Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Making the decision to look into therapy services is a big step, I’m proud of you for making it this far. Therapy is really just a conversation between two people. During each session, it is my goal to learn about you and your unique interests, needs, and desires. Our conversations will lead us towards building a safe and strong relationship where you feel comfortable to be your genuine self. 

As a Client, you will lead our conversations. This means you have the floor to talk about any and everything, nothing is off limits and you can choose what you do or don’t want to discuss. Together, we will identify what brought you to therapy. We will create an individual treatment plan that addresses your goals and outlines clear steps on how to get there. We will test and try different techniques in session, and once you feel ready, you will trial skills learnt in session out in the real world outside of session.

Our collaboration and your active participation in the process will lead us towards success. 

Our first few couple together will be spent getting to know one another. This is an important step towards building trust and safety. This is also important as it will help provide me with the information needed to help you in building your treatment plan.

Talking to someone new can be nerve wracking. We can always do some icebreakers in the beginning to help you get comfortable in the dynamic. Please know that you will always be in the driver’ seat of our relationship which means you get to decide what we do or don’t discuss. 

Therapy is for any and everybody! That’s the beauty of it. It’s okay to not know exactly what you’re looking for, you don’t need to have all the answers. But at this point, you know you want support of some sort and that’s all you need to know. We can figure out the rest together.

No matter age, race, or creed, everyone deserves to access therapy if this is someone one decides they need.

Ayssa provides one-to-one psychotherapy services and typically works with people between the ages of 18 to 35. When working with client’s interested in focussing on sex therapy, Ayssa works with individuals of all ages and specializes in working with those aged 60 and up. 

Ayssa most often works individuals in the areas of:

  • Anxiety
  • Life transitions
  • Sex therapy for individuals
  •  Sexual trauma
  • New habits
  • Boundaries and assertiveness

Protecting your privacy and confidentiality is of the utmost importance. Therapy is about having a safe space to share, reflect and discuss the different issues that you are going through. Ayssa will always take every precaution to ensure that what you share during session and all personal information divulged remains protected and private. 

Ayssa is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College for Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Ayssa is bound to a number of professional ethical and legal obligations that outline a small handful of circumstances when confidentiality must be broken in order to ensure both your safety, and the safety of others. Registered Social Workers in Ontario are bound to laws and professional ethical codes that govern them to take necessary steps when they receive reports of abuse, neglect, self harm or harm to others. Due to these regulations, Ayssa is considered a mandated reporter. As such, if she becomes privy to information pertaining to risk &/or safety, she is mandated to report these statements to either protective service agencies, emergency providers &/or local law enforcement. This must be done in an effort to enhance you and your loved ones safety, while minimizing potential future risk

Services

Ayssa provides both online and in-person services. Please note that at this time, Ayssa does have a waitlist for in-person services. Please connect with her to inquire further. 

Ayssa provide no-charge 15-minute consultations for new clients interested in services. It is important that in your journey to find a therapist to work with that you have the opportunity to learn about their style, approach, and personality. You will have the opportunity to do all this and more during your consultation. Please bring all questions you may have to the table.

While consultations are important in your decision process towards deciding whether Ayssa is the right fit for you, please keep in mind that consultations are not treatment sessions. Consultations may not be used to engage in therapy though if you are interested in attending a small handful of sessions to receive some treatment, this is 100% an option!

Ayssa works with individuals one-to-one. Ayssa does not work with couples or groups in therapy. If during our work together we collaboratively decide it may be beneficial for a friend or loved one to attend a session with you on a one-time basis, the door is open for us to discuss policies around this further. 

The initial session will be spent getting to know one another. In order for us to create a comprehensive, customized treatment plan it is important that I know you as a person. We will spend time discussing your values, culture, spiritual beliefs, hobbies, current work/schooling situation, and your home life. We will also identify some potential goal you’d like to work on during out time together.

Your second session will allow us some more time to get to questions we didn’t get a chance to discussing in our initial session. This session, may also be used to create your treatment plan. 

Your treatment plan will be composed of goals selected by yourself. It’s possible your goals may change throughout the course of therapy – this is okay and completely normal. Together we will create markers so that we know we are heading towards completing your goals. We will regularly revisit the treatment plan during our work together to see if we are on the right path, or whether the plan needs to be revised. 

Each subsequent session will build off of the other. We will work towards achieving your goals. In the end, the final hope is that you have acquired the skills and individualized toolbox you need to support yourself.

Making the choice to go to therapy is just that, a choice! If you start working with Ayssa but don’t like how things are going, you can choose to end therapy at any time. You are welcome to find a new therapist on your own, take a break from therapy, or talk to Ayssa about other options. 

Alternatively, if you feel comfortable you strongly encouraged to speak to Ayssa about your concerns. Telling someone what’s bothering you can feel uncomfortable for a number of reasons – maybe you have social anxiety, maybe you’re worried about offending the other person, or maybe you’re generally uncomfortable voicing your needs. Whatever the case may be, please keep in mind that therapy is a safe environment to practice these skills. If you decide to go this route, you will have achieved a new personal goal you didn’t even have planned!

If you need support between sessions, you have a number of options:

  • Email Ayssa to book a new session
  • If you are in crisis and need immediate assistance please call 9-1-1. Alternatively, there are a number of distress lines available to assist you 24/7. Some of these lines include:
    1) Toronto Distress Centre: (416) 408-HELP (4357)
         Suicide and crisis intervention

    2) 310-COPE: 1-855-310-COPE (2673)
         Youth crisis intervention

    3)  Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/ Multicultural Women Against Rape: (416) 597-8808
          Survivors of rape, sexual assault, trauma, or family/friends of survivors looking for support

First of all, a congratulatory happy dance would have to be in order! Accomplishing even just one goal is a big deal, you owe it to yourself to acknowledge that. Once you’ve reached all your goals you’re welcome to make the decision to cease all further therapy sessions. 

Alternately, you’re equally as welcome to continue meeting with Ayssa on a monthly/bi-monthly basis or as-needed for maintenance. The choice is yours. 

Fees & Payments

Rates are the same for both online and in-person services. All appointments are 50-minutes in length and are charged at a flat fee of $180. This cost is reimbursable through most insurers.

Ayssa does offer a limited number of sliding scale rates. Please note that at present time, there is a waitlist for sliding scale rates. Please send Ayssa an email if you have any additional questions. 

Ayssa accepts cash, e-transfer, and credit card payments.

At this time, Ayssa does not offer direct-billing services. If you have personal or professional insurance, please connect with your insurance provider to check your reimbursement eligibility for Register Social Workers. 

Sometimes, life happens and you might be running late for an appointment. Ayssa does not charge for late appointments. If you know you will be late for an appointment for whatever reason, as a curtesy please try to notify Ayssa as soon as possible. Services will still be rendered. If you are more than 15 minutes late to an appointment and fail to notice Ayssa before 15-minutes into your scheduled appointment time, your appointment will be cancelled and you will be charged the full session fee. 

 

As a Client working with Ayssa, please be informed that Ayssa has a strict cancellation policy. Clients must notify Ayssa of any changes or appointment cancellations at least 48-hours before your scheduled appointment time. Requests received outside of this timeframe (i.e. less than 48 hours in advance) will be charged the full session fee. 

Absolutely. If Ayssa reviews your individual case and determines there was an error in payment/charge, you will be reimbursed accordingly. 

All payments are processed at the time of your scheduled appointment. 

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