Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people seek counselling?

Typically, people seek counselling because they are struggling with some kind of emotional pain or internal discomfort. My role is to help clients explore and understand this discomfort in a different way so that it no longer carries the same burden or restrictions in their everyday lives.

What kind of therapy do you do?

I rely on evidence-based treatments when working with my clients. These are therapies that have undergone extensive clinical research and have proven outcomes in alleviating various mental health symptoms. I keep up to date on the current research regarding the effectiveness of various therapies for each mental health disorder I treat. In the therapy room, I work from an attachment framework, as an integrative therapist, pulling primarily from emotion-focused, cognitive-behavioural, and acceptance and commitment therapy approaches.

What are the rules around confidentiality?

For individuals over the age of 12, everything discussed is kept strictly confidential, with some exceptions that are clearly reviewed at the beginning of the first session, and which pertain strictly to protecting vulnerable people or abiding with a court order. You are encouraged to ask any questions you have regarding confidentiality and its limits at the first meeting.

How often should I attend therapy?

This is a question that varies greatly depending on a variety of factors; symptom severity, financial limitations, scheduling conflicts, etc. However, my general rule of thumb is to schedule 4-6 sections weekly after meeting for the intake, and then re-assess frequency thereafter. This is to allow for traction to be built before spacing sessions out so far that too much time is taken up reviewing relevant updates without enough time allocated to active intervention (e.g., the real reason you're coming!).

How long does a "course of therapy" take?

That answer also depends greatly on a variety of factors! One factor tends to be the amount of time an individual has suffered with the difficulties being addressed. The longer the suffering, typically the longer the course of therapy. Symptom severity at the outset of therapy can also impact the length of time it takes to see a meaningful reduction in symptoms. However, current research suggests that most individuals (except those with co-occurring conditions or certain personality difficulties) report a minimum of a 50% reduction in symptoms after 15-20 sessions of therapy (www.apa.org).

What are the fees?

My fees differ based on the service provided, but a typical therapy hour following intake is billed at $225/hour.

Does insurance cover therapy?

Most insurance companies offer some (albeit minimal) coverage for psychological services. Please check with your insurer before beginning treatment.

How do you take payment?

I take payment via e-transfer to: drlaurasmith@therapyemail.com or by credit card through my online booking system, JaneApp.com. Please note that credit card payments are subject to JaneApp's 2.75% transaction fee.