ABOUT OPEN HOUSE
"Where science, psychology and spirituality meet.."
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The open house is to allow you to make an appointment to meet with me, in the environment
where you will either be part of an encounter group or where you will meet me for counselling.
This is a relaxed first meeting where you can sit back and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with me
and talk to me about yourself, your past and where you would like to be in the future. During
this time I will ask you some questions and will answer any of your questions. You will
discover how you feel with me and if you are comfortable sharing your concerns or life issues.
where you will either be part of an encounter group or where you will meet me for counselling.
This is a relaxed first meeting where you can sit back and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with me
and talk to me about yourself, your past and where you would like to be in the future. During
this time I will ask you some questions and will answer any of your questions. You will
discover how you feel with me and if you are comfortable sharing your concerns or life issues.
| Some Common Questions and Answers: |
Q. Why would I consider private counselling over community service counselling services?
A. Private counselling is exactly that: Private and Confidential. While community service
agencies do offer good inexpensive stop-gap services, because they are publicly funded, they
must justify their projects and programs with numbers of those served and information about
how they have helped their clients. With a private counsellor your record of attendance and
how you have progressed is completely confidential. It is NOT added to any public health or
community program file. No one needs to know you are working with a counsellor.
Also, public service counselling runs for a fixed term and if you need personalized or more
in-depth assistance, you must seek that in private counselling. Depending on program and
funding restrictions you may not be able to re-apply for a repeat cycle, whereas you get
personalized attention and can stay with your counsellor for as long as you need.
Q. How do you ensure confidentiality in group work?
A. Each group participant and their needs are screened for compatibility with group theme,
objectives and personal goals. Group members are required to accept certain foundations for
the group work. Confidentiality is a key component of the group work agreement contract that
is signed by all group members.
Q. Do I have to commit to a series of sessions or can I come when I want?
A. Generally, clients have something in specific they wish to improve in their lives and in their
well-being, regular sessions are more beneficial, however, these may be weekly, or bi-weekly
depending on your needs. For most group work there is a commitment from all members for 8
consecutive weeks of mutual support and development.
Q. Do you have a sliding scale and, if so how does it work?
A. I don't offer sliding scale as I do not want to "judge" your eligibility for reduced rates. (I
believe your financial situation is your private business). I do, however offer reduced rates as
a community outreach service. I hold a limited number of individual counselling spots at
30% of the normal rate and I offer up to six consecutive sessions at that rate, after which, the
client would be placed on a waiting list if they wish to continue. The next earliest appointment,
if there is a spot, would be 4 weeks later. This allows for new clients to also have access to the
outreach rates.
Q. Do you have reduced rates for Encounter Groups?
No. Outreach Rates do not apply for encounter groups as these are already at a lower hourly
rate than any other rate offered.
Q. How long are sessions / encounter groups?
A. Individual sessions are based on the 50-minute hour, where the other 10 minutes are used
to review your file prior to start.
Encounter group sessions are 2 hours each with a 10 minute break at half time. They are
scheduled in the evening from 7 to 9 pm.
Q. Are you covered by OHIP?
A. No, private counselling is not covered by OHIP, however, under Extended Health Care
Benefits you may be able to make a claim under "Health Promotion, Stress Reduction",
Benefit Code 250,150. Receipts provided.
A. Private counselling is exactly that: Private and Confidential. While community service
agencies do offer good inexpensive stop-gap services, because they are publicly funded, they
must justify their projects and programs with numbers of those served and information about
how they have helped their clients. With a private counsellor your record of attendance and
how you have progressed is completely confidential. It is NOT added to any public health or
community program file. No one needs to know you are working with a counsellor.
Also, public service counselling runs for a fixed term and if you need personalized or more
in-depth assistance, you must seek that in private counselling. Depending on program and
funding restrictions you may not be able to re-apply for a repeat cycle, whereas you get
personalized attention and can stay with your counsellor for as long as you need.
Q. How do you ensure confidentiality in group work?
A. Each group participant and their needs are screened for compatibility with group theme,
objectives and personal goals. Group members are required to accept certain foundations for
the group work. Confidentiality is a key component of the group work agreement contract that
is signed by all group members.
Q. Do I have to commit to a series of sessions or can I come when I want?
A. Generally, clients have something in specific they wish to improve in their lives and in their
well-being, regular sessions are more beneficial, however, these may be weekly, or bi-weekly
depending on your needs. For most group work there is a commitment from all members for 8
consecutive weeks of mutual support and development.
Q. Do you have a sliding scale and, if so how does it work?
A. I don't offer sliding scale as I do not want to "judge" your eligibility for reduced rates. (I
believe your financial situation is your private business). I do, however offer reduced rates as
a community outreach service. I hold a limited number of individual counselling spots at
30% of the normal rate and I offer up to six consecutive sessions at that rate, after which, the
client would be placed on a waiting list if they wish to continue. The next earliest appointment,
if there is a spot, would be 4 weeks later. This allows for new clients to also have access to the
outreach rates.
Q. Do you have reduced rates for Encounter Groups?
No. Outreach Rates do not apply for encounter groups as these are already at a lower hourly
rate than any other rate offered.
Q. How long are sessions / encounter groups?
A. Individual sessions are based on the 50-minute hour, where the other 10 minutes are used
to review your file prior to start.
Encounter group sessions are 2 hours each with a 10 minute break at half time. They are
scheduled in the evening from 7 to 9 pm.
Q. Are you covered by OHIP?
A. No, private counselling is not covered by OHIP, however, under Extended Health Care
Benefits you may be able to make a claim under "Health Promotion, Stress Reduction",
Benefit Code 250,150. Receipts provided.
| © Copyright All rights reserved M. R. Monteiro Life Passages Counselling ® ONT. 181019670 |
Q. What are the qualities of
a Good Counsellor and how
do I know if she or he is right
for me?
a Good Counsellor and how
do I know if she or he is right
for me?