What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a social worker, physician, nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health providers. At the bottom of this page, you will find links to resources that provide more information about Psychotherapy.

What do Psychotherapists do?

During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviours. Psychotherapy helps you learn how to take control of your life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills.

Regulated Health Professionals and Psychotherapy.

As of December 30, 2017, the controlled act of psychotherapy has been proclaimed in force, and becomes one of fourteen controlled acts defined in the RHPA. A controlled act is an activity thought to have the potential of posing a risk of serious harm to the client. Restricting the performance of controlled acts to certain regulated professionals who are legally authorized to perform them is the approach to protecting the public set out in the RHPA. As a result, as of December 31, 2019, the performance of the controlled act of psychotherapy is restricted to members of certain regulatory colleges. This includes the Ontario College of Social Work and Social Service Workers.

Are you a Psychotherapist and can you provide psychotherapy?

I am a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist. However, it is important to remember that psychotherapy is only one potential form of therapy. As a Social Worker I have received training in and regularly use a wide range of therapies. This includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy. 

Will Psychotherapy help me?

Psychotherapy, in all its many forms, can help many people. The fact is that it does not help or work for everyone. Other therapies, alone or in combination with psychotherapy, may offer the best solution. As a Registered Social Worker, I work with you to identify issues, create a plan and aim to use the most appropriate treatment for you and your needs.

Useful Resources.

Guide to Psychotherapy from the Mayo Clinic.

Understanding psychotherapy and how it works. Provided by the Ameican Psychological Association (APA). In Ontario, even Psychologists are no longer allowed to call themselves Psychotherapists (this may change)

Main office: 208 Old Orchard Road, RR#1, Bath, Ontario. Tel: 613 352 5487. Therapy is also available at 203-120 Clarence Street, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 1X4.

As an alternative to travelling into Kingston or Belleville my Bath (Sandhurst Shores) office provides easy access for people seeking individual or couples counselling and who live in Greater Napanee, Picton, Amherstview, Lennox & Addington or Prince Edward County.

We all know it’s never going to happen to us but just in case make sure your motor vehicle insurance provides sufficient coverage for supplementary medical, rehabilitation, attendant care, caregiver, non-earner and income replacement benefits.

Not sure if you have enough coverage? Talk to an insurance broker or the CAA. Ask friends for recommendations. If you are a member of a union, professional organisation or CARP they may have a group scheme.

If you need more information about  automobile insurance in Ontario it is regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, a regulatory agency of the Ministry of Finance and they have an excellent guide on their website.

Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance and Healthcare Benefits

“Accident victim wins challenge to Ontario’s $3,500 minor injury cap”

This is the headline from a recent Toronto Star article in the Personal Finance pages. I’m not an expert in vehicle insurance but I do know the cost of treating even minor injuries can be substantial. Take the time to review your coverage with an insurance specialist.

Unfortunately the service of a private practice Social Worker is not covered by OHIP ( although it may be covered by your benefit plan). However, fees paid to Social Workers in most Provinces (including Ontario) are now eligible for tax relief. You can find out more on the Canada Revenue Agency website where they list authorised medical practitioners.

Social work services provided by private practitioners are billed by the hour. They may be covered under a private health plan or employee group benefits plans. More and more insurance companies will cover social work services in individual policies or group health plans if asked to do so. If social work is not currently on the list of professional services covered in your insurance plan, ask that it be added.