Frequently Asked Questions (Mental Health Services)

  • Please refer to the attached privacy policy.

  • Linc takes the confidentiality of clients very seriously. They are required to obtain your informed, written consent before releasing or obtaining any information except where authorized by legislation or directed by the courts. These exceptions are as follows:

    (a) If it is my opinion that a child is or may be at risk of abuse or neglect, or in need of protection;

    (b) If it is my opinion that you or another person is at clear risk of imminent harm

    (c) If I am called to speak in legal matters where keeping confidentiality would be in contravention of the law

    I regularly discuss my work with other counsellors and my supervisor. While I may disclose information for the purpose of a professional consultation, your identity will remain confidential.

    If you have any questions about client rights or confidentiality, please reach out to Linc at lincoln@branchanchor.com.

  • The client has the responsibility to engage to the fullest of their capacity during their session. This includes treating Linc with respect and courtesy and supporting an inclusive environment.

    It’s important for the client to consider their wellness and reflect on when it’s best for them to reschedule sessions to support their own capacity.

    It is up to the client to ensure they communicate to the best of their ability and keep Linc updated with any changes to their appointment(s). The client is responsible for any fees for services due.

  • Linc requires 24-hour notice minimum to reschedule or cancel virtual/walking sessions. 48 hours for in-person sessions. If notice of cancellation or rescheduling is not given within required time, you will be charged the full amount for the session.

    Collaborators must make their best effort to communicate if they’re running late or if there is a need to reschedule or extend the session (time and capacity permitting). If the client is not able to stay for the scheduled time, they will still be required to pay the full amount.

  • We accept payment via credit card or e-transfer. A detailed how to guide can be found here to walk you through paying your invoices.

    Once you've completed your first payment, you'll have access to a "customer" portal via Stripe to manage your billing information and invoice history. You can access the portal here.

  • Services will be billed at the rate and session dynamic agreed upon during the consultation or renegotiation conversation.

    Payment is due upon receipt of an invoice after the session which includes the necessary payment process. If more than 24hrs is needed, this must be communicated prior to the session and agreed upon.

    For no-shows or late cancellations, an invoice will be issued via email for the full amount and communicated by email. Linc will not rebook participants who have an outstanding balance without a payment agreement.

Client Records, Rights and Responsibilities

Practice Administrative Policies

  • Initial 20-minute virtual consultations are available at no cost.

    Standard rate (per 55-minutes):

    • Individual standard fee $150

    • Relationship standard fee $225

    Sliding Scale rates: Not currently available

    Linc offers a limited number of spaces on his caseload dedicated to providing sliding scale rates. These spaces are available on a first come first serve basis and can be discussed during your consultation. Sliding scale range is between $70-$140.

    Low-cost rate: Not currently available

    Linc offers a limited number of spaces on his caseload dedicated to providing low-cost rates. These spaces are available on a first come first serve basis and may be limited to a certain number of sessions. Low-cost range is between $1-$70.

  • Many of the helping professions such as; psychotherapy, social work and social service work are regulated health professions in Ontario. But when offered through private practice they are not covered by OHIP. You can access care providers that are covered or funded by OHIP, government grants, or donations through hospitals, provincial clinics or community organizations.

    You can visit the province’s support page here.

  • Most health care benefits include some form of mental health related coverage. Please refer to your benefits booklet to verify how much coverage you have available and what type of provider.

    We don’t currently offer direct billing for insurance claims. You would need to pay upfront for services and submit the claim after receiving your receipt. The provider registration information would be indicated on your receipt.

    To learn about which professional title is covered by which province/territory please visit CCPA’s resource here.

  • As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), my services are covered by the Medical Expense Tax Credit.

    Please refer to the CRA’s information on; “Medical services by medical practitioners (doctors, specialist)” here.

    Authorized practitioners can be found here and eligibility listed by province/territory here.

  • No a prospective participant you only need to book your consultation appointment and prepare any questions you’d like to bring to the conversation.

    If it’s agreeable to move forward with services, you will receive an onboarding and consent form to review and complete prior to your first session. You can refer to this example.

    Please also expect a welcome email providing you with information on navigating your services.

  • If you've already set up a profile in the Practice Better platform, please use the following URL here.

    You’ll be prompted to login your existing login initially created. If you cannot remember your password, you can reset it there as well.

  • Yes, that's intentionally not identified.

    The values that inform this practice speak to how our services aim to affirm intersecting identities and lived experiences. We hope that potential clients see alignment in what they read or hear from in their point(s) of contact. We encourage you to learn more about what Linc can offer by visiting this page.

    We are often accustomed in this field to seeing many helping providers specializing in working with specific 'populations', cultural identities and targeted symptoms, topic expertise and approaches. This can often be informed by participation in trainings/certifications, relatable identities and marketing efforts.

    This practice operates from a lens of inclusivity, cultural humility, belief that everyone possesses the ability to achieve their intended goals. Our belief is that the practitioner's role is to see a client holistically, facilitate a tailored process and maintain the therapeutic relationship to support the participant as needed and discuss when more specialized skills would be of benefit.

    The consultation is the intended time to determine values alignment, participant needs, specific skills/experience to facilitate the process that serves the best interest of the collaborator.

  • Starting with the similarities the two terms above find commonality within the theoretical approaches and skills involved.

    Counselling focuses on overcoming specific barriers, interpersonal dynamics, life challenges and on growth and development.

    Psychotherapy intends to help improve and maintain mental health and well-being through exploring values, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This often can focus on various life stage experiences with forms of trauma, societal or social oppression.

  • It’s important to know what distinguishes the various provider roles. This includes scope of work, education and access to services.

    The CCPA provides a high-level overview of four key provider roles that we may engage with in caring for our mental health. Please visit this link here.

  • In-person sessions are available to clients who are located within the downtown Toronto area. Linc has space available at the following location:

    • Therapy Suites: Sherbourne+Adelaide

      337 - 366 Adelaide St E Toronto, ON M5A 3X9

      *Before a participant can access an in-person session they would need to participate in a virtual consultation session (camera on or off). This helps to establish the foundation for an in-person experience and ensure we're a good match.

      In-person session do not include an additional cost in comparison to virtual/walking environments.

  • Walking sessions is a spring to fall offering available to participants who are located within the downtown (south of Bloor St.) Toronto area or able to commute to an agreed-upon location.

    Before a participant can access a walking session they would need to participate in one virtual/in-person session to establish the foundation for a walking experience.

    This includes; setting boundaries, rules for running into a familiar person, safer experience, meeting location and plan b due to weather change.

    Once there's an agreement, the participant can book their next session for a walking session on the booking page. A specific consent form will be sent over via email to review and complete.

    Participants who do not complete this form before the session will be contacted and if needed the session will be rescheduled.

    To learn more about the benefits or considerations of walking sessions please visit this article here.

    To book a walking session, please use this link here to request a session in the PB platform.

  • As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Linc is responsible for applying and upholding the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice set out by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. You can access and download these documents by clicking this Ethics + Standards of Practice.

  • Linc envisions the profession of counselling and therapy as a community of practice. It cannot and should not be done alone.

    To be supported in this work, Linc receives regular supervision by Alyssa Koenderink at Natural Self Psychotherapy Services. She supports Linc by attending bi-weekly meetings to discuss their caseload and any approach needs.

  • If Linc feels that he is ill-equipped to meet your needs, they may refer you to a more specialized provider, out of respect for the client and his ethical obligations. If financial matters present a barrier to the client, they will also refer clients to subsidized clinics and providers.

  • As acknowledged in your consent form when you begin services, your participation in services is entirely voluntary and you may discontinue services at any time.

    Preferably for continuity of your care this would be a planned transition than abrupt. This can sometimes be an awkward conversation, but an important one to have. You may have already started talking about this with Linc.

    On the booking site, you can schedule a Transition Session (in-person/virtually) with Lincoln. This is an opportunity (paid session) to review and discuss your experience across the span of your session (e.g growth, challenges, change, healing etc.) and plan for your next steps.

  • Branch & Anchor Counselling services are listed through Psychport, CQTT and Rainbow Health Ontario directories and by word-of-mouth referrals. Linc engages with a local queer/trans listserve, networking and online groups for referrals and resource sharing.

    Branch & Anchor Counselling can be found on Instagram, Facebook Page and LinkedIn.

    These accounts will be used for professional networking, community awareness, sharing mental health-related information and practice related content.

    Please be aware that Linc will not engage socially with you on these accounts as they are not used for coordinating services or providing forms of care.

    Linc requests that you only email lincoln@branchanchor.com or access the features in your Practice Better account for scheduling and services provided by the practice.

General Practice Questions