Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a therapy/counselling session?
You can fill out this form to request an appointment with me (Click HERE).
What if I'm not living in Toronto/North York?
if you cannot make the sessions in person or you prefer to have your therapy/counselling sessions from the comfort and convenience of your own home, you can always request Online session(s).
How much will I pay for each session?
The fee for each 50-min session with me is $180+HST
Are your services covered by OHIP?
No, my psychotherapy and counselling services are not covered by OHIP.
Are your services covered by extended health care plans?
Yes, I am a registered psychotherapist and my services are covered by many extended health care plans. We will check together to make sure about your insurance plan coverage.
Do I need a referral from my family physician?
No, I don't necessarily require referral from your family doctor. However if you have an extended health plan, your insurance company may require a doctor referral to accept your coverage.
What if I cannot afford the therapy fee?
If you have a health insurance plan, then that usually covers some part of your fees. However, if your insurance plan does not cover your fees and the fees seem not to be affordable, please let me know. In some cases, some sorts of discounts could be considered for clients.
How long does the therapy process take?
It cannot be said exactly how long a successful therapy will take. Some people already feel considerably better after a few months, while others need treatment for longer.
What is CBT?
CBT stands for 'Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy', and is one of the most effective and popular approaches used in psychotherapy. CBT is one of the few forms of psychotherapy that has been scientifically tested and found to be effective in hundreds of clinical trials for many different disorders. In contrast to other forms of psychotherapy, cognitive therapy is usually more focused on the present, more time-limited, and more problem-solving oriented. In addition, patients learn specific skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. These skills involve identifying distorted thinking, modifying beliefs, relating to others in different ways, and changing behaviors.
What is Schema Therapy?
Schema Therapy is an integrative approach to treatment that combines aspects of CBT, experiential, interpersonal and psychoanalytic therapies into one unified model. Schema Therapy has shown remarkable results in helping people to change negative ("maladaptive") patterns which they have lived with for a long time, even when other methods (including CBT) and efforts they have tried before have been largely unsuccessful. This method specially works for people who have long-standing patterns or themes in thinking, feeling and behaving and helps them to address and modify these deeper patterns or themes, also known as "schemas" or "lifetraps."
How will I know if therapy is working?
In CBT, many patients notice a decrease in their symptoms within a few weeks of therapy, or even sooner, if they have been faithfully attending sessions and doing the suggested assignments between sessions on a daily basis. In schema therapy however the changes require more time, as deep-seated patterns are the main target in this approach.
Is it confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components in psychotherapy. Whatever you tell me will be kept totally confidential with me unless it is the matter of serious harm to yourself or someone else, child abuse/neglect or subpoena by the court.
What about medication?
Many patients and many problems are treated without medication at all. Some disorders, however, respond better to a combination of medication and psychotherapy. In these case, we will discuss whether you should have a consultation with a family physician or a psychiatrist in this regard. If you do not want to be on medication, you and I will assess, after four to six weeks, how much you've progressed and determine whether you might want a psychiatric consultation at that time to obtain more information about medication.
In what languages counselling/therapy is offered?
I offer therapy/counselling in English and Farsi.
Do I need to pay double, if I come with another person (e.g., a partner)?
No! The fee for each 50-min session is always the same, regardless of how many clients attend that same session. However I do not accept couple/family counselling at this moment.
Can I take my child/teenager for therapy?
My psychotherapy and counselling practice is specialized for adults, and I do not work with children/teenagers (under 18 y/o) directly. However, I can work with you to provide consulting on parenting and how to help your child/adolescent.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you cannot make it to a counselling session, I require at least 24 hours cancellation notice to be able to offer the time to another person. So otherwise, I will charge you half session fee. If you miss a session without any prior notice or once your time has already started, then you will need to pay the full session fee.
Is there parking?
[My sessions are currently all online]
What is the difference between Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Counsellors and Social Workers?
These titles have different meanings in different countries and provinces. To learn about the meaning of these title in "Ontario", please click HERE.
How do i pay the fee for my online sessions?
It depends on where you live, but typically you can pay via e-transfer, use PayPal or provide a credit card information so I can charge you remotely.