Frequently Asked Questions
We hope that you might find the answers to some of your questions about our services below.
What is a clinical psychologist?
A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional who has completed years of graduate training in clinical psychology, providing them with knowledge and experience in how to assess and provide treatment for mental health struggles, such as depression and anxiety, as well as for challenges in everyday functioning, such as work stress and family conflict. Over the course of their training, clinical psychologists receive years of classroom instruction and first-hand experience under the supervision of experienced psychologists. The communication of a psychological diagnosis is a controlled act restricted to qualified members of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Psychologists are registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and are required to continue to participate in yearly learning and training opportunities to keep up their knowledge and skill in their respective areas of practice.
What are the different types of regulated mental health service providers in Ontario?
Here is a table that provides information about the different types of mental health providers in Ontario.
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How do I choose the right therapist for me?
When you contact us, you can let us know if there is a particular psychologist you would like to meet with or we can help guide you by letting you know which psychologists offer the type of services you are seeking. The first session is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of whether your psychologist is right for you. The notion of "fit" refers to the extent to which you feel you can relax, relate to, and open up to your psychologist. It is incredibly important for the therapeutic process. If you did not feel the fit was right, we would be happy to recommend other options for you.
Do I need a referral from my physician?
No, you do not need a referral from your doctor in order to schedule an appointment. Some insurance companies require submission of a physician's note before they will reimburse you for services covered by a health insurance plan. We recommend that you enquire with your health insurance company about this possibility.
How do I set up an appointment?
You may set up an appointment by reaching out to us through our website contact page, by emailing us at info@lakesidepsych.ca or by calling us at 226-526-7164. If we are unable to schedule you an appointment in the immediate future, we will give you the option of being added to our waitlist and we will make efforts to provide you with an estimate on the wait and alternative services if you would like to consider what other resources you could access.
How many appointments might I need?
While there are some types of therapy or assessment that may involve a specific number of sessions, the process of therapy and the needs of any individual can vary greatly. There is no required or expected commitment from a client as to a number of sessions. Once your psychologist has some information from you about your wants and needs, they can suggest a frequency of sessions and number of sessions that might be a helpful starting point. If you have a number of sessions in mind that you feel able to commit to, you can share this with your clinician so that they can work collaboratively with you on how to use those sessions.
It is often the case that a client may feel that things are going well and that they have less need for frequent appointments, in which case they may simply reach out in the future should they wish to return to therapy, or they may choose to schedule monthly or less frequent sessions as a kind of mental health maintenance.
What should I expect during my first therapy appointment ?
Individual therapy and family therapy sessions are typically 50-minutes in duration. Many people feel nervous about the first session and the idea of sharing personal information with someone they are meeting for the first time. A part of our job is to create a space that helps you to feel comfortable, safe, and at ease. The first session allows your psychologist to begin to get a sense of who you are as a person and what your goals and needs are, which helps to guide treatment moving forward. The session will include a discussion about confidentiality, background information, possible treatment goals and any questions or concerns you may have about the therapy process.
Are psychological services covered by my health insurance plan?
Services provided by a psychologist are covered under most private health insurance plans. We strongly suggest that you check to see what your plan coverage is so that you are aware of what mental health professionals your coverage allows payment for, whether there is a session maximum payment or a co-pay, and what the yearly maximum of your plan might be.
Do you accept insurance as payment?
Our office does not directly process insurance payments. As a result, clients are required to pay directly for services and to submit their claims for reimbursement to their insurance company. Paper or electronic receipts will be provided to you upon payment of services.
What is confidentiality and how does it work when a client is a child or adolescent?
Confidentiality refers to an expectation that the psychologist with whom you share personal information must not share that information without your consent. There are limits to confidentiality, most of which are related to keeping people safe from harm, that are explained to you when you first begin services. The following website provides additional information on this topic: https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/understanding-common-legal-issues-in-child-and-youth-mental-health/
What is the process for a psychological assessment?
​Psychological assessments are pursued for a number of reasons. Some assessments may focus on diagnostic clarification of mental health concerns to inform treatment, whereas other assessments may seek to learn more about learning profiles and determine learning strengths and weaknesses, and whether there may be learning or attention-based difficulties, which can help to inform school or workplace recommendations. Once you have discussed with a member of our team what type of assessment you are looking to have done, they will be able to confirm whether a team member is available to offer this service. The assessing psychologist will first schedule an appointment, which will be used to obtain consent, confirm the scope of the assessment, and begin obtaining background information about the client. Psychological tests will be administered during the first or subsequent appointments, which may include cognitive and academic testing and/or questionnaires to assess mental health concerns. Following this, the results will be reviewed, and at which time, there may be follow-up questions or additional testing recommendations that will be provided. Once all psychological testing is complete, a report will be prepared detailing the information obtained during the assessment. Once the report is ready, a feedback session will be scheduled, where the psychologist will review and explain the results and the contents of the psychological report. A copy of the report will be provided to you once it is finalized.
We invite you to reach out to us with any additional questions you may have.
226-526-7164