Healing Alliance Counselling


​Frequently Asked Questions


What are the potential ​​benefits of
counselling?
​There are numerous potential benefits to engaging in
​counselling including but not limited to: self growth,
increased awareness of self and behaviours, progressive decrease in feelings of distress (i.e. deep sadness, grief, anxiety, anger), insight into presenting issues, emotional catharsis (release), improved relationship dynamics, increased clarity in decision making, and increased coping skills.
​
How often do I have to engage in counselling?
For optimal results, it is recommended that you meet with your counsellor once per week; however, this is highly dependent on the needs and goals of the client, as well as finances of the client.
​
What are the fees of counselling?
The standard rate per session is $120. Cash, Personal Cheque or Email Money Transfer are accepted.

Is services provided by Healing Alliance Counselling covered by third party/group insurance plans?
Services may be covered in full or in part by your private health insurance or group employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:

Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
What is my deductible and has it been met?
How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
Do I need a referral from my primary care physician?
What credentials is my therapist required to have? (You will be provided with an official receipt with my supervisor's, a registered psychologist, credentials listed)

Please let me know if you intend to claim services through insurance.

What if I can't afford your counselling rate?
Healing Alliance Counselling reserves limited spots with a reduced hourly rate and/or sliding fee scale based on income (or lack of income) to those individuals with financial hardship who need immediate treatment. If Healing Alliance is unable to offer treatment, a list of referrals with sliding fee scales or free services will be provided to the individual seeking counselling services.
​​
How long will counselling last?
Healing Alliance Counselling offers counselling in both short and long term formats and the length of counselling is dependent upon many factors including:
​
- how often you are able to meet with your counsellor (weekly, bi weekly, monthly?)
- finances, including potential third party insurance
- what difficulties you are dealing with (situational vs long term issue)
- what are your goals relating to counselling

How long is each session?
Typically each session is scheduled for 50 minutes. In light of the intake assessment and reviewing administration and confidentiality, the initial session is scheduled for 60 minutes.

What areas of mental health do you provide counselling for?
Counselling is offered for a variety of areas affecting mental health including:​​​
​Mood Disorders (Depression, Dysthymia, Bipolar)
​Anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety, Agoraphobia)
Trauma (and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD))
Existential and Identity Struggles
​Grief/Loss
Anger
​​Chronic Pain
​Interpersonal Issues (including Conflict, Assertiveness and Communication Barriers) 
Some personality disorders 
​
**Note: If you are struggling with a particular issue that is not listed, please feel free to contact me, as this list is not inclusive, and I am willing to work in, and have experience in, other areas affecting your mental health.

What counselling approach do you use to provide treatment?
It is my understanding that each client coming into my office, even if given the same diagnosis, will have a different story, their circumstances and subsequent difficulties being as unique as DNA. Therefore, clients are treated using an integrative client-centred approach, exercising techniques from various therapy modalities including Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Attachment, Family Systems Theory, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and Ego State Therapy and Transactional Analysis. I appreciate the uniqueness of each client and their story, therefore each treatment plan takes the needs and learning style of each client into consideration. Moreover, the number of sessions available to the client will also impact what therapy modalities will be utilised (i.e. short term vs long term approaches). This being said, several counselling approaches may be used with one client, and just one counselling approach may be utilised for another client, depending on how the client best understands and integrates incoming information, as well as their current symptoms, and how they are impacting their day to day life.

Regardless,  during the initial intake sessions, as your counsellor, I will be asking questions that pertain to your goals, needs and desires, family history, certain aspects of your childhood, and your learning style (i.e. what is your preferred method of learning new information - visual, auditory, kinesthetic (learn by performing act)) to assess what approach would be best for treatment.


What can I expect from counselling?
As your counsellor, my goal will be to provide you with a safe and empathic space to allow you to express your feelings and thoughts openly and honestly. This therapeutic setting will also provide you the opportunity to set goals for yourself regarding counselling, and explore your presenting difficulty with greater awareness, facilitated by the support of myself. I will guide and facilitate in the process of you reflecting on your difficulty in greater depth, and help clarify potential obstacles preventing you from healing and/or achieving your goals. It is my hope that you will realize the internal and external resources you hold within yourself. As you can see, counselling is a collaborative effort where you and I will work together to resolve both visible and underlying issues that are affecting you. Due to the collaborative nature of counselling, as the client you will be expected to participate actively in session and arrive on time for your sessions.


Didn't find the answer to your question? Send me an email or leave a message on my confidential voicemail. I will get back to you within 24 hours.







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healing.alliance.counselling@gmail.com ​
          jessica@stittsvillewellness.com
            613-619-0402 or 613-435-9299 ext 4​​​​