Frequently Asked Questions about Counselling
At Pathways Counselling & Life Coaching Centre, we are happy to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from Mississauga clients
Fees for counselling or psychotherapy are not covered by OHIP. Coverage for counselling and psychotherapy is provided by most extended health benefit plans. It is advisable to check to see if you have such coverage through your employer.
This is something that the counsellor will discuss during the first counselling session. However, while there may be exceptions, it is generally advisable to plan on scheduling weekly or biweekly sessions. Duration of treatment is dependent on a number of factors, including the severity of the concern for which help is being sought.
Conversations with the counsellor are kept in strict confidence. This includes the handling of files that contain case notes, records, and psychological test results.
If there is a need or desire to disclose information from files with another professional e.g. medical doctor, lawyer, pastor, or third party billing source (for employee benefits, for example), the client will be consulted first and asked to sign a release of information document.
Legal Limitations to Confidentiality:
- Counsellors are required by law to report to the appropriate authorities if there is physical or sexual abuse of a child under the age of 18 or if there is reason to believe a person’s life is in jeopardy.
- If a judge subpoenas a counsellor to testify in court or to release the contents of a file, the counsellor is required to do so.
Appointments are generally 50 minutes long, allowing your therapist 10 minutes between appointments to attend to the file.
As Registered Psychotherapists, we employ various treatment methodologies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Talk Therapy, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), EMDR, Mindfulness Techniques, and others also utilized by Psychologists.
Psychologists are trained in the science of research and clinical counselling. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication, are not covered by OHIP and utilize the same treatment methodologies as Psychotherapists.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication for the treatment of various mental illnesses such as Bi-Polar disease, Schizophrenia and other disorders associated with a chemical imbalance of the brain.
The overall aim of counselling is to work toward a peaceful, purposeful and fulfilling life, by helping you develop the strengths to:
- Overcome the distressing problems of life
- Overcome the disruptive painful influences of your past
- Overcome emotional difficulties
Life coaching focuses less on overcoming difficulties and focuses more on developing and building skills that help individuals:
- Expand their vision
- Build their confidence
- Unlock their potential
- Take practical steps to achieve their goals
Pathways welcomes and accepts individuals, families, and couples from all backgrounds regardless of their faith affiliation or religious status. While Pathway’s does offer Christian Counselling and groups with Christian content for those of the Christian faith, our trained counsellors also offer sound secular counselling for those who are of other faiths or do not have any faith affiliation. Clients are always given the choice of incorporating faith into their counselling and clients who do not choose faith based counselling are not discriminated against in any way.
Yes. Parking is located at the rear of the building.
