An Important Message Regarding COVID-19

Who else feels like this came out of nowhere? Many people are just coming out of the shock of this and having to adapt and bend in ways they have never had to before.

It’s difficult, frightening, and stressful.

It feels like we’re living in an apocalyptic Hollywood movie. Everyone is feeling overwhelmed and not sure how to keep it together for their spouse, kids, family, friends, jobs.

Then come the questions. Will my family be safe? Will my kids go back to school this year? When will this end? How long will my finances last? Will things change forever?

There is so much that we do not know. So much uncertainty. The truth is that we will come out the other side of this. It will be hard but the ability for us to adapt is possible.

If you need us, we’re here for you!

With over 40 registered therapists who can all help you via phone or video session.

How can counselling help? The counselling relationship can give you a safe space to express how you’re feeling, get support, guidance on how to talk to your kids, and give you strategies to resolve conflicts. Maybe you just need someone outside your family or friends that you can talk to openly about your thoughts or fears. Each person’s needs are unique and we are here to help, each and every one.

Our intake coordinators will continue to work to take your calls. You can reach us during business hours or send us a message via our website after hours. Our mission is to understand your needs and connect you with the right therapist.

Stay safe everyone. We will all get through this.

Warmest regards, The Bayridge Team

BAYRIDGE ONLINE THERAPY

  • Insurance Coverage
  • Registered Therapists
  • Private & Confidential
  • The Bayridge team has counselled & supported over 30,000 individuals and families at nine Bayridge locations since 2000.
  • As a Canadian company, our therapists are registered in Ontario so many of our services can be covered by Extended Healthcare plans. Most US online therapy services are not covered by insurance.
  • Bayridge has created a full-service team of specialized therapists, social workers, psychotherapists and psychologists.
  • Unlike US online companies, Bayridge abides by all laws and regulations of Ontario, as well as those laid out by the College of Psychologists of Ontario, the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
  • We offer registered psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers.

Online counselling is a quickly-growing way of accessing therapy. It has opened up a world of healing for those who may not otherwise be able to see a therapist due to remote locations, accessibility concerns, or just the hectic schedule of a busy family.

Have a Question ? Click here to read our FAQs or open our live chat.

Why Choose Bayridge for Online Counselling?

BayridgeUS Companies
Ontario Registered Therapists
Covered by Extended Health Benefits
Follows Strict Canadian Privacy Policies
Follows Ontario Laws
Follows Ontario College Guidelines
Canadian Funds
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    There is a range of service costs across different online counselling services. What are the differences?

    With increased access to internet services, online counselling has become a popular tool for individuals to receive mental health therapy.

    However, it's important to note that not all services offer the same benefits and professional care.

    Some online counselling services offer prices that may be much lower than other professional services. This primarily boils down to the qualifications and focus of the professional that clients will be engaging with. When considering the possibility of online counselling, be sure to research the qualifications of the professionals offering the service; specifically, if you will be working with a life coach or a therapist.

    Therapists are professionals that have specialized in mental health education. They are regulated by an oversight board, such as the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario or the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and are expected to maintain high standards of ethical and professional conduct. Therapists focus on the long-term benefit and help clients recognize and understand thoughts, moods, and behaviours as they influence a client's state of wellbeing. These professionals are trained to help clients work through life changes and struggles, mental health problems, relationship problems, family concerns, trauma, and a wide variety of other problems spanning through past and present.

    Life coaches differ from therapists in both regulation requirements and overall objectives for clients. These individuals often are not required to be regulated by any supervising body and typically focus on motivating clients to make change in the present stage. This can include assistance in recognizing life goals and creating plans to help individuals achieve that goal.

    Is online therapy effective?

    Online counselling is not only convenient but can be just as effective as face-to-face counselling for certain individuals.

    The effectiveness of this method of therapy is dependent on various factors. The specific needs of each client should be assessed to ensure that online counselling is appropriate to the situation. The location of clients and quality of internet access should also be considered. Consistent internet outages or long buffering times can interrupt the therapeutic process and impact effectiveness.

    Clients should also be aware of their own ability to engage in online counselling. While being in the safety of a home can make starting the therapeutic process easier, it can also increase the amount and likelihood of local distractions. Pets, other phone calls, multiple web browsers, and other stimuli can all be sources of distraction that may interfere with your allotted session time and impact the effectiveness. Minimizing these diversions and committing to session time greatly increases the effectiveness of your session time, the therapist, and the overall process of online counselling.

    How is my privacy protected?

    Therapists maintains privacy through encrypted devices and private spaces.

    When considering face-to-face therapy, professionals are guaranteed to offer a client a safe space in which to share their stories, thoughts, and emotions. These locations are specifically chosen and set up to ensure complete privacy for the client. However, online counselling changes this dynamic by removing the physical space. With online counselling, your therapist maintains privacy through encrypted devices and private spaces.

    As the client, you should ensure you also have access to the same level of privacy and security offered by in-person therapy. This can include setting up or locating a space that is private, one where you cannot be overheard by others. Your sessions and communications with your therapist should preferably be done through a device that is not shared with others. If these options prove difficult, discuss some privacy options with your therapist in the first session.

    How do I know what's best for me?

    Online counselling is a useful tool for individuals struggling with various problems. Its services are best attuned for those who find it difficult to attend face-to-face therapy. This can include working professionals with busy schedules, full-time parents, those living in rural communities with limited access to local therapists, or those who may find the process of an in-person session daunting.

    This offered service allows clients to work with therapists though a wide range of problems, but there are some restrictions to note. Online counselling is not currently being offered for those with severe mental health problems, those struggling with suicide, or for highly conflictual couples counselling. It is also only currently being offered for those aged 18 years or older. These specific situations require more in-depth services that online counselling simply cannot meet with a degree of confidence and satisfaction. For those seeking therapy in one of these related areas, please call Bayridge Counselling Centres at (905) 319-1488 to discuss access to the appropriate service to fit your needs.

    ONLINE THERAPY IS NOT TO BE USED FOR EMERGENCY OR CRISIS SERVICES. IF YOU REQUIRE EMERGENCY HELP, IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING COMMITTING SUICIDE OR THINKING OF HARMING YOURSELF OR OTHERS, CALL 911 OR NOTIFY POLICE OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES OR GO TO YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM.

    What experience or expertise should I be looking for before starting online counselling?

    Get access to the same expertise, education & experience as face-to-face counselling.

    When meeting with a therapist, it's common to inquire as to the education, experience, and focus of practice that they might have. Therapists typically have minimum education requirements such as master's degrees in a psychology- or social work-focused field. This educational background equips therapists with the knowledge and skills to assist clients not only with life struggles and transitions, but also with mental health problems and disorders.

    Each therapist expands their scope through relevant training and/or experience. The regulatory body of a therapist's region, combined with ethical standards of practice, ensures that therapists only practice within the scope of their abilities. As such, not all therapists provide services for all possible problems. This ensures that therapists enhance their skills for their focus area and become competent and capable of assisting in that area. Forexample, some therapists focus on couples and relationships, others focus on anxiety and depression for individuals, while still others focus on working with children

    When connecting with our team at Bayridge Counselling Centres, an intake coordinator will conduct a brief intake conversation to ensure that you are paired with a therapist best suited and trained to assist with your specific experience.

    Why do I have to be in Ontario to use online counselling?

    Across the country, therapists are typically registered with a supervising body or college. This registration ensures that therapists are following the regulations, as well as the ethical and professional standards of their field, and provides an external committee in areas of dispute. As such, registered therapists are required to only practice in the provinces or states in which they are registered and are in good standing. This will ensure that therapists understand and maintain the laws set out within each regulating province or state.

    What should I expect?

    Like face-to-face therapy, those engaged in online counselling can expect the same degree of warmth and non-judgmental listening offered by all our Bayridge therapists. Our therapists aim to work with you to sort through whatever emotional, mental, or behavioural struggles you may be facing while providing you with opportunities to have your story heard with empathy and understanding. Therapists will also work with you to identify and create goals and treatment plans, and will occasionally recommend relevant techniques or tools to assist in your journey to well-being.

    How do I book an appointment?

    To book an appointment, please call Bayridge Counselling Centres at 905-319-1488. You will be connected with an intake coordinator who will assist in matching you with an appropriate service. In this initial call, a brief intake will gather some relevant information to the issue you are seeking to address and pair you with a therapist that is trained and experienced to assist.

    What credentials do your therapists have?

    The specific credentials of every therapist vary slightly based upon education and additional training. However, all of our psychotherapists are registered with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario. If you are looking for a therapist that possesses specific credentials or are just curious as to which credentials your therapist has, you can look at our therapists' profiles on the website or ask our intake coordinator when booking your appointment. They will provide you with not only the credentials of each therapist but also provide you with that therapist's area of focus.

    Is online therapy possible from my workplace?

    Although online counselling can be conducted from anywhere, it is strongly recommended to find an alternative location to a workplace to have your session. A workplace environment typically reduces the individual privacy that would be required for an online session. If the workplace is the only available location to conduct your session, there are some precautions that should be considered. First, attempt to use a private device for your sessions. Use of work devices can increase the risk of accidental information sharing or interruptions. Second, it is important to minimize the chances of being overheard. Locating a secure location, such as a soundproof room or your car, will help ensure that your privacy is protected.

    What is informed consent?

    Whether Face-to-face, Online or phone, all share the same expectations about informed consent. The informed consent makes clear that all information shared between therapist and client will be kept by the therapist in a secure and private format and will not be shared with anyone without the explicit consent of the client. It is important to understand that a therapist always has the safety of the client and others in mind; however, there are select situations, mandated by regulated bodies and the law, where a therapist would be required to break this confidentiality, with or without the client's consent.

    • If at any point the safety of any individual (client, therapist, or other persons) is at risk, the therapist is required to inform the proper services to ensure the continued safety of the individuals.
    • If throughout the conversation it becomes apparent that a child's safety is in danger for any reason, the therapist is required to inform the appropriate children services centre as to the situation.
    • If it becomes apparent that a medical professional, such as a physician or chiropractor, is behaving in an inappropriate manner or is risking the safety of individuals, the therapist is required to inform the appropriate services or regulating body as to the circumstances.
    • If the therapist receives a legal subpoena from a judge about the contents of sessions or access to session notes, the therapist is legally required to comply with the request.

    The therapist will occasionally seek out professional assistance relating to a case or may be required to meet with a regulating professional as to the contents of their case. In these circumstances, a therapist may disclose relevant information with other psychological professionals to improve the treatment plan for a client. These professionals are bound to the same confidentiality requirements as your therapist and private information is excluded from conversation.

    Terms and Conditions

    • You must be 18 years of age or older.
    • Children 12 and up can be seen with a guardians permission. The guardian would first need to speak with the therapists to see if it would be appropriate.
    • You must by physically located in Ontario at the time of the session.
    • You are not suffering from any severe mental illness and are not suicidal.
    • You agree that you will contact 911 or a crisis service should you become suicidal while using this platform.
    • You must register as a member by providing your legal name, date of birth, password, and valid email address. You must provide complete and accurate information to us and if your information changes you must update it immediately through the platform dashboard.
    • Sessions involve discussions of personal, private, and sensitive information. Should others in your proximity be privy to this information it could result in harmful consequences. You understand and acknowledge that it is your responsibility to find a location to carry out your session that is private, quiet, free from interruptions, and safe from people that could overhear your session.
    • If you and your Bayridge therapist decide to engage in couples' or group therapy sessions, you agree that the information discussed in the applicable group sessions is confidential and shall not be utilized by you in any legal proceedings.
    • You agree not to use any recording device or software.
    • Bayridge Counselling Centers does not guarantee that services by Bayridge therapists are covered by any insurance.

    About Bayridge Counselling Centres

    We have been serving the Golden Horseshoe region for more than 25 years. Our team is composed of medical doctors, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, psychotherapists, addiction specialists, child and adolescent counsellors, coaches and mood disorder specialists. We also offer spiritual-based counselling with multi-faith, multicultural therapists.

    Our Commitment to Every Bayridge Client

    • You are in an environment of trust.
    • You will be treated with respect.
    • Your therapist will explain to you the confidentiality agreement.
    • You will be listened to and understood in a non-judgmental manner.
    • You will be informed of the supporting services and resources that are available outside of counselling.
    • Our goal is to support you in exploring your thoughts, feelings, and life.

    Your Bayridge therapist's goal is to empower you to understand the issues that are causing you pain and create a path to support you in regaining control over your life

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