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What’s Psychotherapy and Social Work and how do these terms relate to Counselling and Therapy?

Psychotherapy is the use of talk therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Therapy to treat psychological problems, like difficulties with emotions, behaviours or perceptions. It is a controlled act, and practitioners must be properly trained with licencing from an accredited body (e.g. College of Psychologists, College of Social Work, College of Psychotherapy).

Social Work is the profession concerned with helping individuals and communities enhance well-being. They help people resolve their problems by developing skills and using the resources around them. Social Workers are licenced and regulated by the College of Social Work. Some social workers have specialized training to include psychotherapy within their practice.

Counselling and Therapy are more generic terms referring to the practice of giving someone advice or helping someone resolve something. One does not need registration or special training or licencing to be a counsellor or therapist.

Midtown’s clinicians are psychotherapists and social workers with master’s degree education and extensive professional development credits and field experience.

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What’s Occupational Therapy and how does an O.T. contribute to my rehabilitation?

Occupational Therapy helps to solve the problems that interfere with a person’s ability to do the things that are important to them – everyday things like taking care of themselves and others, being productive, engaging in leisure activities. They employ specialized tools to help the client and the entire treatment team better understand the client’s needs and circumstances. They then make informed recommendations, and then help their clients access the needed resources, whether that be education, encouragement, tools or funding.

Individuals suffering complex injuries during a motor vehicle accident (MVA) are often referred to an O.T. It’s usually the O.T.’s job to do the initial big-picture assessment as well as to keep an eye on the whole treatment situation, help with referrals, equipment and know-client, and ensure nothing gets missed. Occupational therapists are licenced through the Ontario College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, and often have extensive training and experience in particular fields suited to their work.

Midtown’s Occupational Therapists are master’s degree trained with extensive professional development credits and field experience.

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How do I find a good therapist?

The quality of your connection with your therapist is of utmost importance to your experience and chances of success in treatment. However, there is no such thing as a “good” therapist. Instead, you should look for someone with the qualifications, skills and personality that help you feel heard and respected, can attend to the specific complexities of your circumstances, and who partner well with you toward accomplishing your goals.

To find a therapist that ‘fits’ you, do your research – ask around, read their bio on Psychology Today, and ask to speak to them by phone before making any commitments, tell them your situation and see how you feel about their response.

Midtown requires that all new clients first participate in an New Client Consult. This call comes at no charge. Its purpose is to allow for proper screening of the therapist by the clients and vice versa. It’s important that both parties are comfortable working together toward the client’s goals. The majority of Midtown’s clientele are received via personal referrals.

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How do people pay for treatment?

Midtown prays for the day when public healthcare will place greater emphasis on psychological wellbeing. Currently, OHIP covered therapy programs exist, however, these are few and far between. Please speak to your doctor to know your options and to get a referral.

Until that day, Midtown operates as a private clinic, accepting individual, family and MVA clients on a fee-per-service basis. Some clients pay out-of-pocket and some have benefit coverage that reimburses them for some or all of the fees paid. Midtown’s business and organizational partnerships allow for preferred-rates.

For those who cannot afford private fees, our counsellors would be happy to talk through your options in the community. You’re also invited to call Here 24/7, our Region’s Mental Health and Addictions Number.

How do I know when I should get help?

That’s a complicated question with no right answer. Waiting for the just the ‘right’ time probably isn’t the best approach. Reaching out takes curiosity, bravery and commitment. If you think you might need help and are willing to consider getting help, then it’s probably as “right” a time as any. More importantly, don’t ignore that internal nudge saying you could do with a hand.

Some people find it helpful to talk it through with people close to them first, such as their friend, family member, doctor or faith leader. If you’re still not sure, we invite you to email or call us.

What’s wellness, psychosocial health, psychological health, mental health, mental illness and mental/psychological disorders?

These terms are often used interchangeably, although mean slightly different things.

Wellness is a general term for health in a holistic sense, including physical, psychological, spiritual, financial and other dimensions of a person’s health.

Psychosocial Health refers to the psychological and social health dimensions of health. They are inter-related as one influences the other.

Psychological Health and Mental Health mean the same thing. They refer to the functioning of your mind with respect to its moods, thoughts and resulting behaviour.

Mental Illness and Mental/Psychological Disorder also mean the same thing. They refer to having symptoms that meet criteria for a recognized medical condition affecting moods and thoughts that alter behaviours to the extent that they cause significant emotional pain, distress or dysfunction.

Midtown helps people with wellness concerns related to their mental health and other psycho-social factors. A diagnosis is not required, although we recommend you discuss symptoms with your doctor as he/she is your quarterback of public healthcare. Of course, what you share with your doctor is entirely up to you.

What are my options for payment and how and when will I receive invoices and receipts?

(If you suffered injuries or losses from a car accident, check out the next Question.)

Counselling fees are due at the end of each session, meaning the same day. Most clients find it easiest to pay via e-transfer. Please send e-transfers to billing@midtowncounselling.ca. We also accept cash and cheques made out to “Midtown Counselling.”

We don’t yet offer credit card payments, but stay tuned. We continue to explore options that will allow us to keep our rates down - you’ve probably noticed that we charge less than comparable clinics. We do a lot behind the scenes to keep admin fees down. This utlimately benefits you and our therapists.

You’ll receive invoices and receipts via Jane.app. If you didn’t receive them, please check your junk/spam folder. If you have health benefit coverage, you can submit receipts to your benefit provider. Receipts are sent within 1-3 business days. If you’d like another copy or an annual statement, email billing@midtowncounselling.ca.

Yes, we offer DIRECT BILLING! If you have coverage for counselling services (social work, MSW RSW, or psychotherapy) via your employee or private health insurance benefit company, great. We have direct billing arrangements with BlueCross/Medavie, ProviderConnect (GreenShield, Medic, RBC, SSQ, etc.), TELUS (AGA, Beneva, BPA, Canada Life, Canadian Constructions Workers Union, Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance, CINUP, ClaimSecure, Cowan, D.A. Townley, Desjardins, Equitable, First Canadian, GMS Carriers 49 and 50/Express Scripts, GroupHEALTH, GroupSource, Industrial Alliance, Johnson, LiUna Loca 183 and 506, Manion, Manulife Financial, Maximum Benefit, MDM Insurance, People Corporation, RWAM, Simply Benefits, TELUS, Union Benefits, UV Insurance, etc.).

We also partner with disability insurance companies, Family and Children’s Services / Children’s Aid Societies, NIHB (Non-Insured Health Benefits Program for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients) and others via one-off arrangements.

Please speak to your therapist or email billing@midtowncounselling.ca if you’d like direct billing or if you have any other billing-related questions.

If you have ODSP, you likely have access to free counselling. We’re too small to be included in this program, but we think it’s great and are happy to direct you to it: The Counselling Collaborative of Waterloo Region.

Lastly, things happen. As per the agreement all clients sign with us at the start of services, you are ultimately responsible for the service fees you incur. This includes fees for missed appointments and late cancellations, as well as any balance owing when third party arrangements fall through.

I was injured in an motor vehicle accident (MVA) and have coverage through my auto insurance. Or, I was affected indirectly as a parent, child, or spouse of someone who was injured or died in a car, motorcycle, or snowmobile collision. How is my billing different?

First off, we’re really sorry for your loss. We see a lot of people recovering from motor vehicle accidents, theirs or a family member’s. We know just how awful it can be, both the accident and trying to navigate services afterward. We also know how important it is to get good treatment, and we’re here to help.

In most circumstances, we can coordinate treatment and billing directly with your auto insurer. This is done via a federally operated system, FSRA, called HCAI. This saves you from the hassle of submitting and processing claims, and also provides access for reimbursement of related expenses, like home visits, counselling-related activities and equipment, documentation, etc.

Confused? Don’t worry. We’ll explain how this works and walk you through any steps involved.

If your auto insurer requires you to submit to your health insurance first, we’ll help you with that too. We’ll either direct bill (see the question above) or will send invoices to you. For the latter, please submit invoices to your health benefits provider. Once they’ve sent a claims statement (sometimes called “Explanation of Benefits”), simply forward this to us and e-transfer associated funds to billing@midtownrehab.ca. We’ll submit the remainder owed to your auto insurer via direct billing.

Lastly, things happen. As per the agreement all clients sign with us at the start of services, you are ultimately responsible for the service fees you incur. This includes fees for missed appointments and late cancellations, as well as any balance owing when third party arrangements fall through.

Any questions, just ask

ps: It’s best not to wait too long after an accident to get help as it often gets harder to claim medical/rehabilitation expenses as time passes. Also, your insurance coverage may only cover a certain number of years after the accident).

Do you have a different question? Email or call us.