Registered Clinical Psychologist
I am a Doctoral level Clinical Psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO). As part of my degree, I spent several years getting specialized training in the area of health and rehabilitation psychology across the lifespan. For the past 20 years, I have worked with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, anticipatory grief and complex bereavement, as well as rehabilitation and survivorship challenges. When working with individuals and families, I am committed to providing the highest level of evidence-based care in order to ensure the best possible outcomes. In my experience, I have found that taking enough time to build a strong therapeutic relationship and understand each person’s unique needs is an essential foundation for working together on identified challenges and goals.
Promoting well-being, including mental health, is important at every age. Physical changes that can come with aging can impact mental health and vice versa. Life transitions and stressors such as serial losses can further complicate mental health functioning. My approach to working with individuals in this life stage is to help facilitate coping and adjustment by enhancing meaning making and sense of purpose to improve overall quality of life.
Psychologists with a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD) can diagnose mental health conditions, and use talk-based therapies for treatment. Psychiatrists complete a doctorate in medicine (MD or DO) and can prescribe medication to treat mental health conditions. Psychologists and psychiatrists often work together as the combination of medication and therapy are considered the gold standard for many conditions depending on their severity.
Psychologists are not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). The hourly rate for a 50-minute session that is currently recommended by the Ontario Psychological Association is $225. Most private health insurance plans cover psychological treatments. It is important that you check to see what is available to you through your employer or student health plan. You will likely need to submit a receipt in order to be reimbursed all or some of the fee.
You are also eligible to claim treatment from a registered psychologist as a medical expense on your income tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency for any costs you have not been able to get reimbursed.
Most people find that they have improved after about a few months of weekly therapy (8-12 sessions). But this very much depends on the nature of the problem. Some conditions may be more chronic and require “booster” or monthly maintenance sessions after. Cost may also limit the number of sessions you are able to commit to if you do not have any supplemental benefits coverage for reimbursement.
As a licensed psychologist, I am required to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safekeeping of your personal information, in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, the Psychology Act, and the Health Information Act. I am committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. I will only collect, use and disclose personal health information in order to serve you. Sometimes a family member or health care provider may share information to help with the assessment, treatment, or to coordinate payment. Your information will not be shared without your permission and informed consent (with the exception of a few limits of confidentiality that exist).
Much of the session is spent getting to know one another. There may be more questions asked during this appointment than later appointments, in order to get a better understanding of the problem and obtain background information that might be helpful. By the end of the appointment we will have a better idea whether we can work together on the identified problem or desired goals. If I believe that you would be better helped by someone more specialized in a specific area, I will provide you with some options for accessing other potential treatments.
The type of therapy used depends on the presenting problem, and what the research has shown to be effective for treating that problem (i.e. evidence-based). Therapies most commonly drawn from include:
Please get in touch for a free 15-minute consultation.