Frequently Asked Questions

How much does therapy cost?

Each practitioner at The Collaborative, is a self-employed associate.  As such, each therapist sets their own fee. 

In general you can expect fees to range from $120-200 per session, depending on the experience of your practitioner, and the length of your session

Do you have any low-cost options?

Yes! We currently have one student providing low-cost therapy to those who are unable to afford a more established practitioner.  In addition, some practitioners may offer sliding scale options on a case by case basis. 

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To contact our student, Saxon Elmore, please either email her directly saxon@fizztherapy.com, or fill out the form on our Get Started page.

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You can find her bio at the bottom of our Home Page

What is the difference between an RP, an RSW, a Psychiatrist, a Counsellor and a Student?

RP's (Registered Psychotherapists), RSW's (Registered Social Workers), and Students working under supervision towards registration are all permitted to perform the "controlled act of psychotherapy" for more information about what that entails, please visit the CRPO webpage.

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Counsellors are not permitted to perform the controlled act, or treat "serious disorders of cognition, mood..." etc. They are permitted to perform counselling services as long as they refrain from performing the controlled act.

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Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have the authority to provide a diagnosis.  Most psychiatrists do not provide therapy or counselling services.

How do you choose the therapists who work at The Collaborative?

Therapists interested in working at The Collaborative may visit our For Practitioners page to find out more.

Before a practitioner is brought on to work at The Collaborative,  they schedule a meeting with at least two of the three founding members to share about their practice, and learn about what we offer in our space. 

After this meeting, our founding members meet to discuss their comfort level integrating the new practitioner into the team. They search the public register to look for any complaints/rulings that may exist against regulated professionals.  If  necessary, they may also follow up with supervisory references.

  If after all the checks and balances have been completed, it feels like a good fit for all parties involved, they move forward with contracts and integrating the practitioner into the team.

What is the difference between an RP, and RP (Qualifying) and a Student Therapist?

Registered Psychotherapists have completed all the requirements with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario for private practice, and maintain ongoing quality assurance and professional development.

Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying) have graduated from their training programme and have signaled their intent to qualify with the college.  Depending on the training programme they have graduated from, some RP(Qualifying) members will have a great deal of clinical experience, some RP (Qualifying) members will have little to no clinical experience. 

Student therapists, similar to RP (Qualifying) members may have very little clinical experience, or quite a lot of clinical experience.  The only way to know is to ask each individual practitioner.

Will insurance cover my sessions?

Likely, yes!

It is important to check in with your individual plan to make sure therapy services are covered. 

Most plans cover both RPs and RSWs.  Some only cover RSWs or Psychiatrists, some will also cover counselling services.   How much coverage you have will also vary plan to plan.

Some insurance companies will also accept claims from students practicing under supervision.  

How long does therapy take?

Each person seeks therapy for a different reason.  As such, the length of any therapeutic treatment is often difficult to assess from the beginning.  Cases of more complex trauma, and people with a history of adverse childhood experiences will likely need longer treatments. 

Some therapists who practice more manualized treatments, may offer more concrete timelines, whereas others who work in a more exploratory way may take much longer. 

There are studies which suggest in order for therapy to be effective, a minimum of six months of regular sessions are required.  Studies also tend to show that the longer a person engages in therapy, the more benefits they see from the work, and the more the results tend to stand the test of time.

How do I know which therapist or what type of therapy I need?

Quite a few studies have come out in recent years, which signal that the efficacy of therapy is in large part dependent upon the relationship between the client and the therapist.  This speaks to the importance of finding a therapist you feel comfortable with.  This may also mean the first therapist you try is not necessarily going to be the right therapist for you.  

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There are many different modalities and approaches to therapy.  Each has benefits and draw backs, your therapist should be able to explain their methodology to you, and help you assess if it will be a good fit.

Do you offer video-sessions? Are they effective?

Many of our practitioners offer both in person and video sessions.  

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The efficacy of virtual sessions depends on the needs of the individual seeking treatment. 

For many people virtual sessions can be very effective. 

Some people, however, will greatly benefit from the experience of in-person sessions, especially those who may have difficulty with self-regulation, an over-active nervous system, or an under-active nervous system (lethargy, more catatonic-presenting depression, or dissociation).

I really like my therapist, can I leave you a review somewhere?

No.  While we are thrilled that you have found a therapist who suits your needs, it is considered unethical by the CRPO to solicit or post reviews of services.  

Reviews of therapeutic services both breach client confidentiality, and are considered misleading to the public, as success with one client cannot guarantee success for another.  

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What are the limits of confidentiality?

In general, everything discussed in therapy is confidential. 

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There are, however, legal and ethical limits to confidentiality.  

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These limits center around imminent harm to yourself, someone else, or a child.  Your therapist should outline these limitations for your in detail.

I have had a bad experience with therapy in the past, what can I do?

It can be especially daunting to seek help if you have had bad or harmful experiences with practitioners in the past.  

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Unfortunately therapists are not immune from causing harm.

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We recommend any previous experiences be discussed with your new therapist during your initial session.

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We also recommend any and all complaints about a therapist be filed with that particular practitioners regulatory body.  Regulatory bodies exist to protect the public, and oversee the efficacy and ethical practice of their members.  Unregulated practitioners may also be reported to the CRPO, as they have the authority to sanction and restrict the practice of unregulated members.