Frequently Asked Questions at a glance
Fees, Insurance & Policies
Getting Started & Appointments
About Psychotherapy
Fees, Insurance & Policies
Our therapy sessions last for 50 minutes, and payment is required at the time of your appointment. Many extended health insurance plans cover Registered Psychotherapy services. We recommend that you contact your insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage and reimbursement options.
Here are the fees for our sessions based on a 50-minute therapy hour:
- Individual psychotherapy session: $180
- Couples psychotherapy session: $220
- Family psychotherapy session: $220
- Clinical supervision session: $160
We understand that unexpected situations can happen. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please provide us with at least 24 hours' notice whenever possible. Advance notice respects your therapist's time and allows us to offer the slot to another client who may be waiting for care.
Please note that appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice will incur the full session fee. We will charge this fee to the credit card we have on file. If your insurance provider is billed directly, they will also be charged for the session, and we will charge any remaining balance to your credit card.
Thank you for helping us maintain a respectful and accessible therapeutic space for everyone.
We offer direct billing to your health insurance provider whenever possible to make the payment process easier. This service aims to reduce paperwork, minimize credit card fees, and simplify your transactions.
Coverage varies based on your individual insurance plan, so we recommend checking your psychotherapy benefits with your provider. If direct billing is not available, we will provide a receipt for you to submit for reimbursement.
We accept the following payment methods for psychotherapy sessions:
- Visa,
- Mastercard,
- American Express, and
- E-transfer
A receipt will be sent to you after each session for your records and insurance reimbursement purposes.
Yes, many extended health insurance plans cover psychotherapy services provided by Registered Psychotherapists (RPs). The level of coverage can vary based on your specific plan, whether it is through an employer, a private insurance provider, or another source. We recommend that you check with your insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage details and reimbursement options.
Yes, psychotherapy services offered by a Registered Psychotherapist may qualify as a medical expense for income tax purposes in Ontario. We recommend consulting the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines or speaking with a tax professional to confirm your eligibility and understand the specific requirements.
Getting Started & Appointments
To begin therapy, the first step is to reach out and schedule a consultation appointment. This session allows us to discuss what brings you to therapy, answer any questions you might have, and determine if we are a good match to work together.
Finding the right therapist is important in this process. A successful therapeutic relationship relies on trust, openness, and the ability to feel comfortable being yourself. If we both agree that collaborating would be beneficial, we will talk about the next steps to start your therapy journey.
Finding the right therapist is an important step in the therapy process. The therapeutic relationship is built on trust, safety, respect, and feeling understood. Finding someone who feels like the right fit can significantly enhance your therapy experience and outcomes.
We encourage you to take the time to explore various therapists and consider factors such as their education, experience, areas of focus, therapeutic approaches, availability, fees, and the languages they offer. Reading therapist profiles, asking questions, and connecting through an initial consultation can help you learn more about their approach.
Beyond credentials and experience, pay attention to how you feel when speaking with a therapist. Do you feel heard, respected, and accepted? Do you sense safety, compassion, and openness? Does their approach align with what you are seeking?
At Inner Core Psychotherapy, we invite you to connect with us to see if we are a good fit for your needs. Ultimately, we encourage you to find the therapist who feels right for you, whether that's with another qualified professional or with us.
A formal diagnosis is not necessary to begin therapy. Therapy can help you navigate challenges without a specific diagnosis. Instead, we focus on understanding your unique experiences and emotions. With a personalized approach, we develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs, giving you the tools to move forward and achieve your goals, whether or not a diagnosis is involved.
You do not need a referral from a doctor to start psychotherapy with us. You can contact us directly to schedule an appointment. However, some insurance providers may require a physician's referral to reimburse psychotherapy services. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to understand your specific coverage requirements.
We currently offer only virtual therapy sessions, giving you a convenient, accessible way to receive support from the comfort and privacy of your own space. Virtual therapy offers greater flexibility, reduces barriers to accessing care, and makes it easier for individuals, couples, and families in Ottawa and across Ontario to connect with a therapist.
Using a secure online platform, we deliver the same compassionate, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach that you would experience in an in-person session.
We are currently accepting new clients.
Mary Jane is available to individual clients seeking support with personal healing, growth, and life challenges.
Amarylis works with individuals, couples, families, and those seeking clinical supervision.
We encourage you to explore each therapist's approach and areas of expertise to find the best fit for your needs.
Our schedules vary depending on the therapist you choose. Mary Jane and Amarylis both offer weekday appointments, including daytime and evening availability.
Generally, appointments are available:
- Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
- Friday: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Please contact us to discuss our current availability so we can help you find a time that works best for you.
Once we determine that we may be a good fit to work together, you will receive an intake form to complete before your first session. This form helps your therapist understand your background, experiences, and the reasons you came to therapy.
Therapy is available in English, French, and Spanish.
Mary Jane Beavis, M.A., RP, CCC, SEP
- Languages: English, French
Amarylis Serrano Juárez, M.A., RP, CCC, SEP
- Languages: English, French, and Spanish
We believe that feeling comfortable and understood is essential to the therapeutic process. Offering therapy in a language that feels most natural to you fosters inclusive and compassionate care, helping to build a strong therapeutic connection.
Yes, you can easily book and manage your appointments online using our secure booking system.
We offer online therapy through Jane, a secure and privacy-focused healthcare platform designed for healthcare professionals. Jane facilitates confidential communication, online appointments, secure documentation, and payment processing, all designed to protect your personal health information.
Before starting online therapy, your therapist will provide you with details about the platform and what you can expect. We also recommend choosing a private space and using a secure internet connection to ensure your confidentiality during virtual sessions.
About Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a collaborative process that helps individuals understand themselves, face challenges, heal from past experiences, and create lasting change. For more information about psychotherapy, visit the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) website.
At Inner Core Psychotherapy, we provide compassionate, trauma-informed therapy tailored to each person's unique experiences and goals. To learn more about our approach to psychotherapy, visit our website.
A Registered Psychotherapist (RP) is a licensed mental health professional who is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). These professionals are trained to offer psychotherapy services that assist individuals, couples, and families in dealing with emotional, psychological, relational, and life challenges.
For more information, you can visit the website of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Therapy offers a safe, collaborative space where you and your therapist build trust as you explore life's challenges. Whether you're seeking adult therapy, couples therapy, therapy for students, or therapy for older persons/retirees, we work together to understand your experiences, deepen self-awareness, and build practical tools to manage emotions and overcome obstacles.
At Inner Core Psychotherapy, we provide a personalized approach that blends compassion with evidence-based methods, so you feel supported as you navigate your unique journey toward healing and growth.
Therapy length varies based on your needs, goals, and progress. Some individuals may notice improvements within a few weeks or months, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy, especially when addressing complex or ongoing issues. Therapy is a personalized journey that adapts to you. We'll work together at a pace that feels right, with the goal of empowering you to navigate life's challenges more effectively.
It's completely fine if you don't know exactly what to work on at the start of therapy. At Inner Core Psychotherapy, our therapists will help you explore what's most important to you. We work together to identify areas that might benefit from attention, helping you clarify your goals as you move through the process. Therapy is a journey, and we're here to guide you at your own pace as you uncover what matters most to you.
It's normal to feel apprehensive about sharing personal thoughts and feelings in therapy. At Inner Core Psychotherapy, we create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where your therapist in Ottawa works at your pace. Whether you need time to build trust or find it difficult to articulate your emotions, therapy can provide a space to gradually explore what's on your mind. Your therapist is there to support you, ensuring that sharing is a process, not a requirement, and helping you feel heard and valued each step of the way.
Yes, therapy is confidential. Whether you're seeking therapy for adults, couples, older persons/retirees, students, or therapy in Ottawa, we prioritize your privacy and protect your personal information. There are certain legal exceptions, such as if there's a risk of harm to yourself or others, but these will be clearly explained to you at the start of therapy. Rest assured, we are committed to providing a safe and private space for you to express yourself freely.
At Inner Core Psychotherapy, we understand that the mind, body, and spirit are all essential aspects of a person's experience. If spirituality or religion is significant to you, we can explore it respectfully and integrate it into the therapeutic process.
Spirituality and religion can provide strength, connection, meaning, and support. However, they may also be linked to experiences of pain, conflict, grief, or distress. At times, they can provide comfort but also create struggles. Our therapy sessions offer a safe, compassionate space to explore your relationship with spirituality, faith, values, and meaning without judgment.
While our therapists come from a Christian background, we welcome individuals from all faith traditions, spiritual beliefs, and life perspectives, including those who identify as agnostic, atheist, or who do not follow a particular spiritual path. Our role is not to promote a specific belief system but to support you in exploring what is meaningful and authentic to you.
We honour your beliefs, values, and experiences as part of your unique story, and we aim to incorporate them into therapy in a way that feels respectful and supportive for you.
Mental health professionals have varying training, education, and scopes of practice. Understanding these differences can help you choose the type of support that best fits your needs.
Psychotherapists are trained to provide psychotherapy, which helps individuals, couples, and families explore emotions, thoughts, experiences, relationships, and patterns that may affect their well-being. In Ontario, Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) are regulated healthcare professionals who have completed specific educational and clinical training requirements set by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Psychotherapy can address issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, and personal growth.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in mental health. They can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions and can prescribe medication when necessary. While some psychiatrists also provide psychotherapy, many focus primarily on medical assessment and medication management.
Psychologists are mental health professionals with doctoral-level training who offer psychological assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy. In Ontario, psychologists are regulated healthcare professionals who often specialize in areas such as psychological testing and complex mental health issues.
Counsellors provide emotional support and guidance for a broad range of life experiences and concerns. The term "counsellor" can refer to various professionals with different levels of education, training, and regulation, depending on their designation and location.
The most important factor in choosing a mental health professional is to find someone whose education, experience, approach, and personality resonate with you. Building a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, safety, and respect is vital to the healing process and positive results.