What To Expect

When you utilize our services at Family TLC you are assured the utmost in care, service and training in family, couple and individual counseling available.

When you contact our office we will arrange with you a convenient time for you to receive a 10 minute telephone consultation with no charge to you from our Group Leader.The Group Leader will gather your information and match you with the therapist that best meets your needs.

After that you will be given an appointment right away with no wait list.

When you attend counseling you can expect a professional, responsive and respectful service. Our counselors are highly trained, the best in their fields.  At Family TLC we offer experienced social workers with extensive knowledge and understanding of families, couples, and individual counseling. From your first visit, our number one priority is to provide a safe and confidential environment. At Family TLC we are a long term solution and you have the option to choose how much and how long to use our services.

Our team of specialists coach people through life’s transitions using the principals of compassion, respect and courage. We will assist you in gaining insight into life’s lessons while adapting crucial skills that are needed to achieve peace and balance through the unpredictable storms of life.

Each of our therapists and coaches at Family TLC are friendly, calm, accepting.  We have a sense of humor , believe in people and make’s you feel heard. Our goal is ensure that you walk away with strategies and options that will help you make long lasting, positive changes in your life moving forward.

Shared Client Care Approach

At Family TLC we have the privilege of working with a range of qualified medical, legal, therapeutic and other professionals who compliment our therapy and coaching services. Our Shared Client Care Approach enables us to provide updates with your direction and written permission, to your doctor, lawyer or other professional as needed.This is also very useful when verbal or written reports are required.

Frequently asked Questions

1.Does OHIP cover your services?

Our services are not covered under OHIP, however many extended benefit plans or other third party funding cover our services.  Please call us and we will help you determine if you qualify for coverage.

2.What is the cost and how long is a session?

At Family TLC we charge $130 per session.  This includes 1 hour with your counselor , emails between sessions and minimal telephone support.

3.What is the procedure for payment of services?

At the beginning of each session you will be asked for payment. We accept, Visa, Master Card, Debit,or Personal Cheque and Cash. If we are billing directly to your benefit provider you will be required to sign a "Letter of Authorization" as well as health claim form.

4.Are telephone appointments available?

Due to hectic schedules and travel time Family TLC does offer telephone appointments. These appointments are billed at the same hourly rate and payment would be required at the beginning of the appointment.

5.How soon can I get an appointment?

At Family TLC an appointment can usually be booked within 7 days.

6.What Can I expect at my first appointment?

Prior to your first appointment you will be asked to complete a new client form.  This form can be downloaded from our website or we can email or mail to you.  If you are unable to complete the form prior to your appointment we ask that you arrive 10 minutes early to complete.  During your first session your counselor will gather information from you and will provide strategies to you that can be implemented immediately.

7.What happens if I miss my appointment?

Family TLC has a 48 hour cancellation policy so that we can guarantee appointments within 7 days.

8.How long will I have to have counseling for?

Counseling can continue as long as you find that it is beneficial for you. Some clients can benefit from one or two sessions, targeting a particular current issue. Many choose brief therapy of six to twelve sessions. Some choose to do longer term work to address an issue. We can discuss what you would like to do, set goals and plan for an approximate length of therapy in the first session. We will discuss regularly the progress you feel you are making toward your goal until counseling is completed

Counseling Myths

Myth: If I go to counseling I am ill, crazy or weak

Fact: No seeing a counselor does not mean there is something wrong with you. The psychotherapist does not see you or treat you as a sick person but rather a person going through a bad time. Accessing therapy is actually a sign of strength as you have taken the first difficult step to resolving your struggle. You generally cannot tell if someone is seeing a counselor because they are ordinary people who are generally healthy and responsible

Myth: Going to counseling is no different than talking to friends and family

Fact: Talking to friends and family can definitely be helpful and most psychotherapists encourage you to access their support. However counselors are neutral they do not have a loyalty that influences their support. Therapists are bound by confidentiality and will keep  everything you say private. What you say will not upset the psychotherapist. The therapist does not tell you what to do and get upset if you don’t follow advice but rather helps you determine what are the best next steps for you. If you require lots of help because whatever you are going through takes a great deal of support the counselor will not resent you. Therapists are specialist and it is common to need more help than well meaning friends and family can provide.

Myth: The counselor provides you with all the answers

Fact: Counseling is not a "quick fix" cure to your problems. The psychotherapist is there to help you explore your feelings, thoughts, and concerns, to examine your options, and to assist you in achieving the goals you have set. The counselor’s role is to help you to develop the skills to help yourself so that in the future, you have the ability to deal with personal issues without needing professional help

Myth: Counseling is only for girls

Fact: Many people hold this view. In general, females visit the counselors more often than males. This is unfortunate because psychotherapy is just as beneficial to males. It is not an indication of weakness and by seeing a counselor you are not compromising your masculinity.  Accessing counseling or coaching is actually a sign of strength as it means that you have taken the first difficult step to resolving your struggle.

Myth: The counselor generally just listens and does not say much

Fact: Psychotherapy is not about you doing all the talking. The therapist has excellent listening skills but they also know how to discuss things with you and help you hear things you can not discover on your own.

Myth: The counselor cannot understand you unless he/she has had similar experiences or is of the same background.

Fact: Psychotherapy Counselors are trained to be sensitive to and respectful of individual differences, including the specific concerns of clients with regard to gender, racial/ethnic, cultural, religious, age, sexual preference/orientation, and socioeconomic issues.