Frequently Asked Questions


 

At this time there are no wait times for therapy appointments. If you would like to schedule an appointment outside of the posted hours, please contact us to discuss.

Understanding that everyone's journey towards healing is unique, we don't have a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. We can't predict exactly how long it will take for you to start feeling better. Studies indicate that, in cases of acute symptoms, an average of six to eight sessions tends to yield effective results. However, for chronic symptoms, a more extended course of therapy, typically involving 20 or more sessions, is often necessary to achieve a positive outcome. We will frequently assess your progress together and discuss the next steps throughout your time in therapy. This might involve ending therapy if you're feeling better, continuing with weekly sessions, or adjusting the frequency to biweekly. Whenever possible, we'll try to schedule your therapy appointments for the same day and time each week. We understand that your schedule might be unpredictable, so we ask for a 24-hour notice if you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment. It's important to recognize that endings are a crucial part of the therapy process. We suggest allowing for one or two closing sessions to reflect on the progress you've made and solidify the benefits of the work we've done together. Even after therapy ends, former clients are always welcome to come back for additional sessions in the future. While there may be a waiting list, we'll do our best to accommodate previous clients as soon as possible.

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) plays a crucial role in regulating the social work profession in Ontario, Canada. Some key responsibilities and functions of the OCSWSSW include: Regulatory Oversight: The OCSWSSW is responsible for regulating the practice of social work and social service work in Ontario, ensuring that practitioners meet professional standards and adhere to ethical guidelines. Registration and Licensing: The College establishes registration requirements and standards for social workers and social service workers in Ontario. It oversees the registration process, including assessing qualifications, reviewing applications, and issuing licenses to practice. Professional Standards: The OCSWSSW establishes and promotes professional standards of practice for social workers and social service workers in Ontario. This includes developing codes of ethics, guidelines, and standards of practice to guide ethical and competent professional behavior. Complaints and Discipline: The College investigates complaints and allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence against registered members. It has the authority to discipline members who violate ethical standards or fail to meet professional obligations. Continuing Education: The OCSWSSW promotes ongoing professional development and education for social workers and social service workers. It encourages members to engage in continuing education activities to enhance their knowledge, skills, and competence. Public Protection: The primary mandate of the OCSWSSW is to protect the public interest by ensuring that social workers and social service workers provide safe, competent, and ethical services to clients. The College works to uphold professional standards and promote public trust in the social work profession. Overall, the OCSWSSW plays a vital role in upholding the integrity of the social work profession, safeguarding the public, and promoting the well-being of individuals and communities in Ontario.

There are many types of therapists with different specialties, approaches, and backgrounds. This abundance of options can be overwhelming for individuals who are unsure about which therapist or therapy approach would be the best fit for their needs. In Ontario, there are various types of therapists and counselors who provide mental health and emotional support services. Here are some of the most common types: Registered Social Workers (RSWs): Registered Social Workers hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in social work and are registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). They provide counselling, advocacy, and support services to individuals, families, and communities, addressing social, emotional, and mental health concerns. Registered social workers (RSWs) in Ontario are authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy. To perform the controlled act of psychotherapy, social workers must meet specific requirements set out by their regulatory body, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). These requirements include completing an approved master's degree in social work or an equivalent program, as well as obtaining supervised experience in psychotherapy. Registered Psychotherapists (RPs): Registered Psychotherapists have completed specialized education and training in psychotherapy and are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). They provide psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, families, and groups using a variety of therapeutic approaches. Registered Psychologists (RPsych): Registered Psychologists have completed a doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and are registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO). They specialize in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions and psychological disorders, using evidence-based therapies and interventions. Clinical Psychologists: Clinical Psychologists are licensed psychologists who specialize in providing clinical assessment and treatment services for individuals with mental health concerns. They may work in private practice, hospitals, community mental health centres, or academic settings. Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who have completed specialized training in psychiatry. They are licensed to prescribe medication and provide medical treatment for mental health conditions, including medication management and psychotherapy. Psychiatrists often work in hospitals, clinics, or private practice settings. Registered Marriage and Family Therapists (RMFTs): Registered Marriage and Family Therapists have specialized training in working with couples and families to address relationship issues, communication problems, and family dynamics. They are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (OAMFT). Counsellors (frequently used interchangeably with the term therapy): Counsellors may have varying educational backgrounds and training, including diplomas, bachelor's degrees, or master's degrees in counselling or related fields. They provide counselling and support services to individuals, couples, families, and groups, addressing a wide range of mental health and emotional concerns. It's important to note that the titles and credentials of therapists and counsellors may vary, and individuals should ensure that their chosen provider is qualified, licensed, and registered with the appropriate regulatory body in Ontario. When seeking therapy or counselling services, individuals may consider factors such as the therapist's qualifications, experience, therapeutic approach, and fit with their needs and preferences.

During an online therapy session, clients can expect a supportive and confidential environment where their needs and concerns are prioritized. Using a secure and user-friendly video conferencing platform called Jane, clients will engage in therapy from the comfort of their own space, eliminating the need for travel or in-person interactions. Given that online therapy may present different security concerns than in-person therapy, standards are established regarding the online platforms used for service delivery. These standards are set forth by bodies such as The Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). While online therapy can be a convenient and accessible option for many clients, it may not be suitable for everyone. To explore whether online therapy is the right fit for you or to learn more about our services, we invite you to book a free 30-minute consultation or reach out to us via email. We're here to support you on your journey towards improved mental health and well-being.

The first step is arranging an initial call, using the Therapy Bee Inc. Consultation Link. You can access the link here: https://therapybee.janeapp.com/ Alternatively, you can reach us by email at support@therapybee.ca Please specify when in the working week you can be reached and we will email you back as soon as possible, with a suggested call-back time. When there is a waiting list for counselling and psychotherapy appointments, on our initial conversation we will assess together if this is a good option for you at this time. Other useful information you can add to your form, is a general idea of your availability to attend counselling appointments and if your working schedule would allow you to keep the same therapy appointment each week. This will help us to match you with a suitable therapist with a schedule suitable for a counselling appointment. For direct inquiries please email support@therapybee.ca

Therapy Bee believes that everyone should have access to quality mental health. All of our therapists reserve a limited number of therapy time slots on a sliding scale basis. Contact us to learn more about this service** **Sliding scale counselling fees only apply to weekly therapy on a time-limited counselling contract (up to 8 sessions).

Therapy Bee Psychotherapy Fees 2024-2025 Free 30-minute consultation session (for new or potential clients) 30-minute brief check-in session (for existing clients) - $125 60-minute session - $185 90-minute extended session - $225 *Psychotherapy fees are subject to review at the start of each calendar year ( January 2024). Please note that your Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist will not be able to make an official diagnosis, to fulfill any court order or prescribe medication.

Unfortunately, not at this time. In Ontario mental health services are not covered by your Ontario Health Card. If you have private insurance, you may be covered by your service provider. We can issue receipts for our services, which may be eligible for reimbursement by different insurance providers. To confirm whether your insurance covers psychotherapy services offered by a Registered Social Worker (RSW), please verify with your insurance provider directly. Please note that Therapy Bee does not bill insurance providers directly and the cost of each therapy session is due in full at the end of each therapy session.

A complete Patient Confidentiality Policy is provided to each new client prior to beginning therapy. It outlines the commitment of Therapy Bee to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of client information in strict accordance with the standards set forth by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and relevant privacy legislation.For more details, please contact support@therapybee.ca to receive our full privacy policy. FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS: Online counselling/psychotherapy Additional considerations apply to ensure our therapy work remains confidential. Therapist's location: All of our therapists provide online virtual counselling sessions from a secure IP address and physical location to ensure better professional boundaries and more confidentiality for you. Secure Platform: We use the Jane platform for our online counselling work as it is the leading virtual video messaging service that provides a secure, safe, free and user friendly online environment. Your location: It is important that you find a sufficiently private, quiet and safe space where you feel you will not be disturbed during your online counselling session. If you are unsure about your own privacy during counselling sessions, please speak with your therapist to consider available options together. Recommendations: Please switch your phone to flight mode and silence any social media updates. Using headphones is recommended to ensure more privacy and better audio quality throughout each session.

All information shared by clients during the course of the therapeutic relationship is considered confidential, except as required or allowed by law. Exceptions to Confidentiality: Risk of Harm: If there is a credible and imminent risk of harm to the client or others, your Therapy Bee Inc. therapist may breach confidentiality to ensure the safety of all parties involved. Legal Requirements: If mandated by law, Therapy Bee Inc. may disclose client information without consent. Examples include court orders or situations that fall under the duty to report, such as child abuse or neglect.

If a cancellation occurs with less than 24 hours' notice, this is considered a late cancellation and you will be charged the full fee of the appointment. This payment is due on the same day of the scheduled appointment. If the session is not cancelled but you do not show, this is considered a missed appointment and you will be charged the full fee in this case, as well. This payment is due on the same day of the scheduled appointment. We also understand that in some cases, a cancellation cannot be avoided. If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact the office directly at to make arrangements.