How can therapy help me?
Therapy can provide numerous benefits! Psychologists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, and low self-esteem. Many people find that Psychologists can be a tremendous help when managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, and family concerns. Psychologists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
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Dr. Candice Bovell
Serving clients in Ontario, Canada Phone:1-877-804-2048 Fax: 1-833-968-0309 
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Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired! You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life, and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy for yourself. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to handle triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for going to psychotherapy. You may want to make positive changes within yourself or your relationships. Therapy can help provide some much-needed encouragement, and help you develop skills to cope with periods of distress. Others may be ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their life goals. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What is therapy like?
Each person has different issues and goals for therapy, and because of this, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions (usually weekly or every other week).
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your regular life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, we can agree on some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process-- such as reading a pertinent book or handout, journaling on specific topics, tracking behaviors, or acting on your goals. People who seek psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, open to new perspectives, and take responsibility for their lives. (Blog post about therapy homework)
See the What to Expect page and Therapy Services page for more information.
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your regular life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, we can agree on some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process-- such as reading a pertinent book or handout, journaling on specific topics, tracking behaviors, or acting on your goals. People who seek psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, open to new perspectives, and take responsibility for their lives. (Blog post about therapy homework)
See the What to Expect page and Therapy Services page for more information.
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
It is well established that mental and emotional problems, and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor, you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
Starting in September 2023, Wellness View can now directly bill insurers that are registered with Telus Health!
Visit the Rates and Insurance page for more information.
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Starting in September 2023, Wellness View can now directly bill insurers that are registered with Telus Health!
Visit the Rates and Insurance page for more information.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is an essential component of the client-therapist relationship. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed outside of the Psychologist's office. Every Psychologist should provide a written copy of their Confidentiality Agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (e.g., your physician, insurance company, or lawyer) or a family member, but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission (or verbal in some cases).
Provincial law and professional ethics require Psychologists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* If a client reports the current abuse, abandonment, exploitation, or neglect of children, vulnerable adults, and elders this must be reported to the authorities based on the information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If a Psychologist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
*If a client reports that another health professional is sexually abusing or harassing someone.
*If a client is involved in a court case, then a Psychologist's records can be subpoenaed.
To see the full Conditions of Service and limits of confidentiality, and Privacy Policy, download them from the Printable Forms page.
Provincial law and professional ethics require Psychologists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* If a client reports the current abuse, abandonment, exploitation, or neglect of children, vulnerable adults, and elders this must be reported to the authorities based on the information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If a Psychologist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
*If a client reports that another health professional is sexually abusing or harassing someone.
*If a client is involved in a court case, then a Psychologist's records can be subpoenaed.
To see the full Conditions of Service and limits of confidentiality, and Privacy Policy, download them from the Printable Forms page.
what kinds of psychotherapies can you provide?
Please read my Treatment Areas and Psychotherapies page for more information.
How do i join my online appointment? how do i use zoom for Healthcare?
Please visit my blog post, "How to Join a Zoom for Healthcare Appointment" for detailed instructions and information.
Help I don't have a hushmail password! why do you use hushmail?
Please read my blog post, How to Read Emails Sent Through Hushmail for detailed instructions and information.
How do i book appointments online using jane app?
Please visit my blog post, How to Book Appointments with Dr. Candice Using Jane App for instructions.
Why don’t you accept e-transfers? I’m worried about entering my payment card information. What is STRIPE and is it secure?
The problem with e-transfers is that there's no guarantee they will be sent. Unfortunately, many times payments were not received after therapy sessions, they were not sent for weeks or months, or they were sent to the incorrect email address. Problems also arise when someone sends an e-transfer other than the person receiving therapy and it's hard to figure out who the payment is for.
Processing payments through Jane App, using STRIPE, solves these issues, and it’s much faster and easier for everyone! Payments are no longer a distraction, there is less chance for errors, and you can earn credit card rewards. Your card is only billed after you have an appointment or receive service. Your card is processed using STRIPE which is encrypted and secure. Once you complete your consent form and enter your card information, it is no longer visible to Dr. Bovell or her staff (you must enter a card to complete the consent form and receive services). It is stored as a token and your card information is impossible for anyone to use. This is the same company that processes online payments for Amazon, Shopify, Lyft, Instacart and many online merchants.
For More Information:
STRIPE website
Processing payments through Jane App, using STRIPE, solves these issues, and it’s much faster and easier for everyone! Payments are no longer a distraction, there is less chance for errors, and you can earn credit card rewards. Your card is only billed after you have an appointment or receive service. Your card is processed using STRIPE which is encrypted and secure. Once you complete your consent form and enter your card information, it is no longer visible to Dr. Bovell or her staff (you must enter a card to complete the consent form and receive services). It is stored as a token and your card information is impossible for anyone to use. This is the same company that processes online payments for Amazon, Shopify, Lyft, Instacart and many online merchants.
For More Information:
STRIPE website
How do I request a copy of my clinical file? Why do I have to pay for it?
Please email Dr. Bovell if you would like a copy of your file. Although you have a right to your file, there is a $30 fee to access it because of the time needed to assemble your file (e.g., downloading or typing your appointment history, converting files to PDFs, uploading, or attaching the files, etc.). It may take 2-3 weeks to complete your request.
You can use MedChart to make your file request, and you must use Medchart if you are no longer a registered client with a payment card stored on Jane App. If you would like the information sent to a third party (e.g., a lawyer, health care practitioner, or insurance company) they may use the link posted below or search for Wellness View Psychological Services Ontario on Medchart.
Medchart link for clients: https://app.medchart.ca/request/wellnessview
Medchart link for third parties: https://app.medchart.ca/request/b2b/wellnessview
You can use MedChart to make your file request, and you must use Medchart if you are no longer a registered client with a payment card stored on Jane App. If you would like the information sent to a third party (e.g., a lawyer, health care practitioner, or insurance company) they may use the link posted below or search for Wellness View Psychological Services Ontario on Medchart.
Medchart link for clients: https://app.medchart.ca/request/wellnessview
Medchart link for third parties: https://app.medchart.ca/request/b2b/wellnessview
Why do you only offer video and phone sessions?
The reason I started e-therapy/online therapy/virtual therapy is because of the COVID-19 pandemic that led most psychologists to start working from home. I enjoy working from home, skipping the commute, and not renting a commercial space. It's a fantastic way to start a private practice. For more information about why I like having a virtual psychology practice and information about e-therapy, please read my blog, Interested in Trying E-Therapy.
Why don't you give free 10 minute consultations like other therapists?
Please read my blog post, Why Don't You Give Free 10-Minute Consultations Like Other Therapists?
Why do you only use therapies that are supported by research evidence?
This comes so naturally to me, sometimes I forget that I was trained to think this way. In graduate school I was trained to be a scientist-practitioner according to the scientist-practitioner model. That means I have been trained to understand scientific research and only consider therapies if they are supported by multiple research studies. I avoid therapies that are brand new, endorsed by personalities with no research behind them (e.g., celebrity therapists or gurus), or making up my own therapies or theories. I don't suggest things that haven't been shown to work.
I also follow psychological theories and approaches that are supported by research instead of making up my own theories or following the latest new thing. By doing this, I provide the best therapy I can which is efficient, helpful, cost-effective, ethical, and less biased by my personal preferences, opinions, or life choices.
I also follow psychological theories and approaches that are supported by research instead of making up my own theories or following the latest new thing. By doing this, I provide the best therapy I can which is efficient, helpful, cost-effective, ethical, and less biased by my personal preferences, opinions, or life choices.
Photo Credits: Banner by Pixabay.com
Resources
We provide great information and resources to help meet your needs.
What To ExpectGreat for first time patients and parents.
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Printable FormsSave time by filling out forms in advance
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Common Questions
Answers to questions or concerns you may have.
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