My educational background is the foundation of my professional practice. I completed my undergraduate degree in Social Development with a minor in Social Work in 2019, which deepened my commitment to the field. This dedication led to earning my Master’s in Counselling Psychology with Distinction from Yorkville University in 2023. As a Professional Member in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, I am dedicated to providing informed, empathetic, and ethical care to all my clients.

Session fees are $150, taxes included, a 50-minute session.

Groups and Workshops: Rates are determined based on group duration, size, and location. Please contact us for specific pricing.

Initial phone consultation: Free 15-minute initial consultation.

Please contact us to discuss alternative session lengths and any other questions related to rates and fees.

While we do not provide direct billing services, many insurance companies recognize and reimburse clients for our sessions. Clients receive a detailed receipt upon payment, facilitating a straightforward reimbursement process with their insurance provider. It is recommended you reach out to your insurance provider to verify coverage for psychotherapy or counselling services and explore the potential benefits available to you.

Payments can be made via credit card, e-transfer jennifer@thebeginningcounselling.com, or cash. This flexibility is designed to make the payment process as convenient as possible for you.

Yes! I offer a free 15-minute consultation. This is an opportunity for us to become acquainted and for you to determine if I will be a good fit for you. I will be happy to share information about my therapy approach and answer any questions that you may have. It is important that you feel a genuine connection with the professional you choose, and there is no obligation to schedule any services following the consultation.

Yes, I do offer reduced-rate psychotherapy to those facing financial constraints and in need of support, particularly for those without insurance coverage. While I'm not part of a government-funded agency and therefore cannot offer the same sliding scale options, I'm committed to making mental health care as accessible as possible. Due to limited availability, I need to manage the number of clients on a sliding scale at any given time. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to discuss this further. Your well-being is important to me.

I kindly request 48 hours of notice for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. A $50 administration fee will be applied to appointments cancelled within 48 hours or a full session fee will be applied to missed appointments or appointments cancelled within 24 hours.

The duration of therapy is really unique to each person and is all about what feels best for you and your journey. There's absolutely no pressure or commitment – you can start or stop whenever it feels right for you. Some individuals find that short-term therapy, lasting a few weeks to a few months, works wonders for them, while others prefer a longer-term approach, spanning several months or even years. Whenever you're ready to conclude our time together, we'll wrap up our work with care and respect for your progress and growth.

As you begin, it's common to experience heightened emotional discomfort as you confront challenging thoughts and emotions that were once pushed aside. However, these discomforts often signal progress and growth on your healing journey. Your well-being and comfort are our top priority, and we'll move forward at a pace that honours your boundaries. Your informed consent and trust are fundamental to our therapeutic process.

If you're facing a mental health emergency, please don't hesitate to reach out for help. You can contact your local crisis hotline, call 911, or seek immediate care at the nearest emergency room.

• COAST Hamilton 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (905) 972-8338 or 1 (844) 972-8338

• Talk Suicide Canada 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 1 (833) 456-4566

• Kids Help Phone 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-800-668-6868

Crisis mental health supports:

If you are in a crisis and at risk of causing harm to yourself or others, please consider reaching out to a 24/7 mental health service such as 988 or calling 911.

The Niagara Region’s crisis hotline for adults is 1-866-550-5205 and for children it is 1-800-263-4944. The Niagara Region also has a list of crisis mental health supports here:

https://www.niagararegion.ca/living/health_wellness/mentalhealth/default.aspx

Walk and talk sessions are available at two locations:

Jaycee Gardens Park, located at 543 Ontario Street, St. Catharines (where we can walk across the bridge and into Port Dalhousie).

Welland Canal Lock 1, 325 Lakeshore Road, St. Catharines.

The settings provide a scenic environment while not overcrowded, giving us privacy and space for our sessions.

Absolutely. I invite those from Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Winniepeg, and Nunavut to book virtual or telephone sessions, allowing you to access therapy services conveniently from the comfort of your home.

To schedule a session, please visit this link: Book Online | the beginning: counselling (janeapp.com)

If you require assistance with the booking process, feel free to reach out directly at jennifer@thebeginningcounselling.com

We are here to help ensure that scheduling your session is a smooth and straightforward process.

While my list of recommended readings is ever-evolving, I do have some suggestions covering a wide range of wellness topics below:

*The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel A. van der Kolk

*Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

*Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief: A Revolutionary Approach to Understanding and Healing the Impact of Loss by Claire Bidwell Smith

*Becoming the One: Heal Your Past, Transform Your Relationship Patterns, and Come Home to Yourself by Sheleana Aiyana

*My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem

*What's Your Grief?: Lists to Help You Through Any Loss by Eleanor Haley & Litsa Williams

Psychotherapy services are covered under many insurance plans. Your extended health provider may cover the services provided under “Registered Psychotherapist.” Please inquire directly with your extended health provider with coverage-related questions. You will be provided with a receipt upon payment. This can be submitted to your provider for reimbursement if coverage is available. Registered Psychotherapists do not offer direct billing to insurance providers at this time.

In Ontario, the CRA recognizes Registered Psychotherapists as medical practitioners for tax purposes. Psychotherapy fees are eligible for the medical expense tax credit.

Every effort will be made to respond to your email inquiries within one business day, but that cannot always be guaranteed.

Psychotherapists cannot provide psychotherapy or counselling over email.

Please note that any personal information you do share via email about your psychotherapy process may not be secure.

If you require support before your next appointment, please consider reaching out to the resources page, which can provide you with crisis counselling options.