Everyone has questions

Therapy Related Questions

What is Psychotherapy?

Great question! Psychotherapy is a talk-based therapy intended to help people understand, explore, navigate, improve and maintain their mental health & mental wellbeing. People who seek out psychotherapy supports usually realize that they are having thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are negatively impacting their everyday activities, personal & professional lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy social interactions and to find joy in life.
At Natacha Pennycooke Psychotherapy we have Registered Psychotherapists (RP and RP-Q) and Registered Social Workers (RSW) who are licensed, educated and trained in providing psychotherapy.

What’s the difference between a psychotherapist, social worker and psychologist?

Psychotherapists and psychologists, both have advanced education and training in psychology and they are both regulated professions in Ontario under The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and the College of Psychologists of Ontario, respectively. Social Work is also a regulated profession under The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

These 3 regulated professionals can perform the controlled act of psychotherapy (talk-based therapy). This means is that anyone in Ontario who uses the title of "psychotherapist" must be regulated by a regulatory body in Ontario in order to provide the service of talk-based therapy (psychotherapy).

Question: Which populations do you support and work with?

As a clinic we specialize in working with high-performing racialized professionals, who are struggling with anxieties and depression symptoms from various events and life situations that cause trauma. Our therapists use different therapeutic styles and skills throughout the healing journey, including CBT, DBT skills, Narrative, Emotional processing & regulation, and Afro-centric psychology. Our therapists also use different screening tools and measurements to help get a better understanding of the emotional and physical symptoms that our clients are struggling with to help inform the therapy process.

Are services via video or in-person? Is video conferencing secure?

All of our services are via video conferencing using a Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) secure platform called Owl Practice Management. When you book your discovery call and first session you will be given the login information to access the client portal where you will be able to meet your therapist.

What should I expect in the free discovery call?

A discovery call is a consultation call where you get a free 15 minute video call, with the therapist you are matched with, to see if there is a good therapeutic fit. This call is your opportunity to share your current mental health & wellness struggles, to ask questions and to have them answered. This call also gives our therapists an opportunity to share more about their expertise and how they can help you in your therapeutic journey.

What should I expect before my first session?

Before your first session, you will be asked to review and sign the consent form. The consent form has important information on the limits of confidentiality, late cancellation, no-shows and payments.

• Your signed consent form will be reviewed with your therapist in your first session. It is important to read and sign your consent form before your first session.

• You will received an onboarding email from our NPP admin team on:

  • How to access your client portal,

  • How to use the secure messaging system,

  • How to pay for your therapy sessions.

• Please read this email and don’t hesitate to ask our NPP admin team if you have any questions.

  What should I expect in my first session?

  In your first therapy session, your therapist will:

• Review your signed consent form with you. You will have the change to ask any questions and to get them answered.

• Inform you of what to do if there are technical issues during the virtual session.

• Inform you how to communicate with your therapist using the secure messaging system.

• Inform you on how to get contact our NPP admin team for any administrative questions.

• Review what you spoke of in your discovery call and ask reflection questions as you start your therapy journey.

How often should I see my therapist?

As you and your therapist start to build a therapy relationship, you may want to have weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions. Frequent therapy sessions early on in the therapy process can be helpful to create a safe and trusting relationship. Frequent sessions can also help our therapists to gain an understanding of the areas you have been struggling with, without a long stretch of time in-between sessions. This can help you to unpack the areas that have been keeping you stuck and help you to work on your therapy goals as soon as possible. Many times, as sessions continue, and clients begin to put their new learnt skills into practice and as progress is made, your therapist may suggest increase the time between sessions.

What is the cancellation policy?

We ask, out of respect for your therapists time and busy schedule, that appointments cancellations are made with 48 hour notice. This will allow your therapist time to offer the open spot to another client.

Scheduled appointment sessions cancelled after 24 hours will be marked as “Late Cancellation” and billed at 100% of the session cost.

Missed sessions will be marked as a “No Show’” and are billed at 100% of the session cost.

Session payments are due 24 hours before your scheduled session (if paying by e-transfer). If paying via credit card, session payment will be processed after your attended session.

If payments are not up to date, your next scheduled session may be cancelled (up to the discretion of your therapist).

How Do I Pay for my session?

Payment can be paid by e-transfer and credit card payment.

E-transfer payments can be sent to: therapypayment@natachapennycooke.com

Before your first therapy session, you will receive an onboarding email from our NPP admin team where you will be given all of the payment information and directed how to add your credit card to the Owl Practice system (if you choose this method of payment).

What is OWL Practice?

Owl Practice is Canada’s first comprehensive and secure practice management solution designed specifically for psychotherapist, social workers and psychologists working in private practice. The web-based Owl platform includes scheduling, client data management, note-taking and invoicing. You can access the NPP Owl Client Portal here.

Are sessions covered by OHIP?

•  No, psychotherapy services with a registered psychotherapist and/or registered social worker are not covered by OHIP.

Is direct billing to my insurance company accepted?

We do not provide direct billing to your insurance provider.

How do I submit to my insurance company?

After your therapy session, you will be provided with a receipt of payment to submit to your insurance provider. This receipt of payment will be generated with the date, time, length of session, service received, your therapy provider’s name & professional registration number and our clinic information that can be submitted by you to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Reimbursement may take 2 to 7 business days (please verify the exact length of time directly with your insurance provider).

Do I have to have insurance coverage to be seen by one of the therapists?

No, you do not have to have coverage to receive therapy. You can pay for your therapy sessions out of pocket and save the receipts to claim at tax time under "medical".