed 6 to 8 years of clinical training plus a full-year residency. Psychologists have extensive experience with assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of mental health problems.
All of the psychology professionals at our clinic either have their PhD or are in the final stages of obtaining their PhD.
All of the social workers at our clinic have a Master’s Degree in Social Work and have extensive training in providing counselling and therapy.
A range of health professionals can provide therapy, including psychiatrists (physicians), social workers, and registered psychotherapists. Psychologists and physicians are the only mental health professionals that are licensed to assess and diagnose mental health problems. Psychologists and social workers do not prescribe medication.
How do I get started?
Simply give us a call or send us an email! We will get back to you as soon as we can to set up a time for a free 20-minute consultation where we can discuss your concerns and the ways in which we might be able to help you. If you decide that we are a good fit, then we will schedule our first session. Thames River Therapy will send you some questionnaires to fill out online before our first session. This will help us understand you better and save us some time in our first session so we can get right to the important stuff.
What is your approach to therapy?
This is such an important question. Different professionals have training in different areas; therefore, therapy can look quite different depending on who you see.
Our approach to therapy is client-centered, meaning that we treat you as the expert on yourself and work collaboratively with you towards your goals. We believe that therapy is most effective when you feel a sense of safety and trust. We are dedicated to getting to know you as a person, and creating a space of mutual respect, non-judgment, and compassion.
We have training in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). We also incorporate mindfulness and compassion-based approaches in our work with clients.
What can I expect from my first session?
The first appointment provides an opportunity for your psychologist to get to know you as a person and start to understand some of the difficulties you are facing. It will also give us a chance to understand your strengths and ways that we can draw on these strengths throughout therapy. By the end of the session, you should feel like we have a realistic and helpful plan – we should have an idea of what your target goals are for therapy and the specific ways in which we can help you. Each appointment, including the first one, is 50 minutes.
How long does therapy last?
There is no set timeline for therapy. Some issues resolve quickly within a few sessions, while others are more complex and take longer. Most people find that they benefit from being in therapy weekly for a few months. There is always the option to come regularly at the beginning when things feel hard, and then to space sessions out later on as you start to feel better. We will work with you to create a plan that feels reasonable to you, both emotionally and financially. You are not expected to commit to a certain number of sessions. You can end therapy whenever you want to.
What if I am uncomfortable talking about myself?
It’s normal to feel uncomfortable talking about yourself. Especially when it is about awkward, sensitive, or private matters. Often, we feel uncomfortable when we try something new. You should find that we are able to build trust during our sessions and that it gets easier to talk about yourself each time we meet. You will never be forced to talk about something you don’t want to discuss. However, the things we don’t want to talk about tend to be the things we need to work on the most in therapy – but we will only do so when you feel ready.
What happens if I don’t like my therapist?
Having a good relationship with your therapist is essential for therapy to work. You should know within the first session if you like your therapist or not. If you don’t like your therapist, it’s okay to say so and switch to a different one. If we are not a good fit, we do our best to connect you with a therapist in our community who might be a better match for you. We are well connected with other psychologists and mental health professionals in the London area and can help you find the right therapist.
I’ve done therapy before and it wasn’t helpful. Why should I try again?
Therapists are people too – which means we have our own personality, style, and preferences. Often one of the main barriers people face is finding a therapist who is the right fit for them. Particularly for adolescents and young adults, it is important to find a therapist who has extensive experience working with people your age. Just because you’ve tried therapy before doesn’t mean it can’t benefit you. You may just need to find the right person to help. Therapy does work, and we hope you will give it another chance.
How much does therapy cost and is it covered?
The cost to see a psychologist at our clinic is $250 per 50-minute session.
The cost to see a social worker at our clinic varies between $135-160 per 50-minute session, depending on the clinician you are working with.
Unfortunately, psychology and social work services are not covered by OHIP. However, many employers provide health benefits that include some coverage. Thames River Therapy may be able to bill your insurance provider directly. In cases where direct billing is not possible, you will be provided with an official receipt that can be used to claim health benefits.
If you are a post-secondary student on OSAP, you may be eligible for a $2000 bursary for mental health support (this money does not need to be paid back). Please talk to your university or college’s Accessibility Counselor to find out if you are eligible for these funds.
Any other questions?
We offer a free 20-minute consultation, where we discuss your current challenges and whether we are the right practice to help you. We will also answer any other questions or concerns you might have about starting therapy. The most important thing is for us both to feel like we are a good match. If for any reason we decide that we are not the right practice for you, we will provide you with names of other great therapists you can contact.
Waitlist Updates
We are currently accepting new clients for our Social Work team only.
Our Psychology team is not accepting new referrals at this time.
