Psychological Services
Individual assessment and therapy services are available for adolescents and adults in this clinic.
TREATMENT: Treatment is available for a wide variety of difficulties including depression, anxiety, panic, stress, low self-esteem, life-transition problems, grief, trauma, addictions, eating disorders, insomnia, anger/emotion dysregulation, personality disorders, relationship strain, as well as self-harm and suicidality.
If you are seeking treatment, then assessment is integrated with treatment planning during your initial visits.
ASSESSMENT: If you are seeking a formal mental health assessment for a specific purpose, this can usually be accomplished with about 3 office visits. Please contact Dr. Birch to inquire about her availability for this service.
Psychoeducational assessments are NOT available in this clinic.
FEES
Please contact Dr. Birch for information about her current hourly rate.
NOTE: Dr. Birch’s fee is below the fee recommended by the Ontario Psychological Association.
Private psychological services are not covered by OHIP. However, most extended health insurance plans, available with employee benefits, include coverage for at least some psychological services.
Fees that are not reimbursed may be claimed as a medical expense on your income tax return.
You will be provided with a receipt after each session to help you to make any claims for reimbursement that are available to you. Dr. Birch does not submit invoices directly to third parties for payment.
Payment for services is due at the end of each session. Payments can be made with cash, cheque, e-transfer and credit cards.
GETTING STARTED
Dr. Birch is pleased to accept self-referrals or referrals from other professionals. Although a physician referral is not usually necessary, please note that some extended health carriers require a physician’s referral before providing reimbursement of fees. It is recommended that you check with your insurer about their policies.
To initiate the referral process please contact me at 519-943-4357 or
Confidentiality
NOTE:
1) If it is your preference, then email and texting can be used for tasks such as scheduling appointments or sending receipts. Please note, however, that neither email nor texting is a secure form of communication. It is best to avoid communication of sensitive information through email or texting.
2) If adolescents are interested in obtaining therapy services and they are competent to consent to their own treatment, then they have the same legal rights to privacy in a counselling session as an adult. Dr. Birch will encourage youth to involve their parents in their treatment, however, as it is almost always best for parents and teens to partner together to help make progress. Typically it is recommended that parents attend at least an initial session with their teen and part of each session thereafter, depending on the circumstances.
There are some important exceptions to anyone’s legal rights to confidentiality in a therapy session. Parents (or others as necessary) are always informed, for example, if any youth is at imminent risk of causing serious physical harm to themselves or someone else. Other risky behaviors, however, cannot be disclosed to parents without the youth’s consent.
Cancellation Policy