How We Work Together

Your stress may be within yourself or it may be in your various relationships. Together we can figure out how you can help yourself to make changes. My job is to listen to you carefully and to question your assumptions. This helps us both to think things through. How We Work Together

We look at your situation. We try to understand the context of the stress and your feelings about it. When is it worse and when is it better? What works for someone else may not work for you.

New clients meet with me for a joint assessment. In the first session we work together to consider whether my professional style of counselling is a good fit for you.  Discussion is confidential, unless I become aware of danger to you or another person. We will talk about the next steps.

My in-person rate is $90 for fifty minutes.  Extra time is prorated. I recommend that couples reserve eighty minutes at $135 to allow adequate time for both to speak. Online or phone consultation is $80, also for fifty minutes. To reserve a first appointment you may deposit half the fee with me.  At the end of each session you may use cash or cheque or e-transfer for payment of the remaining amount due.

I am an Ontario-registered professional (RSW), so most insurance applies. Usually you can submit my written receipt online to your benefits company for reimbursement. Several employee benefits programs, called Employee Assistance Programs, will cover short-term counselling costs. Otherwise my fees are eligible for tax deduction as a medical expense.

Please try to notify me about changes or cancellations at least 24 hours in advance. That makes the time available for others. They will appreciate it, and so will I. A later cancellation usually entails half the hourly fee, unless you are sick. Please do cancel in that case.

Call me at 905-937-4596 for a brief consultation and to arrange an appointment. Usually we can meet within the next business week. You may need to wait longer for an after-five pm session.

MY COUNSELLING EMPLOYERS AND CONTRACTS:

Arete HR Inc. (Employee Assistance Program), Calgary

Community Mental Health Centers, City of Chicago, US

Chedoke Child & Family Centre, Hamilton, ON

ComPsych (Guidance Resources), Chicago, IL

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, ON

Design for a New Tomorrow, Niagara Region

Education Fdn. Niagara, at District School Board

Family Service Bureau, Chicago, Ill., US

Homewood Human Solutions, Vancouver, BC

Indigenous Services Canada

Lifeworks EFAP

Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance Companies, ON

State of Illinois, Mental Health Dept., US

Telus Health EFAP

Victim Quick Response Program, Niagara Region

Workplace Options, Raleigh, N. Carolina, US

Other Insurance Companies will reimburse my receipt

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

ON College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (RSW), ocswssw.org

ON Assoc. of Social Workers, oasw.org

Suite 501, 5400 Portage Rd, Niagara Falls, ON

11 Bond St, Suite 103B, St Catharines, Ontario