
Frequently Asked Questions
Therapy Process
-
Consultation calls are an opportunity to assess potential fit and ask any questions you have about my approach or services.
I will ask:
What brings you to therapy
What you’d like to explore
What previous therapy experiences have been like
What you’d like to achieve in therapy
I will share a bit about my approach to therapy (what’s it like to work with me) and how I can support your therapeutic goals. I will also provide logistical information including session fees and availability, as well as answer any questions you have.
We will end the consultation by talking about next steps if you decide you’d like to work with me.
-
My approach is conversational, gentle, and casual. My goal is to get to know you and help you feel comfortable in our new space together.
We’ll start with a general check-in, where I’ll ask how you’re feeling about this session. I’ll then briefly go over the consent form you completed prior to the appointment and highlight a few key policies.
From there, I’ll summarize what you shared brought you to therapy during our consultation and intake form. I’ll then ask some questions to give me more context about your goals.
Common things we’ll talk about include:
Your current support system
How you would describe your current mental and emotional well-being
Personal strengths you bring to therapy
Current obstacles that impact how you’re currently feeling in life
-
I offer both in-person and virtual sessions. My office is located at 57 John St S, Hamilton, ON L8N 2B9.
Please note that my office is accessed by a flight of stairs. There is no elevator or ramp access, so it is not accessible.
-
Therapy can be a great tool for those who:
Want to better understand themselves
Want to make change in their lives
Want support developing new perspectives
Want to learn how to tend to your wellness
A therapist can provide this support in a way that’s compassionate while still challenging.
-
You feel heard, validated, and comfortable to share about yourself
You feel like your therapist is supportive and invested in your growth
You feel safe providing both positive and negative feedback on your experience
Your therapist approaches the work with curiosity and not judgment
-
Frequency of sessions will depend on your therapeutic goals, the level of support you’re seeking, and how quickly you’d like to progress.
Many people choose to attend therapy more frequently in the beginning, then space out sessions as they see progress toward their goals.
For example, some clients might attend sessions weekly or bi-weekly initially, then space out sessions to once or twice a month once they need less frequent support.
-
The duration of the therapy process will vary based on your areas of exploration, goals, and desired level of support.
It can take several sessions to develop the therapeutic relationship and understand the historical context necessary to work toward change. Goals that are more solution oriented might require a shorter time in therapy, while more exploratory therapy may be longer term.
We will check in frequently during our work together to ensure you feel good about your progress.
-
You can either book online using my online booking site or email me at alyssa@groundingplacetherapy.ca to schedule.
-
I cannot provide both individual and couples therapy.
My goal and responsibility is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for therapy. Working with someone for both individual and couples therapy presents a conflict of interest, as we may discuss something in one therapeutic space that may impact the other.
I am happy to provide referral options for either individual or couples therapists if needed during our work together.
-
Absolutely! I believe flexibility is important in therapy.
If you would like to change the session format of an upcoming session, I ask that you provide at least 24 hours’ notice so I may prepare appropriately.
-
My current rate is:
Individual Therapy - $150 for 50 minutes; $200 for 80 minutes
Couples Therapy - $170 for 50 minutes; $220 for 80 minutes
-
I do not charge HST, as psychotherapy is HST exempt.
-
I accept payment by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, and AMEX) and e-transfer.
-
I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots in my practice.
At this time my sliding scale spots are full. If you are interested in joining my waitlist for a future sliding scale spot, I encourage you to schedule a complimentary consultation call to assess fit and discuss potential wait time.
-
Psychotherapy is typically covered by extended health benefits. I strongly recommend that you confirm eligibility for coverage and coverage amount prior to starting therapy if you plan on using insurance.
Please note I can only direct bill for clients whose insurance is provided by GreenShield. I cannot direct bill other insurance providers at this time.
Payment Options & Fees
Policies & Privacy
-
I request 24 hours’ notice to cancel a session. Less than 24 hours’ notice incurs a $50 late cancellation fee for individual sessions and $70 for couples sessions. No shows incur the full session fee.
-
I follow the guidelines set by the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
I manage session notes, payments, and video sessions through Jane App, a practice management software. Data in Jane is encrypted and stored on their secure servers. Credit card data is not stored in Jane and is instead stored in Jane’s PCI-compliant payment processing partners.
You can review Jane App’s privacy policy here.
Email communication is reserved for non-sensitive information, such as scheduling, to protect your privacy.
-
Things discussed during sessions will remain confidential between us with a few exceptions. These exceptions include:
If you disclose you may harm yourself or another individual
If you disclose a child is being harmed, neglected, or abused
If required as part of legal proceedings
In addition, I participate in voluntary supervision for professional development purposes. I may bring up aspects of our work together in supervision as part of these activities. When doing so, I do not share identifying information and keep context vague to ensure your confidentiality is protected.
Support in Hamilton is here when you're ready
Grounding Place Therapy offers space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect. No pressure. No expectations. Just a supportive space to see what feels right.