Frequently Asked Questions

Starting Therapy

Adult couple in a Couples therapy session

  • Unfortunately I am not accepting new clients at this time.

    You are welcome to complete my inquiry form if you would like to be notified when I have space available in the future.

  • 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.

  • Fit is extremely important in therapy, so I encourage everyone to explore all of their options. This can including having consultations with other therapists or emailing me any follow-up questions you have about my approach.

    If you decide we could be a good fit, our next step is to schedule our first session. You can either book online using my online booking site or email me at alyssa@groundingplacetherapy.ca to schedule.

    You will receive an online consent form once you book your first appointment. I ask that you complete this before our session.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Therapy Process

Young woman in an individual therapy session

  • 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

  • It can take multiple sessions to feel out whether a therapist is a good fit for you. Signs of a good fit can include:

    • 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.

  • There are a few ways to schedule appointments:

  • 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.

Payment Options & Fees

Young woman sitting on the couch with her laptop

  • My current rate is:

    • Individual Therapy - $160 for 50 minutes; $200 for 80 minutes

    • Couples Therapy - $180 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 provide direct billing for policies provided by GreenShield and Sun Life. I cannot direct bill other insurance providers at this time.

Policies & Privacy

  • I request 24 hours’ notice to cancel a session. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice will 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.

Full body shot of Alyssa Howard sitting on a couch
A smiling African-American woman wearing a yellow top, denim jacket, and an orange headwrap, outdoors with sunlight behind her.

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.

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