Counselling or therapy are terms that are used interchangeably. The act of counselling or therapy could be described as “an activity which aims to help others resolve personal or social problems within a caring therapeutic relationship.” At Elpizo, we define it as an “activity which gives people hope and helps them move towards constructive change and growth in any or every aspect of their lives.”
Counselling includes, but is not limited to:
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Engaging in deep listening
- Showing genuine empathy
- Offering patience
- Showing support
- Building confidence
- Exploring new ways of seeing life
- Processing grief, loss and change
Online therapy is the provision of all the above using a video platform or over the phone.
Yes, it is effective and convenient. However, this is dependant on factors such as:
- your comfort levels with using online platforms. Our therapists can help in ensuring client readiness.
- your environment, privacy, and quality of internet connection.
- assessment during intake to understand if this is the best option for you.
Tip: A stable internet access, distraction free and private environment, and a strong commitment to scheduled appointments leads to successful online sessions.
Once you have decided on counselling, email or call us to request a consultation with Ruth, Director at Elpizo. She will discuss your needs and guide you through our process. Ruth has over 22 years of experience as a psychotherapist and a nuanced understanding of diverse challenges. You will be matched to a qualified therapist based on her analysis and your intake form.
You can also request an intake form through an email sent to admin@elpizocounselling.com or by calling us at 1-877-335-7496.
The office is in Milton on Main St for in-person sessions.
Sessions are by appointment only; we are unable to accommodate walk-ins.
Clients come to us from nearby cities such as Mississauga, Brampton, Oakvile, Burlington, Halton, Peel, the Greater Toronto Area. However, we provide services virtually to all cities in Ontario and provinces in Canada that are unregulated, and countries that are also unregulated.
Therapy is a deeply personal experience, and we do our best to try and match you with a therapist who is skilled in the reasons that brought you to counselling. We appreciate that sometimes for one reason or other the connection does not work. If that happens, please give us a call. We can review your needs and consider other therapists that may be a better alignment to your specific needs.
The initial 2-3 sessions are for intake, gathering information, understanding your presenting issues, exploring goals, administering assessments etc. Then, your therapists will collaborate with you on the therapeutic plan and the number of sessions you might need based on the information. We believe in treatment plans that are adaptable, flexible, and creative so that they can be adjusted as outcomes are accomplished.
The first session is structured to ensure maximum understanding and connection between you and your therapist. You can expect to review the intake form with your therapist, ask questions, understand how we work and your rights as per our policies, disclose your concerns, and decide if the assigned therapist(s) are the best fit for you. If at any time we feel your needs are better served by someone else or a different level of care, we will discuss it with you, make recommendations and provide a referral.
The fee could range between $170 to $305 for individual, couple, or family sessions, plus HST, as the federal government charges taxes on Psychotherapy. We offer sliding scale options based on an income assessment to assist those without extended benefits or those with financial challenges. Email or call us to find out more.
Payments are expected either prior to or right after your session. E-transfer or credit card are acceptable forms of payment. Upon payment, we issue a receipt according to your extended health coverage either for Psychotherapy or Social Work, Marriage, and Family. Follow-up sessions are confirmed once payment has been received for your previous session unless an arrangement has been agreed with the office.
Currently, OHIP does not cover Psychotherapy.
Clients with extended health benefits may be eligible for partial or full reimbursement of service fees depending on your insurance provider. We accept insurance reimbursement as Psychotherapists, Social Workers, or Counsellors. It is important that you check with your extended health benefit provider prior to your session to determine if you are covered. We are unable to provide refunds for services which are subsequently denied coverage by an insurer.
You can pay out of pocket, and you will receive a receipt for the fees you have paid. You can claim psychological and psychotherapy services as medical expenses when you file your taxes.
We do not bill directly to the insurance company.
Referrals are not necessary to obtain an appointment. You can either contact us through our website or call us at 1-877-335-7496 or book a 15-minute free consultation. However, we welcome all referrals from institutions, organizations, faith groups, psychologists, psychiatrists, family physicians etc.
As per private therapy practice standards, once you schedule and confirm an appointment your therapist will commit to reserving that time slot for you. Your commitment is to pay for the reservation of their time.
If you need to cancel your appointment, we require a minimum of 24 hours’ notice to avoid applying a late cancellation fee. Late cancellations and missed appointments are charged the full rate of the appointment using your credit card on file. A credit card number is required at the time of booking. Your credit card information will be stored securely and will only be charged if there is a late cancellation or missed appointment. But we understand that sometimes life happens. If you’re unable to attend your appointment due to a medical or personal emergency, your credit card will still be charged; however, your therapist will assess whether to waive the cancellation fee and apply the charge to your next appointment. Our cancellation policy is intended to respect the time, energy, and commitment of our therapists and their clients, whom we value greatly.
We are compliant with Ontario’s Privacy Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Whether in person or online, we adhere to all privacy policies and secure your information on PHIPA & PIPEDA approved electronic software.