Registered Psychologists and Psychotherapists

No. A client does not need to be referred by a doctor in order to receive therapy. However, a physician’s referral might be required by a few insurance plans in order to be reimbursed. Please check with your insurance.

Most extended health benefits plans cover psychological services administered by registered psychologists and mental health therapists under the direct supervision of a Registered Psychologist. Clients pay for their sessions at the time of the session, and then submit the receipt to their insurance company for reimbursement. You can ask your insurance company what your annual coverage is for psychological services under your plan, and how much they reimburse per session.

At CBT Psychology for Personal Development, all services are offered under two models:

1. Direct services by a registered, autonomous member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, or

2. Services provided under the supervision of a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario

For insurance purposes, a client seeing a therapist under supervision needs to provide the name and registration number of the supervising psychologist (Dr. Silvina Galperin). 

All services at CBT Psychology for Personal Development are performed in accordance with the Standards set by the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO). When a client is seen by a supervisee, the supervising psychologist is ethically and legally responsible for the client’s care. Everyone at our practice is either a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario or under the supervision of one. Some associates may be registered with other professions, such as social workers and registered psychotherapists; in that case, both their own college and the College of Psychologists of Ontario may be responsible for overseeing the quality of your care.

We do not provide supervision solely for the convenience of billing. Regardless of whether or not your insurance recognizes supervised practice, if you are seen by a non-psychologist, your services will be overseen by a psychologist, who accepts responsibility for your care. They provide guidance, input, and clinical direction to your therapist, to ensure the highest quality of care. They are available to meet with you at your request, and can also ask to meet with you at their own discretion.

Most insurers pay for services provided by a psychologist through the mechanism of supervision. Some do not. Due to this variety, it is up to the client to ensure that that supervised services will be covered, by communicating with their insurance. However, we suspect that how the question is posed is critically important. Here is the wording we recommend when checking with your insurer: “If my psychologist is legally and ethically responsible for my care, but is providing services through the supervision of someone who is not a psychologist, are these services covered by my plan?” If the answer is “no,” or, “the services must be provided by a registered psychologist,” we recommend emphasizing, “legally and ethically, the supervising psychologist is the responsible clinician.” 

We do not provide refunds for services rendered that are subsequently denied coverage by an insurer. The client has full responsibility to ensure that coverage for services is in place by communicating directly with the insurer. As per our professional standards, our invoices reflect both the treatment provider and the supervising psychologist.

Confidentiality is honored and respected. Your **written permission** is required before information about you can be shared with third parties.  However, there are some situations where, either for the protection of the client or the protection of some other person, psychologists are **legally obligated** to disregard confidentiality. These situations are:

1) When a client reports the intention to end his/her life or the life of another person.

2) In circumstances where a child is an object of sexual, emotional, or physical abuse.

3) When a client reports that a health care professional has sexually abused them.

4) If the release of a client’s file is court-ordered.

5) In the case that the College of Psychologists of Ontario performs a quality assurance audit.

6) If a client reports abuse of an elderly person in a long-term care facility or retirement home by staff.

7) When insurance companies inquire about appointment dates and fees in order to reimburse clients.

There are potential benefits and risks of video-conferencing (e.g. limits to patient confidentiality) that differ from in-person sessions. Confidentiality still applies to telepsychology services, and nobody (the therapist or the client) will record the session without permission from the other person(s).

In order to provide psychological services, we need to collect personal information about you. Our staff has access to the information required to perform administrative and support activities.

To contact us please Click Here or call us at 905-597-4404. Our intake coordinators will be happy to answer any questions and set up your first appointment with a therapist on our team.