Question 1

What should I expect from starting therapy?

Accepted Answer

At Fika, you can expect a non-judgemental space where your needs and goals are treated as unique - never a "one-size-fits-all" approach. For some people, therapy lasts an average of 6 to 8 sessions, but for others, this might be more (and you're welcome to as many as you need). You are never forced to share more than you are ready, and you are always in control of the pace of your work. Your therapist will do their best to provide a space for your experiences and difficulties to feel heard, and to discuss past experiences/daily life, teach coping skills and tools, and educate you. Our hope is that your work with us leaves you feeling more empowered, more self-aware, and more able to understand your feelings, thoughts, urges, and actions. Outcomes in therapy are never "guaranteed" as these experiences are subjective to each individual.

Question 2

Can you diagnose, and do I need a referral?

Accepted Answer

Our psychotherapists, social workers, and counsellors do not diagnose, but our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner can assess and diagnose ADHD and mental health conditions in Ontario and Alberta. You don't need a diagnosis to start therapy with us. If you're interested in a diagnosis, we can help you find the right resources. No referral is needed to get started.

Question 3

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapists, counsellors, and social workers are commonly covered under insurance benefit plans, but this is plan-dependent. Please check with your insurance provider to see which clinicians you have coverage for prior to beginning therapy. We do not bill directly, but always provide accurate receipts for you to submit to your provider afterwards.

Question 4

How do Psychotherapists, Social Workers, and Counsellors differ?

Accepted Answer

The differences are minimal! All our clinicians are licensed by their provincial governing bodies. Some provinces use different titles for psychotherapy/counselling. Our therapists have, or are completing, Masters-level education and are trained to provide a positive therapy experience.

Question 5

I think I have ADHD - what now?

Accepted Answer

If you are looking to explore a diagnosis for something like ADHD, we are happy to support you in how to begin the assessment process and what you may want to have to support diagnostic appointments with our Nurse Practitioner. We also recommend beginning therapy while exploring this, as this allows us to provide you with education and understanding, suggest and teach daily coping skills, and build self-esteem.

Question 6

How is therapy different from chatting with a friend?

Accepted Answer

Therapy offers a neutral space where you can build skills, gain awareness, and work towards your wellbeing goals. Unlike friends, therapists provide unbiased support without the judgments that might come from someone close to you.

Question 7

How do I book a therapy intensive?

Accepted Answer

Book your free consultation with our therapy team members, or send an email to admin@fikamentalhealth.com to book your Therapy Intensive or EMDR Intensive in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Nunavut, BC, or Saskatchewan.

Question 8

Do you offer Neuro-affirming ADHD Care and Neuroaffirming ADHD Assessments?

Accepted Answer

Yes! All of our services aim to be neuro-affirming in our offerings. Neuroaffirming care with our Nurse Practitioner is available in Ontario or Alberta.

Question 9

What is EMDR therapy used for in mental health treatment?

Accepted Answer

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is primarily used to treat PTSD and trauma-related disorders by helping individuals process distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact. It is also effective for anxiety, depression, phobias, panic disorders, and addiction symptoms such as cravings and relapse.

Key uses and benefits of EMDR therapy include:
Alleviating PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
Reducing anxiety and depression, often associated with trauma.
Addressing phobias and specific fears through adaptive information processing.
Improving self-esteem and confidence by transforming negative beliefs and enhancing self-perception.
Enhancing coping skills, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and interpersonal relationships.
Producing rapid treatment effects often within a few sessions, with less distress during therapy compared to exposure-based treatments.

EMDR is considered an evidence-based approach and has been endorsed by organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies for PTSD treatment. Unlike some therapies, EMDR typically requires no homework and involves bilateral stimulation (e.g., guided eye movements) while recalling traumatic events, which may activate parasympathetic calming responses and facilitate healing.

Overall, EMDR is especially valuable when traditional talk therapies have not fully resolved trauma-related symptoms, offering a relatively fast and holistic approach to mental health recovery.

Get in touch to book your free consultation with one of our EMDR therapists in Ontario, Alberta, BC, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba!

Question 10

How can I book couples therapy online?

Accepted Answer

Book a free consultation with our couples therapists to discuss your needs and see if we're a good fit. We use EFT and Gottman approaches and serve couples in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and BC. We'll help you book your first appointment from there.

Question 11

Do you offer group therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer a range of group therapy offerings throughout the year. Click here to learn about what we have right now. Grief support groups, art therapy groups, trauma-informed yoga workshops, and more.

Fika Mental Health

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