Frequently Asked Questions
The Things People Want to Know Before They Call
Most people have a handful of practical questions before booking counselling, and a few they would rather not have to ask out loud.
All of them are covered here. If something is not, call us and ask.
Start With a Conversation
Call 416-409-8045 to book a free 30-minute consultation.Getting Started
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
No. You can contact us directly. Private counselling in Ontario does not require a referral, though some insurance plans ask for one before they will reimburse, so it is worth checking your policy.
Do I need a diagnosis?
No. Most people who come to counselling do not have a diagnosis and do not need one. People come because something in their life is difficult.
Is my problem serious enough?
There is no threshold to clear. Counselling is not a limited resource that runs out if someone whose situation is less severe uses it. If something has weighed on you long enough that you are tired of managing it alone, that is reason enough.
How do I book?
By phone on 416-409-8045 or by email at cscounsellingservices@gmail.com. There is no online booking system.
Is the initial consultation really free?
Yes. It runs for 30 minutes, and there is no obligation to book afterwards.
Is the consultation in person or online?
Usually, the consultation is in person, but it can also be arranged online. A telephone consultation may be possible depending on the therapist and your circumstances.
How quickly can I be seen?
Availability varies. Contact us and we will tell you what is realistic rather than putting you on an indefinite list.
Fees and Insurance
How much does a session cost?
An individual session is $160 for 60 minutes. Sessions for children and young people are also $160. A package of 5 individual sessions, paid in advance, is $760, a saving of $40.
What about couples and family sessions?
[CLIENT TO CONFIRM]
Do fees differ depending on which therapist I see?
[CLIENT TO CONFIRM]
What payment methods do you accept?
Visa, MasterCard, debit, e-transfer, and cash. Payment is due at the end of each session.
Is a deposit required to book?
No.
Do you bill insurance directly?
No. You pay at the end of the session and claim it back from your insurer using the receipt we provide.
Will I get a receipt for my insurance claim?
Yes, for every session.
Will my insurance cover counselling?
It depends on your benefits plan and on the professional designation of the clinician you see. Plans differ considerably. One may cover services provided by a registered social worker, another may cover registered psychotherapists or Canadian-certified counsellors, and some cover more than one.
Before booking, ask your insurer which designations are covered, whether a referral is required, your annual maximum, and whether virtual sessions are treated the same as in-person.
We cannot guarantee that your insurer will reimburse a particular service or therapist.
Is counselling covered by OHIP?
No. Private counselling is not covered by OHIP for anyone in Ontario.
Do you offer reduced fees?
In some circumstances, yes. If cost is a barrier, please mention it when you get in touch. It is a practical question, not an awkward one.
Appointments and Cancellations
How long is a session?
60 minutes.
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask for 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations with less notice and missed appointments are charged at the full session fee.
What if I am running late?
There is a 15-minute grace period, during which we will call to check you are on your way. The session still ends at its scheduled time.
Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
Office hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm and Saturday 9am to 6pm. Individual therapists also offer appointments outside those hours, including evenings and some weekend times. Ask when you get in touch.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no standard number. Some people work through something specific in a handful of sessions; others continue over a longer period. It is reviewed as you go rather than decided upfront.
Do I need to fill in forms before my first appointment?
No. Intake information is gathered during your first session, and your therapist completes the form with you.
Confidentiality
Is counselling confidential?
Yes, within legal and professional limits. Your therapist will explain those limits clearly at the start of your work together, before you discuss anything significant.
Confidentiality in counselling is important, but it should not be described as absolute. There are professional and legal circumstances in which information may need to be disclosed, and you are entitled to know exactly what those are.
Will my employer or family find out?
No, not unless you ask us to share information with them.
Are sessions recorded?
No.
What about counselling for my teenager? Will I be told what they say?
Your therapist will explain how confidentiality works for your child's age at the outset. Parents are generally kept informed about how things are progressing, while young people are given enough privacy for sessions to be useful to them.
Choosing a Therapist
Can I choose my therapist?
Yes. Tell us any preferences you have, including gender, language, or experience with a particular concern, and we will discuss the options.
Do you offer counselling in any languages other than English?
Sessions may be available in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, and Gujarati, depending on which clinician you see. Mention it when you contact us, and we will tell you honestly what is possible.
What do the different designations mean?
Registered Social Worker, Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and Canadian Certified Counsellor each reflect a different education, regulatory, or certification pathway. They are not interchangeable, and the difference can affect insurance coverage.
Can I verify a therapist's credentials?
Yes, and we encourage it. Registration can be verified through the relevant body: the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Registration numbers are published on every profile page.
What if the fit is not right?
Tell us. Fit matters a great deal, and it is not always right the first time. Changing therapists is a reasonable request and not an awkward one.
Which therapy approaches do you use?
Our therapists draw on a range of approaches, including CBT, solution-focused therapy, ACT, mindfulness, person-centred, trauma-informed, and others, depending on their training and what you need. You do not need to choose one before getting in touch.
Online Counselling
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes, across Ontario, with Sabrina Abrol, Parveen Kaur, Pallavi Joshi, Komal Pithava, and Sierra Jones. Coslyn Selby sees clients in person at our Brampton clinic.
Is online counselling as effective as in-person therapy?
For many concerns it works well. Some situations suit being in the room better, and your therapist will give you an honest view at the consultation.
Do online sessions cost the same?
Yes.
Can I switch between online and in-person?
In many cases, yes, but the answer depends on therapist availability and what is clinically appropriate.
Can you see me if I am outside Ontario?
No. Our clinicians are registered in Ontario and can work with clients who are located in Ontario.
Visiting the Clinic
Where are you?
2250 Bovaird Drive E, Suite 408, Brampton, ON L6R 0W3, in northeast Brampton near Brampton Civic Hospital.
Is the building accessible?
Yes. The building is wheelchair accessible, with elevator access to the fourth floor, an accessible washroom on our floor, and designated accessible parking spaces.
What do I do when I arrive?
Come through the main entrance sliding doors, take the elevator to the fourth floor, and ring the doorbell at Suite 408. Reception and the waiting area are inside the clinic.
Should I arrive early?
No need. Arriving at your appointment time is fine.
Specific Types of Counselling
Do you work with children?
Yes. The approach is adapted to a child's age, and parents are involved in the work.
My teenager does not want to come. What should I do?
Such behaviour is common and is usually due to nervousness about the unknown rather than refusal. Sometimes a parent session first is the more useful starting point. Pressure tends to be counterproductive.
Do we have to be married to attend couples counselling?
No. We work with dating, engaged, common-law, married, and long-term partners.
What if my partner does not attend?
You can begin on your own. Individual counselling about a relationship is worthwhile in itself, and some partners may join later.
Does the whole family have to come to family counselling?
No, and often not everyone should. Work can begin with whoever is willing.
If Counselling Is Not the Right Fit
What if I try it and decide it is not for me?
Then you stop. Nothing about counselling obliges you to continue, and you are not required to explain yourself.
What if you cannot help with what I need?
We will tell you. If your situation calls for a service we do not provide or a level of support beyond private counselling, saying so is part of doing the job properly.
What if I need urgent help?
Ongoing counselling is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are in distress and need to talk to someone now, call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, at any hour. Young people can reach Kids Help Phone free at any time on 1-800-668-6868 or by texting CONNECT to 686868.
Still Have a Question?
Call us at 416-409-8045, email cscounsellingservices@gmail.com, or book a free consultation and ask then. Asking questions before committing to counselling is sensible, not difficult.
We'll start by listening.
2250 Bovaird Drive E, Suite 408
Brampton, ON L6R 0W3