What is the advantage of going to a clinic that offers services by psychologsits members of the Order of Psychologists of Quebec?
Choosing a psychologist who's a member of the Order of Psychologists of Quebec ensures access to the services of a highly qualified professional. Using effective and efficient methods, we can help you in your road to well being.

What can I expect during the first session?
The first session or two are used for evaluation/assessment.  This means that your psychologist takes the time to get to know you, the difficulties you are encountering, and the history of these difficulties in a lot of detail.  You will be given the option to fill out certain questionnaires, depending on the reason for consultation, in advance of your initial appointment, which you can bring with you and give to your psychologist to speed things up.  All this information is then used by your psychologist to help you set goals for therapy and to adapt an approach that is tailor made for you

.How long does therapy with a psychologist usually last?
In general, our psychologists’ approach is relatively short term, so you should expect an average of 8 to 15 sessions, sometimes less, sometimes more.  Of course, we work within your time frame and within your means.  So if you can only come for four or five sessions, this is important to know up front in order for us to accommodate you and to help you stay focussed on one goal. 

The estimate of how long therapy will take can depend on

1. the goals you have for therapy,

2. the complexity of your situation and

3. your degree of motivation to incorporate the suggestions your psychologist may give you. 

For example, someone who has been suffering from anxiety and panic for many years may take longer in therapy than someone who has been anxious for only a couple of weeks or months.  However, if the person who has been anxious for years is really motivated and is able to incorporate many of the suggestions outlined in therapy, they can recover more quickly than the person who has been anxious for a few short weeks, but unwilling or unable to change much of their thinking or behaviours. 

Finally, goals for therapy can be simple, such as “learn tools to help alleviate my depression” versus numerous “learn tools to alleviate depression, learn better communication skills with my partner, decrease stress in my life, help with deciding to have children or not, etc…”

How often do I need to come in and when is therapy stopped?
At first, clients usually come in once per week.  In general, when clients start to feel better and have learnt some basic tools (typically by session 4-6), sessions can be spaced out to every two weeks, then every month until termination. Ideally, therapy is stopped when you not only have attained your goals, but you feel confident in your understanding of why the problem or difficulty came about.  This knowledge will help you devise a prevention strategy in order to recognize the danger signs so as to minimize the problem coming back again. 

At all times you are free to stop therapy, but you should discuss it with your psychologist.  They will better be able to maximize the time you have so as to equip you with those strategies that can be most helpful to you.  In some situations, the psychologist may recommend a booster session in several months as part of your prevention strategy and just to leave the door open. Both you and your psychologist will decide what is appropriate for you.

Does PsyMontreal offer evening appointments?
Yes, we offer evening appointments, but not all psychologists have evening availabilities.  Please specify if you require evening availabilities so that we may direct you to the psychologist that can accommodate your schedule. 

Is therapy confidential?
Absolutely.  We cannot disclose any information without you giving your consent first.

Ethical guidelines require us to break with confidentiality in three situations :

1. if you are in danger of physically harming yourself

2. if you are in danger of physically harming someone else

3. if a child or /elderly person is in need of protection (child/elder abuse/neglect)

In all of these instances, the psychologist will warn you before they break with confidentiality and the two of you can discuss it.

How can I pay?
Payment options include cash, Interac/Debit/ATM card, Visa and MasterCard.  No cheques please.

Are fees covered by provincial insurance?
The fees of psychologists in private practice are not covered by Medicare, but many insurance companies reimburse a certain amount, depending on your coverage.  In addition, you can use the amount paid for psychological services as a medical expense deduction on your personal income taxes.  Official receipts are provided.

Other fees and services include:

• Assessments: Depending on the mandate, assessments are charged a flat fee based on an estimate of the work.  The estimate really depends on number of tests, questionnaires, analysis of testing materials and nature of the report or letter.  Any additional time is billed at the hourly rate. 
• Documentation: Once in therapy, any required letters, reports or forms that need to be filled out will be billed at the hourly rate.
• Late cancellations or missed appointments: Our psychologists require 24 hours notice to cancel an appointment. Leaving a voicemail message to your psychologist is fine.  However, if you provide less than at least 24 hours notice, or if you do not show up for your appointment, then 100% of the fee will be charged, in other words you are responsible for paying for the missed session;
• Bounced checks:  A flat fee of 30$ is charged for each bounced check

How do I schedule an initial appointment?
If you would like to set up a first appointment, or get more information, please call us at (514) 337-2473 ext 0.  Our Clinical Coordinator will be happy to help you.  Based on what you’d like help with, your clinic preference and your availabilities, she will refer you to the appropriate psychologist, and answer any additional questions you may have.

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