If you don’t find the answers to your questions below, and/or you would prefer to connect directly, please do not hesitate to reach out to Emily by email, phone, or by setting up an in-person appointment
What are your business hours?
Mondays: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesdays: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. AND 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Fridays: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays: CLOSED
Sundays: CLOSED
What are my options for the length of a counselling session?
20 minute session
50 minute session
80 minute session
110 minute session
What are the rates to attend counselling?
Child Counselling – 50 minute session – $150.00
Student Counselling – 50 minute session – $150.00
Individual Counselling – 50 minute session – $150.00
Couple Counselling – 50 minute session – $160.00
Family Counselling – 50 minute session – $160.00
What methods of payment are accepted?
Cash, cheque, e-transfer, or credit card.
Please note that fees are to be paid at the time of each session.
Is counselling covered?
Many insurance plans offer counselling coverage, however this coverage can vary in amount as well as which service provider(s) are covered. Emily Smith has her Master of Social Work (MSW) and she is a Registered Social Worker (RSW). Please check your extended health benefits to determine if you have coverage by a MSW, RSW.
If you do not have coverage for counselling through your extended health care plan, please note that you can submit your receipts as medical expenses when claiming your taxes, as Registered Social Workers are categorized as medical practitioners when claiming medical expenses.
What do your credentials stand for?
MSW stands for Master of Social Work
RSW stands for Registered Social Worker
CPT stands for Certified Play Therapist
What is your late cancellation/no show policy?
Please note that if you cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours warning or you miss your appointment, you will be charged for the session. If extenuating circumstances come up, please do let me know. The reason for the cancellation fee is because your appointment time is reserved just for you, and a late cancellation or missed visit prevents another client from booking. Thank you for your understanding.
What is confidentiality and its limits?
Confidentiality: Information shared during the counselling relationship is private and confidential; this means that I will not share information to any person or agency without your written pre-approval. Your information will be stored securely. I may discuss your case in professional supervision in order to support you as best as possible; if I do so, your identifying information will be kept confidential. Please be aware that if I see any clients in public that I will refrain from addressing you directly and/or introducing you to anyone I am with to respect your confidentiality. Please feel free to greet me and introduce yourself how you feel comfortable if you so choose.
Limits to Confidentiality: There are four limits to confidentiality in which I am legally bound to disclose information to the appropriate authorities. Ideally, we will sort out an action plan together, but if it is not possible, I will notify you of any situation in which I am obliged to report whenever it is safe and possible to do so. The exceptions to confidentiality include:
- If there is concern that a child under 18 years of age is at risk, or has been at risk of: physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, and/or neglect, I am legally obligated to report this information to Family and Children’s Services to help protect children from harm.
- If there is concern that you may commit an act which could result in the injury or death of others, I am legally required to contact the police in order to protect others from harm.
- If there is concern that you are a danger to yourself, I will need to involve others to ensure your safety.
- If I receive a court order or subpoena to release information to a third party, I am legally bound to do so.
Do you offer counselling services at a reduced rate?
I very much understand that counselling is expensive, and I wish that counselling services were accessible to everyone. If finances are a concern, please let me know and we will see what we can do. Wherever I am able, I do offer counselling services at a reduced rate when needed. If I am unable to provide counselling at an amount that is comfortable, I would be happy to help you navigate other community resources who may be of help.
Please see below a few of the funded and fee-for-service programs supporting residents of Waterloo Region (walk-in counselling, groups, workshops). Each of the below services are free of charge or based on a sliding scale, which assesses the rate for counselling based on income and number of dependents. No one is turned away due to financial barriers. Please contact the agency/organization most convenient to you to learn more information.
Counselling Collaborative Partners:
Interfaith Counselling Centre
23 B Church Street, New Hamburg
519-662-3092
www.interfaithcounselling.ca
Shalom Counselling Services
9 Avondale Avenue South, Waterloo
519-886-9690
www.shalomcounselling.org
Porchlight Counselling & Addiction Services
18 Walnut Street, Cambridge
519-621-5090
https://porchlightcnd.org/
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health
Counselling offices are located at:
400 Queen Street South, Kitchener
480 Charles St E, Kitchener
519-743-6333
https://www.caminowellbeing.ca/
Woolwich Counselling Centre
65 Memorial Avenue, Elmira
519-669-8651
www.woolwichcounselling.org
