Now accepting new clients for in person, virtual, & nature-based therapy appointments
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be trauma-informed?
At Evans Family Counselling & Psychotherapy, being trauma-informed means recognizing that most people have experienced some form of trauma—whether they realize it or not. The ways we cope and interact with the world often make perfect sense in the context of what we've been through.
Trauma isn’t just about catastrophic events; it often happens in relationships. It can look like growing up with an emotionally immature parent, experiencing bullying, or feeling unsafe due to a parent’s mental illness. Even when harm isn’t intentional, it can still shape us.
We take a trauma-informed approach because many diagnoses—like anxiety or borderline personality disorder—are often natural responses to past experiences, not just disorders. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?” we ask, “What happened to you?”
What exactly do therapists do that enables them to help people?
Therapists act as guides, helping you navigate challenges and gain clarity. You come in with a concern—we work with you to define your goals and choose the best approach to support your growth.
Therapy provides a space to express difficult emotions, explore patterns in your thoughts and behaviors, and understand yourself on a deeper level. It’s not about giving advice or telling you what to do—it’s about helping you find your own path to healing and change.
How do I get started?
The first step is to contact Evans Family Counselling and Psychotherapy by sending an email to helloEFCP@gmail.com . We will schedule a quick consultation by phone with one of our therapists to see if we're a good fit for the problem you are experiencing and what you are looking for. You will be provided with general information about appointments, fees, and availability. This process usually takes about 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can go direction to our Scheduling system to book a consultation call.
* Please note that we cannot guarantee that email is secure and as such you should send general inquiries only. A phone number must be provided in order to complete the consultation process.
What can I expect when I come for an appointment at Evans Family Counselling and Psychotherapy?
After scheduling your first appointment, you’ll receive intake and consent forms by email. Your first session is 90 minutes, where your therapist will review your intake form, explore your concerns, and gather background information.
Ongoing sessions are typically 60 minutes. Your therapist will take a holistic approach, considering how different aspects of your life—relationships, work, health, and support systems—impact you. It may take a couple of sessions to determine if we’re the right fit for you, and you’ll also have the chance to see if your therapist feels like a good match.
Early on, you’ll work with your therapist to set goals for therapy. Each session will focus on helping you move toward those goals, and sometimes, you may be given helpful exercises to try between appointments.
Questions are always welcome—we’re here to support you!
Do you only have appointments in person?
Evans Family Counselling and Psychotherapy offers individual counselling appointments in person, via telephone or encrypted video. More information about this is found under the Services section.
Are your services covered by OHIP or other insurance?
Unfortunately OHIP does not cover psychotherapy. Many insurance companies cover services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) or a Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.) - please check with your insurance provider for your coverage information and speak to your therapist for information about how to make a claim.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions you’ll need depends on many factors, including the challenges you’re facing, how long they’ve been present, your availability, and financial considerations. Research suggests it takes around 15–20 sessions for symptom relief and goal progress, but many people choose to continue longer for deeper healing and ongoing support.
That said, even a few sessions can be helpful in gaining insight, learning new skills, and feeling more supported. Therapy moves at your pace, and your therapist can help you make the most of whatever time you have. If you have questions about what to expect, your therapist is happy to discuss it with you.
Is the information that I give you confidential and does it remain private?
Everything you share in therapy is private and confidential. There are a few exceptions required by law, which your therapist will explain in your consent form before starting therapy.
Your therapist follows strict ethical and professional guidelines to protect your privacy. If sharing information with another professional (like your doctor) would be helpful, it will only happen with your written consent.
All personal information is stored securely and protected under privacy laws (PHIPA).
What are the different types of therapy approaches that you practice?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) believes that the mind is naturally multiple, and this is a good thing! IFS helps to identify parts of your inner system, understand why they do the things that they do, while helping more vulnerable parts to heal so that we can be more integrated and whole. It has been called a "powerfully transformative, evidence-based model of psychotherapy". IFS is useful for working with clients with a variety of symptoms including anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, etc. This is Marta's main area of practice.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps individuals to develop psychological flexibility through acceptance that life comes with a full spectrum of emotions that we must tolerate and by connecting to the values that matter most to us. Many times we spend a lot of energy trying to suppress, manage, and control emotional experiences and this creates unnecessary challenges and suffering. Mindfulness skills are taught as part of ACT to help individuals develop distress tolerance and the therapist also helps the client to live in ways that reflect their personal values. ACT can be useful for a wide variety of presenting issues and difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, etc.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of PTSD (see www.EMDRIA.com for more information). EMDR has also been used successfully to treat other mental health problems and somatic symptoms. In simple terms, EMDR helps the brain to integrate traumatic or disturbing adverse life experiences in an adaptive manner which reduces symptoms and distress.
Person-Centered Therapy takes a holistic view of individuals, and is based on the belief that people have the capacity for self-awareness, personal growth, and positive change within themselves. The therapist creates a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where clients feel free to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Through this process of self-exploration, clients can gain greater self-awareness, insight, and self-acceptance. This is Heather's main area of practice.
There are many other techniques or methods, but the majority of psychotherapists do not claim allegiance to only one therapeutic school or method. Instead most psychotherapists practice from an integrative approach that utilizes the right method with each client at a given moment in time.
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