Oftentimes, many people have the same questions when they call or email us, so here are the answers. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to answer and help you move forward and meet your needs.
Accessing Our Office for In-Person Sessions
Our modern offices are located at 7626 & 7626A Yonge Street, Thornhill, Ontario. You can easily access our office with public transit or use the free parking lot behind the building.
If your appointment is in office 7, you can enter the building from the front doors on Yonge Street. Once inside, please walk up the stairs and wait in the chairs outside of office 7 for your therapist.
If your appointment is in office 3 or 4, these offices are only accessible from the side entrance at 7626A. Please view the following instructions: How To Get To Offices 3 And 4.
Therapist Designations
Q: What is a Registered Psychologist?
A: Clinical Psychologists are legally authorized to perform psychological assessments, provide mental health diagnoses, which include diagnostic clarification of complex cases and treatment based on each individual’s condition and needs.
In order to become a Registered Clinical Psychologist in Ontario, a Ph.D. or Doctorate is required. After obtaining this title, the psychologist must provide services to clients under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist for 1500 to 3000 hours. In addition, they need to pass an examination about Ethics and Jurisprudence and a written comprehensive exam of all their university coursework, and a final oral examination with three judges that will determine if the candidate is fit and ready to work independently as a psychologist.
Psychologists are trained to provide clients with a safe space of unconditional positive regard where they can talk without feeling judged, reflect, and make changes in their ways of perceiving situations, reactions, and behaviors. Psychologists can provide a wide range of services, including therapy to cope with extreme emotions, process traumatic situations, learn how to cope with panic, and overcome depression. Psychologists can provide short terms treatments for specific symptoms such as phobias as well as long term treatments to tackle chronic conditions such as personality disorders.
When a new client books their first session, the psychologist usually starts with an assessment to determine if the client meets the criteria for one or more mental health disorders. After this, a case conceptualization is developed and the plan for treatment is shared with the client and a collaborative goal setting for treatment follows. The psychological treatment involves a safe and confidential, where the client can talk about anything and everything they want or need.
Psychologists can specialize in different areas, such as couples, adolescents, children or adults and they may master specific therapeutic approaches such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and others. Look for a psychologist with experience in the area that you need. Here is a helpful article on when to see a psychologist.
If you have any additional questions, please contact us.
Q: What is the difference between a registered psychologist and a registered psychotherapist?
A: A registered psychologist can do a psychological assessment and provide a formal diagnosis. A registered psychotherapist holds a master’s degree in clinical or Counseling Psychology. They can provide therapy treatment such as talk therapy, behavioral therapy, and EMDR. However, they cannot provide a diagnosis or a psychological assessment. Both types of therapists are able to treat a variety of concerns and problems. However, a registered psychologist is typically recommended to treat complex cases since they have more years of education and training.
Fees and Payment
Q: How much does a session cost?
A: Our fees are based on the Ontario Psychological Association guidelines. Our fees range between $150-250 per hourly session, depending on the type of therapist that you see.
Registered psychologists fee range from $240 to $250, whereas Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers fees range from $150 to $200.
At CBT Psychology for Personal Development, there are Junior therapists who hold a Masters Degree in Psychology and provide therapy under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist at a lower fee.
Q: Do I need a doctor’s letter to see a therapist?
A: 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.
Q: Does insurance cover psychological services?
A: 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:
- Direct services by a registered, autonomous member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, or
- 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
Q: Are my sessions confidential?
A: 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.
How do I set up my first session?
A: 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.