FAQs

Do I need a referral?

You can make an appointment with a clinician from Solasta on your own—you don't need a doctor's referral. Mental health fees are not covered under all provincial or territorial health plans. Ask your private insurance company or workplace benefits provider if they cover services provided by a mental health practitioner.

Will my insurance provider cover the cost of mental health services?

Most private insurance companies offer some coverage for mental health services. However, there is a lot of variability between the benefits health insurers provide and the out-of-pocket costs you might be required to pay. Check your extended health coverage first to ensure you feel confident about what is covered by your plan and what is not. Solasta Psychological Services has direct billing and your insurance company may be on our list of providers. Please feel free to ask us if your provider is represented.

What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist?

A clinical psychologist (or c. psych associate) is a regulated mental health professional with highly specialized training in the diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental health disorders. A psychotherapist is trained primarily in talk-based therapy and assists people with improving and maintaining their mental health and well-being. Both Clinical Psychologists and Registered Psychotherapists can work with individuals, couples, and families in individual and group settings, depending on their areas of competence.

FAQs

What types of therapy do you provide?

At Solasta Psychological Services, we provide a variety of evidence-based therapies, each tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our approach is attachment-based and experiential, informed by a holistic and trauma-sensitive understanding of healing and growth. Here’s an overview of the types of therapy we offer:

Individual Therapy: We work with children, adolescents, and adults to address a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, and identity exploration. Our therapists utilize techniques that best fit each client’s needs, drawing from:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helping clients understand and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.
- Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT): Supporting emotional processing and understanding to create change.
- Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT): Engaging caregivers in the therapeutic process to support healing within the family context.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Fostering psychological flexibility and values-based living.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Building skills for emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)-Informed Therapy: Helping clients understand and integrate different parts of themselves.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Addressing relationship dynamics and their impact on mental health.
Parent Coaching: We support parents navigating the complexities of raising children and adolescents. Our coaching sessions help parents build skills to manage behavior, communicate effectively, and strengthen family connections.
Group Therapy: We offer group sessions on various topics, creating an environment where clients can share experiences and support each other’s growth. This setting fosters resilience and community.
Play and Expressive Therapy for Children: For younger clients, we use play and expressive modalities such as art therapy to help children safely explore emotions and develop self-regulation skills in a way that aligns with their developmental stage.
Trauma Therapy: We offer trauma-informed therapies, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and somatic approaches, to support individuals in processing and healing from trauma.
Assessment Services: Our team provides comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational assessments for children, teens, and adults, aimed at informing accurate diagnoses and effective treatment planning.

FAQs

Adolescent Therapy

How do I know if my teenager needs therapy?
What can a therapist help my teen with?
How is therapy for teens different than therapy for adults?
What should I expect at my teen’s first therapy session?
Do parents attend sessions with their teen?

Psychoeducational Assessment

What is a psychoeducational assessment?
When should I consider a psychoeducational assessment for my child or teen?
What kinds of learning challenges can a psychoeducational assessment identify?
How does a psychoeducational assessment help with school supports or accommodations?
How long does an assessment take and what is the process?