Frequently Asked Questions

You do not need to be in crisis for therapy to be helpful. Many people begin therapy because they feel stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, triggered, or unsure of why certain patterns keep showing up in their lives.

Therapy may be a good fit if you are growth-oriented, want to understand yourself more deeply, or are curious about how your thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and relationships impact the way you move through the world. This can include exploring romantic relationships, family dynamics, parenting, identity, life transitions, stress, anxiety, or the roles you often find yourself carrying.

At Journey Home Counselling Services, therapy is a space to slow down, reflect, build insight, develop healthier coping tools, and create meaningful change over time. You do not need to arrive with everything figured out. Therapy is often where that clarity begins.

Our clinicians draw from a variety of evidence-based and holistic approaches depending on your needs, goals, personality, and lived experiences.

Therapeutic approaches within our practice include:

●     Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT & EFT-C)

●     Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

●     Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

●     Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

●     Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

●     Attachment-based therapy

●     Trauma-informed therapy

●     Somatic-informed approaches

Several clinicians also integrate creative and culturally grounded approaches where appropriate, including yoga, arts-based interventions, play-based techniques, and/or Afro-centric forms of healing.

We do not believe therapy should feel cookie-cutter. Each therapeutic journey is unique.

Some of the concerns we commonly work with include:

●     Relationship conflict and communication difficulties

●     Couples counselling and attachment-related concerns

●     Anxiety, stress, and burnout

●     Men’s mental health

●     Identity, cultural, and racial experiences

●     Parenting and family dynamics

●     Emotional regulation and coping difficulties

●     ADHD-related challenges

●     Life transitions and self-esteem

●     Trauma and attachment wounds

●     Grief and loss

●     Postpartum experiences and motherhood transitions

●     Depression and mood-related concerns

●     Child and adolescent mental health

●     Personal growth and self-understanding

Many of our clients are high-functioning individuals who appear “fine” externally, while privately struggling with overwhelm, disconnection, emotional exhaustion, relationship difficulties, or patterns they no longer want to carry.

We are particularly passionate about helping clients understand what shapes how they relate to themselves, their partners, and the people around them.

Yes. Couples therapy is one of the core areas of focus within our practice.

We support couples navigating:

●     communication breakdowns

●     emotional disconnection

●     conflict cycles

●     trust concerns

●     attachment dynamics

●     intimacy challenges

●     transitions into marriage or parenthood

●     cultural or family-related tensions

Our approach is not about “picking sides.” We work to help couples better understand one another, improve emotional safety, and shift unhealthy relational patterns over time.

Virtual and in-person couples counselling is available in Pickering, Ontario.

Absolutely.

While our team consists primarily of female clinicians, men’s mental health is one of the niches our practice genuinely cares about and intentionally supports. We recognize that many men have been conditioned to suppress emotions, over-function, avoid vulnerability, or carry pressure silently for years.

Our therapists aim to create a space where men can explore identity, relationships, stress, emotional disconnection, fatherhood, communication, self-worth, and mental health without judgment or shame.

Many of the men we work with are high-functioning externally while struggling internally.

All clinicians within our practice work with adults.

In addition:

●     Zaamilah supports children, adolescents, and adults

●     Zoya and Aijia support teenagers and adults

Each clinician’s biography on our Meet the Team page outlines the age groups, specialties, approaches, and areas of focus they work with most often.

Our practice supports a wide range of emotional, relational, and mental health concerns. However, there are certain situations where a more specialized, intensive, or crisis-based level of care may be more appropriate than what our outpatient private practice setting can provide.

This may include individuals experiencing active mental health crises, requiring emergency psychiatric support, court-mandated services, or needing highly specialized trauma or behavioural treatment programs.

We also recognize that many clients may have experienced trauma, including difficult or painful experiences from childhood or past relationships, even if that is not the primary reason they are initially seeking therapy. These experiences can absolutely still be explored and supported within the therapeutic process when appropriate.

If we believe another service, specialist, or level of care may better support your needs, we will always aim to guide you compassionately and thoughtfully toward appropriate resources.

If you are currently experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact 911, visit your nearest emergency department, or connect with a local crisis service.

Yes. We offer secure virtual therapy sessions through the Jane App, our encrypted online platform.

Most of our clinicians provide virtual psychotherapy services across Ontario. In addition:

●     Zoya is also able to support clients in Quebec

●     Aijia is also able to support clients in Alberta

Virtual therapy allows clients to access support from the comfort and privacy of their own space while maintaining flexibility with busy schedules.

Yes. We offer in-person therapy sessions in Pickering, Ontario near the Kingston and Dixie Road area.

In-person sessions in Scarborough are currently available only through our Community Healing Project (CHP) program in the Chester Le community.

Session fees vary depending on the therapist, format, and session length.

Associate therapist rates:

●     Virtual sessions: start at $160

●     In-person sessions: start at $185

Clinical Director rates:

●     Virtual sessions: start at $175

●     In-person sessions: start at $200

Couples sessions:

●     Virtual sessions: approximately $195–$240

●     In-person sessions: approximately $220–$275

Most sessions are between 50–60 minutes in length. Some couples sessions may begin at 75 minutes depending on the therapist’s approach and recommendations.

Please note that fees may be adjusted periodically and are subject to change over time. Current rates and availability can always be confirmed directly with our team prior to booking.

Yes, absolutely. We offer complimentary 15-minute consultations by telephone or secure video through Jane App.

Consultations are an opportunity to:

●     ask questions

●     learn more about a therapist’s approach

●     discuss what you are looking for support with

●     explore fit and comfort level

You’re welcome to speak to more than one therapist on the team if needed. Finding the right fit matters.

If you feel unsure where to begin, our Clinical Director or administrative team can also help guide you toward a therapist who may align well with your needs and goals.

You are never “stuck.”

Therapeutic fit is important, and sometimes it takes a few sessions to determine whether a connection feels right for you. If you decide you would feel more comfortable with another clinician, we will support that transition respectfully.

This is your journey. Our goal is for you to feel safe, supported, and connected to the person you are working with.

Yes.

Our team includes therapists from diverse cultural, racial and religious backgrounds, including Black, South Asian, Middle-Eastern, and mixed-ethnicities.

We recognize that culture, identity, family expectations, faith, race, migration experiences, and generational patterns can deeply shape emotional wellbeing and relationships.

Our team also offers support in multiple languages, including:

●     Hindi

●     Urdu

●     Tamil

●     French

●     Working understanding of Arabic

For clients specifically seeking faith-integrated therapy from a Christian lens, this approach is available upon request. Other faiths we comprise are: Catholic, Muslim and Hindu.

We require more than 24 hours notice in writing for cancellations or rescheduling requests.

Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, as well as missed appointments, are subject to the full session fee.

An exception may be made if the session is successfully rescheduled within the same calendar week with your therapist.

We kindly ask clients to communicate any scheduling concerns as early as possible.

A valid credit card is required to remain on file for all clients.

Session fees are charged immediately following appointments, and receipts are automatically emailed for insurance reimbursement purposes. At this time, we do not offer direct billing.

E-transfer is also accepted; however, payment must be sent before or immediately following the session. If payment is not received within the expected timeframe, the card on file may be charged in accordance with clinic policy.

We encourage clients to review their extended health benefits in advance to confirm coverage for services provided by Registered Social Workers (RSWs) and Registered Psychotherapists (RPs).