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