Frequently Asked Questions

Counselling FAQs

  • A free and brief telephone consultation is required to get started with counselling. Simply, text, call or book a telephone intake call HERE.

    Already a client? Log into your online account to schedule your follow-up appointments.

  • Schedule your free telephone consultation to be matched with someone on our team! During the call, we will discuss your goals and explore your appointment availability to ensure that you get connected with a therapist who can meet your needs.

  • Contact the office via text or phone call during office hours or email your therapist directly to reschedule. You will find your therapist's contact information in any of your previous appointment confirmation emails. We require *24 hours notice of any changes to your appt.

  • Individual Counselling Appointment | 60 minutes $165.00 

    Couples/ Family Appointments | 60 minutes $185

    Covered by most extended healthcare providers.

  • The Clinic requires a minimum of twenty four [24] hoursโ€™ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Missed appointments are subject to a full fee and late cancellations within twenty 24 hours of the scheduled appointment are subject to an $85.00 fee.

  • Because we do not always have office staff, we often keep the doors to the clinic locked while we are with clients. So don't worry! Please wait in your vehicle and your therapist will unlock it at your appointment time. If they are not there on time, please check your confirmation emails for the day and time of your appointment.

  • Yes, our team offers both in-person and virtual sessions. Some of our team also offers walk-and-talk therapy sessions through Canatara.

  • 30 minutes before your appointment you will receive an email with a button to join the call.

    LINK: How to Join virtual session on a computer

    LINK: How to join your appointment over your phone/iPad

    Please log in at least 10 minutes before your start time to ensure you can log on via the instructions below. Your therapist will phone you after 5 minutes if you have not logged on yet.

  • Payment is due at the time of service. A credit card is required to be on file. We accept payment via credit card, e-transfer, or Visa Debit. Please send e-transfers before your session and add the name of the person attending the session in the message box.

  • Our therapists are either Registered Social Workers or Registered Psychotherapists. Upon payment, a detailed receipt will be emailed to you with all of the information required to apply for immediate reimbursement. Please check with your provider to determine your coverage. If you do not have benefits, sessions can typically be claimed on your taxes.

  • EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a psychotherapy approach designed to help individuals process distressing memories and alleviate emotional distress associated with traumatic experiences. It involves structured protocols that include bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping to facilitate the brain's natural healing processes. EMDR aims to help individuals reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact and promoting psychological healing.

  • The door may be locked during office hours. Please wait in your vehicle and we will unlock it at your scheduled appointment time.

Neurofeedback FAQs

  • Neuroplasticity - your brain's natural ability to continuously learn, adapt, and self-organize - neurofeedback has become a rapidly growing field. Neurofeedback is a brain training program that presents the brain with information that supports your Central Nervous System's natural ability to self-regulate and reorganize thus empowering your brain to function at its best. It is designed to promote overall brain flexibility and resilience. It's a non-invasive and non-directive approach that aims to optimize the brain's performance by providing real-time feedback to the individual about their brainwave patterns.

  • NeurOptimal works by monitoring the electrical activity of the brain and providing instantaneous feedback in the form of audio cues. When the brain deviates from its optimal functioning state, the feedback prompts the brain to self-correct. The goal is to enhance the brain's ability to self-regulate, leading to improved mental clarity, focus, emotional well-being and overall regulation.

    t's often used to address various concerns such as stress, dysregulation, anxiety, and cognitive performance. NeurOptimal is known for its non-prescriptive and holistic approach, allowing the individual's brain to naturally find its own optimal functioning state.

  • During a NeurOptimal Neurofeedback session, individuals typically sit in a comfortable chair with sensors placed on their scalp to monitor their brainwave activity. The session involves listening to music or watching a movie while the NeurOptimal software provides real-time feedback based on the brain's electrical patterns.

    Here's a breakdown of what happens during a session:

    1. Sensors Placement: Electrodes or sensors are attached to specific points on the scalp to monitor the brain's electrical activity.

    2. Feedback System: As the individual listens to music or watches a movie, the NeurOptimal system continuously monitors their brainwave patterns.

    3. Dynamic Feedback: The software is designed to detect any deviations from the optimal brainwave patterns. When such deviations occur, the system provides subtle interruptions in the music or visual display.

    4. Self-Correction: These interruptions act as signals to the brain, prompting it to self-correct and return to a more optimal state.

    5. Non-Invasive Process: Importantly, NeurOptimal does not impose any specific brainwave frequencies but rather allows the brain to self-regulate. It is a non-invasive and non-directive approach.

    6. Session Duration: A session typically lasts around 33 minutes, and the frequency of sessions can vary based on individual needs and goals.

    The idea is that over time, repeated sessions can lead to improved brain flexibility, resilience, and overall well-being. It's important to note that the experience can vary from person to person, and individuals might perceive the feedback differently.

  • Today we are experiencing higher levels of stress than ever before and our nervous system is not equipped, nor designed to live in this heightened and dysregulated state. Our busy lifestyles are making it increasingly more difficult to think clearly, concentrate and cope with everyday stressors. Stress mixed with a dysregulated nervous system can have many negative impacts on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Your brain is what makes you, YOU. It is the most essential organ in your body as it is intimately connected to, and influences every part of your body system. It is the executive control center of the entire body โ€“ and the supervisor of your moods, thoughts, memories, and actions. When it is working optimally everything can function with more ease. Letโ€™s start looking at our brain health like we do our physical health!

  • A telephone consultation is the first step. You can schedule an appointment here or fill out the form on our contact page. During this call, you and the neurofeedback provider will explore if neurofeedback is a good fit for you.

    Initial appointment fee: $200.00

    Follow-up appointment: $125

  • Upon payment, a detailed receipt will be emailed to you stating 50 minutes with a registered social worker (biofeedback) and the provider's registration number. Please check with your provider to determine your coverage. If you do not have benefits, sessions can typically be claimed on your taxes.

  • Complete your electronic intake package before your appointment.

    Do not consume substances like alcohol or cannabis before your appointment.

    Remove ear jewelry.

    Feel free to bring a book or journal during your 30-minute session.

    Stay hydrated.

  • NeurOptimal Neurofeedback is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with minimal reported side effects. Although the sessions may feel relaxing, your brain is actually working very hard. Neurofeedback is like going to a gym for the brain. As with any therapeutic intervention, individual experiences can vary. Some people may temporarily experience mild and short-lived effects, such as:

    Fatigue or restlessness: A small percentage of individuals may feel temporarily fatigue or restlessness during or after a session, especially in the initial stages of using NeurOptimal.

    Emotional Release: Some individuals might experience heightened emotions during or after a session, such as feeling more emotional or having vivid dreams. Some folks may experience some agitation in the early stages of training. This is often seen as part of the natural process of the brain reorganizing itself.

    Inensification of Symptoms: In some cases, individuals may temporarily experience an intensification of existing symptoms before they improve. This can be part of the brain's self-regulation process.

    Headache: In rare cases, individuals may experience mild headaches. I

    t's crucial to communicate any concerns or unusual experiences with your NeurOptimal practitioner. Additionally, individuals with certain medical conditions, such as a history of seizures or certain neurological disorders, should consult with their healthcare provider before using NeurOptimal.

  • The frequency of NeurOptimal Neurofeedback sessions can vary depending on individual needs, goals, and the recommendations of your NeurOptimal practitioner. However, a common starting point is one to two sessions per week.

    In the initial phase of using NeurOptimal, some individuals may benefit from more frequent sessions to establish a consistent training schedule and allow the brain to adapt to the feedback. As progress is made, the frequency of sessions may be adjusted, and some users find that they can maintain benefits with fewer sessions over time. Remember that NeurOptimal is a gradual process, and consistency in attending sessions can contribute to more sustained benefits.

  • In NeurOptimal Neurofeedback sessions, a skip in the music is known as an interruption or a "dynamical event." These skips are intentional and are a fundamental part of the NeurOptimal feedback process.

    When the NeurOptimal software detects a shift or deviation in the brain's electrical patterns, it introduces a brief pause or skip in the music. This interruption is a gentle signal to the brain that something has changed, prompting it to self-regulate and return to a more optimal state.

    The skips are designed to be non-intrusive and are not meant to induce stress. Instead, they act as subtle cues to assist the brain in its natural self-correction process. Users often find that over time, these interruptions contribute to improved mental clarity, relaxation, and overall well-being.

    It's important to note that individual experiences with the skips can vary. Some people may not consciously notice them, while others may be more aware of the shifts in the music during a session.

  • Please contact admin for any rescheduling via text or phone call: 226-840-2200. *24 hours notice is required.

  • The Clinic requires a minimum of twenty four [24] hoursโ€™ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Missed appointments are subject to a full fee and late cancellations within twenty 24 hours of the scheduled appointment are subject to an $85.00 fee.

  • The door may be locked during office hours. Please wait in your vehicle and we will unlock it at your scheduled appointment time.

  • Initial intake and appointment, $200

    Follow-up appointments, $125

    Covered by most extended healthcare providers.