Individual Therapy FAQs

Q: Do psychologists prescribe medication?

A: No, but read on. Psychologists are not medical doctors, and thus we don’t prescribe. Generally, a psychologist is going to help you through talk therapy, homework, behavioural exercises and other related interventions. However, psychologists aren’t “anti-medication.” In fact, we frequently work with family physicians, psychiatrists, and other health care professionals to monitor the efficacy of medical interventions. We also offer recommendations as to medication change including helping clients end dependencies on medication.

Q: What style of therapy do you practice?

A. I am a passionate advocate and practitioner of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). At its foundation, CBT is about examining how thoughts (i.e., cognitions) influence people’s feelings and behaviours. CBT has a very strong scientific tradition and is the most common style of therapy for “evidence-based” psychology. Although not every problem is amenable to CBT (and consequently it is not the only form of therapy I offer), the short-term, solution-based format of CBT is something I attempt to bring to all the patients I treat.

Q: What happens between therapy sessions?

A: Therapy is not a passive process and requires patients to actively involve themselves in the their own improvement both during and between therapy sessions. There are often homework and reading assignments that serve to expedite therapy.

Q: How long does therapy take?

A: Most typically the first two sessions with an individual client focus on learning about the presenting problem and about the client’s history. Following this, a therapy plan is generated. From this point, we begin the therapy process proper. Most commonly clients starting experiencing positive change within less than 10 sessions and 70% of my patients complete therapy before 20 sessions.

Marital therapy FAQs

Q: Do both couple members have to attend for marital therapy?

A: No, but having both couple members involved is almost always preferred.

Q: Who is seen first in marital therapy?

A: My preferred method is to see the couple together, and then book an individual session for each couple member to complete my assessment. Following my assessment, the couple is typically seen together for the majority of sessions. So typically I see the couple together for one session, then they each attend an individual assessment session, and in the fourth session we get down to work! Life however doesn’t always accommodate this plan what with work, childcare, travel, transportation issues, etc and thus if it is easier for a couple to attend their individual sessions first, this can of course be worked out. Additional individual sessions might be booked on an as needed basis.

Sex therapy FAQs

Q: Exactly what is sex therapy?

A: Many years ago, a couple stopped attending their sex therapy sessions because they thought, given the excellent progress they were making, the next obvious step would be to start having sex again. While this assumption was correct, unfortunately they also assumed they were supposed to actually have sex in my office!

Sex therapy does NOT involve having sex in front of your therapist. Sex therapy involves talking in the office and doing homework exercises at home. Visual aides may be used, which could include models, pictures, text books, and DVDs, but clients are left to experience actual physical intimacy in the privacy of their own homes.

Q: How “graphic” do I have to be in describing my problem to get help?

A: People always do better in therapy when they feel comfortable. Consequently I use only the language, explanations, descriptions, and interventions that are consistent with my client’s comfort level. We can be as graphic or as “soft focus” as suits your needs and comfort level.

Q: Do you have to be in a relationship to come for sex therapy?

A: No. The solution for many sexual problems starts with an individual feeling confident and comfortable about their own sexuality and thus much work can be done without a partner.

Q: Are some sexual problems more common than others?

A: When a couple contacts me, it is most often a desire discrepancy that brings them to my office. When men seek therapy just for themselves, most often it is an erectile problem or premature ejaculation they would like to talk about. When women call, usually it is a concern about their own low sexual desire. However, the range of sexual issues I deal with is extremely wide and new issues crop up all the time. For example, 15 years ago, Internet sexual addiction didn’t even exist. Similarly, we didn’t start seeing “Post-Viagra Syndrome” until a number of years after the introduction of the drug.

To Book An Appointment

To book an appointment, simply contact me by phone or e-mail and let me know what day of the week and time of day might work best for you. I typically see clients Monday to Thursday between 9 AM and 4 PM. Family commitments preclude me from offering evening or weekend appointments. Appointments are offered on a first-come, first served basis, and occasionally it might be two to fours weeks before a mutually acceptable time can be found for new patients.

Appointments are 50 minutes long and start at the top of the hour. Occasionally extended appointments are arranged, particularly for those who have to travel a substantial distance to attend my office.

The expense of therapy is often covered by extended health care benefits you may have. I provide clients with receipts for submission to their carrier for direct reimbursement. My rate for individual sessions is $300, and $400 for couple work (there are no additional taxes). Payment is due at the end of each session, cash or cheque.

My office is located at 186 Albert Street, Suite 203B. This is close to the intersection of Albert and Richmond streets, just north of the London downtown core. There is metered parking on Albert St. or in paid lots on either side of the street.

After you have fed the meter, make your way to 186 and come up to the second floor. There you will see a waiting area: just have a seat there rather than knocking on my door as I will be in session with someone in front of you. However, at our appointed time I will collect you.

OFFICE : Suite 203B, 186 Albert Street, London ON N6A 1M1

Phone: 519.438.7131 Fax: 519.472.0531 Email: guy@drguy.ca