A first therapy session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin building a foundation of trust. Your therapist may ask about your history, current challenges, and what you hope to gain from therapy. There’s no pressure — you can share as much or as little as feels comfortable. Our priority is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel understood and ready to take the next step.

Yes, The Mindful Place offers both counselling and psychotherapy, each designed to meet different needs in a safe and supportive environment.

Counselling typically focuses on helping you navigate specific challenges or life transitions, such as stress, relationships, grief, or decision-making. It is often shorter-term, present-focused, and solution-based.

Psychotherapy involves more in-depth exploration of emotional patterns, long-standing mental health concerns, and deep healing. It may be used to address issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or past emotional experiences, often over a longer period.

In Ontario, psychotherapy is considered a controlled act under the Regulated Health Professions Act, which means it can only be performed by regulated healthcare professionals such as Registered Social Workers, Registered Psychotherapists, and other licensed professionals. The Mindful Place is fully trained and regulated to provide psychotherapy services in accordance with Ontario’s legal and ethical standards.

Confidentiality is a core part of the therapeutic relationship. What you share in sessions and through other forms of correspondence (e.g., phone and email) stays between you and your therapist in your client file. However, there are four exceptions required by law where we would need to inform others outside of the therapy space (such as risk of harm to self or others, child abuse, etc.). These exceptions are clearly explained in the intake forms and at the start of therapy.

Your privacy is our priority. Session notes are securely stored in your electronic Jane profile, which is locked and protected. No one can access your therapy notes unless you provide written consent to share them, or if we are legally required to do so.

We encourage parents and caregivers to be supportive in helping teens and young adults begin therapy. You’re welcome to help with booking the first consultation or creating a Jane profile, but the account and contact information must be in your teen or young adult’s name to respect their privacy.

Once therapy begins, the therapist will work together with your teen to decide how much ongoing caregiver involvement feels comfortable and appropriate. Session content and therapy notes are confidential and are not shared without your teen’s written consent — unless there is a safety concern that legally requires disclosure (such as risk of harm to self or others), in which case caregivers may be contacted.

Your teen’s privacy and confidentiality are a vital part of the therapeutic process. What they share in session stays between them and their therapist, unless they choose to share it with you or provide written consent for information to be released. This helps create a safe space where they can speak openly.

That said, your teen’s therapist may provide general updates about progress and themes (with your teen’s agreement), and may involve you in conversations if it would be helpful to their growth. The only time confidentiality is broken without consent is if there is a safety concern, such as risk of harm to themselves or others.

In the beginning, many clients find that weekly or biweekly sessions help build momentum and consistency. As you begin to feel more confident with the skills and insights you’re gaining, we can gradually move to less frequent or as-needed sessions. The pace is always flexible and tailored to your needs.

The length of therapy is different for everyone. Some people come for a few months to focus on a specific concern, while others choose to continue longer-term for ongoing support and personal growth. Together, we’ll regularly check in on your progress and goals so you feel confident about when it’s the right time to space your sessions out further, or coast and take a break from therapy.

Payment can be made by credit card or e-transfer. We don’t offer direct billing, but you’ll receive a receipt after each session to submit to your insurance provider if your plan covers therapy. This way, you remain in control of your insurance claims and records.