Therapy FAQ | Counselling & Psychotherapy in Ontario
Everything you’ve been wondering about therapy— answered simply.
Your Questions, Answered.
Therapy is a vulnerable and deeply human process— it’s completely normal to have a question or two (or five) before getting started. At The Labyrinth Alcove Counselling & Psychotherapy, we want you to feel supported, informed, and confident that we are the right fit for you before you book your first session. This FAQ offers clear, practical information about how we work and what you can expect. If your question isn’t covered here, you’re welcome to reach out— we are here to help.
Getting Started
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Our compassionate, human-first, and evidence-based counselling and psychotherapy is available for women and gender-diverse people (16+) across Ontario, who are experiencing:
Pregnancy, Postpartum, Parenthood (the raw, unfiltered, messy parts you won’t find on Instagram)
Early Adulthood Uncertainty (hello, quarter-life crisis)
Burnout & Emotional Exhaustion (running on cold coffee, dry shampoo, and pure spite)
Chronic Stress & Overwhelm (survival mode, my old friend)
The Heavy Days (navigating low mood, depression, and zero motivation)
Brains That Won’t Shut Up (anxiety, overthinking, and persistent worry)
We have particular interest and specialized training in supporting those navigating the perinatal period: pregnancy, postpartum, and the transition into parenthood.
Whether you’re new to therapy or have previous experience, we provide a welcoming and non-judgemental space. Our service(s) are currently available online across Ontario, with the intention to expand to include in-person availability in the near future.
If you’re unsure whether your concerns are a fit, you’re welcome to book a complimentary consultation to explore what support might look like.
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We use an evidence-based, integrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy—drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other modalities—adapted to fit your unique needs, goals, and lived experience. Therapy provides a space to understand what you’re navigating, explore patterns that may be contributing to feeling stuck, and build practical skills for meaningful, sustainable change.
Our work together is designed to be steady, collaborative, and supportive—not about fixing you, but about meeting you as a person navigating real human experiences.
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Yes. A complimentary 15-minute phone consultation is offered before the first session. This supportive meeting provides space to share what’s bringing you to therapy, learn more about our approach, and see whether working together feels like a good fit. There’s no obligation to book a first session.
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Our first session (50 minutes) is about understanding and connection. We review consent and confidentiality, explore what brought you to therapy, discuss relevant history, and begin developing therapeutic goals while building trust. From there, we work together to create a direction that fits your needs and priorities.
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Therapy is most often scheduled weekly or every two weeks at the beginning to build a strong therapeutic relationship, develop a deep understanding of your goals, and provide space to explore, reflect, and practice new skills. Frequency can be adjusted over time depending on progress, needs, and comfort level.
The overall length of therapy varies—some people benefit from a few sessions, while others prefer longer-term support. We work together to determine a pace and duration that feels right.
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Yes. Participation is fully voluntary— you may choose to engage, pause, or stop at any time. If you stop, you are welcome (but never required) to discuss it with your therapist— allowing for care to end thoughtfully and additional referral(s) be made. There is no penalty, pressure, or obligation to continue.
Our practice is aligned with the OCSWSSW standard emphasizing client autonomy, informed consent, and collaborative care.
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Yes. We support people navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood—helping you process emotions, adjust to change, and develop skills for this life stage. We are particularly passionate about working with those in the perinatal period and have specialized training in perinatal mental health.
Becoming— or being— a parent can bring happiness, exhaustion, and everything in between. We get the chaos: unbrushed hair, sleepless nights, spit-up on your shirt, the feeling of trudging through mud and leaving it tracked across the house—again. We offer a compassionate, non-judgemental space to talk about the good, the bad, and the messy.
[Click here to learn more about perinatal mental health support at The Labyrinth Alcove.]
Sessions, Fees, & Policies
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Individual Counselling & Psychotherapy is $180 per 50-minute session. A limited number of sliding scale spots may be available for those with financial need—please contact us to learn more.
Group Therapy fees are determined by the structure, duration, and size of the group. Clients are informed of the specific fee when registering or inquiring about a group.
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We require a credit card to be securely stored on file through Jane, our electronic booking and records system. Payment is automatically processed after each session. E-transfer may be available—please contact us in advance to discuss this option.
Counselling and psychotherapy services are exempt from GST/HST.
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Following each session, you will receive an invoice to submit to your insurance provider. Direct billing is not available at this time. We recommend contacting your provider prior to your first session to confirm coverage and reimbursement information for counselling and psychotherapy services provided by a Registered Social Worker.
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We require a minimum of 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule.
If you arrive after your scheduled start time, your session will end at the original end time, and the full session fee still applies.
If you do not arrive within 15 minutes of your scheduled session and have not contacted us, it will be considered a no-show and the full session fee will be charged.
Online & In Person Therapy
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We are currently offering online therapy across Ontario— and look forward to expanding to in-person availability in the near future for those who prefer- face-to-face therapy.
We warmly invite you to join our mailing list to stay connected and be the first to hear about updates and new offerings at The Labyrinth Alcove Counselling & Psychotherapy.
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Yes. The Labyrinth Alcove is regulated under the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and provides services only to clients who are physically located in Ontario at the time of their session. At the start of each session, you’ll be asked to confirm your location.
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Virtual therapy is offered through Jane, a secure, encrypted electronic health record platform. After booking, you’ll receive an email with a private video link to join your session at the scheduled time.
While Jane uses strong security safeguards, no online platform can guarantee absolute privacy. The risks and benefits of virtual therapy will be reviewed as part of the informed consent process.
For your comfort and confidentiality, we encourage you to attend sessions from a private, quiet space where you feel safe to speak openly.
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If a connection is interrupted, we will attempt to reconnect through the video platform. If needed, the session may continue by phone or be rescheduled, depending on the circumstances.
Confidentiality, Privacy, & Clinical Ethics
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Yes. What you share in therapy, including any personal health information, is confidential. The Labyrinth Alcove Counselling & Psychotherapy has a professional and legal duty to protect your privacy. Information is securely stored and will not be shared with third parties without your consent, except in limited circumstances required by law.
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Yes. While therapy is confidential, certain situations may require disclosure without prior consent:
Risk of serious harm: imminent risk of suicide or serious harm to yourself or others.
Abuse of children or vulnerable adults: reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect.
Abuse by a regulated professional: must be reported to the relevant governing body.
Legal requirements: court orders or subpoenas.
Clinical supervision: limited information shared with qualified colleagues, with identifying details removed.
Only the minimum necessary information is shared, in line with PHIPA and professional guidelines. We will review these limits to confidentiality within the first session.
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All personal and health information is treated as private and confidential and stored securely in electronic and/or paper form with safeguards to prevent unauthorized access.
Records are kept for a minimum of 10 years after the last session. For clients who began therapy as minors, records are retained for 10 years after turning 18, in accordance with OCSWSSW requirements.
When records are no longer needed, they are securely destroyed, following Ontario privacy legislation (PHIPA) and professional standards.
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Yes. Clients may request access to their clinical records or ask for corrections if information is inaccurate or incomplete. Requests must be in writing.
The Labyrinth Alcove will review requests in a timely manner in accordance with PHIPA and OCSWSSW. If access or correction is refused, a written explanation will be provided.
Privacy Officer Contact:
• Amanda Zoltek, MSW, RSW
• Email: hello@thelabyrinthalcove.ca
• Phone: (647) 963-6760
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The Labyrinth Alcove is regulated under the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). All therapists follow the College’s professional standards, code of ethics, and guidelines for confidentiality, privacy, and record-keeping, in addition to PHIPA.
Clinical Scope, Safety, & Boundaries
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No. The Labyrinth Alcove focuses on therapy and mental health support rather than medical or psychiatric diagnoses.
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No. The Labyrinth Alcove is not an emergency or crisis service.
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency:
Call 911
Go to your nearest hospital emergency department
Call or text 988 (Suicide Crisis Helpline – Canada)
During a session, if an immediate safety concern arises, we may contact emergency services on your behalf.— this is rare and will only occur in an emergency situation. For ongoing crisis-level support, we will discuss appropriate referral(s).
“For more information and support, please visit our Helpful Mental Health Resources & Crisis Support page, or request a physical copy of this information.
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We use Jane to schedule all sessions at The Labyrinth Alcove.
For administrative questions, please email hello@thelabyrinthalcove.ca. Note that email is not secure and should not be used for urgent, clinical, or sensitive information.
Counselling and psychotherapy support is only provided during scheduled sessions to ensure boundaries and safe, effective care. Therapy is not provided via email, text, or social media messaging.
Sessions are talk-based, non-medical, and non-prescriptive, focusing on your goals and mental health support during the scheduled session time.
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The Labyrinth Alcove Counselling & Psychotherapy’s social media accounts are for general information, updates, and community engagement.
We do not accept friend or follow requests from current or former clients on personal accounts.
Clinical matters, therapy, or counselling support are not provided via social media. Please contact us directly during scheduled sessions or via official administrative channels for these purposes.
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There is a chance you might encounter your therapist in the community. Should this happen, we will not initiate contact to protect your confidentiality. You are welcome to acknowledge us if you wish, but the choice is entirely yours.
Support & Next Steps
If you’re not sure where to begin, the options below can help guide your next step— whether you’re seeking immediate support, exploring therapy, or simply looking for more information.
Crisis & Immediate Support
If you need immediate assistance, call 911 or a local crisis line.
We have also compiled a list of additional resources, including crisis support and other services, that you can reach out to for guidance, care, or support at any time.
Book a Session
If you’re ready to take the next step at The Labyrinth Alcove Counselling & Psychotherapy, you’re welcome to schedule a complimentary consultation or book your first session here.
Administrative Contact
For administrative or general inquiries, email hello@thelabyrinthalcove.ca. Please note that this email is not monitored for urgent, clinical, or sensitive matters. Messages are typically answered within 1–2 business days.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Your privacy and confidentiality are taken seriously at The Labyrinth Alcove Counselling & Psychotherapy.
For more information, about how your personal information is collected, used, and protected, please review our Privacy Policy.
Accessibility & Inclusion
We are committed to providing accessible and culturally inclusive support at The Labyrinth Alcove Counselling & Psychotherapy.
If you require accommodation(s) or have accessibility-related questions, please let us know.
Stay Connected
We invite you to join our mailing list to stay connected and be the first to hear about updates and new offerings at The Labyrinth Alcove Counselling & Psychotherapy. Participation is optional and you can unsubscribe at anytime.