Consultation Process
Psychological Follow-Up
As part of psychological follow-up, various interventions may be offered, including psychological support, psychological education, and psychotherapy, the latter aimed at making significant changes to psychological and mental functioning. To determine the most appropriate approaches and interventions for each individual's needs, expectations, characteristics, and abilities, the psychologist conducts a rigorous initial assessment to better understand the client's psychological and mental functioning. Psychological follow-up will end when the set objectives are achieved, when the psychologist deems they can no longer assist the client, or when the client decides to terminate the sessions.
Sexological Follow-Up
The sexologist offers up to four individual sessions as needed. During the first session, the sexologist conducts an assessment of the client's situation and needs to clarify the mandate, objectives, frequency, and modalities of the follow-up. The sexologist may also recommend that the client seek additional external resources if necessary. The sexologist is obliged to use all available means to help the client achieve their goals. However, they cannot guarantee that the process will resolve all the client's difficulties.
Supervision
Supervision in mental health is an essential professional space dedicated to the analysis and development of clinical practice. It allows practitioners, psychologists, and therapists to reflect on their experiences, explore the challenges they encounter in supporting patients, and strengthen their skills. This process fosters perspective-taking, helps prevent professional burnout, and ensures high standards of quality in interventions. Supervision is characterized by a dynamic that is both supportive and rigorous: it provides practitioners with guidance in their professional journey while encouraging critical and constructive reflection. It is therefore an indispensable tool for promoting professional growth, consolidating expertise, and safeguarding the well-being of those working in the field of mental health
Theoretical Model, Approach, Tools, or Techniques Used
The therapeutic model applied is based on Cognitive-Behavioral and Emotional Therapy (CBET), an approach that integrates the identification and modification of dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors with the recognition and regulation of emotions, thus promoting a comprehensive approach to psychological well-being. This model is complemented by the systemic approach for couples, which views the relationship as a dynamic system in which interactions, communication patterns, and emotional bonds influence the health of each partner and the quality of the relationship. The combination of CBET and the systemic approach makes it possible to work both on the individual and relational levels, offering practical and reflective tools that foster sustainable change, strengthen communication, and facilitate the building of more balanced and satisfying relationships.
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Alternatives to Services
These therapies are based on theories from scientific research. CBET techniques operate on three different levels: behaviors, cognitions (thoughts), and emotions. The goal is to address one or more of these problematic variables to achieve a beneficial change for the patient.
The effectiveness of these therapies has been widely demonstrated for anxiety and depressive disorders, as well as for most psychiatric disorders and in the field of behavioral medicine (Lacombe and Servant, 2020).
Sexological approaches are based on theories from scientific research. They use various techniques to intervene at multiple levels: behavioral, cognitive (thoughts), and emotional. The objective is to intervene on these variables to promote a beneficial change for the client. The effectiveness of these approaches has been widely demonstrated in treating sexual and relational difficulties, as well as in supporting individuals facing specific challenges in their sexuality. These interventions are adapted to meet each individual's unique needs, while respecting their identity and personal values.
Service Delivery Modalities
Sessions will take place once a week (unless otherwise agreed with the client). The duration of psychological or sexological services will be determined by various factors, such as the nature of the difficulties encountered, the achievement of objectives, and the progress of the treatment. Sessions last 50 minutes for individual interventions or 60 minutes for couple interventions.
Telepractice
The use of telepractice has been chosen with the client's agreement. This practice has certain limitations that need to be understood, and specific measures must be taken to mitigate these limitations. Therefore, before starting telepractice follow-up, the psychologist or sexologist will agree with the client on the process.
Software used: Whereby (video) and Logicake (record-keeping).
Fees and Payment Terms
For individual sessions, the professional fees are $170 per session, and for couple sessions, the professional fees are $200 per session. Clients subsidized by a third-party payer will need to pay the difference between the amount granted by the organization and the consultation fee if applicable. In all cases, the client will pay these fees via Interac transfer at contact@carolinalara.co before each session. A receipt attesting to the fees paid will be sent to the client by email once the Interac transfer is accepted.
If the client connects late, the session will end at the initially scheduled time, and the client will have to pay the full session fee. If the psychologist or sexologist is late, they will propose a time that suits the client to ensure they receive the full reserved time. If technical issues cause a delay, the psychologist or sexologist will also propose a time to continue the session.
Considering that the psychologist or sexologist reserves a appointment period, any missed session and any cancellation without at least 48 hours' notice will result in administrative fees of 75% of the meeting price. Note that these administrative fees cannot be claimed as medical expenses for insurance reimbursement or tax deduction purposes.
The fees charged for discussion, report or form preparation will correspond to the time devoted to the task.
The price increase will be $5 on January 1st each year.
Termination of Services
The client can terminate professional services at any time. However, it is always preferable to discuss with the psychologist or sexologist the reasons for ending the follow-up so they can better understand the motives and offer a referral to appropriate services if necessary.
Consent for Clients Over 14 Years Old
I consent to receive the services offered as they were proposed to me. I have read this document and accept the conditions therein, having obtained satisfactory answers to my questions, if any.
Consent for Clients Under 14 Years Old
I (we) consent to my (our) child receiving the professional services offered as they were proposed to me (us). I (we) have read this document and accept the conditions therein, having obtained satisfactory answers to my (our) questions, if any. The sole signing parent confirms acting here with the agreement of the other parent. If the psychologist or sexologist suspects a disagreement between the parents regarding professional services, the signatures of both parents are required as far as possible, with the psychologist or sexologist having taken all necessary steps to obtain them.
This form is emailed to the client, and the client is invited to sign it electronically. If this is not possible, the form will be scanned or photographed by the client and returned by email to the psychologist or sexologist. The client can also respond by email to the psychologist or sexologist, indicating they have read the consent form and accept the conditions.
Protection of Personal Information
To provide the required services, psychologists and sexologists must collect and retain some of your personal information for a limited time. By accepting the service offer, you agree to the following terms regarding your personal information.
Information and Its Use
For communication, identification, and billing purposes, it is necessary to know your name, phone number, address, email, and, in some cases, payment information (e.g., credit card number).
To provide adequate services, any other personal information you share may be collected and recorded in your file, such as the content of evaluations, the content of sessions, received diagnoses, written communications, etc.
Confidentiality:
The psychologist or sexologist takes all necessary steps to ensure the confidentiality of telepractice sessions. Although all measures are taken to erase any traces of telepractice sessions (e.g., clearing browser history), the software used cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality, and confidentiality breaches may be beyond the psychologist's or sexologist's control. The client must also take necessary steps to ensure the confidentiality of their information regarding the software used on their computer and their data management. It is important that the client chooses a location where they will not be disturbed by others, noise, or any other distractions for the entire duration of the session. The client should use a personal and not a public computer or electronic device to ensure confidentiality as much as possible.
For more information on telepractice, the client should consult the document from the Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ) entitled: Guide de pratique concernant l’exercice de la télépsychologie, which the psychologist can provide upon request.
Email services (e.g., Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo) cannot guarantee the confidentiality of communications. Thus, when the client communicates with the psychologist or sexologist via email, they consent to the potential compromise of the transmitted information's confidentiality. The psychologist and sexologist will use all available means to ensure the protection of the information transmitted to them.
Retention and Communication of Information
Psychologists and sexologists are required to keep your information in a file that is securely and confidentially maintained. You can request access to the information in your file at any time, and this request will be processed according to current laws and regulations.
The information in your file cannot be shared with anyone else except in the following cases and subject to certain conditions:
- When you give your consent;
- For certain child protection issues;
- In case of imminent risk of death or serious injury;
- When required by another law.
For clients under 14 years old, the law allows the parent (or legal guardian) to access the child's file.
Record Keeping
The psychologist or sexologist creates a confidential file for the client, following the laws governing their practice and the professional requirements of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec and the Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec. This includes adhering to the Regulation respecting the keeping of records and consulting rooms by psychologists and the Code of Ethics for psychologists and sexologists. The professional must include nominative information and document the proposed approach and the client's progress. The file is kept in a secure, locked location, and no one can access it without the client's explicit permission.
Retention Period
The psychologist or sexologist retains your personal information for the entire duration of the service and for at least 5 years from the date of the last service provided. Your file may then be securely destroyed, ensuring confidentiality.
Confidentiality Rules and Policies
Psychologists and sexologists must comply with the confidentiality rules outlined in the Code of Ethics for psychologists and sexologists, the Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector, the Regulation respecting the keeping of records, consulting rooms, and other offices, and the termination of practice by members of the Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec, and any other relevant laws. For more information, you can ask your psychologist or sexologist.