FAQs

• What is the difference between psychologist and psychiatrist?

• Psychiatrist has a medical degree and can prescribe medicines. Whereas, psychologist can't prescribe medicines and use talk therapy more often.
   

• What does a psychologist/psychotherapist/counsellor do?

• Even though each one of them have different skillsets, the essential factor is that they all deal with your emotional, psychological and behavioural issues.
   

• How do I find the right psychologist for me?

• Check the psychologist's credentials, including both training and experience.  Make sure to talk to the psychologist directly before making an appointment. Ask questions about the services that will be provided, so you will not get something different from what you expected. See how comfortable you feel when you are talking with the psychologist.
   

• How is mental illness different from a psychological problem?

• The term mental illness is, historically, a medical term implying problems that may require medical treatment. The term mental illness can be used in reference to those psychological behavioural problems such as schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, possibly bi-polar disorder, sometimes severe depression, and occasionally severe personality disturbances.
  
  Psychologists tend to not use the term mental illness to describe psychological problems because there is confusion about what the label really means.  Some people have a false impression that psychologists only treat mentally ill individuals, and if you just have a problem with anxiety, an addiction, or "everyday problems" you should see someone else. As a consequence, some people may contact counsellors, with much less training than a licensed psychologist, when they need help to resolve a psychological problem.
  
  Rather than being concerned about the label, ask yourself if you have a problem that you are not able to deal with effectively. A psychologist can help you identify the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are creating problems in your life and can help you resolve these problems.
   

• What should I expect when I see a psychologist?

• The initial visit is a period for you and your therapist to get to know each other and get an idea how to proceed. Keep in mind that psychotherapy is a long-term process. You will not get any instant solutions to your problems the first day. Therapy is about equipping you with life-long solutions rather than a quick fix. The psychologist and patient work the best when they work together. You are likely to gain the most benefit from counseling if you are committed to the process and attend regularly. You can discuss with your psychologist the frequency of your appointments and what will work best for your needs. 

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• How will I know if therapy is working?

• As you begin therapy, you should establish clear goals with your psychologist. Perhaps you want to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with depression. Or maybe you would like to control a fear that disrupts your daily life. Keep in mind that certain tasks require more time to accomplish than others.

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• How long is a session and how often will I see you?

• Sessions are typically 50 minutes long and are often scheduled weekly, especially in the beginning. Most people have been struggling to deal with difficult situations by the time they come to therapy. Weekly sessions will help to keep you accountable and motivated to work towards your goals in an efficient way. As therapy progresses, we can work together to determine if weekly sessions will continue to be useful. Some people will find that as they begin to heal and grow, fewer sessions are needed. The frequency of sessions can be adjusted in order to best meet your needs and maintain positive change.

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• How long will therapy last?

• Every client or couple is going through a unique situation, so the length of treatment will vary. Most people attend therapy an average of 8-20 sessions, but it is always up to you how long you want to meet. Some clients will get what they need in 4-5 sessions, whereas other people attend therapy for six months to a year. There are many factors that will help determine the length of therapy, including the complexity of the issue, how much growth and change you want to make, how deeply you would like to explore the issue and your commitment to making and maintaining the positive changes. I will work with you in determining the appropriate schedule for therapy.

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• What forms of payment do you accept?

• I accept bank transactions, Gpay, PayPal.

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• What is your fee?

• I will discuss the fee at length with you. To some, therapy cost may seem expensive, but you also have to remember that when seeing a therapist, you are placing what’s most important (your individual self or your relationship) in the hands of someone that is supposed to help. It is worth every penny to find someone that has extensive knowledge and training in this field.

To put it into perspective, therapy is less expensive in the long run than other medical outcomes (having a heart attack, stomach ulcers, conditions requiring psychotropic medications, etc.) or relationship outcomes (mediation, attorney fees, divorce, etc.).