CLAIRE DENNIS COUNSELLING | PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO
Questions about therapy? Let's talk about it.
Starting therapy can come with a lot of questions. How do you know if it's the right time? What actually happens in a session? How much does it cost, and what if you don't know where to start?
Whether you're looking for a therapist in Peterborough or considering virtual counselling anywhere in Ontario, here's what you might want to know before getting started.
Getting started with therapy
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Therapy is a space to make sense of what you're experiencing, understand patterns in your life, and work toward changes that feel meaningful to you.
You don't have to be in crisis or have a specific diagnosis to benefit from counselling. You might be dealing with anxiety, feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities, struggling in your relationships, or noticing that the ways you've always coped aren't working anymore.
Sometimes, you simply know that something feels off, even if you can't explain why. That's enough of a place to start.
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Finding the right therapist involves more than choosing someone who offers the service you're looking for. Their approach, experience, communication style, and the way you feel talking with them can all make a difference.
You might want to consider:
Their approach: Do they offer a collaborative, person-centred approach that feels right for you?
Their experience: Do they work with concerns like anxiety, burnout, trauma, relationships, or emotional regulation?
Practical considerations: Are their fees, availability, location, and session format a good fit?
Your connection: Do you feel comfortable being honest with them, asking questions, and talking about things that are difficult?
I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can talk about what you're looking for, answer your questions, and explore whether working together feels like a good fit.
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You don't need to arrive with a clear explanation of what's wrong or a list of goals.
Maybe you've been feeling anxious, more irritable than usual, disconnected from yourself, or tired of repeating the same patterns. Maybe you're not even sure what you're feeling. We can start with what's been happening in your life and work toward understanding it together.
You don't need to have the right words. Figuring things out is part of the process!
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Nope! You can begin therapy without a formal mental health diagnosis or referral from a doctor.
People come to counselling for many reasons, including stress, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, life transitions, anxiety, depression, burnout, and a desire to understand themselves better.
You don't have to prove that things are “bad enough” to deserve support.
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Not at all. Therapy can be helpful when you're navigating a difficult period, but it can also be a place to develop self-awareness, build confidence, improve communication, and understand why certain situations affect you the way they do.
You can be functioning well at work, keeping up with responsibilities, and showing up for the people around you while still finding things difficult internally.
You don't have to wait until you reach a breaking point to make space for yourself.
Therapy services in Peterborough and across Ontario
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I offer in-person counselling in downtown Peterborough, Ontario, as well as virtual therapy for clients across Ontario.
In-person sessions are an option if you prefer meeting face-to-face, while virtual sessions make therapy accessible from the privacy and comfort of your own space.
For office directions and appointment details, please get in touch or visit the contact page.
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Yes! I offer virtual individual therapy to clients across Ontario.
Virtual counselling allows you to attend sessions without travelling to an office. You can join from home or another private location that works for you, making it easier to fit therapy around work, family responsibilities, and everyday life.
You'll need a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a private space where you can speak comfortably. A cozy beverage isn’t required, but highly recommended!
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Virtual therapy can be an effective option for many people, depending on their needs, circumstances, and preferences. Research supports online psychotherapy for a range of concerns, including anxiety and depression.
Some people appreciate being able to talk from home, while others prefer the experience of meeting in person. Neither format is automatically better for everyone.
During our consultation, we can discuss which option might work best for you.
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I offer individual counselling for people navigating challenges such as:
Anxiety, worry, and overthinking
Depression and low mood
Burnout, stress, and people-pleasing
Trauma and the lasting effects of difficult experiences
Emotional regulation, frustration, and anger
Self-esteem, confidence, and self-trust
Relationship patterns and boundaries
Life transitions, identity, and feeling stuck
My approach is relational, person-centred, and trauma-informed. Depending on your needs, our work may also incorporate practical strategies informed by approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process. We'll work together to understand what you're experiencing and determine what feels useful for you.
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Not at all. Therapy can be helpful when you're navigating a difficult period, but it can also be a place to develop self-awareness, build confidence, improve communication, and understand why certain situations affect you the way they do.
You can be functioning well at work, keeping up with responsibilities, and showing up for the people around you while still finding things difficult internally.
You don't have to wait until you reach a breaking point to make space for yourself.
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Yes. I offer individual counselling for people experiencing anxiety in Peterborough and through virtual sessions across Ontario.
Anxiety can show up as constant worrying, overthinking conversations, anticipating worst-case scenarios, difficulty relaxing, physical tension, or feeling like you always need to be prepared for what could go wrong.
Therapy can help you understand your anxiety, recognize patterns that may be keeping it going, and develop ways to respond to anxious thoughts and feelings.
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Yes. I work with people who feel overwhelmed by expectations, struggle to set boundaries, or feel responsible for keeping everyone else happy.
You might find it difficult to say no, feel guilty when you rest, or measure your worth by how much you accomplish or how helpful you are to others.
Therapy can help you explore where these patterns come from, understand what keeps them going, and practise responding to your needs and boundaries differently.
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Yes. My approach to counselling is trauma-informed, meaning we consider how past experiences may shape your current emotions, relationships, beliefs, and ways of coping.
You don't have to share every detail of a difficult experience to benefit from therapy. We'll work together and at a pace that respects your comfort, needs, and sense of safety.
Trauma-informed care is not about forcing you to revisit the past. It's about understanding how your experiences may still be affecting you and exploring what could help you move forward.
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Yes. I work with men navigating concerns such as anxiety, work-related stress, anger, relationship difficulties, and feeling unappreciated or disconnected.
You don't need to be comfortable talking about your feelings or know exactly what to say before starting. Therapy can be a place to make sense of what's going on without feeling like you have to have everything under control.
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I offer individual counselling for young people navigating concerns such as anxiety, low mood, school stress, relationships, identity, confidence, and uncertainty about the future.
Therapy can give young people space to understand themselves, work through challenges, and develop tools for managing emotions and everyday stress.
If you're a parent looking for support for your teen, please reach out to discuss their needs and whether my services are a suitable fit.
Fees, insurance, and payment
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$165 per 50-minute session.
A free 15-minute consultation is also available before beginning therapy. This gives us an opportunity to discuss what you're looking for, answer your questions, and determine whether working together feels like a good fit.
If you have questions about fees or payment, you're welcome to ask before booking.
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Many extended health benefit plans provide coverage for psychotherapy, but coverage varies depending on your provider and individual plan.
Before starting therapy, check whether your plan covers services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), whether there are annual limits, and whether any other conditions apply.
You can contact your insurance provider directly if you're unsure about your coverage. I can provide receipts for you to submit to your insurer.
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I don't currently offer direct billing to insurance providers.
Payment is made directly to the practice, and you'll receive a receipt that you can submit to your extended health benefits provider for potential reimbursement.
I recommend confirming your coverage and reimbursement requirements with your insurer before your first session.
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The cost of therapy can be a real consideration, and it's okay to factor finances into your decision.
If you don't have extended health benefits, you may wish to explore whether your workplace offers an employee assistance program (EAP), whether community counselling services are available to you, or whether another provider offers lower-cost options.
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Payment can be made via credit card or E-Transfer.
Your first therapy session
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Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin understanding what's bringing you to therapy.
We'll talk about what's been happening in your life, what you'd like support with, and what you hope might change. I'll ask questions to better understand your experiences, and you'll have space to ask questions about the process, my approach, or anything else that's on your mind.
We may begin identifying goals together, but there's no expectation that you'll have everything figured out right away.
You don't need to prepare a perfect explanation of your situation. Showing up as you are is enough.
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Questions will depend on your circumstances and what you'd like support with. We may talk about what's been difficult recently, how long you've been experiencing it, how it's affecting your everyday life, and what you've tried so far.
I may also ask about your relationships, personal history, coping strategies, and what you would like to be different.
You can ask questions, let me know if something feels uncomfortable, and take your time responding. Therapy should be a collaborative process, not an interrogation.
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Feeling nervous before your first session is completely normal! You might be unsure what to say, worried about being judged, or uncomfortable with the idea of talking about things you've kept to yourself.
You don't have to feel completely comfortable before you begin. We can take things at a pace that feels manageable, and you can let me know if you need more time with a particular topic.
The goal isn't to get everything out in one session. It's to begin building a space where you can be honest about what's going on.
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The frequency of sessions depends on your needs, goals, availability, and finances.
Some people prefer weekly sessions when beginning therapy or working through a particularly difficult period. Others find that biweekly or less frequent appointments work better for them.
We'll discuss what makes sense for your circumstances and adjust as needed. There's no single schedule that works for everyone.
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There isn't a set timeline for therapy. The process depends on what you're working through, your goals, your circumstances, and the kind of support you need.
You may notice changes in how you understand yourself or respond to certain situations before larger changes become apparent. Other concerns may take more time to explore.
We'll check in on your progress and talk about what's feeling helpful, what isn't, and whether anything needs to change. Therapy should be responsive to your needs rather than following a specific timeline.
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It's important to be able to talk openly about how therapy is going.
If something isn't feeling helpful, we can discuss it together, revisit your goals, or consider whether a different approach would better support you. Sometimes progress looks different than expected, and sometimes another therapist or type of service may be a better fit.
You deserve to have a voice in your therapy and to feel comfortable raising questions or concerns.
Confidentiality, qualifications, and practical questions
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Therapy is confidential, and your personal information is handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws and professional obligations.
There are some exceptions to confidentiality, including certain situations where disclosure is required or permitted by law. These limits may relate to safety concerns, legal requirements, or other specific circumstances.
We'll discuss confidentiality and its limits at the beginning of therapy so you understand what to expect and can ask questions.
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Yes. Claire Dennis is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) in the Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) category.
The qualifying category means a registrant is completing the requirements for independent practice under the applicable regulatory framework. Claire practises in accordance with the standards and requirements that apply to her registration.
You can verify a therapist's registration and registration category through the CRPO's public register.
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No. You can generally contact a private practice directly to arrange counselling without a referral from your family doctor.
However, your insurance plan or another funding program may have its own requirements. It's worth checking those requirements if you plan to seek reimbursement.
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Yes. Therapy is a collaborative process, and your participation is voluntary. You can discuss your goals, concerns, and readiness to finish therapy.
When possible, it's helpful to have a conversation about ending sessions so you can review your progress, consider any remaining needs, and discuss resources or next steps.
You don't have to commit to a predetermined number of sessions before getting started.
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Private therapy appointments are not designed to replace emergency or crisis services.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. In Canada, you can call or text 988 for suicide crisis support at any time.
If you're unsure which service is appropriate, a local crisis service or healthcare provider may be able to help you determine the next step.
You don't have to have it all figured out to get started.
Maybe you have a specific concern you want to work through. Maybe you know something needs to change, but you're not sure where to begin.
Whatever brings you here, you can start with a conversation.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore whether counselling feels like the right next step. Sessions are available in downtown Peterborough and virtually across Ontario.