How It Works
What happens when you call.
No intake form, no assessment to pass, no pressure to commit to anything. Here’s what reaching out actually looks like — step by step.
Simple. Private. Low-pressure.
You do not have to have your situation figured out before you call. Here’s what happens when you get in touch.
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You call, or send a message
No screening, nothing to prepare. Just tell us what’s going on. Call 705-715-1168, or send a message through the site — your choice.
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Free 20-min consult
We listen. We ask what’s happening and what you’ve already tried. There’s no pressure to book anything after this call.
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We recommend the right fit
Based on what you share, we tell you which team member and approach fit your situation — and if we’re not the right fit, we’ll tell you that too.
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First session is from home
Fully virtual. No travel, no facility. Sessions work around your schedule. You can start within the week.
What do my sessions look like?
Session basics
Sessions are 1-hour virtual sessions, with 1.5-hour sessions available.
We typically meet once or twice a week.
We send a secure Google Meet invite link to your preferred email.
Phone sessions are also available if you prefer.
Support & logistics
If you’re engaged in recovery coaching or addictions counselling, the hour session includes up to 30 minutes of call or text check-in support from your coach if you’re struggling through the week.
Payments are due 24 hours before the session to hold your slot. We do this instead of cancellation fees.
We also need 24 hours’ notice to change a session time.
What people ask before they call.
Is this confidential? Will my employer find out?
Everything you share with us is governed by PHIPA — Ontario’s health information privacy legislation. We do not share information with your employer, insurance company, or anyone else without your written consent. The only exceptions are narrow legal obligations: if there’s an immediate risk to your safety or someone else’s, or a court order. We explain this fully at your first session.
I’m not sure I’m “bad enough” to need help.
There’s no severity test to pass. Some of the most useful work we do is with people who’d never be diagnosed with anything — they just knew something wasn’t right and got ahead of it.
Waiting until things are undeniable only means arriving later and more tired. If something is already bothering you, that’s reason enough to make the call.
What does it cost? Do you take insurance?
Our rates sit below the Ontario average, and we keep a sliding scale for people who need it — including clients without insurance coverage. We’ll walk you through exactly what your sessions would cost on the free consultation call, before you commit to anything.
Many extended health plans cover sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Social Service Worker. See fees and financing for the full picture.
What’s the difference between counselling, therapy, and coaching?
Psychotherapy treats what’s underneath — trauma, anxiety, depression. Addictions counselling works directly on the behaviour: assessment, planning, relapse prevention. Recovery coaching is less clinical and handles the day-to-day — accountability, structure, and getting through real situations sober.
Roughly: a therapist helps you understand why, a coach helps you work out how. You don’t have to pick — we’ll sort it out with you on the call. See all services.
I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t work.
That’s worth telling us on the first call, because it changes where we start. Often it wasn’t therapy that was wrong so much as the fit, the timing, or an approach aimed at something other than the addiction itself.
We’ll ask what you tried, what it felt like, and what you’d want to be different this time — and we’ll be honest if we don’t think we’re the right people for it.
Do I have to commit to anything after the consultation?
No. The consultation is free, and nothing is booked unless you decide you’d like to move forward. At the end of it we’ll tell you honestly whether we’re the right fit, and if we’re not, we’ll help point you somewhere that is.
That’s the whole process. No step you’ve missed.
There’s no intake form, no assessment to pass, and nothing to prepare. The first conversation is where it starts — and you can end it there if it isn’t right.
Free consultation · No commitment · Confidential
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when I first reach out?
You call, or send us a message through the site, and we book a free 20-minute phone call. No screening, no obligation.
On that first call, we ask what’s been going on and what you’re hoping for, and you’re welcome to ask us anything. At the end, we’ll tell you honestly whether we’re the right fit, and if we’re not, we’ll help point you somewhere that is. Nothing is booked unless you decide you’d like to move forward.
What happens in the first session?
Mostly conversation. We’ll ask what brought you here, what you’ve already tried, what else is going on in your life, and what you’d want to be different. You’ll get to ask questions too.
Depending on where you’re at, it might also include some intake paperwork, a bit of history, or setting early goals. If things feel urgent, we’ll focus on getting you some immediate support. We’ll always aim to lay a little foundation, so you leave with something to build on.
You don’t have to disclose everything on day one, and nothing gets decided for you. You’ll leave with a sense of whether this is working and a rough idea of what comes next.
How often will we meet, and how long will I need to come?
It depends entirely on you — your goals, what’s going on in your life, and what you’re working toward. Most people start weekly, though if you’re going through a lot right now, we might suggest twice a week at first to help you find steadier ground.
Our clients see the best results working with us over three to six months, while others value ongoing support as they build a life in recovery.
If you’re coming through insurance, we’ll look early at how many sessions your plan covers, so we can plan around it together from the start. Either way, we’ll set a check-in point around session six to look honestly at what’s working and where to go from there.
How will I know it’s working?
Early on, it’s feeling heard and safe enough to face difficult emotions rather than avoid them. If you’re newly sober, the work meets you there — as your head clears, the sessions help keep you steady while things resettle.
Bigger changes come gradually: managing stress, holding a boundary, breaking a pattern. If nothing shifts after several sessions, tell us, and we’ll adjust the approach.
Does online counselling work as well as in person?
For most people, yes. Research on remote addiction counselling shows outcomes comparable to in-person care, and it’s now how most people work with a counsellor.
It isn’t for everyone — some people connect better face to face. But most find that once they’re a session or two in, the screen fades into the background and what matters is the conversation. If you try it and it isn’t landing, say so and we’ll work on it together.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
No. You can book directly for counselling, psychotherapy and coaching — no referral letter or doctor’s note needed. Referrals are only required for physician-delivered or hospital-based programs covered by OHIP. If your doctor did refer you, bring whatever they gave you; it’s useful but not necessary.
And if you’re already working with a doctor or psychiatrist as part of your treatment, we’re glad to work alongside them, so you have a full care team around you.