Helpful answers to your commonly asked questions.

Do I need a diagnosis or referral to book?

No to both. You don’t need a doctor’s note, a formal diagnosis, or any paperwork to get started. You just need to book. If you have a diagnosis and want to share it, that’s welcome — but it’s never a requirement. We start where you are.

I’ve been in therapy before and it didn’t really work. Why would this be different?

Honestly, it might not be — and that’s worth saying out loud. Therapy is a relationship, and not every relationship fits. What I can tell you is that this work is built around you specifically, not a method I apply to everyone. If something isn’t working, we talk about that directly rather than pushing through. And if at any point this isn’t the right fit, I’ll say so directly — and I won’t leave you without somewhere to go.

How do I know if therapy is actually working?

This is one of the most important questions to ask and one of the hardest to answer cleanly. Progress in therapy rarely looks like a straight line. What tends to be more reliable than session-by-session feeling is the longer view — are you responding to things differently than you were three months ago? Are the conversations you’re having with the people in your life changing? Are you making decisions that feel more like you? This isn’t something we leave to chance. We check in on it regularly — not because there’s somewhere you’re supposed to be by a certain point, but because therapy should feel like a conscious choice, not a standing appointment you show up to.

What actually happens in a session?

Mostly, we talk. But it’s not small talk and it’s not me asking you how that makes you feel every five minutes. It’s a real conversation grounded in whatever actually fits — which might be cognitive or behavioural work, somatic awareness, narrative approaches, mindfulness, or something philosophical or experiential depending on where we are and what you need. There’s no script. There’s no single method. There’s just what’s true for you.

Do you work with neurodivergent clients?

Yes — and not just as an area of study. I’m neurodivergent myself, and I live inside a neurodivergent family. That means you won’t spend the first several sessions justifying how your brain works before we can get anywhere. I’m genuinely curious about it — and a lot easier to bring up to speed than most. Every brain is different, and understanding yours is part of the work, not a prerequisite for it.

I’m in a non-traditional relationship or family structure. Will that be a problem?

Not even slightly. I have lived experience with blended families, co-parenting complexity, and relationships that don’t fit a conventional template. You won’t need to justify your relationship structure or spend time educating me on how it works. We can get straight to what you actually came for.

What if we’re not a good fit?

Then we say so. I’d rather have that honest conversation early than have you spending time and money in a room that isn’t working. If it becomes clear this isn’t the right fit — for whatever reason — I’ll tell you directly, and I’m happy to help point you toward someone who might serve you better. This isn’t a failure. It’s just how matching works sometimes.

Do you direct bill to insurance?

No. I provide you with a detailed receipt after each session, and you submit it to your insurance or EAP on your end. Most people find the process straightforward, but it does mean you pay me first and get reimbursed later.

What payment methods do you accept?

I accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) and e-transfers. I keep a credit card on file before we start working together — it's how I run the practice, and it means we don't have to think about logistics during sessions.

Will my insurance cover sessions with you?

That depends entirely on your plan. I'm a Registered Social Worker with a BSW — some plans cover RSWs at this level, others require an MSW. I'll have my MSW in January 2027, which will expand coverage options, but for now it's your responsibility to confirm what your plan allows. If you're unsure, call the number on your benefits card and ask: "Does my plan cover sessions with a Registered Social Worker who holds a BSW?"

How long will I need to come to therapy?

I genuinely don’t know — and anyone who tells you they do is guessing. What I can tell you is that my goal is never to keep you coming back longer than you need to. Some people come for a focused stretch of a few months and leave with what they came for. Others stay longer because the work keeps opening up. We check in on this regularly so it’s always a conscious choice, not just a habit.

Is virtual therapy actually effective?

It’s a fair concern — and one that usually dissolves after the first session. Virtual therapy isn’t a compromise version of the real thing. For a lot of people, being in their own space makes it easier to be honest, not harder. The research broadly supports that virtual therapy is as effective as in-person for most presenting concerns. And practically speaking, it means you can access this work from anywhere in Ontario without rearranging your life around a commute.

What’s walk-and-talk therapy and is it right for me?

It’s exactly what it sounds like — we meet outside, walk or sit at a picnic bench, and have a real therapy conversation in fresh air. For a lot of people, especially those with ADHD or autism, movement makes it easier to access things that are hard to reach sitting still. Currently available in North Bay and Whitby area.