Frequently Asked Questions

No need to rehearse or overthink, we’re here to make it easy.
During your free 20-minute call, we’ll ask a few simple questions to get a sense of what you’re looking for, what you’re struggling with, and what kind of support might feel right. You don’t need a full story, just a willingness to talk a little. We’ll take it from there.

We use a secure, easy-to-use platform called Jane.
Your sessions are hosted through Jane’s encrypted video system. You’ll receive a private link ahead of time, just click to join. No downloads, no stress.

Private Matters Psychotherapy is based in Burlington, Ontario. We offer in-person appointments at our office location.  We also offer virtual therapy using a secure video platform (Jane), which allows us to work with clients across the province. That means whether you’re in Oakville, Hamilton, Toronto, or a smaller community in Ontario, you can access care from wherever you are.

In the event that you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please contact us at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.

When you book an appointment with us, that time is allotted to you – and ONLY you. We do our best to always be ready for you when you arrive.

In return, we ask that you keep your promise to us and show up for your appointment on time. If you do not show up for your scheduled appointment, and you have not notified us at least 24 hours in advance, you will be charged the full cost of the session as booked.

We offer both in-office and online therapy through video and telephone.

If you have an in-person appointment scheduled, but you would prefer to change that to an online appointment, we are always happy to accommodate this. Just let your therapist know.

Yes, we offer a free 20-min phone consultation. Please visit this page to book it at a date and time convenient to you.

We always advise to schedule the first three sessions weekly, as this is when we lay the foundation and we get the ball rolling. After these initial sessions we can discuss to keep our meetings weekly or switch to every other week or every three weeks.

It is not advisable to schedule in sessions once a month to start with, as this becomes a catch-up session and no real work can be done at that point.

Yes. One of the most important factors in making sure therapy is successful is your commitment to the process: showing up to the appointments on time, following through with the assignments we discuss in our sessions, and a commitment to yourself to be open and honest with your therapist.

Yes! We understand that working late, or working out of town may mean that some people prefer to schedule appointments in the evenings.

We reserve several evening slots for those who work late and are unable to make a daytime appointment. Often these slots get filled up fast, so please make sure to call in advance to make sure your time is available.

At Private Matters Psychotherapy we do not work with a wait list. This means that we will do our best to schedule you in as soon as possible, taking into account your schedule and our schedules.

No. Psychotherapy provided by Registered Psychotherapists (RP) or Registered Social Workers (RSW) is not covered by OHIP. However, many private and workplace insurance plans do offer coverage for these services.

We offer reduced-fee therapy through our student therapists.
While we don’t have a sliding scale, we do offer lower-cost sessions with student therapists who are closely supervised and supported by senior clinicians. It’s a great option if affordability is a concern.

Our rates vary depending on the therapist and type of service. The following fees are based on a 60-minute individual therapy appointment:

• Lead Senior Therapist: $210 per session
• Senior Therapists: $190 per session
• Junior Therapists: $130-$150 per session
• Student Therapists (reduced-fee): $65 per session

We offer a free 20-minute phone consultation to help you get a sense of whether we’re the right fit-and we’ll gladly talk through fee options during that call.

Many clients use workplace benefits or private insurance to help cover the cost of therapy. PMP therapists may be covered under plans that accept Registered Psychotherapists (RPs), Registered Social Workers (RSWs), and RPQs. Please check with your insurance provider whether your plan covers for our services.

That depends on your insurance policy. Every policy is different, so we would advise you to check with your insurance company whether they cover for psychotherapy by a Registered Psychotherapist / Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) / Registered Social Worker.

Unfortunately we are not able to offer direct billing at this moment. After we have processed the payment for your session, you will receive a receipt. Use this receipt to get reimbursed by your insurance provider.

Payment is processed at the end of each session through a secure system. We accept major credit cards and e-transfers. Your receipt will be emailed to you right away and can be submitted to your insurance provider if you have coverage.

If you’re seeing a student therapist, the reduced session fee is paid the same way: securely and conveniently.

Unfortunately we do not do direct billing.

After your payment for your session is received, we will email you a receipt that contains your therapist’s credentials and registration information.

Submit this receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement, if this is applicable according to your insurance policy.

There are three levels of therapist that work at the Private Matters Practice.  Specifically the correct and proper terms for the levels are

1. Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers
2. Psychotherapists (Qualifying) and
3. Student Psychotherapists.

As this is all quite a mouthful, on the website we are now referring to our therapists as

1. Senior Psychotherapists
2. Junior Psychotherapists and
3. Student Psychotherapists

This get’s so confusing! So here is the simplified answer.

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, and therefor their services are mostly covered by OHIP. A Psychiatrist can prescribe psychiatric medication, clinically diagnose a patient (i.e. assess whether a patient fits the diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or another mental health illness) and sometimes they will also offer psychotherapy.

Psychologist

A psychologist usually has a PhD in Psychology and is covered by (most) insurance companies in Ontario. They can clinically diagnose a client, but cannot prescribe psychiatric medication. A Psychologist usually offers psychological assessments and psychotherapy.

Psychotherapist

A psychotherapist may be covered by personal insurance benefits. They treat people using different psychotherapeutic techniques.

Social Worker

A social worker can also use psychotherapeutic techniques to help a client and use a biopsychosocial approach in their sessions.

Absolutely, your comfort is key.

A strong therapeutic relationship is essential, and sometimes that takes a couple tries. If it doesn’t feel like the right match, we’re happy to help you connect with another therapist on our team. There’s no pressure, no judgment, just support in finding someone who fits.

Yes, we offer therapy for individuals, couples, families, and youth ages 12 and up.

Not all therapists provide these services, but their bios will clearly outline what they offer. During your phone consultation, we’ll help you find the best match for your needs.

It’s all about where they are in the journey.

Student therapists are completing the final stage of their Master’s degree and are registered with the CRPO as Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying). They work under supervision while gaining hours and experience.

Registered therapists have completed all their requirements, including clinical hours, exams, and registration.

Because feeling safe, respected, and truly heard shouldn’t be optional in therapy, it should be the standard.
We’re a trauma-informed, collaborative team that meets you where you are. Our goal is to make therapy feel human, not clinical or rushed, so you can start healing in your own way.

At PMPTherapy, all of our therapists are carefully selected, highly trained, and committed to ongoing professional development. We offer services from:

• Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying): Therapists who have completed a Master’s-level program and are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). “Qualifying” therapists are in the final stage of becoming fully licensed and receive regular clinical supervision as part of their professional growth.
• Registered Social Workers (RSWs): Therapists with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Their services may be covered under extended health benefits.
• Student Therapists: These therapists are completing their Master’s practicum and are registered with the CRPO as RP (Qualifying). They receive intensive weekly supervision and daily support from senior clinicians to ensure high-quality, ethical care. Reduced-fee sessions are available through this program.

No matter who you work with, you’ll receive thoughtful, evidence-based support from someone who is well-trained, well-supported, and deeply committed to your care.

All our therapists are Registered Mental Health Professionals, and are a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) . They all hold a Master’s Degree in either Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or equivalent.

In addition to being a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, our therapists may also be a member of a professional association such as Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists (OSRP), Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP), Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), EMDR Canada or equivalent.

When it comes to choosing a therapist, you have options. We offer a non-judgemental and client-centered approach to therapy. Here are a few things that have made Private Matters Psychotherapy thrive.

Openness And Honesty

These two concepts are not only important in the client session, but also when it comes to client care. We operate from a perspective of “what you see is what you get”. No hidden fees, no hidden policies, and no hidden agenda. We like to walk the talk, making sure that both you and us have clarity of what working together looks like and what to expect from each other.

Care And Commitment

The process of becoming a professional and well-rounded therapist does not stop after graduating from a University Program. We pride ourselves in attending workshops and courses, and keeping up with the latest psychological research articles. We believe that learning more and enhancing our therapeutic knowledge allows us to be able to help you better.

Personalized Psychotherapy

There is no one-size fits all in therapy. We tailor the therapy sessions to your individual needs and take a genuine interest in you. We don’t just see you as just another client. Instead, we value the therapeutic bond that gets formed between client and therapist and we will check-in with you from time to time.

It is important to have a good connection with your therapist, after all, you won’t only be discussing the weather or your upcoming vacation plans. Openness and honesty are important aspects of creating a healthy therapeutic relationship.

As within any form of communication, miscommunications and misunderstandings can happen in conversation with your therapist. We are always open to feedback and are more than happy to help you find a good therapeutic fit.

After your initial phone consultation, we will recommend you a therapist based on your presenting mental health concern and the type of therapeutic treatment you would benefit most from.

Alternatively, you may have read our therapist’s bios on our website and might have a preference for working with a specific therapist. We will always try to honour your request depending on therapist availability.

Trauma therapy is a broad term that includes various approaches for healing the effects of trauma (like talk therapy, narrative therapy, or ACT).

EMDR therapy is a specific trauma treatment that uses bilateral stimulation to help reprocess distressing memories. It’s often used in weekly therapy.

EMDR intensives are a focused format of EMDR therapy delivered in longer sessions (2-4+ hours) over one or more days. They allow for deeper, uninterrupted work.

We can help you decide which approach is right for you based on your history, symptoms, and goals.

While we don’t provide 24/7 care, we plan for support together.  Therapy at PMP Therapy is scheduled in regular sessions, but we understand life happens between appointments. Your therapist may offer grounding tools, strategies, or journaling prompts to use on your own. If you’re in crisis or need immediate support, we’ll help you find additional resources that are a better fit for urgent care.

Yes, and we take a strengths-based approach.

Many of our therapists are experienced in working with ADHD, chronic stress, and neurodivergent clients. We don’t pathologize difference, we meet you where you are, help you understand your unique patterns, and build strategies that honour how your brain works. Let us know during your phone consult if you’re looking for a therapist with specific experience in these areas.

We don’t assume your story, we listen to it, and we honour your pace.

Being trauma-informed means we understand how trauma can shape thoughts, emotions, and nervous system responses. It also means we’ll never pressure you to share more than you’re ready for. We focus on safety, collaboration, and control, because healing happens when you feel seen, not pushed.

No. Your privacy is deeply respected.

Everything you share in therapy is confidential. We follow strict privacy laws and professional ethics to protect your information. No one, your employer, your family, or your doctor, will know you’re seeing a therapist here unless you give us explicit written consent.

Yes, and we hope you do.

If it’s a good fit, there’s no limit to how long you can work with your therapist. Many clients choose to stay with the same person through different phases of life.

Opening up about personal issues is difficult, especially if it is to someone you have not met before. We pace our therapy sessions to your needs. The alliance you create with your therapist is an important factor in a successful therapy session. Spending some time to get to know each other is part of creating this alliance.

Our office hours are from 9am to 9pm from Monday thru Friday. You can always call us, however we might not always be able to answer right away. In that case, feel free to leave us a voicemail and we will call you back as soon as possible.

In case of emergency, please dial one of the following numbers:

• 911
• Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) 905-972-8338
• Assaulted Women’s Helpline – 1-888-364-1210
• Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6888
• Ontario Poison Centre – 1-800-268-9017
• Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team – 1-800-668-6888

The first session after an initial phone consultation is called an intake session. This session is about forming the foundation from which we base our further therapeutic work.

This session will focus on the presenting mental health concern, but also on who you are as a person, what hobbies you like, where you were born and raised.

Finally, we will also spend time on figuring out what the goals are for our next therapy appointments.

Yes, everything we talk about in our therapy sessions is confidential, with the exception of a few things. Your therapist will have a legal and ethical obligations to disclose certain kinds of information you reveal during our therapy session. This information includes:

• If you have the intent to physically harm yourself or someone else
• If you have the intent to end your own life
• If your therapist receives a court order to release your file
• Inform the Children’s Aid Society if there is suspicion of a child being at risk or in need of protection due to neglect, or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
• Report a health professional who has sexually abused a client
• If your therapist receives a notice from the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario for an audit