Katie ritchie
How much do you charge?
I charge $145 for 60 minutes. I do have some sliding scale for those clients who are without insurance and cannot afford $145/hour. My ability to provide sliding scale, however, is dependent on many factors, such as the number of clients I am already working with for a reduced fee. I believe that everyone should have access to support services though, so give me a call and I will see what I can do. If I am unable to see you right away, I can put you on a wait list and/or suggest other services.
Do you accept cash?
Yes, I accept cash. Most clients pay me using etransfer via their phone before they leave the office. I issue a receipt upon payment.
I have extended health coverage. Do you bill the insurer?
No. In most circumstances, you pay out of pocket and then send your receipt to your insurer for reimbursement. There are a few exceptions though. For example, if you have money for counselling from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, I have to bill them directly. I recommend you call your insurance provider and ask about billing and how much coverage you have per year.
Are your services confidential?
Yes. There are, however, a few circumstances where your personal information might need be shared with others and these are dictated to me by my professional college. I will discuss the parameters of confidentiality with you during our first appointment and I am also happy to discuss these with you beforehand if you’d like.
Do you offer phone and video counselling?
Yes, I do both. My fee for phone/video counselling is the same as the in-person rate. Please note that currently, I only provide services to people who live in Ontario.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Excellent question! The difference between counselling and psychotherapy depends on who you ask. I tend to use the terms interchangeably. Typically, counselling is a goal-oriented, short term treatment while therapy is longer and therefore, more thorough. Many community counsellors, for example, see their clients for 6-10 sessions while therapists might see their clients dozens of times over a period of many years. In my opinion, one is not superior to the other. Often the number of sessions is dependent on your overall goals and budgetary constraints.
What is the difference between a counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist?
The term “counsellor” and “psychotherapist” are umbrella terms. Currently, the term “counsellor” is not regulated in Ontario, which means any persons can call themselves a counsellor in this province. The designation “psychotherapist” is regulated in Ontario. A psychotherapist has graduated from a psychotherapy school recognized by the college of registered psychotherapists of Ontario, or obtained a masters degree in social work, a PhD in psychology, or a medical degree in psychiatry. I have a masters degree in social work from the University of Windsor and did my clinical training under both registered psychotherapists and social workers.
How do I know which counsellor or psychotherapist is best for me?
The effectiveness of psychotherapy depends largely on the relationship between the client and the psychotherapist. This means, it is important you find a therapist you trust and with whom you enjoy speaking. Most therapists are open to having a free telephone conversation before you meet with them. It may feel intimidating, but it can be a good idea to ask questions during that initial conversation in order to get a sense of the therapist. These questions might include asking the therapist if they have experience working with people whose personal difficulties are similar to yours. For example, if you want to discuss addiction in your therapy, you might ask about the therapist’s experience with people living with addictions and their view on harm reduction. If upon meeting a therapist, you do not feel a connection, shop around. Don’t settle on a counsellor or psychotherapist until you feel it is right.
Can I refer a friend or family member to you?
I am happy to speak to you briefly about your loved one, and you can certainly suggest to a friend or a family member that they give me a call. I need to speak to the individual with whom I will be working before I will schedule an appointment with them though.
If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
Katie