FAQs
Q: What do psychologists do, and how do they differ from other mental health professionals?
Psychologists wear many different hats. Psychologists at Ferndale Psychology are primarily therapists, but also have strong backgrounds in assessment, diagnosis and research. All of the approaches we use are evidence based. Psychologists in Ontario typically do a 2 year Master’s program with a thesis project and a 5 year Doctoral program with another thesis project, then a full time year-long clinical residency (often in a hospital setting). We amass thousands of hours of supervision and training and complete rigorous exams and credentialing prior to independent practice. Psychologists in Ontario can diagnose but are not licensed to provide prescription medications. We work closely with other health/mental health professionals to coordinate your care.
Psychotherapists typically have a Master’s degrees in Counselling Psychology and are not able to diagnose.
Psychiatrists are Medical Doctors who tend to specialize in prescribing medications rather than engaging in talk therapy.
Making a decision about which treatment provider(s) to choose can be difficult. It’s a complicated system. We can help with navigating these decisions based on your particular needs.
Q: What populations does Ferndale Psychology see? Do you see children and families?
At Ferndale Psychology, we see primarily older adolescents and adults who can engage in the therapeutic process. We also see parents for parenting-related concerns.
Q: Can I self-refer or do I need a physician referral?
You can self-refer (meaning you can call in yourself for an appointment without a physician’s note), but you are always encouraged to talk to your family doctor about treatment options. Some insurance plans do require some sort of referral to be covered- please check into your plan’s specifics.
Q: I am looking for a diagnosis. Is Ferndale Psychology the right place to come for this service?
A formal diagnostic assessment is not always necessary when coming up with a treatment plan. Often times, the common processes underlying various conditions can be identified in the initial sessions. However, there are times when certain conditions may be diagnosed if it is thought to be helpful. You may be asked to complete some questionnaires in order to help guide your treatment or to monitor your treatment progress.
If you are looking for a comprehensive psychological evaluation with diagnoses, we can help refer you to other psychologists or psychiatrists who offer this kind of work.
Q: I have benefits under my workplace insurance plan or another insurance plan. What are the steps I need to take to get therapy covered?
Psychologists in private practice are not covered by OHIP. Please check with your individual plan about coverage. Some plans are very generous for therapy coverage and some are very limited, meaning you might end up paying a significant amount yourself.
Extended health benefit plans for Western and Fanshawe students often cover services provided by registered psychologists.
We ask that you pay for our sessions upfront (immediately after the session by e-transfer) and then submit the receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Q: What can I expect in the first session and in additional sessions?
The first session is a chance for your psychologist to orient you to treatment, confidentiality and policies and procedures, and start to get to know what brings you in and a bit about your history. It is also a chance for you to get a sense of your therapist’s personality and style. The fit between therapist and client is very important, so you are encouraged to ask questions about your therapist’s approach, training, etc.
Therapy often involves the collaborative creation of goals and monitoring of progress around these goals. Options around treatment length and frequency will be discussed. Some people come in for help with focused concerns, and some people are looking for ongoing support throughout a period of life.
You will often be encouraged to do some work outside of therapy, such as self-monitoring, trying new behaviours, etc. This “homework” can really help move you forward in your goals and there is good evidence that this is important and helpful for most people.
What kinds of therapy do you offer?
Our psychologists are trained in a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness Meditation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure Therapies, and Narrative Therapy. Please ask questions about any of these approaches. We are person-centered and humanistic and don’t follow a manual because your therapy is unique to you. The attachment relationship between client and therapist is strongly valued. We see the client as the expert of their own experiences and tailor our approaches to the unique needs and preferences of the individual.
Q: What are your fees?
Our fee for individual therapy is based around the usual rate charged in the province of $225/session. Fees to work with an intern (under direct supervision of Dr Evans) are $150/session.
Our fee for single session therapy (90 minute appointments) is $350/session.
Please talk to us if you have questions or concerns re: fees. We are at times able to offer a limited number of sliding scale arrangements.
Q: How do you handle COVID-19 safety guidelines?
We take your health and safety seriously and follow all provincial guidelines with respect to COVID-related masking, closures, etc. If you are unwell, please do not come in to the office. If you are well enough to meet, we can always switch an in-person appointment to a virtual appointment.
