Frequently Asked Questions
What if I'm in crisis?
At this time, Oakwell does not provide crisis supports. If you are experiencing an urgent mental health issue or crisis, please call 911 or visit your nearest hospital emergency room.
For 24/7 support, you can also call Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566, visit Distress and Crisis Ontario at www.dcontario.org or talksuicide.ca. For 24/7 mental health support available to children and youth, you can reach Kids Help Phone by calling 1-800-668-6868 or texting CONNECT to 686868.
How long are the sessions?
Unless otherwise mutually agreed upon, sessions are one hour in length, which includes 50 minutes of counselling and 10 minutes for administrative purposes (receiving fees, setting additional appointments, note taking, etc.).
How many sessions?
This depends on a variety of factors, including the goals you have identified, and differs from client to client. This can be discussed further based on your individual uniqueness and your hopes for therapy.
How will I know if this
will work for me?
Everyone is different. Research shows that the the most important factor in determining a positive outcome in therapy is the therapeutic alliance. This refers to the ability of the therapist and client to work together with trust on collaboratively established goals. With a strong therapeutic alliance, and the use of evidence-based treatment approaches, many people will experience positive changes.
It is important to find a therapist that is a good fit for you and we encourage you to take your time and consider your options. For this reason, we offer a 15 minute telephone consultation at no cost so we can determine together if your chosen therapist is the right fit for you and so you can have all the information you need to make this important decision. Please contact us to schedule your consultation.
What will happen
during my session?
During the initial meetings, time will be spent exploring what brought you to therapy and to collaboratively set specific goals that you would like to work on. For children, this often involves elements of play and parent participation where appropriate.
From there, we may explore initiatives you can take to move closer to your preferred self, or to heal from difficult experiences. This often involves exploring challenging thoughts, feelings and/or behaviours. Together, we will explore initiatives you can take to move away from what brought you to therapy, including new ways of coping, thinking, or accepting.
What are your fees?
$120
Some of our therapists are able to offer sessions on a sliding scale to help make services more accessible. Please email info@oakwell.ca for more information.
Many extended health care benefits cover services provided by Registered Social Workers (RSWs) and Registered Psychotherapists (RPs). You are encouraged to check with your insurance provider to determine your coverage prior to booking your first session.
RSWs are authorized "medical practitioners" for the purposes of income tax returns. This means that clinical services provided by RSWs can be claimed as a medical expense tax deduction on your personal income tax return (OASW 2012). You are encouraged to consult with a tax specialist for more information.
PRIMARY OFFICE
378 Talbot Street, Suite 11
St. Thomas, Ontario