Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started with Therapy

  • Start by booking a consultation call. If you’re comfortable with online booking, click here.

    Or, if you need some support, send an email via the Contact page.

    From there, we’ll have our (up to) 15 minute complimentary call and decide if we’d be a good fit. That’s when we can book you in for your initial session, or you can take a few days to think about it and use the same online booking link to proceed if that’s what you decide.

  • People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons: low mood, anxiety, relationship patterns, stress, grief, life transitions, identity questions, or feeling stuck. Sometimes it’s about sorting through something specific, and other times it’s more about wanting space to reflect, process, and feel supported.

  • If you’ve been thinking about therapy, there’s a good chance it could be helpful. You don’t need to be in crisis or even know exactly what your goals are; we can figure it out together. Therapy can be a space to better understand yourself, gain clarity, and work toward meaningful changes.

  • Therapy is a collaborative experience where we explore situations and challenges together. We may look at patterns in thoughts, behaviours, emotions, and bodily responses. Sessions can include conversation, worksheets, activities, or psychoeducation. Every session looks a little different depending on what you need.

    Therapy does not mean your therapist will tell you what to do. They will support you in finding decisions and approaches that work best for your life.

    It is normal to feel worse before you start feeling better. Processing experiences and making changes takes work, but creating space to fully experience your feelings is an important part of growth.

  • The field of therapy in Canada has provincial regulatory bodies, so you may notice clinicians have differing professional titles depending on where they are located. In Ontario, for example, the regulatory body is the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, so practitioners in Ontario are called “Psychotherapists”. In PEI, the regulatory body is the College of Counselling Therapists of PEI, so practitioners are called “Counselling Therapists”. Therapists may be registered in more than one province, and they also may have clients located outside of the province where they are registered.

    All that being said, not all provinces are regulated!

    Learn more about regulation and professional titles on the College of Counselling and Psychotherapy Association’s (CCPA) website here.

Choosing the Right Fit

  • Regulation of the profession is provincial in Canada, however not all provinces are regulated.

    You’re looking for titles such as “Registered Psychotherapist (RP)”, “Counselling Therapist (CT)”, or “Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)”. Social Workers (MSW) and Psychologists are also able to provide therapeutic services.

    Seeking out those who are registered with a regulatory body protects you as a member of the public.

    For more in-depth information, click here

  • A good fit usually means you feel heard, respected, and like the space is one where you can be yourself. The first few sessions can help you get a feel for this. It’s okay (and encouraged!) to ask questions and trust your gut.

  • A therapeutic modality is just a fancy way of saying the approach or framework a therapist uses. There are lots of different ones (like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, etc.), but you don’t need to know them all. What matters most is that the approach fits your needs and the therapist explains things in a way that makes sense to you.

Types of Therapy & Access

  • It depends on what works best for your life. Some people prefer being in a room together, while others love the ease and comfort of logging in from home.

    Virtual therapy can be just as effective and is accessible for many people.

    In-person sessions are currently an option in Charlottetown, PEI.

  • Sessions are held in-person in Charlottetown, PEI and virtually for clients located in Canada. I am registered in PEI as a Counselling Therapist. You must be physically located in Canada during your sessions.

  • Therapy services are provided to those over the age of 18. Currently, only one-on-one sessions are offered.

  • Fees are listed on the Therapy Services page as well as the online booking site.

    While I am able to direct bill select providers, most sessions require payment upfront. You will be provided with a receipt you can submit to your insurance provider.

    Best practices are making sure you have coverage for mental health support from a licensed Counselling Therapist.

  • A limited number of reduced-fee sessions are available for those who may benefit from financial flexibility. Fees are adjusted based on individual circumstances. Your therapist can discuss options with you, so please reach out via the Contact‍ page.

Communicating with Your Therapist

  • With this practice, email is usually the most reliable way to reach your therapist for scheduling, questions about sessions, or administrative matters. Response times may vary, so urgent matters should be handled through appropriate emergency services.

  • To maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality, therapists do not accept friend or follow requests on personal social media accounts.

    Business accounts, like a professional Instagram, are for general information and resources only. Messages or direct messages on these accounts are not monitored for therapy-related communication, so all session-related contact should happen through secure, agreed-upon channels like email or your session platform.

    Following a therapist’s professional account is entirely up to you, but it is not a required part of therapy and does not create a personal connection.

The Therapy Process

  • Some people come for a few sessions to work through something specific. Others choose to stay longer for ongoing support, personal growth, or a regular check-in space. You get to decide what feels right, and we’ll check in along the way to make sure it’s working for you.

    As for frequency, many clients start with weekly or biweekly sessions. Over time, sessions may be spaced out more, depending on your needs and goals. Frequency is something that will be talked about openly and adjusted as needed.

  • Having goals is an important part of therapy. While these goals can change over time, having a general direction that you and your therapist are both aware of can help track progress.

    You may notice change in a few different ways, including:

    • Changes in your behaviours or how you respond in certain situations

    • Greater awareness of your thinking patterns, or noticing that they have shifted

    • Changes in how you are feeling overall

    • Doing something you have been avoiding, such as having a difficult conversation or signing up for a class

    There are many ways to notice progress in therapy. The best approach is to talk with your therapist about how they check in on progress during sessions.

Preparing & Participating

  • Before a session:

    • Take some time to think about what you’d like to discuss… Something you’ve been thinking about, feeling, or dealing with lately

    • Wear whatever you’d like!

    • Know that any topic goes, and yes, you can absolutely swear

    After a session:

    • Some people like to journal, take a walk, or have quiet time to process

    • There’s no perfect formula, do what helps you reflect and take care of yourself

  • To help you get the most out of our time together, here are a few tips for creating a comfortable and effective space for virtual sessions:

    • Find a quiet, private, and well-lit spot where you feel safe to speak freely, without distractions.

    • Wear comfortable clothing, whatever helps you feel relaxed and present.

    • Please don’t drive during your session. If you're in your car, pull over to a quiet, private location (like an empty parking lot), or we can reschedule for another time.

    • Check your internet connection to make sure it's secure and stable before we start.

    • Choose a space where you can sit upright, like at a desk, on a chair, or a couch. Being out of bed and dressed for the day can help keep a clear line between therapy time and rest time.

    • Have a pen and paper handy as you may want to take your own notes or be asked to write something down.

    • Feel free to bring a tea, water, or any comfort drink to sip during your session.

  • You can learn about the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association’s (CCPA) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice here.

    You can also access information on the College of Counselling Therapy of PEI’s (CCTPEI) website.