A therapy session typically involves confidential discussions focused on your current challenges and strengths, as well as exploring patterns with emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. It also focuses on practical skill development and usage. Sessions are typically 50 minutes. First sessions will often be more question-heavy so that your therapist can get to know you better. Follow up sessions will often involve some type of check-in (and homework review from previous sessions), along with an introduction to new skills. Practice/homework will typically be given at the end of each session so that you can continue learning and growing outside of session time.

A focused assessment session will involve you undergoing a comprehensive set of measures and assessment tools (e.g., self-report questionnaires), as well as observations and maybe collateral reports from other people, that will allow you and your clinician to better understand and describe your situation. The assessment will typically include both structured and less structured interview questions to gain clarity. The assessment itself could be a minimum of 1 hour, but it can extend to multiple hours if needed (which you can discuss with your clinician). Following the assessment, your clinician will write up a comprehensive report that provides a summary of relevant information, mental health diagnoses (if warranted), and take-home messages, as well as practical recommendations for the future. You'll meet with your clinician to discuss the report and take-homes, and you are encouraged to ask any questions that may come up for you along the way.

At the current time, sessions through Isaacs Psychology are being offered virtually. Video sessions are hosted through a safe and secure software called Owl Practice (https://owlpractice.ca/). All parts of the session are managed through this platform (i.e., video call, storage of session notes, finances, etc.). At the time of your session, you would simply log onto the Owl Practice video link sent to you in an email. If you would prefer, your clinician could set up a phone therapy session with you instead of a video session. While these sessions tend not to be as interactive as video sessions, some clients may prefer them.

Bringing someone to your session can sometimes be okay, as long as the therapy is not for them. For example, Isaacs Psychology does not offer couples therapy, but your clinician may be open to your partner coming to an occasional session if you would just like them to listen in on your own therapy. This is not a common type of practice, but it may be possible if you talk to your clinician about logistics first. If you are a child or teen, you can absolutely involve a parent/caregiver in your care if you would like; and if you are old enough to have therapy sessions by yourself, choosing to include your parents in therapy would be totally up to you (unless one of the rare confidentiality exceptions applies, such as when your safety is at risk).

Currently, we offer services for adults, teenagers/adolescents (as young as 12), and parents. We currently do not see older adults (commonly defined as 65+ years old) or children younger than 12. While we do not see children <12 directly, we offer parents services for children of all ages. While Isaacs Psychology offers relationship support to any clients wanting them, it should be noted that the practice does not offer couples therapy at the present time. If support would be helpful in any of these areas that Isaacs Psychology does not offer, we would be helpful to assist with referrals as needed.

Treatment duration tends to be individualized, and it is something that should be discussed between you and your therapist early on. Frequency of sessions (and the amount of time between them) is often based on your historical and present symptoms/concerns. People also have individual experiences with responding to therapy, and this is why an ongoing discussion on treatment progress with your therapist is important. Research tells us that 50% of patients significantly improve after 15-20 sessions, though we have seen anecdotally that many people can notice significant benefits in less time. It is ultimately a person-to-person difference. For better or worse, it is difficult for us to be more specific here.

The clinic director, Dr. Jason Isaacs, is extensively trained to work with areas of general mental health ('Clinical Psychology') across age groups. See more about mental health conditions and concerns addressed in our practice here. Dr. Isaacs is also extensively trained to work with psychological aspects of physical health ('Health Psychology') across age groups. See more about physical and medical concerns seen by our practice here. Finally, Dr. Isaacs has obtained comprehensive experience working with specific populations like first responders and parents. Generally, Dr. Isaacs is well-trained and well-practiced in all areas currently listed on our website.

Evidence-based approaches are at the core of any session. These are therapeutic frameworks and orientations that have been backed by science for the concerns/issues that you are presenting with. Some of these evidence-based approaches are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (EFT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Several other approaches are utilized as well. The approach(es) chosen for you are based on a combination of your preferences, scientific evidence, and clinical judgement. See more about all the main therapies used in Isaacs Psychology here.

At the start of a session, your clinician will aim to check in with you to make sure you are in a private environment. If there are any privacy concerns on your end, please communicate them with your clinician. All session records and personal health information are securely stored on PHIPA-compliant software (Owl Practice). Your clinician is also bound by confidentiality clauses, meaning that they will not disclose any identifying information about you or your sessions to anyone else. There are only specific situations where your clinician may be required to legally break confidentiality, and most of these exceptions relate to the safety of you or others. These exceptions are reviewed in the documentation that you would be sent before your first session. These exceptions, along with more information about privacy, can be found in our clinic's privacy policy.

Isaacs Psychology charges a flat rate of $285 per clinical hour (50 minutes). There are no taxes or extra fees; it is simply $285/hour. For comprehensive assessments that take multiple hours (including necessary hours of report writing and assessment feedback), total costs will be charged based on the hourly rate of $285/hour. We can also provide personalized and clinically-indicated notes for clients (e.g., notes on your diagnosis for you to share with your work, school, etc.) for the price of 1 clinical hour ($285). Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our costs and pricing.

In Ontario, private practice Psychologists are currently not an OHIP-funded service. However, personal or company healthcare plans with extended benefits will often reimburse you for a certain number (or percentage) of session costs. Virtually all major insurance companies offer some type of mental health coverage for Registered Psychologists. Some of these insurance companies include Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Green Shield, Desjardins, and Medavie Blue Cross. After your session with Isaacs Psychology, you will be sent an invoice to your email. You can then send your invoice directly to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. We recommend checking the extent of coverage with your insurance company beforehand if you are unsure what they cover.

Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, and Psychotherapists are all regulated by different Colleges; each title requires a different focus and extent of training. Registered Psychologists who are trained and registered in Ontario require a PhD in Clinical Psychology (or a related Doctorate level psychology degree). Psychologists are extensively trained in comprehensive diagnostic assessments and complex psychological interventions, and they have at least 600 hours of supervised clinical training plus 1500 supervised hours of subsequent internship training (though most Psychologists obtain more training). Most Ontario Psychologists also have an extensive history with research, ensuring their practice is guided by updated and science-backed evidence. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs). They go to medical school and complete a comprehensive 5-year accredited medical residency program. They are trained in assessment and therapy, but their therapeutic practice tends to focus more on prescription drugs (as they have the capacity to prescribe medications). They are more likely to exist in public healthcare and be OHIP-funded. Registered Social Workers obtain a Bachelors or Masters degree (BSW or MSW), and they focus more on systemic social factors, community resources, and case management. Registered Psychotherapists obtain a Master's, and they often have more flexible options available to obtain their degree. In addition to these four categories of mental health providers, some additional provider titles are not registered, meaning that there is no professional oversight of their credentials (e.g., therapists or life coaches). It is important to make sure your mental health provider has received an appropriate level of training, and we recommend always asking providers about their credentials when you are considering working with them.

While we are happy to book a session for you as soon as we can, we are not a crisis or emergency service. If your immediate safety is at risk, or if you are in overwhelming crisis, or if you are actively suicidal, please contact 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room (ER). You can also call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 (available 24/7). Kids Help Phone is available to call at 1-800-668-6868, or you can text CONNECT to 686868 to reach them as well (also available 24/7). Your safety is paramout, so contact whomever can help you stay safe. If you would like to see additional crisis resources available across the GTA and Ontario, CAMH is one of several mental health organizations who offers an updated list: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/crisis-resources