Frequently Asked Questions

Psychotherapy is a collaborative mental health service that can help people explore thoughts, emotions, behaviours, relationships, coping patterns, and life experiences. In Ontario, psychotherapy is a controlled act when it involves treating serious concerns related to thought, mood, emotional regulation, perception, memory, judgment, insight, behaviour, communication, or social functioning.

You can read more about psychotherapy and title requirements through the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

The terms counselling, talk therapy, and psychotherapy are often used together, but they are not always identical. Counselling can describe a broad range of supportive conversations. Psychotherapy may involve deeper therapeutic work with mental health concerns and, in Ontario, must be provided by a regulated professional who is authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy when that controlled act is being performed.

No. Many people begin therapy without a formal diagnosis. You may be looking for support with stress, grief, trauma, anxiety, low mood, self-confidence, relationships, life transitions, emotional overwhelm, or simply a better understanding of yourself.

The first session usually focuses on what brought you to therapy, what you hope to work on, and what kind of support may feel helpful. You do not need to share everything right away. Therapy can move at a pace that feels manageable.

Therapy is private, but confidentiality has legal and professional limits. Donna will review consent, privacy, record keeping, communication expectations, and any limits to confidentiality before care begins so you understand how your information is handled.

Online therapy can be helpful for many people, but it is not automatically the right fit for every person or every situation. The consultation can help determine whether virtual care is appropriate based on your needs, privacy, safety, comfort, and goals.

Donna offers online therapy services for adults in Ontario, including individual counselling, EMDR therapy, women’s therapy, trauma-focused therapy, and wellness coaching.

You do not need to know before reaching out. The initial consultation can help clarify whether individual counselling, women’s therapy, trauma-focused therapy, EMDR therapy, wellness coaching, or another type of support may be most appropriate.

Donna works with adults located in Ontario. Her practice may be a good fit for women, neurodiverse clients, and people navigating trauma-related concerns, anxiety, mood issues, grief, burnout, life transitions, self-worth, and interpersonal stress. You can learn more on the Who Donna Works With page.

No. Donna offers online therapy for adults in Ontario, though women’s therapy is one of her key areas of focus. The consultation can help determine whether her approach is a good fit for your needs.

Yes. Donna works with neurodiverse clients and can discuss needs related to communication preferences, emotional regulation, masking, burnout, relationships, and comfort with online therapy during the consultation process.

The consultation is a chance to consider fit before beginning ongoing therapy. If Donna’s approach is not the right match for your needs, it is okay to seek a different provider or type of support.

Donna’s online therapy practice is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. If you are not in immediate danger but need urgent support, contact a local crisis line or urgent mental health service in your area.

Yes. Donna Cook is an MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist. MSW stands for Master of Social Work, and RSW stands for Registered Social Worker. Her Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers registration number is 856333.

OCSWSSW registrants may use the title “psychotherapist” when they comply with the relevant legal and professional requirements. You can read more on the OCSWSSW psychotherapy requirements page.

Donna identifies as an MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist. In Ontario, “Registered Psychotherapist” is a protected title associated with the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. As a Registered Social Worker, Donna uses the appropriate designation connected to her registration with OCSWSSW.

Walden University, Barbara Solomon School of Social Work
Master of Social Work (MSW), Embedded Trauma Specialization

University of Waterloo
Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA), Recreation and Leisure Studies

Donna has completed EMDR training through EMDR Consulting, an EMDR International Association-approved training provider. If EMDR therapy is appropriate for your needs, Donna can discuss how it may fit into your therapy plan.

Donna offers online individual counselling, women’s therapy, trauma-focused therapy, EMDR therapy, and therapy-informed wellness coaching. Her approach may include reflection, emotional support, coping strategies, trauma-focused work, EMDR, mindfulness-informed tools, and support around relationships, grief, self-worth, burnout, and life transitions.

You can verify a registered social worker’s status through the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Donna’s registration number is 856333.

To work with Donna, begin by scheduling an initial consultation through the online booking portal. Donna will meet with you virtually to learn more about what you are looking for, answer questions, and help determine whether her approach is a good fit.

Donna uses Owl Practice for online booking, client portal access, billing, and virtual sessions. Owl Practice describes its platform as Canada-based mental health practice software with privacy and security features for regulated professionals. You can read more about Owl Practice security on their website.

Donna uses secure systems for client communication, forms, invoices, and virtual sessions. Virtual care still has unique privacy considerations, so Donna will review consent, privacy, communication expectations, and platform details before care begins. The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario explains that virtual care should consider privacy safeguards, consent, risks, and benefits.

You will need a private space, a reliable internet connection, and a device with video and audio access. It can also help to set aside time before and after the session so you are not rushing directly between responsibilities.

No. Donna does not currently offer in-person sessions. Her practice is online only.

Donna provides online therapy for clients who are located in Ontario. If you are outside Ontario, you may need to seek support from a provider who is authorized to practise in your location.

Donna’s current FAQ information lists psychotherapy and counselling services at $165 per hour/session. New clients can book an initial 30-minute consultation to ask questions and determine whether Donna’s approach feels like a good fit. Fees and session details should be confirmed during consultation or booking.

Donna may be able to provide receipts that clients can submit to an insurance provider, depending on the client’s plan. Coverage varies, so clients are encouraged to confirm eligibility directly with their insurer before beginning therapy.

Ask whether your plan covers services provided by a Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW, or social work psychotherapy services. You may also want to ask about claim submission requirements, annual limits, deductibles, and whether pre-approval is needed.

Payment can be made through the secure Owl Practice client portal by bank debit or credit card. E-transfer may also be available if pre-arranged with Donna.

After a session, you will receive an invoice by email. You can follow the link to the online portal to review the invoice and approve payment. Once payment is processed, you will receive a receipt for your records.

Yes. Receipts are provided for your records and may be used for insurance submission where applicable. Insurance coverage is not guaranteed and depends on your plan.