As a client or potential client of CAFCO, you probably have a lot of questions. As such, we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions. If you still have any additional questions not listed here, please feel free to email our Administrative Assistant at admin@cafco-ceafo.ca

Services

Do I need a referral from my doctor?
  • No, you can refer yourself; however, some insurance providers may require a referral from a doctor to cover the fees.
 What is the approximate timeline to receive services?
  • It depends on the service requested. We try to schedule clients in a timely manner and we are currently conducting research on best practices to shorten wait times.   Approximate wait times will be provided during your Initial Consultation.
 What is an Initial Intake?
  • Parents (or an individual adult if seeking services for yourself) meet with a senior Clinical Psychologist at our clinic. This is a virtual session and it will be approximately 60–90 minutes. This new protocol has been shown by preliminary research to have an immediate impact on reducing family distress and improving symptoms.

What you will gain from this service:

  1. Clinical impressions with recommendations for next steps (i.e., which service is required and suggestion for the best matched clinician)
  2. Triage support for high-risk clients
  3. Easy-to access tools to best support yourself, and/or your child or adolescent

The cost of the Initial Intake is $250.00, and is generally covered by insurance.

How do I know which service I need?
  • Initial consultations will assist you in determining which service is most appropriate given your concerns.
What if I want to work with a specific therapist?
  • If you are interested in working with a specific therapist, please inform the clinician completing the Initial Intake with you.
Are you seeing clients virtually or in person?
  • CAFCO offers both virtual and in-person appointments. Our virtual platform is in compliance with all privacy legislation.
How do I prepare my child for their first appointment?
  •  We encourage you to wait for a calm moment to discuss therapy with your child. It is not recommended to bring it up when your child is upset or right after a crisis or an argument. Let your child know that therapy is a safe space to talk about their feelings. You can also show your child a picture of their therapist (available on our website) so they can know who to expect when they meet. Additional information on preparing your child for therapy is available here: https://www.lianalowenstein.com/articleBringingYourChildToTherapy.pdf
 What is the cancelation policy?
  • We require 24 hours to cancel an appointment.
 Do you provide bilingual assessments?
  •  Yes, many of our clinicians can provide bilingual assessments.
Will my insurance provider see my records?
  • No, records are not shared with anyone without written consent from the client.

OWL and Portal

 What is OWL?

  •  Owl Practice is Canada’s first comprehensive and secure practice management solution designed specifically for psychologists, social workers and therapists working in private practice. The web-based Owl platform includes scheduling, client data management, note-taking and invoicing.
 Do I create a file under my name or my child’s name?
  • Please create the file under your own name. We will create a file under your child’s name after the Initial Intake.

Forms

 Do both parents need to give permission for a child to be seen?
  • If a child is seen, legal guardians have to consent to services. However, you can request parenting services for yourself. Please note that adolescents will have to consent to services themselves.

Fees and Billing

 How much do sessions cost?

  • Our sessions range from ($160-$250/hour) depending on the clinician and service requested. Trainees can also see clients at a reduced cost. Please use the contact admin@cafco-ceafo.ca if you have any concerns about cost and accessibility.
Are sessions covered by OHIP?
  •  No, unfortunately services are not covered by OHIP.
 Are sessions covered by insurance?
  • Many extended health plans provide coverage for therapeutic services. The number of sessions and what percentage of the fee that is covered will vary depending on your plan. We recommend that all new clients connect with their provider prior to their first session to see if they are covered. We do not deal with the insurance providers directly.
 How do I put a credit card on file?
  • Once your profile is created at https://oab.owlpractice.ca/cafco-ceafo you can go under My Account > Add Payment Method. Owl Practice uses Stripe to manage credit cards. The payment information will be saved in your file and is highly protected and secure (only the last 4 digits are visible to clinicians and admin).
Will I be warned before my card is charged?
  • Credit cards will be charged the day services are received.
 How can I get a receipt?
  •  Receipts will be sent electronically when the payment is processed. If you need a copy of a receipt, please contact us at admin@cafco-ceafo.ca .
What if I need changes made to receipts?
  • Please speak with your clinician to see if the change requested is appropriate given the service provided.
 What payment methods do you accept?
  • All Major Credit Cards. We currently are not accepting etransfers, cash or cheques.

Clinicians

What is the difference between a psychologist, social worker, therapist and psychotherapist?
  • All 4 professionals provide high quality evidence-based treatment. One of the main differences is that only Clinical Psychologists can provide a diagnosis.
 What is a psychometrist?
  •  A psychometrist is someone who administers and scores standardized tests under the supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.
What does it mean to be in supervised practice?
  • Psychologists in Ontario are required to complete one year in Supervised Practice after successfully completing their clinical training, internship/residency and thesis defense. Psychologists in Supervised Practice receive weekly supervision from a licenced Psychologist. Psychologists in Supervised Practice are highly trained and rely on their own expertise while seeking additional guidance from a licenced Psychologist.
What is the difference between a Practicum Student and an Intern?
  • An Internship (Residency) is the final stage of a Ph.D. in clinical psychology prior to starting Supervised Practice. An Intern has completed all of their clinical training (i.e,. course work, practicum), while a Practicum Student is still in the process of completing their training. Interns and Practicum Students receive weekly supervision by a licenced Psychologist.