Frequently Asked Questions


The decision to start therapy is a highly personal one. People seek therapy for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes a sudden critical event, grief, life transitions, mental health challenges, work burnt-out or trauma provoke intense and overwhelming feelings.

Many people want to attend therapy for relationship problems, work stress, self-doubt, gender, sexuality and identity issues, and other emotional issues. Some people feel a general need to talk about what they imagined their lives would be and the circumstances in which they actually find themselves. Others desire to learn more about their identity and how to move forward in life in a more authentic way.

Most of us want to be heard and understood. Talking about our thoughts and feelings with a supportive and non-judgemental person outside our circle of friends and family makes us feel better.

Talking about your life experiences, perspectives, and emotions can help you resolve deep-rooted challenges in your life and help you understand them better.

In essence, the therapeutic conversation is very different from the one you would have with a friend. Most importantly, this is all about you. Therapy sessions offer a safe place to drop into your most personal inner world without fearing that you’ll be judged or that your friend will feel overwhelmed. In the therapeutic setting, all thoughts and feelings can be explored; your therapist is professionally trained and bound by confidentiality.

Yes. Psychotherapy is sometimes confused with counselling. The words” psychotherapy” and “counselling” are often used interchangeably. Still, as a course of treatment, they are different.

In general, counselling is more directive, which means a counsellor will often give the advice to help you solve a problem or deal with a personal issue.

Psychotherapy (also known as therapy) is working with a therapist to talk through your issues to better make your own decisions and gain more self-agency.

You can continue therapy for as long as you think necessary and stop the sessions on your terms.

Overall, the direction and duration of therapy will vary depending on your individual hopes and intentions. Typically, a therapist and client will discuss the frequency and length of a therapy based on your needs. Allowing the process to evolve in whatever way works for you is crucial.

Remember that personal growth can be difficult. To evaluate your progress, ask yourself:

  • Am I noticing any desired changes in my life– at work, home, with my friends?
  • Am I more mindful of the choices I make?
  • Am I closer to meeting the goals I set with my psychotherapist?
  • Do I feel I understand myself better?
  • Are my relationships with others improving?
  • Am I more aware of the patterns of behaviours and emotional hooks causing me personal and relationship issues?

We offer free 15-minute phone consultations for potential new clients.

Your first booked initial consultation session is a half-hour session in length. Most regular sessions are between 45-minutes and to 60-minutes in length.

We offer a brief 30-minute check-in session for active clients at a lower cost. We also offer longer sessions, between 75-minutes and 90-minutes, to accommodate our clients’ needs.

The cost of the sessions varies between 140$ and 220$. For more information about fees, click here.

Psychotherapy is not covered by OHIP or ODSP. Psychotherapists are not funded by any governmental organization.

Psychotherapists are independent professionals who must be paid directly by you. After every session, we will give you a detailed receipt.

Our fees may be covered by your personal healthcare plan through your workplace or an individual health insurance plan that covers psychotherapy.

You don’t need a referral from your doctor.

Your relationship with your therapist is paramount for developing trust in the therapeutic process and achieving your goals. Here are some meaningful questions you can ask yourself:

  • Do I feel my therapist genuinely cares about me and my story?
  • Do I think my psychotherapist understands me?
  • Am I comfortable sharing personal information with this psychotherapist?
  • Do I feel that I can be open and honest during the sessions?
  • Do I feel heard?. Does my therapist hold space for me and listen without criticism or judgment?
All therapists on the Margarita Rabinovich, RP & Associates site meet the rigorous membership standards of the CRPO and OCSWSSW.

The College of Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario is the regulatory body for psychotherapists in Ontario. The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers is the regulatory body for social workers, including those practicing psychotherapy.

Regulation of a profession defines the practice of the profession. It describes the boundaries, including the requirements and qualifications to practise the profession.

Regulation brings credibility to the profession. Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers are subject to a code of ethics and standards of practice. The primary mandate of any regulatory college is to protect the public interest from unqualified, incompetent or unfit practitioners.

Your virtual appointment is the same as a regular in-person visit. The only difference is that you will see and speak to your therapist via video conferencing. If you have used Skype, Zoom or FaceTime, this is similar to how virtual sessions work.

We use Jane App for bookings, processing payments, and virtual sessions. It works on any computer or laptop, Android or iOS device. Once you sign-up and create your account with us, it is easy to schedule your appointments and receive your Receipts by email after each therapy session. Once you have booked your appointment, you will receive early reminders. Two hours before your session, an email will notify you of the link for the video conference.

Research shows that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for various mental health conditions.

Some of the benefits we have heard our clients mention are:

  • Driving long distances and taking significant time out from a busy schedule can be a burden for some people.
  • People referred explicitly to us who don’t reside or work in the Halton or Hamilton area find online therapy extremely convenient.
  • Conveniently available for remote areas lacking mental health services.
  • People who cannot leave their homes for various reasons, including child rearing, illness, and physical or mental health issues, find online therapy a helpful alternative.
  • People who travel for business or, after starting therapy move out to a different location find online therapy very reliable as they can continue working with the same therapist.
  • Many clients feel more comfortable in a familiar setting, such as their home or office.
  • The integrity of the therapeutic relationship is not weaker because we are connecting through a screen.

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