Frequently Asked Questions

The goal of the first visit is to assess the nature of your difficulties and formulate a plan for treatment. You will be given the opportunity to discuss your current difficulties and your clinician may ask some additional questions to further understand your concerns. On occasion, this assessment process will include psychological testing or consultation with other sources such as doctors or members of your family (only with your written permission). This information is used to inform a treatment plan that is tailored to fit your specific needs.

The clinicians at Northern Psychology Group are committed to offering you treatment approaches that are evidence-based. This means that the types of therapy offered at our clinic have extensive research supporting their efficacy. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is one of the most heavily researched psychological treatments and has been found effective for a wide range of problems. Our clinicians are well trained and highly experienced in the delivery of CBT. Additional evidence-based therapies such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Mindfulness-Based Therapies are also available depending on your personal needs.

As every person’s situation and needs are unique, the length of treatment varies from person to person. However, for most problems, evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy last between 6 and 20 sessions. Sessions usually take place once per week and are 50 minutes in length.

The fees charged follow the guidelines set by the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). Our standard fees range from $180 to $250 per 50-minute session.

Please note that the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover psychological services that are offered through private practice. However, many of our services are fully or partially covered by workplace benefits or extended health insurance plans. Additionally, any non-reimbursed fees may be claimed on your income tax returns as a medical expense. 

We accept all major credit cards as forms of payment. Your receipt will clearly indicate the name of the therapist along with their professional designation and licence number, as required by insurance companies. 

Although we do not require referrals to see our clinicians, we do accept referrals from physicians, lawyers, occupational therapists, and other health professionals. If you are interested in assessment or therapy services, please contact us directly and we will be happy to schedule an initial appointment and answer any questions you may have. 

If a referral is being made by a physician or allied health professional, please complete this referral form and fax it to (705) 419-2633.