Frequently Asked Questions About Psychotherapy
What does a Psychotherapist actually do?
At CHATT Inc., we listen. Our psychotherapists provide support, guidance, and assist with problem-solving. Of utmost importance to your success, we build on the relationship we share with you and develop your trust. We provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can freely speak and process.
We work with you to develop self-compassion, to learn from your past barriers, and build the future you want in order to thrive. We believe that you are the expert of your life, and we observe your strengths, and support nurturing them to live the life you are seeking.
We help parents, couples and families to accept one another more fully, while also accepting that you are accountable to yourself, as well as the other people in your life. We can teach you the skills in order to develop better communication and compassion for more peaceful and reciprocal relationships.
Simply put, we help people lead fuller and richer lives.
What can Psychotherapy do for me?
Psychotherapy can help you:
Experience a greater awareness, esteem, understanding and appreciation of yourself or others
Learn why you think and feel the way that you do
Learn how to change negative patterns into positive ones in order to experience increased joy and confidence and in your life
Improve your ability to act in healthy ways as an individual and/or within your relationships
Increase your confidence in order to make life-changing decisions
What are the credentials of a psychotherapist at CHATT Inc.?
All psychotherapists at CHATT Inc. are either Registered Social Workers (MSW) or Registered Psychotherapists (RP). They have a Masters degree in psychology, social work, or related fields and are registered with an appropriate college. In addition, all registered psychotherapists attend continuing education programs on an ongoing basis and attend regular clinical supervision meetings.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
According to CATG information for Ontarians, counselling focuses on providing information, giving advice, encouragement or instruction. For example, a counsellor may work with you to foster life skills, teach you techniques for coping with immediate causes of stress or anxiety, or offer crisis intervention.
Psychotherapy occurs when the RP and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. People usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy life.
Psychotherapy may involve aspects of counselling, but the act of psychotherapy is a controlled act in the Province of Ontario. By definition in the Regulated Health Professions Act, the controlled act of psychotherapy involves five elements: i) Treating, ii) by means of psychotherapy technique, iii) delivered through a therapeutic relationship, iv) an individual’s serious disorder of thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation, perception or memory that, v) may seriously impair the individual’s judgement, insight, behaviour, communication or social functioning (RHPA 1991).
What if I don’t like the therapist I meet with?
At CHATT Inc., we want our clients to feel satisfied with their psychotherapist and their treatment plan. If you don’t feel comfortable with the psychotherapist you are matched with, feel free to tell the manager, or the office staff and we will arrange to re-schedule you with another member of our team or another psychotherapist in your community. Your success in psychotherapy depends on your overall satisfaction and we want to ensure that your experience is excellent. We welcome your comments and feedback at any time.