Frequently Asked Questions

Our fees are inline with market rates for psychotherapy services.

Payment for services occurs at the end of each session via Visa, MasterCard, e-transfer, and when services are provided physically in our offices, cash or cheque are also accepted. A receipt suitable for submission to your insurance company will be provided when payment is received. You may wish to retain these receipts for your insurance or income tax claims, if applicable.

We will make every effort to resolve issues regarding overdue accounts in a manner that is satisfactory to both parties. However, at our discretion, in cases where a satisfactory arrangement cannot be reached, third parties may be involved to settle the account and interest charges may apply. The responsibility for payment for all services remains with you, the client, independent of any third-party coverage unless other arrangements have been made.

Our fees are not covered by OHIP. You may, however, be eligible for coverage under a third-party plan/program, including:

Extended Health Benefit Plans (e.g., Sunlife Financial, Greenshield, Manulife, etc.)

Your place of employment, or other organization, may provide you with extended healthcare to reimburse you fully or partially for the cost of seeing one of our clinicians. We recommend that you talk to your benefits provider or read your benefits booklet or pamphlet carefully regarding your benefits; every plan is different in terms of which types of professionals are covered and in terms of how much funding is available per session and per year. Following your session, you can submit our receipt to your provider for reimbursement.

Automobile Insurance Companies in the Event of a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA)

If you or an immediate family member have been involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) that has done either of the following, then you may qualify for coverage by your automobile insurance provider:

• worsened a pre-existing mental health condition; or
• has incited any new mental health challenges (including, but not limited to: behavioural changes, memory difficulties, attention problems, posttraumatic stress [e.g., nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive memories of the accident], anxiety, vehicle anxiety, mood problems or depression; or pain coping difficulties).

Please feel free to contact us in assisting you with this endeavor. Together, we can help you submit a Treatment and Assessment OCF-18 to your automobile insurance company requesting coverage for assessment and psychotherapy services. Please note that in order for us to apply for funding, we require detailed information including your name, address, email address, phone number, date of birth, the name of your automobile insurance company and contact information including phone and fax number, the name of the adjuster on your claim, the date of the accident (also known as the date of loss) and your policy or claim number.

If you have this information readily available, please click here to complete an intake form.

Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB)

If you are currently dealing with mental health issues or disability(ies) as a result of a work-related incident or workplace stressor(s), then you may be eligible for compensation through the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB). We have experience treating conditions that result from work-related incidents, including depression, anxiety, chronic pain disability, chronic or traumatic mental stress, and more.

For further information, please contact us directly or visit the WSIB website; alternately you can click here to complete a WSIB intake form and we will contact you shortly.

Veteran Affairs Canada

Veteran Affairs Canada provides compensation for mental health services for all Canadian armed forces Veterans. The extent of your coverage depends on several factors, including your individual needs.

For further information, please contact us directly or visit the Veteran Affairs Canada website; alternately you can click here to complete an intake form and we will contact you shortly.

Simply complete and submit our intake/referral form by clicking here and we will contact you when we receive and process your request.

Yes, we have plenty of free parking on site.

Coming from the 401

Take the Yonge Street Exit and drive Northbound on Yonge Street. Drive through Steeles Avenue and then through Clark Avenue. You will soon see a Petro Canada station on your lefthand side – turn left here (Centre Street). We are the first building on your left, just next door to the Petro Canada station.  The main entrance is on the west side of the building, just off the driveway.

Coming from the East by way of Highway 7 or Highway 407

Get off at the Yonge Street exit and turn left (South) onto Yonge Street Street. A few blocks up, you will see a Petro Canada station on the right. Turn right immediately before this Petro Canada station, and we are the first building on the left, just next door to the Petro Canada Station.  The main entrance is on the west side of the building, just off the driveway.

Coming from the West by way of Highway 407 or Highway 7

Get off at the Yonge Street exit and turn right (South) onto Yonge Street. A few blocks up, you will see a Petro Canada station on the right. Turn right immediately before this Petro Canada station, and we are the first building on the left, just next door to the Petro Canada Station.  The main entrance is on the west side of the building, just off the driveway.

Confidentiality is of paramount importance to us. In order for therapy to be effective, it is essential that you feel safe and comfortable to discuss anything you wish, and know with absolute certainty that the information you share will be kept confidential. Please be reassured that all staff at InnerQore Health adhere to the standards of professional conduct and the confidentiality requirements outlined by The College of Psychologists of Ontario.

Our staff is trained meticulously on the importance and limits of confidentiality.

Please note that there are certain exceptional and rare circumstances under which confidentiality, as defined by Ontario law, can, and sometimes even must, be broken to ensure the safety of the client and/or others. For example, if a client discloses information that they are intending to harm themselves or someone else, we will take action to prevent harm.

In review of our policies during intake we will review with you all of the circumstances that are exceptions and limits to confidentiality.

While each of the three practitioners noted above are able to provide psychotherapy, their training and licensing are very different:

Clinical Psychologist

A clinical psychologist must successfully complete relevant coursework in psycho-diagnosis, clinical assessment, treatment, and ethics during their Masters and Ph.D. study, along with an accredited pre-doctoral clinical internship, before successfully passing a series of oral and written examinations and a final year of Supervised Practice at the end of their training journey to be licensed as a registered psychologist under the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO). In Ontario, only psychologists and psychiatrists are legally allowed to diagnose mental health disorders. Psychologists receive the most extensive training and education in psychotherapy, mental health disorders and diagnoses, but are not able to prescribe medication.

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a M.D. (medical doctor) and must successfully finish 3 to 4 years of medical school (depending on the school), after which they complete a residency program in psychiatry. During their residency, psychiatrists will be provided with training in medication prescription, diagnosis, and psychotherapy. In Ontario, only psychologists and psychiatrists are legally allowed to diagnose mental health disorders; psychiatrists can prescribe medications. While some psychiatrists have sizable psychotherapy practices, others focus primarily on the provision of pharmacological interventions (medications) such as anti-depressants, anti-anxiolytics, mood stabilizers and anti-psychotic medications to address patient diagnosis(es). While we do not have any full-time in-house psychiatrists working at InnerQore Health, we do have consulting psychiatrists available to see our psychotherapy clients for consultation, subject to clinical need and funding sources.

Registered Psychotherapist

Registered Psychotherapists are regulated in Ontario, and must acquire a Master’s degree in counselling (or in a related field) in addition to meeting the minimum requirements as indicated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). They are not able to provide mental health diagnoses or prescribe medication, but can provide psychotherapy services.

Psychological Associates

Psychological Associates have completed a Master’s degree in psychology, as well as four years of supervised clinical training and one year of formal supervised practice. Like psychologists, they must be registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and are trained in providing multiple mental health services, including assessment, psychotherapy, and diagnosis.

Social Workers

Masters-level social workers are registered with the Ontario College of Social Worker and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), and must have successfully completed a Master’s degree in social work. Social workers can assist psychologists with psychological assessments, can offer psychotherapy and counselling.

At InnerQore, we wholeheartedly believe that each person and situation is uniquely different and that each diagnosis and treatment plan should be optimally individualized to the client and their specific need(s). Our practice is not limited to a single type of modality or approach. We pride ourselves on being a group of professionals that practice psychotherapy from a number of different perspectives and modalities and utilize a team approach to assessment and treatment.

We believe that determining which therapeutic approach works for you (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, emotion-focused therapy, process-focused therapy, etc.) is best achieved through the incorporation of a number of models of psychotherapy. Our multidisciplinary staff creates an environment where we are able to consult and collaborate with each other, leveraging shared knowledge and experiences to ensure that our clients receive the best possible care for their mental health and well-being.

Empirically-supported Treatments

Empirically supported treatments are defined as personalized psychological treatments for specific disorders (e.g., CBT for eating disorders; CBT-E etc.) that have been shown to be effective through peer-reviewed research and clinical trials. These treatments often include being goal-oriented/problem-focused and involve skill-building to ensure a positive treatment outcome.

Evidence-based Practice

The term ‘evidence-based practice’ describes any therapy that has been shown to be effective through meticulously peer-reviewed research and clinical expertise in the context of a client’s specific needs, attributes, and preferences. We follow evidence-based practice by providing empirically supported treatments to our clients, along with the adoption of a collaborative, safe, and flexible therapeutic process. The American Psychological Association (APA) has labelled evidence-based therapy as the recommended approach for psychotherapy.

As noted above, psychologist, psychotherapists, social workers and the like cannot prescribe medication. Only physicians, such as family doctors and psychiatrists can prescribe medication for mental health conditions in Ontario. However, we are respectful of one’s choice to use or abstain from using medication. Depending on your prognosis and situation, it may be in your best interest to receive psychotherapy, in conjunction with medication, in order to improve your mental health and well-being. Please feel free to bring up any wishes or concerns in this regard with your therapist and as necessary, we are happy to work collaboratively with your family physician or a psychiatrist in this regard at your request.

The goal of your first session is for your therapist to gather information about you and your needs; it is also your chance to interact with the therapist and determine whether you are comfortable in continuing therapy together. You are welcomed during this time to raise any questions or concerns you may have so that you can develop a plan of action collaboratively.

Be prepared to review matters of privacy and confidentiality, as your therapist will review our policies. Following this, the two of you will clarify any questions you have so that you can provide consent to receive services. You will also be asked to answer a number of questions regarding your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours toward certain events. During the first session (or two), you will develop a treatment approach together to ensure that any concerns or goals that you wish to work on are being targeted.

Please note that we ask that you arrive 10-15 minutes before your first scheduled appointment time to fill out necessary intake forms before we begin our work together.

The duration of therapy depends on a number of factors, including the therapeutic approach, the type of issue(s) you are experiencing (e.g., severity, duration, comorbidity), the strength of your relationship with your psychologist, and personal factors specific to you (e.g., situational factors, your specific goals, personality, engagement levels/motivation, etc.).

It is possible that some clients will respond more quickly to therapy than others, with treatment usually (but not always) lasting around 12 to 20 sessions long. However, more chronic or complex mental health issues may necessitate a longer treatment course – in sum, there is no “correct” amount of time someone should be in therapy, it depends on the individual and circumstances.

Sessions typically occur once per week, although other frequencies can be arranged such as twice per week or once every two weeks. This is determined on a case-by-case basis, as some clients attend more frequently than others. The frequency of your sessions and the duration of your treatment will be determined by you and your therapist together, depending on your objectives, circumstances, and also taking into consideration your financial situation. This interactive process will allow you to work towards understanding and achieving specific goals, and learn new skills that you need to move forward.

Usually, the decision to end therapy is discussed with your therapist after a set number of sessions, to see if you both feel that your goals have been met. Although, that said, you can terminate therapy any time you wish. While some people may suddenly stop attending therapy sessions (e.g., if situations change or difficulty arises), it is often very helpful to discuss your concerns and the possibility of treatment termination with your therapist before you decide to stop completely. In general, certain types of therapy are more short-term than others (e.g., Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy: 6 to 12 sessions), but this depends on a case-by-case basis as noted above – some treatments may last a few weeks, while others can take several years.

Please note that assessment appointments take longer than psychotherapy appointments, and often last several hours. Therefore, ensure that you have enough time to complete the appointment without feeling like you have to rush. During the clinical interview, you will be asked many questions regarding your symptoms, past medical and mental health history, occupation, daily functionality levels, distress levels, and more.

The focus of the questions depends on the type of assessment being conducted (for more information on various assessment types, click here). You may also be asked to complete some pen-and-paper or online questionnaires and other psychological tests. You are allowed to refrain from answering any questions that cause you discomfort and you may end the assessment early at any time you deem necessary.

Yes we do! We offer telehealth video services via a virtual platform called OnCall Health (a customized platform of Zoom), which is recognized as an excellent provider for online services with high security and confidentially measures.

Regular appointments are necessary to maximize the benefits of psychotherapy. Please make every effort to keep your appointments and book times that will enable you to do so. If you cannot avoid missing an appointment, please inform us as soon as possible. Cancellations must be made with at least 48-hours’ notice or you will be charged for a missed session.

There are two exceptions to this policy: family or medical emergency. If you have a scheduled appointment and you cannot make it please contact your therapist or assessor directly via their “_____________@innerqore.com” email address. If receiving virtual services, updating your availability on OnCall will not provide us with appropriate and timely notice. Should we need to reschedule, our therapist or assessor will contact you at the earliest opportunity via the preferred method you specify.

Please remember that the commitment you make to yourself and your mental health is reflected in your determination to come to scheduled sessions even when it is difficult to do so.