The Truth About Talk Therapy

1 Therapy is for anyone, any time. “Therapy can enrich your life by making you understand why you repeat certain patterns,” says Carrie Foster, a Montreal psychotherapist. “You don’t need to be in crisis, though that’s when most people come in.”

- Anna-Kaisa Walker

2 As the pandemic has pushed therapy online, studies have shown patients are just as satisfied with a video call instead of an in-office visit.

3 Try to make sure you’re visible during a video call, and that you’re in a private space with no disruptions. “Your body language, facial expressions and voice intonation give your therapist important clues about where you’re at,” says Foster.

4 Therapy costs vary greatly depending on region and type of service, but range between $30 and $240 an hour. For the 60 per cent of Canadians with private health insurance, plans may cover some or all of the cost up to an annual maximum. “Many counsellors offer sliding scale fees based on your income,” says Victoria therapist Richard Routledge.