Hi! I'm Ruth.
I'M DELIGHTED THAT YOU STOPPED BY.
I am a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in providing EMDR Therapy and other trauma therapies to treat anxiety, C-PTSD, childhood trauma, and challenges in parenting. I belong to the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (License #13653) and I am also a board-certified Genetic Counsellor. I have undergone specialized training in EMDR, perinatal mental health and perinatal grief and loss. My 10+ years of experience as a prenatal genetic counsellor, where I have worked with the best at Mount Sinai Hospital in downtown Toronto, also comes in handy. I have endured and healed from postpartum mental health challenges, especially with my first daughter, born at the beginning of the pandemic. I have also dealt with compassion fatigue and burnout. I grew up in Venezuela and left when the collapse of democratic institutions, political unrest, violence and the ensuing deterioration of its public services became intolerable. I have come a long way in healing my own anxiety and PTSD symptoms, thanks to EMDR Therapy and other trauma therapy modalities. As a long-term therapy client, I am aware of the challenges, discomforts, doubts, and transformations that can occur during therapy. As a mom of two girls, I empathize with moms and parents trying to prioritize their children while balancing relationships, work and household responsibilities and grappling with a rapidly changing sense of self. The challenges can be exacerbated to the next level if you also experienced a high-risk pregnancy, pregnancy loss, birth trauma, medical complications, or struggled to become a parent. I have a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Master of Science in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. I love cookies, painting, walking, and snuggling with my Siberian cat. I believe in an open, respectful, non-judgemental therapeutic space. Please reach out for a free 30-minute consultation.
MY APPROACH
& WHAT TO EXPECT
"Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness."
― Peter A. Levine
FAQS
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Do you offer a free consultation call?Yes, I do. I offer a 30-minute free consultation call where you can tell me why you are considering therapy. I would gladly discuss my therapeutic approach, and you can ask me questions. The goal of this call is for you to understand what working together would look like. At the end of this free consultation, we can schedule our first intake session and discuss further scheduling. My services are offered in English or Spanish.
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Do you offer in-person or virtual sessions?Currently, my practice is exclusively virtual, and sessions are offered through Zoom videoconferencing or via the Jane platform. Both are encrypted and secure platforms. Online EMDR Therapy is as effective as in-person EMDR Therapy.
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What are your hours and fees? Do you offer a sliding scale?I work Monday to Thursday. My session times are: 8:30 am, 9:30 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm. I do not see clients on Fridays, evenings or weekends. Currently, I am offering psychotherapy at $150 per 50-minute- session. My sliding scale is full, and I am no longer offering it.
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How long are the therapy sessions?All sessions are 50 minutes in length.
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What happens in the first session?Before our first session, I will send you a short intake and confidentiality agreement to sign through the Jane practice management system. When we meet, we will review your rights as a client and answer any questions you may have about those forms. Together, we will finish filling out the remaining sections of the intake form. The intake will give me a quick overview of your life in terms of your family history, relationships, the reasons that bring you to therapy, your therapy goals, etc. You are welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. Please note that we will do our best not to conduct deep dives and not to activate triggering memories. The first session is scheduled for one therapeutic hour (50 minutes).
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What happens in subsequent sessions?In subsequent sessions, you will receive a treatment plan and an understanding of our approach for your specific situation, along with relevant psycho-education, and tangible tools and grounding techniques that you can practice.
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Does OHIP cover psychotherapy?No. However, psychotherapy fees may be covered under your personal healthcare plan through your workplace or private insurance. I am covered by plans that cover Registered Psychotherapists. Please contact your healthcare insurance provider to verify the same. Please note that payment is due immediately after each session. You will be given a receipt to receive reimbursement from your insurance provider. I accept e-transfer and all major credit cards, including Visa Debit.
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What happens if I have to cancel?Similar to most professions, I have a strict 24-hour cancellation policy. You will be charged the full amount for your appointment without sufficient notice. I have set aside that time for you in my schedule, and you are responsible for that time. Both your time and my time are valuable. I often have a waitlist, so someone else may be able to use your scheduled appointment time if you cannot. If you are running late, please email me to let me know - I will wait! Your session will end at the regular time.
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What is EMDR therapy?Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment is a structured therapy that encourages the client to pay attention to the traumatic memory briefly while also undergoing bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements or tapping), which is associated with a decrease in the vividness and emotion of the traumatic memories. EMDR is a well-researched, efficient psychotherapy approach shown to aid in PTSD and trauma symptom recovery. EMDR therapy has effectively treated anxiety, depression, chronic pain, addictions, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other painful and distressing life events. One of the advantages of EMDR over other types of therapies is that it does not require discussing the uncomfortable, distressing event or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy does not focus on changing thoughts, emotions or behaviours resulting from the distressing experience but allows the brain to continue its normal healing process. Its main purpose has been to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain.
Contact
The best way to reach me and book your free 30-minute consultation is by filling out the form given below: