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 who are working under the supervision of our registered psychologist. When working under the supervision (supervision meaning the registered psychologist oversees the work by reviewing of notes and meeting with the therapist and/or client on a regular basis) of the psychologist, 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.
Yes, provided that both parents provide consent for the child to participate in counselling, or the current legal custody arrangement provides the decision making to the parent requesting services. In the case of separated/divorced and disputing parents, therapists will request a copy of the existing custody arrangement OR the consent of both parents in the absence of a legal custody arrangement.

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.

No. Most therapists are able to accommodate an intake session within the week.
No. Most therapists offer some evening and weekend appointment times. Please be aware though, that evening and weekend appointments are highly utilized, and book up quickly. We encourage families to book ahead several sessions 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), Skills Training, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Play therapy and art therapy. Your therapist will map out treatment plan with you and discuss the treatment approaches that are likely to 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 a daunting task, 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.