Frequently
Asked Questions
Q:
What is marriage and family therapy?
A:
At the Institute of Family Living (IFL), our therapists work from a
“family systems” approach, whether with individuals who
have no living or close family members, or with a large extended family
with close and ongoing ties with each other. We believe that regardless
of any specific situation, both genetic and social factors are involved
in making people who they are. It is important to understand such things
as birth order, socio-economic class, family relationships, family values
(both spoken and unspoken), health histories, education, past and present
relationships, and personal worldviews in order to provide a full context
for whatever issue has brought an individual, a couple, or a family
to see a therapist. There are many challenges in marriage that must
be faced clearly and honestly by both partners, and similar challenges
arise in less formal couple relationships as well. Marriage and family
therapy seeks to identify, then help to heal, the wounds that human
life can bring.
Q:
Psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, marriage
and family therapists – I’m confused by all these terms.
What are the differences and similarities among them?
A:
While the general terms “therapist” and “counsellor”
may apply to any mental health care provider, and while all such providers
may address such common problems as depression, grief, anxiety, and
stress, there are key differences in training and approach.
A
psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has trained in general medicine,
then specialized in psychiatry. As a Fellow of the College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Canada, a psychiatrist must follow a code of professional
standards and participate in a continuing education program in order
to maintain his or her certification. Psychiatrists generally see patients
as individuals and are not often trained in family dynamics. IFL has
a consulting psychiatrist.
A
GP psychotherapist is also a medical doctor, but with several years
of training in psychotherapy. She or he may belong to the General Practice
Psychotherapy Association in addition to the College of Physicians and
Surgeons. The GPPA requires its members to have a minimum of 90 hours
formal training, 1,000 hours of paid work in psychotherapy, plus a combination
of 50 hours of continuing education and individual/group support work
every year. IFL’s GP psychotherapists are highly trained and experienced
counsellors.
[Note:
Only psychiatrists and GP psychotherapists may prescribe medication.
Their services are paid for by provincial health insurance plans. At
IFL, our GP psychotherapists’ services are reserved for clients
whose family incomes are below Canada’s “poverty line.”]
Clinical
Psychologists are required by the province of Ontario to hold a Ph.D.
degree in Psychology. This allows them to use the title “Doctor,”
even though they are not medical doctors. As part of their training,
psychologists must complete a year of supervised experience, followed
by a rigorous exam. Psychologists are licensed by the province and are
required to follow a set of standards and a code of ethics set down
by the College of Psychologists . Continuing education is also required.
IFL’s psychologists have specialized in family, child, and adolescent
psychology.
Registered
Social Workers hold master’s or doctoral degrees in social work,
which consists of theory and practical field work in such areas as child
welfare, community development, or gerontology. Social work degrees
are accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work,
and registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers is required.
A clinical social worker may work in a social service agency or be in
private practice. IFL's mediation consultant is a Registered Social Worker.
Registered
Marriage and Family Therapists (RMFTs) are members of the Ontario Association
for Marriage and Family Therapy (OAMFT), a division of the American
Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Accreditation requires
at least a master’s degree in a counselling program, plus a minimum
1,000 hours of clinical supervised therapy/counselling work. Sex therapists
registered with AAMFT/OAMFT require additional psychotherapy training
and supervised work. IFL’s RMFTs are also members of the Canadian
Registry of Marriage and Family Therapists and are experienced couple
and family therapists.
Q:
What is mediation?
A:
When a couple is considering separation, a number of issues arise, ranging
from financial decisions to the parenting of children, if any. A trained
and experienced mediator is often helpful in such cases, focusing on
reasonable compromise rather than the adversarial positions that opposing
lawyers often assume. Former couples who have worked together, with
a mediator’s encouragement and help, on fair financial arrangements
and parenting plans for their children, have a mutually-agreed-to program
that has been created just for their particular needs and circumstances.
Mediators work together with the couple’s lawyers to ensure that
costs are kept to a minimum while all legal requirements are satisfied.
Q:
What services does IFL offer?
A:
Psychotherapy, psychological assessments, mediation, consultation, and
supervision. Our therapists also give training workshops, and frequently
speak to interested groups about family structures and dynamics.
Q:
Who are therapists accountable to?
IFL therapists are all accountable to their individual professions’
code of ethics. As well, our therapists are sensitive to issues of gender,
race, and socio-economic factors, and work with a systemic and holistic
perspective.
Q:
You say that IFL’s therapists work from “Christian and Jewish
faith traditions.” Do I have to be Christian or Jewish to seek
therapy there?
A:
Not at all. While many of IFL’s clients are seeking faith-based
counselling, many are not. We work with people from diverse cultural
and religious backgrounds. We do not proselytize or judge people’s
spirituality. As a matter of policy, IFL therapists work respectfully
with their clients’ belief systems and faith communities.
Q:
What happens if I miss an appointment, or cancel it late?
A:
You must notify your therapist at least 24 hours before the appointment,
or 72 hours over the weekend, or you will be charged for the missed
appointment. Your therapist may waive the charge if he or she so chooses.
Q:
Can I have therapy done over the Internet?
A:
Not at IFL. All our professional associations (and common sense) require
that therapists know their clients personally, that they work with them
in such a way that body language, tone of voice, and interaction with
other family members can be observed directly by the therapist. Therefore,
therapy must take place in a neutral setting such as IFL’s offices.
After a therapist and a client know each other well enough, certain
issues may be dealt with by telephone. The Internet can be used to make
an initial contact with IFL, or to request an appointment, but the medium
is far too impersonal and far too vulnerable to breaches in confidentiality
to be appropriate for therapy.
Q:
Speaking of confidentiality ...
A:
It is our highest value. The Institute has a formal
Privacy Policy which protects the personal information of all our clients,
and is compliant with the Privacy legislation. Your private issues are safe with your therapist,
who may discuss your case with a supervisor or with other therapists
but will never use your name. The telephone receptionist has signed an agreement to keep confidential matters confidential. Your personal information
can only be released when you have given your written permission. There
are a few exceptions to this rule, such as when a life may be in danger
or when child abuse is an issue. Then we are mandated by law to report
it.
Q:
What do your services cost, and how may I pay for them?
A:
Standard fees for therapy among IFL Associates range between $90.00 and $140.00 per hour
(including GST); Clinical Psychologist fees are set down by their
professional College. The
fee for mediation is $150 per hour, or about ½ of what a lawyer
charges. Clients who see one of our medical psychotherapist pay
nothing, but their services are offered only to low-income people
who cannot otherwise afford therapy. Each therapist has the ability
to negotiate lower hourly rates with their clients, if they so choose,
and such a discussion may be part of a first meeting.
Therapists
accept cash and cheques. Some of our Associates accept VISA, MasterCard, and Interac. A
bill will be rendered at each meeting, and clients are expected to pay
for each session before they leave their therapist's office.
