Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! We believe that to be effective and sustainable, counselling services need to be highly accessible and fit fluidly into your lifestyle. It’s important to us that you choose what works best for you and to access counselling on your own terms.

At Cherry Tree, we offer a hybrid delivery model.

Telephone Therapy

Video Therapy

Walk and Talk Ecotherapy

In-Office Therapy

Research consistently shows that online treatment can be very effective for many mental health concerns. Listed are some interesting results from a sampling of studies on this topic.

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that online treatment was just as effective as face-to-face treatment for depression.

A 2014 study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in treating anxiety disorders. Treatment was cost-effective and the positive improvements were sustained at the one-year follow-up.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Psychological Disorders found that online cognitive behavioral therapy is, "effective, acceptable, and practical health care." The study found the online cognitive behavioral therapy was equally as effective as face-to-face treatment for major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Online therapy offers some key benefits over traditional face-to-face treatment:

Ecological: our carbon footprint is reduced when we don't need to drive to access services

Accessibility: no need to navigate the logistics of traffic, parking, childcare, etc.

Efficiency: less time is spent travelling to therapy when accessed from a client's preferred location

Anonymity: clients will not run into others in waiting rooms or have to engage in small talk

Privacy: clients only see their therapist without an admin staff or other clients in a busy, multi-care clinic

Scheduling: many clients find therapy-from-anywhere to be highly convenient

Affordability: clients save money on parking, hiring childcare, etc.

Sustainability: when therapy is easier to access, clients may come more often and find more time to commit to this work

Effectiveness: due to the ease of access, clients may see results sooner when are able to engage in regular support

Inclusiveness: Individuals with anxiety, especially social anxiety, are more likely to reach out to an online therapist

A meet-and-greet is a brief, complimentary session during which you can speak with a potential therapist to determine if they're the right fit for you. It's an opportunity to ask questions and get a sense of their approach.

You can book a meet-and-greet session on the Jane App, find your match using our Therapist Matching Tool, or call our office. We'll match you with a therapist based on your needs and preferences.

Consider writing down your main concerns and goals for therapy. Reflect on what you hope to achieve and any questions you have for your therapist. Also, bring your schedule as we will offer you a pre-scheduled recurring timeslot that works best for you.

For your first full therapy session, bring any relevant medical information that will be important for your therapist to know for your care. We also ask that you confirm your insurance coverage with your insurance company before your first session. After booking your first session we’ll send you our general consent form for services, please complete this as soon as you can.

Your first session will focus on getting to know you and your concerns. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, current situation, and goals for therapy. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and determine if the therapist is a good fit for you. Please read through our blog post dedicated to this important topic for a more in-depth look at what to expect.

It's normal to have concerns about whether your therapist is the right fit for you. Establishing a strong therapeutic relationship is crucial for effective therapy. Here are some steps you can take if you're feeling uncertain:

Communicate your concerns: First and foremost, consider discussing your feelings openly with your therapist. They are trained to handle these conversations sensitively and constructively. Sharing your concerns may lead to adjustments in the therapeutic approach or provide clarity on whether the relationship can be improved.

Reflect on your needs: Take some time to reflect on what you're looking for in a therapist and whether your current therapist meets those needs. Consider factors such as communication style, expertise, cultural understanding, and personal comfort.

Consider a trial period: If you're unsure whether to continue with your therapist, you might suggest trying a few more sessions to see if things improve. Sometimes, it takes a bit of time to establish rapport and trust.

Explore other options: If, after open communication and reflection, you still feel uncomfortable or disconnected, it may be worth exploring other therapists. Finding the right fit is crucial for your mental health journey, and there's no harm in seeking someone who aligns better with your needs and preferences.

Seek feedback: If you're unsure whether your concerns are valid or if you're uncertain about making a decision, consider seeking feedback from trusted friends, family members, or even another mental health professional.

Remember, your well-being is paramount, and it's essential to feel comfortable and supported in therapy. Don't hesitate to advocate for yourself and make changes if necessary. Therapeutic relationships are collaborative, and your therapist should respect your needs and preferences.

The short answer is no.

Unfortunately, OHIP does not cover the services of a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Worker in private practice.

The long answer is that some talk therapy is covered by OHIP under certain circumstances.

For example, if you receive a referral from a doctor to see a Psychiatrist, these services will be covered by OHIP because they are considered a Medical Doctor (MD).

Other mental health care providers such as: psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers, may also be covered under OHIP, if they work within government-funded hospitals, clinics or agencies.

If you have insurance benefits through your employer, you will likely have some coverage for counselling or therapy services.

It’s important to check what types of counselling or other services are covered by your benefits plan. Please check the designation of your therapist carefully to know if you will be covered, you can find this information on their booking page or website bio.

For more information visit:Insurance and Fees

It is important to us to recognize and acknowledge that one’s identity is uniquely their own. We are proud to be an 2SLGBTQ+ Affirming Care and BIPOC Provider and accept all those who feel that what we have to offer is of value to them.

That being said, while the majority of our services and programs cater to women and issues related to maternal mental health, we also offer Parent Coaching, Couples Counselling and Family Therapy.

As well, we have therapeutic services for teachers and other ‘helper professionals’ like nurses, doctors, and fellow practitioners in the mental health field. These services are also not restricted by gender.

The importance of nature for mental health is increasingly being recognized in mainstream healthcare.

For example, doctors in Scotland now can officially prescribe time in nature to people with their mental health. In the USA and Canada, Park Prescription or ‘Park Rx’ programs that aim to encourage physicians to prescribe physical activity in park settings to their patients are increasingly gaining popularity.

Walk and Talk Therapy is a form of eco-therapy, and is a rapidly emerging nature-based form of ‘talk therapy’ where a therapist and a client go outside into nature for a ‘walk and talk’ session.

For more information visit: Walk and Talk Eco-Therapy