FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Sessions can be offered by both video and telephone. We have learned a lot through the COVID-19 pandemic, including that we can offer effective treatment via video sessions and/or telephone calls. It’s nice to be able to reach some clients virtually that we may not have been able to with traditional therapy due to the convenience of being able to participate from their own homes.
How do I set up an initial appointment?
You may set up an initial appointment by phone: 416-886-0480 or email: drtracimcfarlane@gmail.com. The wait time to be seen for an initial appointment is variable.
What is your intake process?
We will conduct an assessment to determine your treatment needs and goals, as well as your personal background and history. We will discuss a treatment plan and will give you a chance to ask any questions that you may have. This may take anywhere from 50 to 90 minutes. If you decide we are a good match, agree with the treatment plan and want to proceed we will begin treatment in our next session.
How long are the treatment sessions?
Usually 50 minutes. However, sometimes a longer or shorter session may be clinically required.
How long does therapy last?
It is difficult to say for certain how many sessions you will need or how long therapy might take. The duration of therapy varies considerably between clients and depends on the frequency of sessions and the issues that are being worked on. Some clients will do a fairly brief course of therapy, while others will need more long-term intervention and support. This is something that we can discuss during our initial appointment. We also use symptom measures to assist in monitoring progress, treatment plans can be adjusted if the original plan is not improving these measures.
How frequent is therapy?
Clients generally come for sessions on a weekly basis or every second week. Sometimes clients may come twice per week but that depends on their needs and the treatment that they are currently engaged in. Over time, clients may choose to taper down the frequency of their sessions.
How do I know if therapy is working?
Depending on the type of work we are doing it is normal to feel worse before you feel better. For example, if you are not engaging in your usual coping methods (e.g., drinking, binge eating, other ways of avoiding) you will likely experience discomfort at first. Dealing directly with personal issues is hard. However, in the long run it is almost always better to approach and deal with these difficult issues than to avoid them which can lead to unhelpful avoidance behaviours and greater distress. Over time in therapy you can expect to feel better. In many cases, we will measure symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, eating disorder behaviours, substance use) to determine progress either through self-monitoring or self-report measures. It is not uncommon for me to graph this data to allow us to reflect on any changes and a larger picture of progress.
Are your services covered by OHIP?
No. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) generally does not cover private psychotherapy services provided by non-MD practitioners. However, some clients may have coverage for their sessions through their extended health insurance benefits. If you have an insurance benefit plan, you can check with your insurance carrier to determine if your therapy may be partially or fully covered under your particular plan. Also, you may be able to claim your therapy as a medical expense when you file your income tax to the CRA.
What is your fee and method of payment?
The fee for a 50-minute treatment session with Dr. McFarlane is $235. Payment is made at the end of each session by credit card or email transfer.
What is your cancellation policy?
Clients may cancel their sessions without a cancellation fee with a minimum of 24 hours notice. If a client misses a scheduled session or provides less than 24 hours notice of a cancellation, they will be invoiced for the full session fee.
