Frequently Asked Wellness Questions

What is Maternal Health Niagara?

We are a collaborative of registered health professionals working together with shared values to support individuals and their families.

Do you support outside of Niagara?

Yes! We are all in good standing with our professional regulatory bodies to practice in Ontario. We support anyone living in Ontario.

Where is your office located?

We provide psychotherapy virtually, either by phone or video sessions.

**Marie-Eve, our physiotherapist, has a location she practices in-person appointments.

Does OHIP cover your cost?

Our services are not covered by OHIP. If you have extended health care benefits, you may have coverage for a registered social worker, occupational therapist, physiotherapist. It is best to confirm directly with your insurance provider.

Does your insurance cover services provided by a Registered Social Worker (RSW)? Occupational Therapist (OT) or a Physiotherapist (PT)?

What is the yearly coverage for therapy?

What is your balance remaining for the year?

Is there a maximum coverage per session and a maximum number of visits?

Do I need a referral to book?

We welcome self-referrals. A medical note is not necessary for services unless your insurance provider needs one. Don't hesitate to get in touch with the therapist directly to book.

What payment do you take?

We accept credit card and e-transfer

What to expect at my first psychotherapy appointment?

Before your appointment, you will receive paperwork (consent, intake questionnaire and screenings) to be completed. At your intake appointment, your therapist will gather detailed information about your health and wellness. Together we will develop a plan to achieve your goals.

We are here to support you where you are at, and we understand that you may have a child(ren) in your care during your session.

What is the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy?

As of December 30, 2017, the controlled act of psychotherapy has been proclaimed in force and has become one of fourteen cool acts defined in the RHPA. A controlled act is an activity thought to have the potential of posing a risk of serious harm to the client. Restricting the performance of controlled acts to certain regulated professionals who are legally authorized to perform them is the approach to protecting the public set out in the RHPA. As a result, as of December 31, 2019, the performance of the controlled act of psychotherapy is restricted to members of the following regulatory colleges:

source: https://www.ocswssw.org/professional-practice/regulation-of-psychotherapy/

What to expect in my first pelvic floor appointment?

The first appointment is a one-hour appointment. Expect to have at least 40 min to express your concerns about your specific issues and tell your story. Marie-Eve will gather your gynecological, urinary, digestive, and sexual health as the pelvic floor muscles have a significant role in optimizing the function of those systems. Next, we perform a screen for the lower back, pelvis and hip movements. So have a yoga mat close by.

By the end of the first visit, you will know to understand your pain or pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, a timeline to address your specific issue and exercises to start your journey to recovery.

Follow-up visits are scheduled to achieve your specific goals. It can be every week or every month. These visits are scheduled for 30 min and aim to review your concerns and go over your physiotherapy "wish list." This way, we can continue to progress your exercises at an optimum pace to rehab your muscle, ligaments, and nervous system.

Office Policy for Social Work & Occupational Therapy Services

Professional Fees:

The rate is $120.00 for 50 minutes.

We expect payment at the time of the appointment.

Clinical services provided by a social worker and occupational therapists are HST exempt.

We prorate our service fee for administrative tasks (such as letters) at 15 min intervals.

Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.

For payment, we accept CREDIT CARD or E-TRANSFER. Your therapist will provide the receipt to you upon payment.

If you have extended benefits, it is your responsibility to submit the claim for reimbursement to your insurance.

Bookkeeping/ Records/ Cancellation:

Maternal Health Niagara Social Workers use “Jane App."

Once you are an active client, you can log in and book your appointments. If you would like to become a client, please get in touch with Admin@Maternalniagara.ca.

https://maternalniagra.janeapp.com

Administrative record:

The information in your profile and the billing records will remain part of the administrative record. Maternal Health Niagara’s Jane App account, owned by Emily Pollak,no longer be will store the administrative data.

Your name will be visible to the team; however, your records will remain private and belong to your therapist.

Clinical record:

Your therapist is responsible for storing your clinical records following the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Your therapist is the health custodial of your clinical records. If your therapist leaves Maternal Health Niagara, they will export your records and store them. Maternal Health Niagara will not have access to your clinical records but maintain the "administrative" record.

Booking:

Active clients have access to their therapist's schedule. Please pre-book appointments a month in advance to ensure your preferred time is available for you.

You have a choice of phone or video appointments.

If you have not attended therapy in 2 months, your file will be closed, and you will be no longer able to book appointments. If you wish to return, please reach out to discuss your needs and my availability.

If you require an appointment and your therapist is booked, you are welcome to add yourself to the waitlist. We do our best to offer cancelled appointments to clients on the waitlist. You will receive an email notification if a space becomes available. The system is live. There is no guarantee that the spot will remain open.

We require a valid credit card number to hold your appointment. Jane App will securely store your credit card information. Your credit card will not be charged at the time of booking, and you are welcome to pay by using an alternative approved payment at our appointment (e-transfer).

Cancellation Fees:

Late cancellations and missed visits impact other clients who could have used the session. 24-hour notice is required for cancellations. Credit Cards will be charged per the policy.

Maternal Health Niagara:

The providers at Maternal Health Niagara are all private practitioners responsible for their clients, billing, and record-keeping.

We have a shared fax line, general email account, social media, and website.

There is a confidentiality agreement between providers.

Your name will be visible in the Jane App system to other team members; they will not access your clinical records.

Jane App allows clients to provide a review/rating after appointments. The reviews are visible to Emily Pollak and are utilized to evaluate clinical services.

Therapeutic fit

We recognize how personal therapy is and the importance of having a good fit with your therapist. If you ever feel like your therapist is not the right fit for you. THAT IS OK! Your needs matter, and we support that. Just email Emily at Admin@maternalniagara.ca, and we can work together to find the right fit.

Confidentiality:

Services are confidential. There may be times when it would be beneficial for your therapist to speak with other service providers in your life, such as your health care provider. Your therapist will request consent to share information about you.

Best-practice standards include utilizing consultations/supervision. Your therapist may provide information about your sessions for professional development. It is your right to withhold or withdraw consent or place conditions on the information shared about you. If you have any requirements for clinical supervision, please share this with your therapist.

There are a few circumstances where your consent may not be required:

A) If it is required by law to do so.

B) If your therapist assesses that there is an active risk of suicide or harm others, and we cannot come up with a plan to keep you safe. Ex: you have a plan and intend to die by suicide.

C) If your therapist assesses that a child may have been harmed in the past or that a child is at risk of harm in the present or future. In all cases, your therapist has a legal duty to report this. This may include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence. Anything subject to the Children and Family Services Act.

D) Social Workers are bound by law to report a colleague to the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers for professional misconduct, including having sexual relations with a client of theirs.

E) If there is a complaint filed with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, your social worker will be required to share information about their work with you.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Occupational Therapists are mandated to report if they believe a patient may have been or is being sexually abused by a fellow occupational therapist or another regulated health care professional.

Virtual Therapy/ Privacy/ Communication

Telephone calls: Therapists do their best to return calls within their business hours. Each therapist has their own set of working days. Please ensure that your current contact number(s) are up to date in Jane.

Our therapists use their cell phones which are not as secure as landlines. If you are concerned about this, please speak with your therapist.

Virtual Therapy: We are currently using an online platform that is compliant with professional standards. It is important to note that there is a risk of privacy breaches.

For your sessions, please find a space where you feel comfortable and safe talking. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in a private area on your end. If you have any concerns about domestic violence, please communicate this with your therapist.

In the event of technical issues that prevent us from proceeding with your appointment, you will be billed by the time of your session. Less than 10min- No fee.

Texting/ Emails/ Social Media:

Therapists may use texting and emails to communicate about appointment times or changes. JANE (booking system) will send you an appointment reminder via email and text unless you select otherwise.

Please remember that emails, texts, cell phones and social media are not secure ways of communication.

Any form of communication may become part of your clinical file as per our standards of practice.

Social Media is a forum to network and share information that may be relevant to the public. Therapists will not share any information about their clients if they are on social media. It is important to remember that posts/ comments are not private and may be used by others. Your therapist may see your posts if you are an active member of any of the same groups. If this is a concern to you, please speak with your therapist.

Social Workers have strict professional guidelines that we need to adhere to; as such, we cannot be connected, i.e., "friends" with anyone on social media.

Crisis Services:

MHN does not provide a crisis service. For emergencies, don't hesitate to get in touch with one of the services below:

If you feel you're at imminent risk of harming yourself or others, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.

Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) Niagara: 1(866) 550-5205 ext. 1 Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre (CARSA): 1(905) 682-4584

Pathstone Mental Health Services: 1(800) 263-4944

Gillians Place 1(905) 684-8331

Niagara Children and Family Services 1(888) 937-7731

Benefits & Risks:

Your participation in therapy comes with benefits as well as risks. However, no one can promise a specific result, some potential benefits from engaging in the therapeutic process. We will talk about your goals, what you hope to gain from services and any difficulties you wish to address. The benefit(s) from treatment depends on the amount of time, the goal(s) and the level of follow-through. During therapy, it is possible that you may not make improvements towards reaching your goals. If this is the case, your therapist may discuss what other treatment options are available, change the clinical intervention, readjust goals, discontinue treatment, or refer you to a different service provider. When you start therapy, you may have some feelings or behaviours that get worse. You must discuss these issues with your therapist if they arise, so they can help you with ways to handle them.

Your Rights:

Therapists aim to provide services in a professional, ethical, and respectful manner. If you have concerns, please feel free to discuss them openly and honestly with your therapist.

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers regulates the services provided by Social Workers.