What makes your practice different than other therapists?

In the same way you would rely on a specialist to care for your physical health, rely on our specialists to care for your relational and mental health.  We have specialized training (EFT-Emotionally Focused Therapy) in helping couples and individuals break their destructive patterns, and create ones that connect them to their partner, and feel confident within themselves.

What is the difference between counseling and psychotherapy?

Counseling and psychotherapy both involve talking with a trained mental health professional, but they differ in focus, duration, and depth. Counseling is typically short-term and addresses specific issues or challenges with a practical, solution-oriented approach, often dealing with current situations. In contrast, psychotherapy is more long-term and delves into deeper, underlying psychological patterns and past experiences, aiming to resolve complex mental health issues. Counselors generally have degrees in counseling or related fields, while psychotherapists have advanced degrees and specialized training in mental health.

What are your qualifications?

Our team is composed of Registered Psychotherapists, Registered Marriage and Family Therapists, and Interns (students who are in their last year of their Masters program).

How much do I need to invest in therapy?

A wise person invests in things that matter, and what matters more than yourself or your relationships.  When you break your patterns, your children will grow up with a new normal, and will make healthier choices in their own life, effectively creating the possibility for generational change.  Breaking your patterns will lead to a more fulfillment in yourself and each of your relationships (read more about our philosophy of change here).  Our fees range from $100-180/session.

How do I know if I need therapy?

If you’re experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, relationship issues, or any other emotional difficulties that are affecting your daily life, therapy can be beneficial.

How often should I/we attend?

We recommend attending weekly if you are really struggling, then once you start feeling better, it makes sense to spread out the timing of your sessions.  If you are not acutely struggling then we recommend bi-weekly sessions.  

Do you offer a free 15 minutes consultation to get to know you?

Absolutely!  We know the most important piece to effective therapy is that you connect well with your therapist.  After your consultation, if you don’t feel a connection then contact Michele Riel () and she will find the right therapist for you.

Can I switch therapists if I don’t feel a connection?

Yes, it’s important to feel comfortable with your therapist. If you don’t feel a connection, we encourage you to meet our therapist team and find a confidential, non-judgemental, and professional where you are safe to explore your concerns.

What are your office hours?

We offer daytime and evening appointments 7 days a week.

Which forms of payment do you accept?

We accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX), e-transfer, or cash.

Will my insurance cover your services?

Most likely.  If your insurance covers you for a Registered Psychotherapist or Psychologist then you are covered.  Please ensure you let us know which designation you are covered for so we can bill correctly.

Do you provide in-person or virtual sessions?

We provide both in-person sessions (downtown Mississauga and downtown Toronto) and virtual sessions via Zoom or telephone.

How do I book an appointment?

You can book an appointment by contacting us via phone, email, or through our website. Contact us for more information!

What is your cancellation policy?

We require 48 hours notice in order to cancel or change your appointment.  Our system will contact you via email 48 hours before your appointment, so if you need to make a change you will have time to reschedule.

What does couples counseling involve?

Our couples counseling involves specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the most empirically validated and researched modality to help couples bond. Research studies find that 70-75% of couples move from conflict and tension to love and connection, and approximately 90% show significant improvements overall in their relationships. And the results last!  Ideally you and your partner will attend the first session together, then your therapist will see you individually for one session (the purpose of this is to get a detailed history of your life experiences and patterns), and then all subsequent sessions will likely be joint with your partner.

Does therapy actually work?

We only incorporate interventions that actually work.  EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) has been researched extensively and the benefits are clear.  Over 90% of couples and individuals experience real and lasting change in their lives.  

What is your confidentiality policy?

Our practice is built on confidentiality.  Everything you discuss with your therapist is between yourself and them.  You can share your secrets, your struggles, your deep feelings; you can be completely vulnerable with us and have the confidence knowing your information will never be shared with anyone without your written consent.  We will never share your information with a third party.  If you require our notes, we will release them to you directly.  

The only time your therapist would have to break confidentiality is if you are at imminent risk of harming yourself, or if a child is at risk of harm, or has witnessed violence. 

What if I feel uncomfortable discussing certain topics?

Your therapist will never ask you to discuss topics that you are not ready to explore.  Our goal is to ensure that you feel safe and free to discuss whatever topic you feel comfortable discussing.  When you are ready, your therapist will support you as you move into more uncomfortable areas of your life, with the goal being to help you manage this discomfort in a healthy way, and grow. 

What can I expect from couple’s therapy?  

You can expect to feel heard, valued and know that you are not the problem, nor is your partner for that matter.  You will learn to identify the patterns-or dance if you like.  You will better understand your steps in the dance, the lens you are viewing yourself through, and your partner, and how these affect your level of connection.  You will learn to connect to your deeper emotions and take healthy risks with your partner, and you will learn how to respond to their risks.  Our goal is to help you feel more connected and secure in your relationship, but let’s not forget fun and intimacy too!

What is EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)?

Co-founded by the late Canadian Psychologist, Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT has been shown -through rigorously tested research studies-that 90% of couples experienced significant change in their relationships; they moved from a place of distress and tension to a place of love and connection-a deeper bond.  These studies also showed that 90% of couples showed significant improvement in their overall relationship satisfaction.  EFT doesn’t teach skills, as research has shown that learned skills go out the window when we are engaged in conflict and our nervous systems are activated.  Instead, EFT focuses on strengthening the bond and connection between people.

What is your no secrets policy?

Transparency, openness and vulnerability are critical to success in relationship therapy, therefore when you attend couple counselling there can be no secrets between yourself and your therapist; all communication must include your partner/spouse.

How many sessions will we need?

Success with EFT usually takes between 12 and 20 sessions.

How long is each session?

Sessions are 50 minutes long.  We also offer longer sessions if needed.  Your first session with one of our interns will always be 1 hr and 15 minutes, but subsequent sessions will be 50 minutes.

What can I expect from my first session?

We value your time and won’t waste any time in your first session asking you to complete paperwork, instead we will send our Consent and Intake form ahead of time for you to complete.  Our first session’s purpose is to get to know you as a person and hear your concerns.  Your therapist will be curious, compassionate, empathetic, and will help you uncover your patterns, and work towards lasting change.

Can I attend on my own if my main concern is my relationship?

Absolutely.  Individual therapy is a great opportunity to discover your patterns and break the patterns that are not serving you.  When one person changes their behaviour in the relationship, then the relationship changes.

Do you provide premarital counseling?

Yes.  Attending couples counseling prior to marriage is an excellent idea.  You will spend thousands of dollars on your wedding day, but it is more important to gain the insights, skills and tools to help deepen your bond and prevent the possibility of relational distress in the future.  We encourage you to invest in your relationship, not just your wedding day!

Can you help with parenting issues?

Absolutely!  We are specialists in family systems which means we can help your family system function more effectively.  We will help you improve communication, strengthen the relationships within the family, set healthy and consistent boundaries, identify healthy family rules, roles, and interactions.

What if I have had a negative experience with therapy in the past?

Unfortunately we have heard stories over the years whereby clients have not had a positive experience with a therapist from another practice.  We strive to provide you with a supportive experience and will ensure that we do not repeat anything that you previously experienced as unhelpful.  We value feedback and transparency from our clients at all times.

Do you offer therapy for children and adolescents?

We only see clients who are 14 years of age or older.

Which language do you offer therapy in?

We offer services in English, Hindi and Urdu.

Can therapy help with work-related stress?

Yes.  We will help you practice healthy self-care, for example, we will help you communicate clearly, and assertively when needed.  We will help you set healthy boundaries, process your emotions, help you change meaning where needed, and identify the areas of change to help you succeed. 

Can you help with grief and loss?

Yes.  Therapy is a place to process your grief, and process your feelings in a safe, supportive environment.  We will go at your pace, and will stand by you.  We believe talking is medicine.  Many of our therapists have experienced personal loss, so know that you will be understood and supported.

How do you handle emergencies?

Our therapists are not on-call, but if you require an urgent session we will always make time for you.  We will also provide you with emergency support resources if required.

Can you provide supervision for therapists specializing in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?

Yes, we do! We have Systems and EFT-trained psychotherapists to help you.  Learn more about our Therapist Supervision program!  We supervise students, RP (Q)s, and RPs. 

Do you offer workshops or seminars?

Yes we do.  We have presented workshops for corporations (Lunch and Learns), community groups, schools, etc. Contact us if you would like a tailored talk for your organization.  

Do you offer custody and access mediation for court purposes?

No, we do not offer any legal services.

What if I need specialized treatment that you don’t offer?

We have a vast network of contacts and will do our best to connect you with the right resources.