FAQ
How do I reach you?
You can contact me by phone (519) 572-5173. I do my best to return calls within 24 hours. All voicemails are confidential. You can email me at edietownsend@gmail.com or on the contact page of this website. I will do my best to accommodate a prompt appointment time for you. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I’m here to help.
How do I know if I need psychotherapy/ counselling?
You may be ambivalent about whether therapy is right for you, have strong feelings of guilt or shame, experience inadequacy about managing your own problems, or feel pressured into seeking professional help from a loved one. It’s important to know that you are not alone in facing life’s problems and for many people experiencing similar challenges, therapy has been an enormous benefit. It can be helpful to view therapy as a healthy investment in yourself and a decision to make a proactive change to increase your wellbeing and improve the quality of your life.
I would be happy to offer a complimentary consultation to discuss your questions and how I can best serve your particular concerns. You can then decide for yourself.
What happens at the first appointment?
During our first meeting, I will guide you through a gentle exploration of your history and an understanding of you and the issues you want to address. This is an assessment, or information gathering session. We will begin to identify ways to help you and establish goals and expectations for therapy. At times, I also offer consulting or education sessions for an individual or family’s particular needs. I aim to make every therapy session useful to you and we work at your own pace and individual preferences.
Please arrive 10-15 minutes early for your first session to complete necessary forms.
How long will I need therapy?
The amount of sessions you require will depend on your personal issues and goals. We will work collaboratively to ascertain the best plan for you. Some clients complete therapy in just a few sessions while others benefit from long term support. Individuals that attend therapy weekly or bi-weekly as a start tend to build momentum and see benefits sooner. As you progress, we will see each other less frequently or on an as-needed basis. Therapy can be ended at any time upon your request.
What are your fees?
Sessions are 50 minutes in length and $170 per session for individuals. For couples and families, the rate is $195 per session. Longer sessions are available upon request and are prorated at the hourly session rate. Fees can be paid by cash, cheque or email bank transfer at the end of the session.
As a Registered Social Worker, my fees are covered by most extended Health Care Plans. Fees by Registered Social Workers can also be claimed as a medical tax deduction. Receipts are provided at the end of each session for insurance purposes. Should you have difficulty with the fee structure due to financial difficulties, there are opportunities for a reduced fee scale.
Privacy, confidentiality and cancellation/missed appointment policies will be discussed with you at our first meeting.
Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is the foundation of a therapeutic relationship, allowing for a safe environment to work on your personal issues. As a Registered Social Worker with the College of Social Workers and Service Workers, I have an ethical and legal obligation to hold in confidence the identities and information that is shared with me during therapy. There are limitations to this confidentiality, which will be discussed with you at our initial meeting.
Are you the right therapist to help me?
Therapists work with several different treatment methods and approaches, but research continues to show that “therapeutic fit” is the most important aspect of a client-therapist relationship when it comes to reaching goals. During our first session, I encourage you to ask me any questions and as we move through the process, it will give you a good idea of what it is like to work with me and you can determine if you think you can make a trusting connection. This may take time. You should feel safe, accepted, respected and trust I have the skill set to help you. I aim to make every therapeutic encounter useful to you and work transparently with your best interests. I also offer other referrals and resources.