FAQs

What is the process for starting counselling?

To get started with ThriveWell, book a free 30-minute telephone consultation by clicking Book Free Consultation and selecting a date, time and counsellor that might fit your needs. Or fill out our Contact Us form, or send us an email, and we will get back to you to schedule your free 30-minute phone consultation.

The consultation is a chance to better understand the support you are looking for, explore potential approaches that might be beneficial, and to answer any questions about our services. Once you’ve decided about moving forward with counselling, we can schedule your first appointment, or you can book your first appointment yourself online by selecting Book an Appointment.

If you decide to move forward with counselling after the phone consultation, just let us know and we will book your first session. Or you can go online or into the account we will setup for you, and book your own initial visit. Once booked, you’ll receive an electronic notification with our Welcome Package that will tell you more about what to expect.

What are the fees for counselling?

Counselling rates vary depending on the length of your appointment, the practitioner you are working with and other factors, such as whether you are accessing a reduced rate for services, or you have special requirements in order to access private insurance benefits. Our regular rates vary between $125-$150/50 min session. Sessions that go over these times are typically billed in 15 min blocks.

To make counselling services more accessible, we offer a limited number of spaces at a reduced rate. Please inquire if you feel a reduced rate would help you more fully benefit from counselling services. If not immediately available, you can be added to a waiting list for when a reduced rate space opens up.

Are services covered by private insurance plans?

ThriveWell counsellors are all Registered Social Workers (RSW) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). If you have access to a private insurance plan with extended or paramedical health benefits that include RSW's you may be able to receive some money back per session up to your plan’s maximum. 

All Student Clinicians-in-Training will receive full RSW supervision, and therefore may also be covered. If your insurance benefits only cover Psychologists, or Registered Social Workers receiving psychology supervision, it may still be possible to work with a ThriveWell counsellor. Fees for counselling with Psychologist Supervision may be higher. Please check with your insurance provider for more information, or discuss with your practitioner during your consultation.

What is your cancellation policy?

A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required to cancel a scheduled appointment, except where in-person appointments are affected by Covid-19 restrictions. Unless specific arrangements have been made, missed appointments and cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice may be subject to a partial or full session fee. In the event of illness or an emergency, please notify us as soon as possible. Please note: ThriveWell’s phone number is not able to accept text messages.

What payment options do you accept?

Payment is due at the end of each appointment. In-person appointments may be paid in cash by cheque, or following any of the payment methods below.

Online appointments can be paid through e-transfer (which are accepted through auto-deposit), or credit, debit, or health spending account cards. ThriveWell Counselling uses Jane Software in conjunction with Stripe for all payments, as well as for invoicing, billing and issuing receipts for income tax and/or extended health insurance.

To pay online for the first time, you will receive an Invoice for services through Jane, as well as an email with a Pay Balance button that will allow you to go into your Jane Account and set up your preferred card payment method. This isn't needed if paying in-person or by e-transfer.

Once set-up, credit, debit or health spending account card numbers are securely stored within Jane/Stripe Payments for future billing after sessions are complete. You can also go into your Jane Account after your session and pay, print or email yourself your own receipt! If ThriveWell processes your payment, we will send you an electronic receipts. You may receive payment reminders where payment is outstanding.

ThriveWell Counselling only sees the last 4 digits of these card numbers, and has no further access to your card information. You can remove your automatic payment methods at any time, simply by requesting ThriveWell to remove your stored cards.