FAQ

Registered Counselling Therapists (RCTs) are certified by the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT), which ensures that we work in an ethical manner that always keeps your best interests in mind.
We have specialized knowledge in how people think, feel and behave, how problems can develop in different areas of functioning, and how to facilitate change to reduce distress and improve overall psychological health and well-being. Unlike psychologists, counselling therapists are not able to provide diagnoses for mental health concerns. Psychiatrists differ from counselling therapists in that they can diagnose disorders and prescribe medications, which counselling therapists cannot do.
My training to become a counselling therapist involved completing a masters degree in Counselling Psychology, which included learning the various theories and modalities of therapy, completing more than 500 hours working with individuals, couples, and families, and attaining more than 50 hours of supervision.

The term psychotherapy is used to identify mental health treatment using psychological approaches rather than medical approaches.  Medical approaches are those using medications. 

Psychotherapy is a general term.  As such psychologists, social workers, addictions counsellors, occupational therapists, etc. may all utilize the term psychotherapy to describe some or all of what they do.  Psychological approaches may be: educational; behavioral; involve different types of modalities such as talk, music, art, play, dance; or more mindfulness styles such as meditation or yoga.  There are many psycho-therapeutic styles such as humanist, rogerian, structural, solution focused, etc.  Regardless of the approach used, psychotherapy refers to non-medical interventions that aim to change the way a person thinks, feels, or behaves.

Registered Holistic Nutritionist Consultants (RHN) take a natural approach to health and focus on multiple aspects of a person rather than taking a “one-size-fits-all” approach. We consider your health history, emotions, and lifestyle habits to assess what the root cause of your concerns may be. Unlike dieticians, we do not rely on Food Guides given that they aren’t tailored to your individual needs.
 
I became a Registered Holistic Nutrition Consultant (RHN) by completing a 2 year-long program with the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, where I received training in the fundamentals of nutrition, nutritional pathology, anatomy, chemistry, and more.

The Canadian Certified Counsellor certification is a national service that identifies to the public those counsellors who The Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) recognizes as qualified to provide counselling services in Canada. Obtaining the status of Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) includes recognition of standards of professional preparation, continuing education, and a formal code of ethics. As a non-statutory self-regulating body, CCPA provides advice and discipline for members on matters of professional conduct.

Some insurers will fully or partially reimburse the services of a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT/RCT-C) and some do not. Please check with your insurance provider to see if you are covered specifically for a Registered Counselling Therapist. 

I am an approved provider through:

  • Green Shield
  • Manulife Financial
  • Medavie Blue Cross
  • Desjardins
  • Great West Life
  • Sun Life Financial
Employers and groups that cover Registered Counselling Therapists:
  • Cabot Links
  • First Nations and Inuit Health
    • Non-Insured Health Benefit (NIHB) Program
    • Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRS RHSP)
  • Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
  • Interim Federal Health Program Providing Services to Newcomers
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers – Local 625
  • Manulife Financial Employees
  • Nova Scotia Community College Academic Union 
  • Public Service Commission of Nova Scotia
  • Shaw Group
  • Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) – Program of Choice – 12 (POC-12)
  • Workers Compensation Board
Psychotherapy:
 
1. Intake
In our first session I’ll go over the intake form that was sent to you prior to our intake session. It will ask for a bit of background information (your name, contact information, what your concerns are, and what you’re hoping to get from therapy, as well as getting to know you: who’s in your life, what your health history looks like, and other relevant information).
2. Weekly Sessions
We will meet each week to discuss how you can get closer to your goals. Sessions are 50 minutes long.
3. Ending Therapy
If you feel confident in the changes you’ve made and feel as though therapy is no longer needed, we can reduce the frequency of our sessions or end our time together. Our final session will involve discussing how you can maintain the wonderful changes you’ve implemented in your life.
Nutritional Counselling:
1. Health History
After you’ve expressed an interest in working with me, I will send you a detailed questionnaire to fill out about your health history, goals, food preferences, etc. This questionnaire will take about 30 – 60 minutes to complete. I will also ask that you keep a food journal for one week’s time and will provide you with a template via email.
2. Consultation
We will meet one-on-one for a 75-minute session to discuss what nutritional changes you can make to help meet your goals. I will also provide you with some recommendations and on the initial steps to a more optimal wellness plan.
3. Follow-Up Sessions
We will meet as often as you’d like for 45-minute sessions to discuss what’s working and/or where you need more support. These sessions are designed to track progress, maintain motivation, and encourage accountability.
Nutrition & Psychotherapy Packages:
This is a commitment to 5 psychotherapy sessions, 1 nutritional assessment, and 2 nutrition-specific follow-up sessions. While the structure of these packages can vary based on personal preferences and goals, typically we will devote the first three sessions to psychotherapy with the fourth session focusing on nutrition. Then, we will return to our psychotherapy sessions afterwards as a way of helping to integrate the recommended nutritional change.Our first session

I am located at The Cabot House at 500 Kings Road in Suite 214 on the second floor. I have a very welcoming, warm and safe environment to talk about all your mental health and wellness needs. Currently, I am not in the office due to COVID-19, but still accepting video conferencing and telephone sessions. 

You can no longer book online with me, but you can email me at amiee@wilsoncounselling.ca or call me at 902-539-1122 to inquire about booking an appointment.  

While Wilson Counselling is not open in the evenings and weekends at this time, there is another counsellor (O’Brien Counselling) in the same office who you can contact for availability. 

Of course. I recognize that I’m a total stranger and that sharing your innermost thoughts can be scary and overwhelming. I will be sure to follow whatever pace you’d like, whether this involves spending five sessions just getting to know one another or discussing your concerns right off the bat. I take being non-judgmental, compassionate, and genuine very seriously, and will be sure to be transparent with you about the therapy process so you know what to expect. Note that you are also welcome to bring a significant other, friend, or family with you at first if you feel this would be helpful for you.

I no longer provide a sliding scale fee, but there are other services that offer low to no cost services. Check out the below page: //www.thoughtfulchanges.org

Yes. Please let me know if you cannot make an appointment 24 hours in advance to avoid a first-time cancellation charge of $50. After your first-time charge, you’ll be charged the full session fee for future sessions that are not cancelled within the 24-hour window. 

I understand that there are emergencies and your discretion. 

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All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate, based on the best judgment available to the authors, and readers who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.  In addition, the information and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s) of Wilson Counselling. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions. 
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