FAQs

What to Expect

  • In the Initial Assessment, your associate will work with you to explore the challenges and concerns that brought you to therapy. Together, you’ll review family history, personal experiences, and establish therapeutic goals. Your Therapist may also use specific clinical assessment tools to better understand your needs. This is a great time for you to ask any questions you may have about therapy and what you can expect moving forward.

    We recommend that parent(s) attend the Initial Assessment without their child(ren) present. This allows you to discuss your concerns and share your experience freely. 

    Following your Initial Assessment, you will receive a feedback form to share your insights. Your feedback is essential in helping us provide the best care and support possible, and we use it to continuously enhance our services.

  • Our Initial Assessment is 75 minutes. Follow-up sessions are 50 minutes. We also offer 25 minute brief sessions, which can be helpful for quick parent coaching check in’s or for younger clients who may benefit from a shorter session.

    The frequency of sessions varies based on your needs and goals. In the beginning, weekly sessions are recommended for consistency and to build good momentum towards meeting your goals. You and your Therapist will work together to determine the best therapy schedule for you.

  • Each family and situation is unique. Many clients experience some relief after sharing their struggle and coming up with a plan. Some clients may feel better or experience a sense of progress after just a handful of sessions. Many clients require regular visits over time to start to feel better and see more tangible results.

    Generally speaking, brief therapy is considered 12-20 weekly sessions. Since our associates are very busy and their schedules fill up quickly, we strongly recommend booking ahead by 6-8 weeks to keep the dates and times that work well for you.

  • We often use a family therapy model which allows for a lot of flexibility in terms of who attends sessions. Your Therapist may meet with one family member at a time or any combination of family members. This is determined by your family's needs and availability, as well as your Therapist’s clinical judgement.

  • If an individual or child is hesitant to attend sessions, we can work with other family members. Our approach focuses on creating positive change within the family dynamic, so your Therapist doesn't necessarily need to work directly with the  individual who is reluctant. Instead, they can engage with those who are comfortable attending sessions either to work toward engaging other family members, or to shift patterns through the family member(s) who are engaged in the process. This approach is supported by research and is effective in treating the individual presenting with challenges, even if they never engage directly in the process.

    When it is appropriate, our Therapists are experienced in working with individuals who are reluctant or hesitant and can employ a variety of creative techniques to help them feel at ease in the therapeutic environment.

Fees

    • $300 for the 75-minute Parent-Only Initial Assessment

    • $200 for 50-minute sessions

    For those clients whose therapy work incorporates The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), the first 50 minute session will be billed at $300 as it includes access to the music listening app. To learn more about SSP, take a look here.

  • Our Occupational Therapist, Emilie Nelson, offers both in-home and in-office Occupational Therapy sessions. 

    Our in-office Occupational Therapy sessions are offered from our 2150 Bloor St West office. Our structure and fees are:

    • $160 for the 50-minute Initial Assessment with parents only

    • $160 for subsequent 50-minute sessions with your child

  • The total cost of assessment ranges from $1650 to $5500 depending on the scope.

    Dr. Hilary’s hourly treatment rate is $275 per 50 minute session.

    You can read more about our Psychoeducational Assessments here.

    Please note that there is no obligation to complete all testing segments once you have begun. You can stop at any time, and will only be billed for sessions you have attended. Rates vary for other assessments such as a stand alone gifted assessment.

  • Our Psychological Consultation session is a standalone, 50-minute session billed at $275. Read more about our Psychological Consultations here.

  • We are always offering workshops to support our community. For current workshop offers and pricing, please visit our Workshops Page.

    We also offer private workshops and consulting services. Reach out to us to learn more about these services and rates.

  • For families without insurance, we offer some limited sliding scale options. 

    We also have opportunities for families to work with MSW Students who offer lower rates. As a Teaching Clinic in partnership with the University of Toronto, our MSW Students are Registered Social Workers who have completed a Bachelor of Social Work and obtained some work experience before commencing their Practicum with us.

    If you want a big impact with relatively low financial commitment, take a look at our workshop offerings here.

Booking Process

  • If you know which associate you want to work with, and you have reviewed the areas above that our agency may not be able to provide support with, you can book your Initial Assessment directly through the Jane Booking Site. To secure the times that work best for you and your family, we recommend scheduling ongoing 50-minute sessions 6 to 8 weeks ahead.

    If you’re not sure which Therapist would be the best fit for you, head over to our Contact Page. Here, you can submit a Contact Form or give us a call at 416-766-3000, and a member of our Client Care team will recommend the Therapists that we believe can best support you and your family.

  • No referral is needed. However, if you have been referred to us, please let us know so we can collaborate with others in your circle of care as needed.

Hours and Locations of Service

  • Our practice is open for sessions by appointment as follows:

    • Monday to Friday - 9:00 am to 8:00 pm

    • Saturdays & Sundays - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

    Please note that individual schedules vary by associate. You can view their specific availability on our Jane Booking Site.

    Our Client Care team is available Monday through Friday and strives to respond to calls and emails as promptly as possible. Please note that any inquiries received over the weekend or holidays will be addressed on the next business day.

  • We have two locations in the West end of Toronto:

    2150 Bloor St W, Suite #205, Toronto, ON M6S 1M8

    • Stroller and Wheelchair Accessible

    • A short walk from High Park or Runnymede subway stations, located next to Tim Horton's.

    96 Vine Avenue, Suite #7, Toronto, ON M6P 1V7

    • Up two flights of stairs in the lovely Junction Neighbourhood a few buildings East of the Sweet Potato.

    Our virtual services are available to Ontario residents.

  • Please ring the buzzer at the main doors at our office. One of our associates or our Client Care staff will buzz you in. Once inside, follow the signs marked “Attuned Families” until you reach our office, Suite #205.

  • If this is your first in-person appointment, your associate will meet you/your family on the sidewalk in front of our office building by the big rocks.

    For future reference, to access our office, walk up the front sidewalk and you will come to a set of blue glass doors, go past these doors through a black metal gate (it is not locked), turn right, then walk all the way down the driveway where you will see a blue metal door on your right with a keypad entry and a doorbell. This doorbell will notify your associate of your arrival, though if they are with another client they may not be able to let you in until shortly before or at your appointment time.

    If you have been to our office before, please head to the side door of the building (see the above instructions) and ring the doorbell by the door. Your associate will come down shortly to open the door and greet you.

  • Metered parking and free 1 hour street parking is available at both locations.

General Information about our Services

  • If your family is experiencing any of the challenges listed below, our Client Care Coordinator will need to gather more information to determine if Attuned Families is the best provider for your family, or if somewhere else may be more appropriate:

    • High conflict separation/divorce

    • Current Court involvement

    • Active Psychosis

    • Abuse/Neglect/Intimate Partner Violence

    • Serious Untreated Eating Disorders

    We understand that it can be very challenging to find the right support. We want to support wherever we can, and also have a commitment to ethical practice, which means that we only serve clients we are confident we have the skills and infrastructure in place to provide effective support. Therefore, at times we may recommend other clinics or professionals who are fully equipped to support your family.

  • If you or your child are unable to attend your scheduled therapy session, please notify us by email at info@attunedfamilies.com or call us at least 48 hours in advance to avoid being charged the full session fee. We are always happy to switch in person sessions to virtual if that helps. Your appointment is reserved for you and this cancellation policy allows us to provide due notice to our therapists and offer the time to people on the waitlist.

    We ask that you also notify your Therapist directly by email, at their firstnamelastname@attunedfamilies.com.

  • We offer both in-person and virtual therapy options:

    • In-person sessions are held at 96 Vine Avenue or  2150 Bloor St West

    • Virtual sessions are conducted via Jane, a secure web-based platform for telehealth services

  • Yes. We offer in-home support through our Intensive Family Support Programs. 

    Click here to learn more.

Finding the Right Fit

  • Finding the right fit is important! That’s why we offer a Therapist Matching Form and phone consultations to help you find the best Therapist for your needs. If you prefer to speak over the phone, feel free to book a phone consultation with our Client Care Coordinator using My Calendly.

    If the Therapist you meet with doesn’t feel like the right fit, let us know - we’ll support you in finding someone who does, either here at Attuned Families or elsewhere.

  • It’s important to choose a Therapist who has experience in your area of concern and makes you feel comfortable. Therapy should be a process where you feel seen, heard, and valued. While you may feel challenged from time to time, you should always feel valued and respected.

    We have very high standards for the Therapists who are invited to join our team. We ensure that they have a solid educational foundation, as well as relevant experience, a commitment to life long learning, and a passion for this work. 

    Our Therapists receive regular consultation and support from one another, our Clinical Lead and our Director to ensure they can maintain a high level of quality and integrity in their practice.

    When you fill out our Therapist Matching Form or chat with a member of our Client Care team on the phone, you can include any qualities that are important to you when working with a Therapist and we’ll use that information to help you find the best match at Attuned Families.

  • Both Social Workers and Psychotherapists can provide psychotherapy. The distinction lies in their professional designations and affiliation. 

    A Registered Social Worker (RSW) is affiliated with the Ontario College of Social Workers Social Service Workers. 

    A Registered Psychotherapist (RP) is affiliated with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

  • Both have completed their Master’s degree in psychotherapy. A Psychotherapist (Qualifying) holds a “Qualifying” designation and practices psychotherapy under supervision, whereas RP’s can practice independently.

    Typically, insurance coverage for psychotherapy includes services provided by Psychotherapists (Qualifying), but we recommend reviewing your benefits to confirm what is covered.

Therapeutic Modalities

  • Our Therapists at Attuned Families specialize in a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and Mindfulness-Based Therapy, among many others. Each Therapist’s Bio includes information on what modalities they use. Every Therapist incorporates a client-centred,  attachment-based relational approach to their work.

    We invite you to take a look at our team’s profiles to learn more about each associate.

  • Art Therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses creative activities like drawing and painting to help individuals express and process their emotions. Through artistic expression, individuals can explore difficult feelings, reduce stress, and gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts and behaviours. This form of therapy is especially beneficial for those who find it challenging to express themselves with words, and can address a variety of issues, including anxiety, trauma, grief, and self-esteem.

    Book with Michelle Conner (MSW, RSW, RP Qualifying) who offers Art Therapy here: Jane Booking Site.

  • Music Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that blends traditional talk therapy with music-based interventions such as purposeful music listening, music-assisted relaxation, and playing instruments. Cathy, our registered psychotherapist with specialized training in music therapy, places a strong emphasis on the talk therapy component of her work. Her approach thoughtfully integrates musical and verbal experiences based on each client’s needs, with the belief that verbal conversation helps give meaning to the musical experience.

    Music Psychotherapy can be a powerful tool for healing and personal growth. It supports emotional regulation, reduces anxiety, enhances mindfulness, and fosters self-expression for individuals of all ages looking to optimize their mental health and well-being.

    No musical experience is required to benefit from Music Psychotherapy. It’s all about offering an alternative way to connect with yourself and creating a safe, supportive space for healing and growth.

    Book with our Certified Music Therapist (MTA), Cathy Iu (B. Mus, MMT, RP Qualifying) here: Jane Booking Site

  • The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based therapeutic listening program that uses specially filtered music to calm the nervous system, improve emotional regulation, and enhance social engagement. It is particularly helpful for trauma, anxiety, and sensory processing challenges, promoting a sense of safety and relaxation through vagus nerve stimulation.

    The first session is billed at $300 (50 minutes) and includes access to the music listening app. Subsequent 50-minute sessions are billed at our standard hourly rate of $200. SSP is typically used in a series of five sessions. 

    Read more about the Safe and Sound Protocol in our Blog Post!

Billing and Invoice Details

  • Attuned Families accepts e-transfers and all major credit cards as forms of payment. Upon booking your first session, you will receive a consent form via email that includes a prompt to submit your billing information. This information is kept secure and confidential. 

    We prefer e-transfer. If you also prefer e-transfer, please ensure you send e-transfers immediately after your session to avoid having your credit card charged. 

    Payments are processed through our Jane Management System within 24 hours after each session. Payments for sessions occurring on weekends will be processed the following Monday. Invoices will be sent to you via email.

    We offer Direct Billing for recipients of Jordan's Principle.

  • Insurance coverage varies depending on your employer, provider and plan. We encourage you to review your extended benefits plan to verify your coverage and/or compensation for Registered Social Work (RSW), Registered Psychotherapy (RP), Occupational Therapy (licensed OT), Child and Youth Worker (CYW), and Psychological Assessments.

    Questions to ask your provider: 

    • What is the maximum benefit per year? 

    • What professional designations are covered?

    • For Psychology, are Assessments covered?

    • Is there a per session cap and if so, what is it? 

    • When does your benefits year start and end?

  • We offer direct billing with some insurance providers. Most large insurance companies reimburse you for our services if they do not have direct billing available. After your session, we will either direct bill and you can pay any remaining balance, or you will receive an invoice that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

  • Yes! If you have Ontario Autism Program (OAP) funding, you can submit your invoice to OAP for reimbursement. Please ensure that you stay up to date on changes made to OAP Funding.

  • Yes! We are an approved vendor for Jordan’s Principle. For more details, please contact us directly at 416-766-3000.

  • Our virtual sessions can only be booked and billed under one client’s name. However, we can certainly add a note to the invoice specifying who attended the session if requested.

  • Invoices can only be billed under the names of those who attended the session. However, we can include a note indicating that the session was a “Parent Session regarding [child’s name],” which can often be helpful for insurance purposes.