Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started?

Once you contact us by telephone (416.486.1056) or email ([email protected]), we will arrange an initial telephone call so that we understand what you are looking for. After that, we will meet with you, either in person or by Zoom or other electronic means and will start our assessment of your needs. You will also be able to assess whether or not you feel comfortable with us and wish to work with us.

We allow up to 2 – 3 hours for our initial meeting with you in order to get a history and good understanding of the issue that brought you to us [you will only be charged for the actual time we use]; after that, your appointment will likely be for a one-hour session.

How much will this cost?

Adoption Homestudies: $3300.00 plus disbursements plus HST.

Our fees are typical of a psychologist, social worker or mediator. The total cost will depend on the scope of our work with you. Sometimes, two or three meetings may be enough; in many cases, however, we will likely work together for ten to twenty hours. We will advise you of our estimate of the work and the length of time after our initial or second appointment. All of our services are customized according to your needs.

Fees:

In Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has determined that COUNSELLING fees charged by a Registered Social Worker are HST exempt. This means that if we are working with you on a counseling basis [the great majority of our work], you will not be charged HST.

When we first meet with you, we will do an assessment of your situation and your needs before proceeding with a treatment or counseling plan. That assessment is HST exempt as described above.

Further Information Regarding Fees

However, Adoption Homestudies have been deemed by CRA to be HST attributable so HST will be charged for those. Some of our post Adoption services will be exempt.

Adoption Homestudies: $3300.00 plus Disbursements plus HST

Counseling and Psychotherapy:

OFFICE appointments: $185.00 per hour
ONLINE counseling & psychotherapy: FEES: $185.00 – $150.00 per hour

If there is financial need, we will discuss with you and may consider an
appropriate reduction or allowance. We may also be able to offer you a
payment plan.

If we work together using Zoom, Go To Meeting or any other paid electronic communication vehicle, you will not be asked to pay for these. We pay for them and you will be included on the call as our guests.

If we travel to you for a meeting, you will be charged a mileage fee and time.

I don’t have FaceTime or Skype or Zoom. How can I work with you long distance if I don’t have those?

As long as you have a computer and internet available to you, we can work together even if we are not in the same room . There will be no cost to you to download Zoom or other electronic application so that we can ‘see’ each other while we talk.

Are your fees covered by OHIP or other provincial or government health care provider?

We are Registered [in Ontario, Canada] Social Workers. Our registration is generally reciprocal in other jurisdictions that also have a College or other vehicle that regulates social workers.

Many employee benefit plans or private insurance plans cover the services of a Registered Social worker. Check with your benefit plan to see if our services are covered. Click here for a sample letter to your Employee Benefit plan manager or Human Relations manager.

In Ontario, Canada, you may claim any fees for a Registered Social Worker as a medical expense on your Income Tax. This varies from province to province.

If you are in Canada in a province other than Ontario or if you are in the United States or if you are in another country, please check your benefit plan to see if our services [by a Registered Social Worker] are covered. Please also check with your tax advisor to see if you may claim our services under your jurisdiction’s tax regulations.