Fees as of February 1, 2025
In the summer of 2024, the Canadian government amended the Excise Tax Act to exclude psychotherapy from HST charges. Similarly, supervision for psychotherapy has been exempted from HST since then as it is considered important to the safe provision of psychotherapy services. However, professional consultations are not seen in that same way. Therefore, fees for consultations remain subject to HST charges.
Psychotherapy
Individual Session, one hour: $180.00
Low-income fee (limited availability): $165.00
In situations of hardship, I may offer a period of pay-as-you-can sessions for existing clients who have built a trust relationship with me. Limited availability. For conditions, please see below.
Fees for existing clients will remain at the currently agreed-upon levels and be increased over time as per direct announcements.
Supervision
Individual:
RP qualifying, applying – one hour: $100.00
RP w/limitations, counsellors – one hour: $110.00
RP independent practice – one hour: $145.00
Dyads – per hour/person: $75.00
Package Deals for individual sessions only: Buy 10, get one free
Fees for existing supervisees will remain at the currently agreed-upon levels and be increased over time as per direct announcements.
NEW:
Supervision of supervision – one hour: $180 PLUS HST
Professional and Business Consultations
Individual Session, one hour: $180.00 + HST
Fees for existing consultation clients will remain at the currently agreed-upon levels and be increased over time as per direct announcements.
NEW:
Supervision of supervision – one hour: $180.00 + HST
Supervision and Consultation Groups
Mixed supervision groups – 5 monthly sessions at 2.5 hours each (12.5 hours): $315.00
Advanced Consult groups – 5 monthly sessions at 2.0 hours each (10.0 hours): $275.00
Policies
Payments
On June 21, 2024, a bill received royal assent which included a change to the Excise Tax Act: psychotherapy and clinical counselling services are now exempt from HST. Similarly, supervision vital and required for the safe provision of psychotherapy services also is HST exempt. Professional and business consultation services remain subject to HST charges. My fees have been adjusted accordingly.
- Individual psychotherapy sessions are 60 minutes in length including time for booking and payments. Sessions can be scheduled on an as-needed basis.
- Individual consultation sessions are 30 or 60 minutes in length including time for booking and payments. Sessions can be scheduled on an as-needed basis.
- Individual supervision sessions are 25 or 50 minutes in length to give the supervisee time to write their mandatory session summary. Sessions are scheduled based on the supervisee’s case load and other criteria.
- Dyad sessions can be booked in one-hour, one-and-a-half-hour, or two-hour sections. Sessions can be scheduled on an as-needed basis, in combination with other forms of supervision.
- Session fees are due before or right after a session unless otherwise agreed.
- For individual supervision only: fees for packages are due before the first package session unless otherwise agreed.
- In-person session fees can be paid in cash, by cheque, credit card (some exceptions apply) or EMT (Electronic Money Transfer). Online sessions need to be paid by EMT (Electronic Money Transfer).
- The fee for returned payments, e.g. NSF cheques is $10.00. It becomes due immediately upon notification of the client, and is to be included with the replacement payment.
- Fee changes will be announced here, and via email to active clients, at least one month before they come in effect.
- I am registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), registration number 1046. The CRPO is the official body governing the profession of psychotherapy in Ontario. You can find information about the regulation of the profession, our professional standards, and official complaints procedures on the College’s website at http://www.crpo.ca/.
- BN: 83932 5693
Cancellations and Refunds
In case of cancellation of a session through me any fees previously paid for that session will be refunded in full or put towards the next booked session, as preferred by the client.
In case of cancellation of a session through the client at least 24 hours (for one-hour or half-hour sessions) or 48 hours (for two-hour sessions) before the scheduled session date any fees previously paid for that session will be refunded in full or put towards the next booked session, as preferred by the client.
In case of cancellation of a session through the client within less than the above-mentioned cancellation period before the scheduled session date, I will attempt to fill the time slot from a cancellation list. If this is successful, I will not charge for the cancelled session. Should I not be able to fill the time slot, I will charge the full fee for the cancelled session and consider it due within one week of the originally scheduled session.
If a client does not present for a scheduled session, the session fee is due in full within one week of the originally scheduled session.
For dyad sessions:
If one of the partners does not present for a scheduled session, the other partner will have the opportunity to attend at the scheduled time for a one-on-one session. The fee will remain the same for that client.
If one of the partners cancels a session within the appropriate cancellation times, the other partner has the option to also cancel the session. The remaining partner may also find another dyad partner from the dyad-exchange list.
In special circumstances (such as severe illness) differing arrangements may be possible.
Cancellation Contact
Cancellations for sessions can be made by phone or text message (416.889.5291) or email (sabine@sabinecox.com).
Cancellations for groups need to be made by email (sabine@sabinecox.com).
Privacy
For clients:
In compliance with Ontario requirements for registered psychotherapists (CRPO, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, provincial and federal laws), we only collect necessary and relevant information for supplying services required by clients (past, current and prospective).
Privacy and data collection information for clients is described in detail in the informed consent forms provided to clients. They include but are not limited to:
- keeping all client-related information such as session notes and records, contact information, and communications outside of sessions secure under double-lock
- not forwarding any client information to third parties without explicit client consent unless required by law
- using client contact information only for the purposes of communication regarding scheduling or other practice-related information
- obtaining express consent to add clients to general mailing lists or communications
If you are a prospective, active or past client and have any questions about our privacy policies, please do not hesitate to contact Sabine directly.
Detailed Philosophy of Supervision
My General Approach to Supervision
“When you watch good therapy being done, you know it and it has a lot of commonalities … [G]ood cognitive therapists and good behavior therapists, psychodynamic therapists act an awful lot alike.” (Lambert, 1994, as cited in Miller, Buncan, Hubble, 1997)
Both as a therapist and supervisor in private practice, I identify as an integrative practitioner. My approach includes several models of therapy (see Appendix: Isomorphic Use of Therapeutic Models in Therapy and Supervision). My integrative philosophy is based in part on an expanded version of the Systemic Cognitive-Developmental Therapy – or Supervision – model (SCDT) (Rigazio-Digilio, 1995). A second strong influence is the work of Rudolf Steiner (anthroposophy), especially his thoughts on conscious awareness and free will (Steiner, 1964).
Based on this philosophy, I work under the assumption that therapists, as well as their clients and I as supervisor, feel a need for change when we feel disconnected from the whole and out of equilibrium. Behaviours and patterns are changed by becoming consciously aware of the current behaviour and patterns through direct and honest observation; setting in motion new behaviours or patterns through free choice based on conscious awareness of the Self as part of the whole system; and practicing these new behaviours and patterns consciously until they become subconscious habits. (“Striving For Freedom, Spontaneous Unconditioned Will”, 2015).
The expansion of the SCDT model of integration results from other aspects of anthroposophy. For example, I also consider the therapist’s main temperament and learning faculty (abstract/thought-oriented or practical/will-oriented).
I pay great attention to the observational skills of therapists: their ability to observe objectively and to draw objective conclusions. For example I may ask therapists to hypothesize about the current presenting issue of the client system in two or three different ways and to describe how each of those hypotheses is based on their observations of the clients, understanding of the client system and presented issues, perception of the client system in the larger systems of society, world, etc., and application of information gained in previous sessions.
Systems Approach
System: “a network of interdependent components that work together to try to accomplish the aim of the system.” (Deming, 1993, as cited in Yingling, 2000)
Anthroposophy is, at its heart, a systemic philosophy. As such, it guides my approach in psychotherapy and supervision in general towards a systems framework. Specifically, while I support the importance of the individual as a unique entity, I continuously explore and interact with the individual’s role in the systems of their life and how they place themselves in these systems.
In supervision, this is done mostly through the supervisory relationship: through observation, conversation and specific interventions, I explore the therapist’s unique perspective and narrative, and in this help them understand their part in the relationships with their clients, colleagues, etc. Isomorphically, the therapist then takes these skills into their work with clients.
To deepen the therapist’s awareness of systemic thought, I frequently ask therapists to consciously explore their own place in the many systems of which they are a part: the client-therapist system, the client-therapist-supervisor system, their own family systems, and other, larger systems such as culture, society, and world. In this exploration, I ask therapists to pay attention to perspectives and viewpoints that go beyond their own personal experience. Again, these explorations are often taken into the therapist’s own practice in isomorphic transfer.
Diversity
“Do not allow yourself to be misled by the surfaces of things” (Rilke)
Curiosity about questions of diversity is, in my opinion, intrinsic to any truly (w)holistic and integrative approach to psychotherapy. To understand who we are and how we belong into the whole of the human community in which we live and the systems of our daily life, we need to recognize, acknowledge, and appreciate our differences and our unique place in the whole. Thus, exploration of questions of diversity, both as factors in the issues and difficulties clients may experience and as unique attributes and possible solutions to personal issues, is an essential part of my approach to therapy and supervision.
Through clear definition and discussion of issues and strengths resulting from diversity within the supervisory relationship, therapists’ awareness of these is increased. Power relations are openly addressed and discussed, and whenever possible, consciously negotiated between therapist and supervisor, emphasizing the knowledge-power of the therapist and how it results from the unique life experiences, incl. gender, socio-political background, ethnicity and cultural history, Family of Origin experiences, etc. Therapists are encouraged to do their own assessment of their position in society and in the systems of their lives using tools such as genograms, observation, exploration of personal narrative and personal myths, Family of Origin explorations, and journaling. Their experience with this work then isomorphically informs their approach to client relationships and other relationships in their lives.
Supervisory Relationship
“Face-to-face ongoing dialogues between a supervisor and therapist where good will, acknowledgement and respect prevail; the learning is mutual and intense; the power relations are transparent; and the emphasis is on ensuring the wellbeing of clients as well as meeting the standards of the profession.” (Todd, 2014)
I believe that clear communication and clearly defined boundaries and roles are the best basis for good working relationships. Therefore, I encourage open communication and honesty in my supervisory relationships with therapists.
The supervisory contract constitutes the core agreement of the supervisory relationship and reflects the unique intent and circumstances of each such relationship. Contracts vary depending on circumstances and participating parties. However, all contracts have some provisions in common in order to maximize transparency and collaboration as well as to ensure compliance with existing regulations and applicable Codes of Ethics, etc.
Common Contractual Provisions:
- Power relations within the client-therapist-supervisor relationship are clearly stated
- Knowledge power is emphasized
- Position and evaluation power of the supervisor are clearly defined and explained
- Evaluation processes and requirements are being clearly explained and stated.
- Therapist goals are stated and clarified and, if necessary, balanced with and weighted against expectations of associations or legal entities.
- Supervisor expectations in regards to the supervisory relationship are clearly defined and stated.
- Processes and procedures that regulate the supervisory relationship are clearly stated:
- Duration, frequency, location, and format of supervisory sessions.
- Duration of the supervisory relationship
- Review processes, feedback processes and processes and recourse in conflictual situations.
- Supervisory modalities and preferred therapy models of both supervisor and therapist, as they will be used in the supervisory relationship.
- Renumeration process
- Confidentiality, disclosure, and advertising rules with special attention on the declaration of the supervisory relationship to clients are clearly stated
- Relevant legal and ethical context, e.g. Code of Ethics, agency’s policies and regulations, relevant law, professional associations and regulators, etc., is explored and noted.
- Emergency protocols are clearly noted.
Ongoing interpersonal communication between me and the therapist is an essential part of my work as a supervisor. Through ongoing conversation, trust is built, self-reflection is encouraged, curiosity is supported, conscious awareness of strengths and limitations is built and deepened, and the therapist’s engagement in the supervision process is strengthened. By practicing and disclosing, within appropriate limits, my own self-reflection in regards to the supervisory relationship and my own limitations in knowledge and willingness to research and learn, I encourage the therapist to do the same in their relationship with clients.
As supervisor, I often find myself in varying roles ranging from supervisor, teacher, mentor and coach to consultant and colleague depending on the level of experience of the therapist and on their goal for supervision. In a parallel relationship to my practice in client-centred therapy, I find that working with an affiliative, non-directive approach best allows the therapist to be responsible for their own learning while also encouraging self-reflection between supervision sessions to choose which issues to present. Furthermore, by allowing some flexibility in my own role I more easily can adapt to the specific needs of the therapist in any particular moment, e.g. being more directive with a young intern-therapist who needs and asks for clear direction while being more peer-oriented and emphasizing the awareness and knowing of a veteran therapist who is seeking supervision for personal benefits or overall professional growth.
To deepen conscious awareness of the strengths and limitations of the therapist, supervision sessions are generally set up in regular and frequent intervals. Check-ins in between sessions can be arranged on short notice should the therapist find themselves in need of urgent practical support with a specific situation. Session structure is tailored to the needs and professional development stage of the therapist and largely determined by the therapist (see above). Therapists’ learning and growth are continuously evaluated in conversation, and supervisory interventions are geared to the therapist’s learning style, professional development stage, supervision goals, preferred therapy model, and professional development needs. Conflictual situations between the therapist and me are approached as learning opportunities whenever possible. Therapists are encouraged to use any experiences of confusion, stuckness, or countertransference as an opportunity for self-reflection and personal and professional growth. Continuous practice of these interactions in the supervisory relationship fosters their isomorphic transfer into the therapist’s practice.
Supervision Modalities
“I write because I have to learn.” (Lewin)
My preferred supervision modalities are recordings and case reports. As a supervisor who is not affiliated with a training institution or agency, I am working with therapists in private settings for whom it is usually difficult to arrange for direct observation of their sessions. Equally, it would be extremely impractical for me to do in-room supervision in the therapist’s office. Fortunately, I have found that recordings offer sufficient information about client-therapist interaction when carefully reviewed and discussed with the supervisee.
I have found the effort it takes therapists to create a good case report to be a valuable learning tool. It requires them to reflect on their session, clients, their own actions and reactions to the session, etc. The necessity to find appropriate words to explain their inner process and their interaction with the client in a way that is sufficiently vivid for me, the supervisor, to understand makes it almost inevitable that they learn something about the session on which they are reporting.
References:
Lewin, M. (n.d.). Creative Writing Quotes. Retrieved March 8, 2015, from http://www.michaellewin.org/articles/creative-writing/quotes/
Miller, S., Duncan, B., & Hubble, M. (1997). The Vocabulary of a Unifying Language. In Escape from Babel: Toward a unifying language for psychotherapy practice (p. 23). New York: Norton.
Professional Practice Standards for Registered Psychotherapists. (2025). Toronto, ON: College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO).
Rigazio-Digilio, S., & Anderson, S. (1995). A Cognitive-Developmental Model for Marital and Family Therapy Supervision. The Clinical Supervisor, 93-118. Retrieved February 22, 2015, from https://www.academia.edu/4698767/A_Cognitive-Developmental_Model_for_Marital_and_Family_Therapy_Supervision
Steiner, R. (1964). The Philosophy of Freedom: The basis for a modern world conception; (7th English ed.). London: Rudolf Steiner Press.
Striving For Freedom, Spontaneous Unconditioned Will. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2015, from http://philosophyoffreedom.com/1-8-video
Todd, T. (2014). Minding the Power in Collaborative Systemic Supervision. In The Complete Systemic Supervisor: Context, Philosophy, and Pragmatics (Second ed.). Chichester, England: Wiley-Blackwell.
Yingling, L. (2000). What Is a Systemic Orientation — Really? In Readings in Family Therapy Supervision: Selected articles from the AAMFT Supervision bulletin. (p. 36). Washington, DC: American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy.
Rilke, R. (2012). <i>Letters to a Young Poet</i>. Start Publishing LLC.
*Proof of status – psychotherapy:
Low-Income fee:
Limited availability. Upon application for those with an annual income of $60,000 or less before tax.
Pay-As-You-Can fee:
Limited availability. Upon application for those with an annual income of $40,000 or less before tax.
Proof of income:
Tax return for the previous available year or pay stubs for all earning and contributing family members in the household
and/or
Signed statement/declaration that all income was mentioned/included
Additional Conditions for Pay-As-You-Can fees:
Limited to 1 hour/week (not more, can be less)
Require evidence of dedication to the process, e.g. three last-minute cancellations or no-shows means the agreement is cancelled (some exceptions apply)