FAQ
Psychotherapy is founded on the theory (that has a lot of evidence to support it) that talking through issues with a trained practitioner is beneficial and can lead to a lessening of stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues. It is expected that a psychotherapy patient has things to talk about when engaging in psychotherapy, but just about any sort of communication is considered therapeutic. Psychotherapy is not a means to acquire advice. Psychotherapists do not work out a patient’s problems or issues, rather, a resolution of those issues is acquired through self reflection and renewed insight. Psychotherapy is about process, not so much about content. Although psychotherapists are known to shed new light on a subject, and possibly offer some suggestions in its resolution, they certainly know less about a situation that their patients are involved in than the patient. Do be prepared to talk about how you are feeling about things that are going on in your life, and to express desires, confusions, frustrations, anxieties, and sadness.
I will treat any adult aged 17 or older…either as individuals or in couples therapy. Unfortunately I do not see children, but have good referrals if you are under the age of 17. I also do not see families. I will also typically not work with patients with schizophrenia or psychosis, unless they are also under the care of a psychiatrist who feels psychotherapy would be a positive intervention. This requirement would also apply to prospective patients who are actively suicidal. If you are in doubt about whether talk-therapy is a good fit for you, it probably would be best if you gave me a call at (416) 712-1476 so we could discuss your unique situation.
For your first session just be prepared to talk about your issues and why you want therapy. I will want to hear your story: what is bothering you, for how long, what it is like to live with the things that you are bothered by, etc. If you are coming in as a couple, I will want to hear the same sort of thing: why are you in therapy? What is wrong, what could be better? Also anything at all you want to talk about is ok to talk about. Your life history if you want! For subsequent sessions, just be prepared to tell me things…it can be anything! If you have dreams, tell me about your dreams (both the kind you have at night, or the ones about the things you would like to have in your life!) Tell me about your childhood…stories about when you were a kid, birthdays, holidays, first days at school. Anything at all. Share whatever you are comfortable sharing, but always be aware if it is uncomfortable for you to share you don’t have to. Try to think of things before you come in that you can talk about…it IS “talk-therapy” so talking is pretty important! If you don’t have anything to say, I will ask you questions…but you want to avoid this if you can.
When you book an appointment and use “New Appointment” as your selection, you will receive links to forms you will need to either fill out, or just read and sign. If you do not receive these forms you can download them HERE. When you know whether you are applying for an insurance reimbursement or not, I may have to read and sign additional forms when you come in for your session.
The forms you download will include a routine intake form with questions about your situation and general administration information such as address, phone number, etc. I will also want you to fill out the credit card form whether you plan to pay with a credit card or not. As part of my cancellation policy I will need card information on hand. This information is stored in a safe, secure, location.
I have a 24 hour cancellation policy which means that if you do not give me 24 hour notice of a cancellation I will charge you for the missed session. If you expect a receipt I will send you one but it will be marked “MISSED SESSION”. You cannot submit receipts for insurance reimbursement for a missed session. You can cancel for any reason if you give me 24, or more, hours notice.
A person who calls themselves a psychotherapist in Ontario must be registered by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. These individuals must meet certain stringent requirements in education and practice experience. Psychotherapists cannot prescribe medication and their services are not covered by OHIP but operate under a “fee for services” concept. Many extended health insurance plans cover psychotherapists, but many do not. If you are relying on insurance reimbursement you must check carefully with your provider to be sure a psychotherapist’s services are covered. Psychotherapists are not allowed to formally diagnose mental illness, although they are expected to be able to treat most psychological issues. Most psychotherapists are trained to be able to identify issues they are expected to treat.
A psychologist in Ontario must be registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. They too must meet stringent requirements including a doctorate in psychology. Psychologists’ fees are also not covered by OHIP and they also cannot prescribe medication, they can, however, make formal diagnoses.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and is covered by OHIP. Psychiatrists can, and do, prescribe medication as well as make formal medical and psychological diagnoses.
Psychotherapists and psychologists practice in very much the same manner usually engaging in “talk-therapy” with their patients, although clinical psychologists are allowed to diagnose and make formal mental health assessments and evaluations. Sometimes psychotherapist will work with a psychologist as supervisor and some insurance companies who do not cover the services of a psychotherapist, but will cover the services of a psychologist, will cover the psychotherapist if they are under the supervision of a psychologist (I often work with patients under this arrangement.)
Psychiatrists typically do not do “talk-therapy” (although some do, and are qualified to if they choose to) but rather meet with a patient and after an initial consult and other assessments will prescribe medication to deal with their patient’s issues. If all you want is medication, then either go to your family doctor (who can also diagnose and prescribe) or get an appointment with a psychiatrist as they are the only mental health practitioners who can prescribe medication.
If you have extended health care coverage there is a good chance your insurance will cover my services. However, before you can be certain of this, you must inquire with your insurance carrier or with a representative at your employer HR department. You need to ask, specifically, if you are insured for REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST psychotherapy…if the answer to that question is “no” then you can ask if they will cover the services of a psychotherapist who practices under the SUPERVISION of a PSYCHOLOGIST. Many carriers will allow for therapy from a psychotherapist if he or she is under the supervision of a registered psychologist. If they ask for the name of the psychologist to see if they are on their qualified list it is Dr. Maneet Bhatia, registration number: xxxxxxx. If they ask for my CRPO registration number, it is: xxxxx. Needless to say, my name is Todd Hayen, and I am a Registered Psychotherapist.
If your insurance carrier will cover a psychotherapist’s services, then you may pay with a check, cash, or credit card. However, if they will only cover for services provided by a supervised psychologist, you can pay in only cash or check. You must pay at the time of the session, submit the invoice I will email to you at the end of the say to your insurance provider, and wait for them to reimburse you for the services you have already paid for.
Please check carefully before booking an appointment if it is important that my services are reimbursed.
I currently charge $185.00 CAD for a 50 minute session. This amount includes the required HST (you pay only $185).
The fee is payable at the time of the session. If you are paying with US dollars, the fee remains the same ($185 CAD) converted to USD. If you request a receipt you will receive one usually emailed the evening after your session.
The fee is the same for individuals and for couples.
Email therapy has a different fee schedule. Please inquire for details.
If you are using an insurance plan for reimbursement and your insurance will only cover a supervising registered psychologist, then you must pay with a cheque or cash. If you are paying with a cheque, please leave the payee blank, or, if you feel more comfortable filling it out, make the cheque out to Bhatia Psychological Services.
If you are using an insurance plan for reimbursement and your insurance will cover a registered psychotherapist, then you may pay with a credit card (you must fill out a credit card authorization form). You may also pay in cash or with a cheque made out to Todd Hayen (do NOT make the cheque out to Hayen Centre.)
If you are not using insurance for coverage, please fill out a credit card authorization form if you wish to pay with a credit card, or pay with cash or cheque.
Unfortunately I do not accept debit cards. Under certain circumstances you may pay with an interac bank transfer. Use “thayen@toddhayentherapy.com” as the email address.)
In a word, no, I do not have a sliding scale. However, there have been occasions where I will apply a discount if I have seen a client for a number of sessions and they cannot continue due to financial hardship.
I also do not offer a free consultation, however, I will speak to you on the phone for as long as you like (usually) and will also not charge you if you come in for your first session and decide to leave after the first 20 minutes. I ask that you not “audition” therapists in this manner, but rather make the decision you will stay with me if you feel it is a good fit.