Evidence-based treatment for your mental health needs

A visit to a psychologist always starts with an initial consultation to better understand the reasons for seeking out help. This initial visit/s would result in a shared understanding of a client’s concerns and making a collaborative decision with regards to the need for treatment.

Consultations can take place as a way to determine the need for treatment, or they could be more focused on examining a particular issue and problem solving about alternative ways of addressing it. For example by coming up with strategies that might increase a person’s coping skills and understanding in facing life transitions, such as experiencing mental health concerns during pregnancy, loss/bereavement or other life changing circumstances.

The initial consultation and the initial assessment phase takes about 2 to 3 sessions. It consists of learning about the client's concerns, identifying the areas where they struggle, defining goals, and tailoring a treatment that would suit each particular person's needs. At the core of this journey there needs to be a sense of comfort and security that a client is able to develop with the psychologist. Often research indicates that at the root of all successful treatments is the establishment of a good working relationship between the client and the clinician, an agreement between client and therapist about the goals/focus of treatment, and the approaches to be implemented in this context.

The length of the treatment is determined by the nature of the concerns. After the initial assessment phase, Dr. Wainer discusses with her clients her impressions and treatment recommendations. The frequency of the sessions is also discussed in a collaborative manner with the clients. In general, the recommendation is to start with regular sessions, then depending on the nature of the struggles and rate of progress in treatment, to taper off to bi-weekly sessions, and eventually to boost sessions as needed. Research indicates that short-term treatment is a good approach when there is a clear precipitating factor, one is able to function in their day to day life in a successful manner, or there might be times of crisis. Longer term therapy may be recommended when the problem has lasted for quite some time and is experienced as long-standing.

The practice is fully opened to offer in-person appointments. Some COVID 19 protocols continue to be in place, such as use of HEPA air purifiers, use of surveys ahead of the sessions and regular sanization.

The benefits of online psychotherapy is that it is convenient while being secure, private and confidential.

Online appointments are accessible via laptop, phone, and tablet.

Online therapy offers the opportunity to schedule an appointment that may better fit your schedule and current life circumstances. Adults can have their appointments after their children are tucked in bed, or while they are playing/doing school work in another room. Online counseling flows similarly to in-person psychotherapy. We dedicate the initial appointment(s) to talk about the general concerns, background information, and possible goals to determine, in a collaborative manner, the best treatment choice tailored to your needs.

Online therapy offers greater access to services at a convenient location for you, as long as you have privacy and strong Wifi that is not public. The online therapy are done via encrypted confidential platform to ensure privacy.

Clients are encouraged to check with their insurance plans to learn about their policies for online psychotherapy

Systematic research reviews indicate that online psychotherapy can be as effective as in-person therapy. As always, this is going to depend on the kinds of struggles a person is experiencing and individual preferences. Research in the area of adult treatment has been mounting over the last decade and a half, for online psychotherapy only or a combination of telehealth and in-person visits, with findings indicating that virtual therapy can be as effective as in person psychotherapy, particularly for the treatment of anxiety, depression and PTSD (e.g. Berger, 2018; Hilti et al, 2013; Varker et al, 2019).

In terms of online treatment for teens and children, current studies (e.g. Tse, 2015) and reviews (e.g. Alwalla et al, 2017; Hourigan et al, 2019; Lindqvist et al 2020) continue to indicate that this is a useful treatment method. In all cases, research tends to draw in a cautionary note when trying to engage clients with complex difficulties.

What are the limitations of Online Therapy

When there’s a need for more intense supports, such as when someone is experiencing high levels of distress and may pose a danger to themselves, etc.

Although video therapy uses an encrypted and confidential online platform, limitations may include internet disruption and other technological difficulties that at times may hinder out ability to have a meeting

PROTOCOLS

Clients will be requested to provide the address where they are at the time of the phone call. If you plan to be outside Ontario, please notify Dr. Wainer ahead of time to ensure we meet all the necessary professional/regulatory requirements to offer services in that area.

Dr. Wainer has been supervising and consulting mental health professionals, including trainess, since 1998. Support is offered keeping in mind the clinical needs of the consultee, blending in a combination of developmental and reflective practices, along with competency based approaches.

Dr. Wainer is fluent in English and Spanish and is able to lead sessions in either language.