FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does a counselling session cost?
Clarity Counselling & Mediation offers individual (ages 18+) and student (ages 12-17) standard sessions for $150 per counselling hour (50 mins), and relationship sessions (2+ people) for $175 per counselling hour. For more affordable counselling options, Clarity offers sliding-scale pricing to a limited number of clients.
What is sliding scale counselling?
​Sliding scale pricing is a reduced counselling fee based on an individual's income and insurance coverage, or lack of. This is something we discuss individually and is specific to each counsellor, with limited spots. We know that counselling can be expensive, and is unfortunately not covered by Ontario's Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). If cost is a barrier to seeking counselling, then this may be an option for you.
Contact Us to ask about availability and learn more.
What are your payment options?
Payment options accepted at Clarity Counselling & Mediation are E-transfer, or VISA, & Mastercard through Jane payment.
What is your cancellation policy?
Out of respect for our clients and clinicians, we require 24-hour notice for a changed, canceled, or rescheduled session(s). When proper notice is given it is free of charge for you (the client) and allows the clinician to fill that appointment time with another client. We understand that things come up and emergencies happen, so we ask that you give us as much notice as possible. For cancellations under 24 hours and no-show appointments, there is a 100% fee charged. Please note that this fee is not covered by insurance companies.
What are the confidentiality limitations of counselling?
Registered Social Workers have an ethical responsibility to safeguard clients' right to confidentiality. Information shared in sessions with your counsellor is confidential, outside of the legal limitations including :
1. If there is a requested court order,
2. If you are at imminent risk of harming yourself or others,
3. If you disclose information about child or elder abuse,
4. If you disclose information pertaining to abuse or misconduct of another health care professional.
Is counselling covered by my benefits?
Many insurance companies cover counselling services provided by counsellors who are Registered Social Workers (RSW) and have a Master in Social Work degree (MSW). At Clarity Counselling & Mediation we are unable to do direct billing and require payment at time of service. Upon payment, a receipt with full details for insurance claims will be provided.
Do I need my parent or guardian’s consent to go to counselling?
Anyone of any age can consent to receive counselling services on their own, presuming they can understand what they are consenting to and what the potential consequences of accepting or refusing counselling services are. These things are explained during the first counselling session together.
What’s the difference between a social worker, psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist?
Social workers, psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists are all mental health professionals in Ontario with different backgrounds in education and regulatory bodies. The main differences between them are that social workers and psychotherapists are often more focused on providing counselling and/or psychotherapy, while psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions, and psychiatrists can prescribe medication.
Social workers are registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), and use assessment, treatment, and evaluation to support clients, with a focus on psychosocial issues and promoting equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Psychotherapists are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and practice psychotherapy: the assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural issues through a psychotherapeutic relationship. Social workers are also able to practice psychotherapy.
Psychologists are registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) and are trained in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of behavioural and mental health conditions. Distinct from social workers and psychotherapists, psychologists can diagnose these conditions.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (physicians) registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) who have specialized in diagnosing mental health conditions and prescribing medication. Their focus is usually medication management.
What are the different ways I can access counselling?
Clarity offers counselling in person at our comfortable and well-lit office in Cambridge, as well as virtually (video) and by phone, where clients can attend from a safe and confidential space of their choosing, such as from home. When scheduled for a virtual session, clients will receive a link via email about half an hour in advance to join the session online. Our online software (Jane) is secure and PIPEDA-compliant. When scheduled for a phone session, the counsellor will call the client’s provided phone number at the session start time.
What are the different ways I can access counselling?
I’m thinking about starting counselling, what now? Starting counselling is a courageous step. Our goal is to meet you where you’re at, at a pace that feels comfortable for you. There are a few things that may be worth considering.
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First, what are you hoping to get out of counselling?
This could be learning how to cope with anxiety, depression, stress, life changes, role changes, relationships, simply having a safe space to talk with a nonjudgmental person, or anything else. It’s also okay not to have this totally figured out; your counsellor can help you explore and identify goals that are meaningful to you.
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Next, who would you like to see as your counsellor?
Everyone’s different, including counsellors, what types of therapy approaches they use, issues they can help you with, and experiences that they have.
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You can visit our About page to learn more about our counsellors. If you’re not sure who you’d like to see, you can also go to our booking page and see who has availability that works for you, then book a consultation and see how that counsellor feels for you.
What can I expect from a consultation?
We offer complimentary 15-minute consultations by phone or video. This is a free, no-pressure opportunity to meet with your potential counsellor, share a bit about what you’re looking for, learn more about them and their approach, and ask any questions you may have. You can book a consultation online, or by emailing or calling us, and we’ll coordinate an appointment time with you. You can also book consultations with multiple counsellors if you’d like.
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During the consultation, notice how you feel about that counsellor. It’s normal to feel nervous beforehand and in the beginning; sharing what you’re going through with someone else takes courage and vulnerability! Our hope is that, by the end of the 15 minutes, you’ll feel heard and more comfortable, and have a sense of whether you’d like to continue with that counsellor.
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The relationship between yourself and the counsellor is the most important factor in how successful therapy is. It’s your call whether you’d like to schedule a full counselling appointment with them or not. There’s no pressure to decide during the consultation, and you can take as long as you'd like to think about it. If you have any other questions afterward, feel free to email or call, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. If you decide you’d like to continue seeing that counsellor, you can contact us or
schedule yourself using our online booking system.
What can I expect from a first full counselling appointment?
Once your first full counselling appointment is booked, you’ll receive a link to complete an intake and consent form. This asks for some basic information about yourself such as contact information, and payment information so that your counsellor can easily process payment after each session (if you prefer to pay by e-transfer, you can leave this section blank), more detailed questions about your life and what brings you to counselling, and a consent form that outlines our cancellation and no-show policy, and confidentiality.
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During your first session, you can expect your counsellor to review the session fee and your preferred payment method, our cancellation and no-show policy, confidentiality and the limitations of confidentiality for counselling. This is also an opportunity to discuss any questions you may have before proceeding with counselling. Your counsellor might then review your intake form with you and ask additional questions to help them understand where you’re at, what you're hoping for, and how they can support you.
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Once the counselling process begins, it’s up to each counsellor in collaboration with you how each session will go. Sessions are typically 50 minutes, though some counsellors offer extended sessions. You can also ask your counsellor about what to expect, and any other questions you might have about the counselling process, at any time during your sessions together.