Family Kinnections FAQ

At Family Kinnections our fees range from therapist to therapist, depending on years experience and education. We have child and youth counsellors who provide adjunct services (such as youth mentoring, in-home behaviour coaching, and tutoring) beginning at $50/hour. Our mental health therapists begin at $70/hour to $210/hour. Generally, we also have counselling interns who are available to provide services on a sliding fee scale, or free of charge for those in need.

Our fees are not covered by OHIP, however many extended health insurance plans provide reimbursement for our therapists.  We have both Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers on our team.   We often work from a family-based perspective.  This means that parents are involved in sessions, and as such, parents may receive receipts made out in their names to submit for reimbursement as well.  A receipt will be provided that can be submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement.

It is our general policy at Family Kinnections for parents of children and young teens to meet with the therapist first before the therapist meets with your child. This serves several purposes:

a) This allows you to get to know the therapist to determine whether or not the therapist is a good fit for your child or family before your child is asked to begin a therapeutic relationship with them.

b) This allows the therapist to collect all the necessary background information to complete a thorough assessment. Some information may be sensitive, and not appropriate for your child to be present while discussing.

Generally, we will request that teens and children younger than 16 do not attend the first session. Some exceptions may be made in the case of mature teens who are requesting or initiating the counselling process. We will request that teens 16 and over be present at all first sessions, as we require their informed consent in counselling. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask us personally.

Our therapists possess a wide range of experiences and expertise. Our administrative staff is trained and skilled in matching the appropriate therapist with the appropriate client. For more information on the skills and expertise of our therapists, please see our “about us” section, or feel free to call or email us at any time.

No, we do not provide services to families currently involved in court proceedings.  Should court involvement arise through the course of our involvement, please note that we require that both parents consent for the child to participate in counselling.

Our therapists are not designated custody assessors, nor will our therapists provide an opinion to the courts on custody arrangements. Parents will be asked to sign a consent form which speaks to the confidential nature of counselling, and how parents can maintain the therapeutic benefits of counselling.

Maybe?  Complex family situations require an individualized response.  In situations of joint, shared, or undetermined custody, we do require the informed consent of both parents.  We understand that in some cases, the second parent may not be available to provide consent (i.e. death, or prolonged absence).  We will approach these situations on a case-by-case basis.  Please reach out to discuss your unique needs. 

No. Most therapists can accommodate an intake session within the week.

No. Most therapists offer some evening and weekend appointment times. Please be aware that evening and weekend appointments are highly utilized, and book up quickly. We encourage families to book several sessions ahead to ensure the times you require are available to you.

This varies from family to family, and is based around your specific needs and goals. Our therapists use empirically supported approaches such as: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Nervous system and neurobiology-based interventions, Skills Training, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Play therapy and art therapy. Your therapist will map out the treatment plan with you and discuss the treatment approaches that will likely be successful for your specific child or family.

Please give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you. We understand that selecting a therapist with/or for your child or family can be daunting, and we are happy to answer all your questions. We want you to feel comfortable and assured. The OACCPP has prepared an excellent document to assist individuals in selecting the right therapist for them. Please feel free to visit that article here.