Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

The World Health Organization’s definition of mental health is: 

“A state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community”

We are here to provide assistance if you feel that your mental health needs support to better handle everyday life. 

A Psychologist (or Psychological Associate) is a professional who has completed a doctorate degree (Master’s degree in the case of Psychological Associates) and has the ability to diagnose and treat several disorders. 

A Psychotherapist is a trained professional who uses talk therapy to treat emotional problems. 

A Social Worker is a regulated health professional who works with individuals, families, and communities to improve health and well-being.

A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. 

At Allied Psychological Services, we do not prescribe medication. 

If you’re struggling in any area of your daily life, whether that be your relationship with yourself or others, coping with stressors, dealing with trauma, or you simply want to learn more about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, working with a registered mental health professional might be right for you. 

While it might be intimidating at first, therapy offers a safe, non-judgmental space to talk through life’s challenges such as break-ups, grief, trauma, parenting difficulties, work difficulties, well-being or stress management so you can feel better and achieve your goals. 

The cost of services is dependent on the type of service required. Regardless of the service provided, there is no HST billed on therapy services of Psychologists/Psychological Associates, Psychotherapists, or Social Workers.

Please feel free to contact our office for additional information:

(416) 498-0791

info@alliedpsych.ca

We do not contract directly with insurance companies. However, most extended health insurance plans cover services by Registered Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, and Registered Psychotherapists. 

Payment is made to Allied Psychological Services at the time of service and we provide you with a statement which you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. We recommend that you contact your insurance company prior to your initial appointment with us, so that you are aware of your coverage. 

At times, you may be required to obtain preauthorization by your insurance provider for services at Allied Psychological Services. Your therapist will be able to complete the required paperwork. 

We accept cash, e-transfer, and most major credit cards. 

Taking the step to speak with a therapist is not always an easy one, but we are here to make the process as simple as possible. Please feel free to contact us by phone at 416-487-0791 or by email at info@alliedpsych.ca to request a free 15-minute consultation. 

You do not need a referral from a physician. 

We look forward to working with you!

No, we do not prescribe medication.

A Psychiatrist might be a better fit for you if you are seeking medication. 

If a session is scheduled and not attended or is cancelled without 24 hours prior notice, the client is responsible for the full fee. Insurance does not cover the cost of missed or late cancelled appointments.

If you must make any changes to a scheduled appointment, please contact us or your service provider. 

Therapy Questions

Therapy, also known as talk therapy, psychotherapy or counselling, is the process of meeting with a therapist (e.g., psychologist, psychotherapist, social worker) to resolve problematic behaviours, thoughts, feelings, relationship issues, and/or somatic responses. 

Through therapy, you can improve your behaviours, thoughts, and habits to help achieve your goals. 

Therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes in length.

Frequency of sessions are determined collaboratively by you and your therapist. It is dependent on several factors that can be discussed during your initial session and re-evaluated as necessary. 

This is a reasonable question but difficult to predict. The duration of participation in therapy varies from person to person because each person and their needs are so unique. 

The duration of therapy can be influenced by a variety of factors such as your relationship with your therapist, your therapeutic goals, the specific interventions used, and other factors specific to you. You and your therapist can discuss an approximate timeline, however, keep in mind this timeline may change. 

Following your initial intake, you will be scheduled with the first available and appropriate therapist. Your therapist will be able to discuss appropriate communication options. 

Assessment Questions

Psychological assessments are used to answer specific questions about mental health diagnosis, daily functioning, risk, competency to do a certain job (e.g., policing), and/or personality. 

Assessments consist of standardized tests that look for patterns of behaviour, symptoms, or personality qualities. Alongside these tests, the clinician conducts an interview in which they gather information about the individual. The clinician will also review any pertinent information from other sources (e.g., other healthcare providers, family, teachers, etc.) to gather a full profile of the individual before coming to any conclusions. 

The duration of the assessment process is based on a variety of factors such as your availability, your needs, and the type of assessment being conducted.

Typically, an assessment will take between 4 and 6 hours completed in one day or spread out across multiple appointments. 

If you have any questions please feel free to call us at 416-487-0791 or send an email to info@alliedpsych.ca.

Completing a psychological assessment and writing a subsequent report can be a lengthy process. 

You can speak with your assessor to determine a rough timeline that you can expect to receive the assessment results. 

Do you have more questions?

Call us today! (416) 487-0791