Coastal Roots Therapy aims to make your payment as easy and stress free as possible.  Currently, we provide receipts that you can submit for reimbursement and have applied for direct billing with several common providers. Please let us know if you would like us to inquire about direct billing with your provider.

It is totally up to you whether you want to engage in a session by phone, virtually or in person. It is important to have a safe and private space when engaging in sessions by phone or online. At times visual cues can provide your therapist with extra information which can help inform treatment, so virtual or in person is recommended, but the choice is ultimately up to you. In person appointments can be changed to phone or virtual appointments at any time.

Coastal Roots Therapy uses Jane for all virtual appointments.Jane is a secure, encrypted platform that is HIPAA-compliant and designed to support Canadian privacy legislation. While every effort is made to protect the security of online sessions, confidentiality also depends on you participating from a safe, private location with a secure internet connection. If privacy is a concern, please let me know so we can discuss alternative options.

Most therapy sessions are 50 minutes. This allows us to make the most of our time together while leaving a few minutes at the end of each hour to  complete documentation and prepare for the next session. Occasionally, sessions may run a few minutes over or begin slightly late if a previous client requires additional support. Your initial free consultation is approximately 15 minutes.

Please remember to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance. Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours' notice or missed without notice will be charged for the session, which is not covered by insurance. This fee must be paid before booking your next appointment. Please note phone or virtual appointments may be substituted at any time provided the client has a safe and private space to engage in therapy. This option is often preferred in the case of inclement weather. Please let your therapist know if you are unable to engage in either phone or virtual appointments as sessions will be canceled at no cost in the case of inclement weather.

Coastal Roots Therapy keeps everything you say confidential except where disclosure is required by law. We maintain secure electronic health records in compliance with provincial privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and/or provincial privacy legislation.Exceptions to ConfidentialityRisk of harm to self or others: If we have reason to believe that you are at risk of harming yourself or another person, we are obligated to take protective actions, which may include contacting family members, emergency services, potential victims, and/or the police.Suspected abuse or neglect: If we have reasonable cause to believe that a child, elderly person, or other vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected, we are required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities.Legal proceedings: If you are involved in legal proceedings, your records may be subject to subpoena or court order. While we will make every effort to protect your privacy, we must comply with valid court orders.Insurance billing requirements: When you use extended health benefits, a therapist typically only shares basic administrative details, such as appointment dates, receipts, and standard billing codes, required to process your claim.Professional consultation: We may occasionally consult with other professionals about aspects of your case to provide the best possible care, but we will not reveal your identity or identifying details without your consent.

Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. The number of sessions depends on your goals, the concerns you would like to address, and the pace that feels right for you. Some clients attend for short-term support around a specific issue, while others choose to continue therapy for ongoing personal growth or more complex concerns.

Your first session typically begins with a review of confidentiality and its legal and ethical limits. From there, you'll have the opportunity to share what has brought you to therapy at a pace that feels comfortable for you.Every first session is different. Some clients have been waiting a long time for the opportunity to tell their story, and my role is simply to listen. Others appreciate gentle questions that help organize their thoughts or explore important aspects of their experiences. Some clients aren't ready to discuss the concerns that brought them to therapy, and we may spend time getting to know one another until they feel more comfortable. Others prefer to focus less on the problem itself and more on identifying strengths, goals, and practical solutions.There is no "right" way to begin therapy. My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where you feel comfortable moving at a pace that works for you.

Not at all. Online booking is available if that is most convenient for you, but you are also welcome to reach out by phone or email. If you call, please leave your name, phone number, and a brief message, and I will get back to you, usually by the end of the next business day, to help book your free consultation or schedule your first appointment.

Sessions are $170 for individuals and $180 for couples. In Nova Scotia, psychotherapy services are exempt from sales tax, so no additional tax will be added to your session fee.