Frequently Asked Questions

We take your privacy and confidentiality seriously. We have built state-of-the-art technology, operations, and infrastructure with the goal of protecting your privacy and safeguarding the information you provide. It is important for us that you know exactly how your privacy and confidentiality are treated, for more information see our Privacy Policy. However, here are some things it might help you to know:
Everything you tell your therapist is confidential.

  • We don't cooperate or work with any insurance companies so nothing needs to be shared, reported or filed with them.
  • You can always click the "Shred" button next to each message that you've sent so it will no longer show in your account.
  • All the messages between you and your therapist are secured and encrypted by banking-grade 256-bit encryption.
  • Our servers are distributed across multiple Tier 4 - AWS Data Centers for optimal security and protection.
  • Our browsing encryption system (SSL) follows modern best practices.
  • Our databases are encrypted and scrambled so they essentially become useless in the unlikely event that they are stolen or inappropriately used.

If you wish for any of your information or records to be released to a third party, please let your therapist know. Your therapist will send you an authorization form that you will need to fill out and sign before your information can be released.

1. Counselling versus Psychotherapy?

Both counsellors and psychotherapists use different kinds of therapies and interventions to accomplish specific outcomes. The choice of therapy varies on the diagnosis or need of the client.

  • In therapeutic settings, Counsellors work with clients to find solutions to specific and immediate problems or issues. Counsellors rely on a combination of talk therapy, education and interventions to help change unwanted behaviour and issues that affect you negatively. Counsellors do not give advice; they help you find answers for yourself. For example, we may guide how to deal with grief, the death of a loved one, career challenges, family issues and intimate partner relationship concerns. A counsellor may direct a client to a psychotherapist if the problem or issue appears to be deeply rooted in the past or involves a complex mental disorder.
  • Psychotherapists generally provide longer-term treatment to clients with chronic and recurrent emotional problems. You need a psychotherapist if you have chronic medical conditions that affect your emotional well-being or have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder or condition such as anxiety and depressive disorders. More examples include Bipolar disorders, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, decolonization and racial identity, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and so forth.

2. What is a psycho-educational assessment?

If your child is struggling with reading, math, spelling, putting ideas on paper, or is generally struggling to reach their potential in school, a psycho-educational assessment can help identify processing strengths, weaknesses, and deficits that may need to be addressed, remediated, and accommodated. In addition, the assessment will provide a path for constructive intervention for improvement.

3. Is psychotherapy covered by provincial health care or extended health care?

Counselling, psychotherapy and psycho-educational assessments/consultations are not covered under most provincial health plans. However, it may be offered by your extended health provider (EHP). You must contact your EHP to know what mental health coverage you have under your policy. Ask about Street Therapys' options to use interns and low-cost options to help you out.

4. What insurance plans does Street Therapy accept?

  • Manulife
  • Sunlife
  • Cooperators
  • Green Shield Canada
  • League
  • Medavie Blue Cross
  • Approved Mental Health Counselling for Non-Insured Health Benefit (NIHB) and Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRS-RHSP)

If you do not see your EHP on the list, please contact us or contact your EHP directly to check if they cover our services.

5. How much does it cost?

Individual therapy sessions range from $165 to $180 (+HST), and Couples and Family therapy sessions are $200 (+HST ). Rate varies by the psychotherapist. If you are under financial hardship and are committed to doing the work, our psychotherapy interns offer low-cost rates.

6. What payment options does Street Therapy accept?

Pay By: American Express, Cash, E-transfer, Health Savings Account, Mastercard and VISA. We use Stripe, an online payment processing platform to keep our transactions secure.

7. What is your cancellation policy?

Street Therapy requires at least 48 hours notice for appointment cancellations. Sessions are cancelled less than 48 business hours in advance (not including weekends or holidays), and no-shows are subject to the full fee. It is easy to notify us of a cancellation, please phone our office at 888.977.5820-x100 or email us at: info@streettherapy.ca or cancel your appointment in our booking portal. Please note that we do not accept or receive text messages.

8. How is my privacy protected?

We take your privacy and confidentiality seriously. Everything we do, including the technology used is designed to protect your privacy and safeguard the information you provide. It is important for us that you know exactly how your privacy and confidentiality are treated, for more information see our official Street Therapy Privacy Policy. However, here are some things it might help you to know:

  • Everything you tell your therapist is confidential.
  • We don't cooperate or work with any insurance companies so nothing needs to be shared, reported or filed with them.
  • All the messages, recordings and videos: data in flight and stored on a local drive or in the cloud is secured using 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).
  • We have gone to extra effort to use only services in Canada for optimal security and protection.

At no time will any of your information be shared with anyone or any insurance company without your permission. If you wish for any of your information or records to be released to a third party, please let your therapist know. Your therapist will send you an authorization form that you will need to fill out and sign before your information can be released.

9. Can I Be Anonymous?

Therapy sessions are established by developing a trusting and respectful psychotherapeutic relationship between a client and their therapist. While we keep your sessions confidential and private, professional and supportive work cannot be done anonymously.

When you decide to start the therapy process, we will also ask you for your contact information (and circle of care) for emergency situations. This is kept safe in the system so it can be used if your therapist believes that you or someone else might be in danger. Your therapist may request additional information about you as required by their licensing board guidelines. This information is kept strictly confidential and protected by our secure system and patient data protection laws.

10. How long should I be in therapy?

Previous research indicates that between 8 and 24 sessions yield positive outcomes and behavioural changes, however, there are no guarantees and the length of time the client engages in psychotherapy depends on their needs, concerns, and resources. Counselling services are meant for shorter-term treatment while psychotherapy can span for months or years.

There will be times when the therapist might discuss with you how to go about and plan for ending a psychotherapeutic relationship. This is not meant to dismiss or push away the client. There can be many reasons for this. For example, the therapist might not have the training required to treat the client's concerns, or they might not have adequate clinical experience to confidently work on your presenting concerns and would like to ensure you get the support you need. Sometimes, a mismatch of personalities can occur and it is important that therapy works for the client as the best outcomes are also supported by having a good psychotherapeutic relationship. Lastly, if the client is progressing and no longer needs intensive psychotherapy, the therapist may recommend ending the psychotherapy sessions so the client can practice the skills they have learned and be able to reclaim self-agency to live their lives to the fullest.

If the client wishes to return a few months or years later to deal with new concerns popping up in their lives, there are no rules against this and the therapist can see you again, provided that they have the availability to see you. If they have a full caseload, they will recommend other services or therapists who can see you immediately especially if you are experiencing a mental health emergency.

If you have questions that we have not answered under the FAQ section, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask any of the Street Therapists.

Request Appointment

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Frederick Street Office

Monday to Friday: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (EST)
Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (EST)
Sunday:Closed

Victoria Street North Office

Monday to Friday: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (EST)
Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (EST)
Sunday:Closed

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