FAQs
Why should I go to therapy and how does it work?
Therapy is helpful for everyone, no matter how big or small your challenges might feel to you. It can be insightful and powerful to speak with a trained, empathic and non-judgmental mental health professional who can support you in working through whatever experience or issue you are hoping to gain clarity around or make changes to. Read More
Our role as helpers is to listen, affirm and journey with you as you unpack or explore your experiences in life. This most often happens through 1-on-1 conversations between you and your therapist, with your therapist drawing on specific skills, practices and exercises that they have been trained to use to assist with therapeutic change. While your therapist may also challenge your thinking and offer alternative perspectives at times, their role is not to provide advice or explicit direction around ‘what you should do.’ Therapy is about you deepening your understanding of yourself and how your past and current experiences are interwoven, and making decisions and engaging in behaviours that are ultimately going to increase your wellness and serve you better throughout life.
How do I choose the right mental health professional for me?
The Weaving Wellness Centre’s circle of care includes registered social workers and psychotherapists. Both categories of mental health professionals are well equipped to assist you on your path to well-being and have rigorously trained in their respective fields. Most of our therapists have training that extends beyond the typical requirements of academic programs, and specialize in certain types of therapy, such as emotion-focused therapy or cognitive-behavioural therapy. Read More
It’s important to feel that you and your therapist are a good fit. Having a good fit can mean things like enjoying your therapist’s approach and understanding of mental health and healing, feeling like your therapist has a deepened understanding of your emotions or experience, or sensing that you are able to share openly with your therapist without feeling judged or shamed. We encourage you to review our Circle of Care webpage to learn more about our team and request a free, 15-minute consultation call to see if things may be a good fit overall for both you and your therapist.
What are the differences between a psychotherapist vs. social worker vs. psychologist?
Psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy that helps people explore their experiences with the aim of improving one’s mental health and well-being. Only certain healthcare practitioners are able to provide the regulated act of psychotherapy in Ontario. These professionals include registered psychotherapists, registered social workers, registered nurses, registered occupational therapists, registered psychologists and registered psychiatrists/physicians. Read More
Registered Psychotherapist (RP) must hold a relevant graduate-level (Master’s or PhD) degree, pass a registration exam, and complete a certain amount of client contact and supervision hours in order to register with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Psychotherapists typically train in a variety of different therapies (e.g., CBT, DBT, EMDR) and treat diverse mental health issues. While some psychotherapists are trained to conduct assessments and administer certain psychological measures, they cannot provide a mental health diagnosis or prescribe medication. Registered psychotherapists are also the only mental health professional required to charge HST (harmonized sales tax) in Ontario, as stipulated by the Government of Canada.
Qualifying Registered Psychotherapist (QRP) is qualified to practice psychotherapy under the supervision of a fully registered psychotherapist. QRPs may be regularly observed in their practice and regularly meet with a clinical supervisor for reflection and feedback on their psychotherapy practice. QRPs are in the process of becoming autonomous registered psychotherapists and are required to obtain a certain amount of hours and complete exams as part of their training work.
Registered Social Worker (RSW) is a licensed mental health professional who either holds a Bachelor or Master of Social Work degree (BSW or MSW). While many social workers are registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, not all social workers have received clinical training to provide psychotherapy, with many working in other areas of the field, such as case management or advocacy work. Registered social workers who have gained experience working in clinical settings, and have substantial training in different therapy modalities, are best suited to providing psychotherapy for clients.
Registered Social Service Workers (RSSW) often hold a college-level diploma from an educational institution in social service work. They provide a variety of support services in their role, such as conducting intake and referral services, meeting one-on-one with clients for supportive counselling, and assisting clients with navigating the social service system.
Psychologists are licensed mental health professionals who have a Doctorate or Master’s degree in psychology. Psychologists are extensively trained in conducting comprehensive psychological assessments and providing psychotherapeutic treatment to individuals experiencing a range of mental health issues. While they are able to provide a diagnosis for a mental health disorder, they are not medical physicians and therefore cannot prescribe medication. Psychologists who possess a PhD have typically completed four years of graduate-level education and clinical training, independent research, and one year of supervised practice while they complete exams to become a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors who have completed a 5-year residency in psychiatry and are registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Psychiatrists conduct psychiatric assessments in which they discuss various symptoms a person may be experiencing, which may result in the individual receiving a diagnosis as well as recommendations for treatment and medication. While some psychiatrists provide psychotherapy, not all psychiatrists are extensively trained in different therapy modalities, so many may only provide medication monitoring and management for clients. As a result of being a physician, psychiatrists are the only mental health professionals who are able to provide prescriptions for medication and whose services are covered by OHIP in Ontario.
What should I expect at the first appointment?
At your first appointment, your therapist will review administrative forms (e.g., consent for services form) and discuss the therapy process with you and answer any questions you may have. They will also lead you in a conversation around your hopes or goals for therapy and begin to conduct a history interview where you discuss your personal background, past mental health experiences, relationships of importance, and strengths and abilities, among other things. Read More
Your therapist will likely do more talking in the first couple of sessions as they complete the history interview, than they will in the following sessions. We always suggest to clients that it may be helpful to attend 3 to 5 sessions to get to know your therapist’s style and approach, and then re-evaluate to make sure things are still feeling like a good fit.
How long are sessions? How often would we meet?
Sessions are about 50 minutes long and can take place as often as you would like, or need. Many clients visit us once a week at the beginning of therapy, and then over time may transition to connecting every two weeks or once a month. Read More
But, there are many individuals who benefit from connecting weekly on an ongoing basis, and may want to be seen twice a week during times of more intensive therapeutic work or when difficulty arises. We are open to all options around the frequency of connecting, but feel it is valuable to maintain a consistent therapeutic schedule, whatever it may be, to remain focused on well-being goals and so that you may develop a strong relationship with your therapist.
How many psychotherapy sessions do I need?
Therapy is unique, just like you! At Weaving Wellness, we seek to support you on your personal journey towards growth, change and healing. We will help you to develop goals as part of your therapeutic plan and will monitor progress and regularly check-in with you about how things are feeling and going. We are available to support you for as long as you invite us to walk alongside you on your wellness journey.
What sort of clients do you work with? Do you work with non-Indigenous people?
Absolutely we do! Our helpers have worked in a variety of settings and have supported people from all walks of life, including folks from varied cultural and racial backgrounds. We find that many of our non-Indigenous clients are particularly drawn to our wholistic approach and understanding of mental health, which is often a refreshing change to many mainstream clinics that they may have connected with in the past :)
For Indigenous clients, are your therapists covered by NIHB or IRS/MMIWG2S programs (i.e., First Nation individuals with status or Inuit folks)?
Yes! Many of our therapists are registered providers with the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program and Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program offered through Indigenous Services Canada, which means that the government covers the cost of therapy for folks who have First Nations Status or an Inuit N number. Read More
To access this program, you and your therapist will need to complete and submit an application which the government reviews and approves. Your therapist manages all of the billing, which means that you are not required to pay us directly for any of your sessions.
Additionally, for First Nations, Métis and Inuit folks who either attended residential or day schools themselves, or have a family member who attended residential or day school, or who have been impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people in any way, you may be eligible to access government funding for therapy. Please reach out to us for more information by contacting admin@weavingwellness.ca
You may also find it helpful to review the following websites for more information about the program offered through Indigenous Services Canada:
For Métis clients, what services do you have available?
Our Centre has a strong relationship with the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Mental Health and Addiction Program, with several of our therapists as registered providers. For individuals who self-identify as Métis, or are Citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario, we may be able to work with you through the MNO’s Mental Health and Addiction program, which means that the MNO covers the cost of time-limited therapy. Please reach out to us for more information by contacting admin@weavingwellness.ca
As a referring agency/provider, can I refer my clients to Weaving Wellness Centre?
Absolutely! We welcome referrals from agencies and providers. To initiate the referral process, please follow these simple steps:
Download the referral form from our website by clicking here.
Complete the referral form with all necessary information about your client.
Once the form is filled out, kindly send it via email to intake@weavingwellness.ca
Our dedicated intake team will promptly review the referral and get in touch with your client within 72 hours to schedule a consult and discuss their needs. If you have any questions or require further assistance, feel free to reach out to us. We appreciate your trust in Weaving Wellness Centre as a resource for supporting the mental health and well-being of your clients.