Getting Started
How can therapy be helpful to me?
We believe that anybody can benefit from therapy!
Therapy can be helpful in a variety of ways. Therapy can help you to better understand yourself, your relationships, and the world around you. Therapy can better help you cope with and move through stressors that life throws your way. Therapy can improve your mood and increase general satisfaction with life. In addition, some mental illnesses, like anxiety and depression, can sometimes be treated with therapy alone.
What should I expect during my first appointment?
People are often hesitant to come to therapy. They may be uncertain about the process and what it looks like. They may be unsure that it can help them. Perhaps they are worried about being vulnerable in front of or judged by a human they don’t know. We get it! We really do. Know that therapy doesn’t have to suck.
Our first appointment together usually involves us getting to know each other. We often ask a lot of questions so that we can better understand you and the issue(s) that brought you to us in the first place! You will be welcome to ask your clinician questions as well, if you like.
We understand that therapy can be scary. We don’t know each other, so another goal during this session is for us to make you feel as comfortable and safe as possible, so that you feel able to talk openly about yourself and about what brought you to therapy. Having a good fit of therapist is one of the most important parts of this process.
How long are sessions and how frequently do we meet?
Sessions are 60 minutes in length. We will decide together how often to meet. Usually, we will see people more frequently closer to the beginning of therapy. Once therapy has progressed, clients often book their sessions further apart.
How long will therapy last?
The length of therapy varies for each individual! The duration of treatment is influenced by multiple factors, including the quality of our relationship, the therapeutic modality used, as well as personal factors like motivation and openness to change. Therapy is absolutely voluntary, so ultimately you get to decide how long we will work together.
Fees & Insurance
How much will each session cost?
Our rates vary.
Molly and Olivia set their fees individually to best serve clientele. Fees are payable by e-transfer following the session or by credit card (processed through Jane).
If cost is a barrier to your engagement in counselling, please reach out to the clinician to enquire about sliding scale rates.
Am I covered by insurance for psychotherapy?
IT DEPENDS. You will have to check with your extended health insurance provider.
Many extended health insurance providers cover the services of a Registered Social Worker (RSW). Both Molly and Olivia are Registered Social Workers with Masters level designations (MSW, RSW).
You will be provided with a payment receipt that can be submitted to your insurance provider or claimed as a medical expense on your income tax (Medical Expense Tax Credit) if you do not have coverage.
We strongly recommend that you check with your insurance provider before starting therapy to confirm your understanding of the policy!
Will you bill my insurance company directly?
Nope. We don’t bill insurance companies directly.
After receiving payment for the session, you will receive a payment receipt that you may submit to your insurance company.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard) and e-transfer.
To pay by credit card, please add your credit card to your secure Jane profile.
How does billing work?
In order to book online (including the complementary consultation), you will be asked for a credit card to put on your file. This is a secure platform.
** If you do not have access to a credit card or this is a barrier to your engagement in services, please reach out to heffernancounselling@gmail.com **
Credit cards can be added to your account in-person, through Jane, or over the phone.
We confirm your payment method prior to billing.
If paying by credit card, we process your payment following the session, cancellation, or “no-show”. We will send a receipt to your email address.
If paying by e-transfer, we will send you your invoice with instructions on how to pay and to which email address. Once the e-transfer has been received, we will send you the receipt which includes information needed to submit to insurance.
Policy FAQ
What if I need to cancel or change my appointment?
Sometimes life happens. We get it! If you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment, please provide a minimum of 24-hour notice. This allows us time to offer the appointment to another client who may be on the standby list. Unfortunately, if you do not provide us with 24-hours notice, you will be charged a cancellation fee at your therapist’s full rate.
Please note that this includes not attending for your session and/or rescheduling at the last minute. This policy is in place to be fair to other clients and our therapist’s time.
You can go on the Jane site to manage your appointments. Alternatively, you may email your therapist to request a change.
Who is Jane? What is the Jane App?
Jane is the electronic healthcare management software used for scheduling, virtual sessions, and record management. Not only is personal information entered in Jane encrypted similarly to banking information but sessions are also hosted through the software to ensure privacy and PHIPA compliance. For more information, visit Security FAQ | Jane App.
At your first virtual meeting, you will be sent a link to create a Jane profile. This will be your route to accessing booking calendars and sessions.
Click here to go to Jane’s Booking Site and Your Account
Do you provide crisis support?
This counselling service does not include crisis support.
Between-session contact should typically be used for scheduling, while any other concerns should be reserved for during session time. Additional sessions can be scheduled as needed.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or attend your local emergency department.
For urgent crisis support, connect with Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline 24/7 through text or by calling 988.
What days/times are you open?
Each therapist has an individual schedule found in their online calendar.
Book an Appointment
How do I book an appointment?
There are many ways to book an appointment with us:
NEW CLIENTS
If you are a NEW client to Heffernan Counselling, please connect with Molly or Olivia for a consultation. You can read more about us here. If you are unsure of which therapist may best meet your needs, send us a message with your concerns and hopes, and we will schedule a consultation!
You can also book by emailing us at: heffernancounselling@gmail.com
CURRENT CLIENTS
If you are a CURRENT client, you can use the pink “Online Booking” button at the bottom left of each page.
This will bring you to our secure online booking platform Jane where you will be able to make appointments with your therapist.
If you have any questions, concerns or difficulty making an appointment, please contact us at:
We look forward to hearing from you!
© 2023 Heffernan Counselling
Offering in-person counselling in Burlington, Ontario and virtual counselling across Ontario, Canada.
Location: The Therapy Commons
3425 Harvester Road, Suite 213
Burlington, ON L7N 3N1
Contact Molly: (226) 779-4493
Contact Olivia: (289) 401-5174
Proud ally and 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming care provider
Neurodivergent affirming care provider