Frequently Asked Questions about Our Services
The Basics:
How can The
Redpath Centre's counselling services help me?
The Redpath Centre
addresses the social and emotional needs of children, adolescents and adults with Asperger Syndrome, mental health concerns
and other related symptoms. Our services support those living with Asperger Syndrome their family members, and other professionals who
may be involved with them. The Centre offers an inter-disciplinary approach, and strives to incorporate recent research
into practice.
Where are you located, and what are your hours?
The Redpath Centre is located at 161 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite
201. We are a ten minute walk east on Eglinton from the Eglinton subway station. We are open during regular business hours;
however, our schedule is flexible to accommodate you. Some clinicians work at the Centre on a part-time basis, therefore their
hours are usually restricted to evenings or weekends.
Does the Centre
offer services for those who live outside of Toronto?
Services
are available to individuals across Ontario and to all provinces if clients are willing to come to our centre in Toronto or
offices in London, Ontario.
How do I make an appointment?
Please refer to the "Associates" tab on our website explore the clinical associate
you are most interested in contacting. Individual email addresses and/or telephone numbers are available under this feature.
For general questions about our services please contact the Centre's Clinical Director, Dr. Kevin Stoddart.
How soon can I see a clinician?
The
Redpath Centre is committed to providing clients with services in a timely manner; however, clinicians will occasionally not
be accepting new clients due to their current caseload. Regular updates on our associate's availability are listed on our
website under the link for each associate.
Do I require a referral
from a doctor to access services?
No. If you are interested in
receiving services, you are welcome to contact The Centre directly. With your written consent, we may request information
from other service providers that are involved or have been involved with you.
Does the Centre offer other programs, groups or workshops?
In
addition to therapy, The Redpath Centre offers various workshops and in-services related to Asperger Syndrome. Please visit
our website regularly for more information. Specific requests can be made by contacting associates directly.
What are the fees and method of payment?
Typically, sessions cost $130.00 per hour. It is preferred if clients write a cheque payable to the Associate and
provide it after each session. Your fee will be discussed with you prior to your initial session and you will be advised if
any changes are made to the fee structure.
Will my extended health
care benefits cover the cost of services?
Some extended health
benefit plans may cover some of the financial costs associated services at the Centre. Unfortunately, OHIP does not cover
any of the services provided by The Redpath Centre. Please consult your extended health care provider to obtain details.
What if I do not have Asperger Syndrome? Can I still get services at The Redpath Centre?
Some individuals who are receiving services from us do not have a diagnosis of Asperger
Syndrome, but may have a diagnosis that falls within the expertise of our clinicians such as mental health problems, ADD,
learning disabilities, or addictions. Although our specialization is Asperger Syndrome, we welcome clients who do not have
this diagnosis. If we feel that there is another service provider that is more suitable, we will prove referrals.
I feel I have Asperger Syndrome, but do not have a professional diagnosis. Is a formal diagnosis
required in order to receive services from you?
No, a formal diagnosis
is not required in order to receive services. However, it may be helpful to receive a formal psychological assessment in the
future in order to inform the therapeutic work we are engaged in together.
Diagnostic and Psychological Assessments:
Does
the Centre provide diagnostic assessments?
Yes, we do provide diagnoses
on Asperger syndrome and related conditions. There is a two-part process for a diagnostic assessment for Asperger Syndrome.
First, a clinician will meet with you and/or a family member complete a diagnostic screening to decide if there is enough
evidence of an ASD or related condition(s) to proceed with a full diagnostic assessment. The outcome of this initial screening
is not a diagnosis. The cost of the screening, lasting an hour and a half, is $250.00.
If it is decided to proceed with a full diagnostic psychological assessment, an in-house
referral to our Psychologist, Dr. Lillian Burke, is made. Most assessments take the equivalent of one
full day and the cost of a typical assessment is $1500. In most cases, this full day is divided into two half days. This
assessment includes cognitive testing, screening for executive functioning, sensory issues and mental health concerns in addition
to determining if the person shows historical and current symptoms of Asperger Syndrome or other disorders on the autism spectrum. All
of these issues are relevant for the diagnosis.
It is possible to just have a screening if I do not need a formal written diagnosis?
Yes, however please be advised that a screening does not constitute a diagnosis as this is
a "controlled act" in Ontario and can only be carried out at the Redpath Centre by our Psychologist. For most children
and young adults, we suggest a full psychological assessment to support work or school accommodations, access to other specialized
programs in the community, and application for disability income/benefits, if required.
Psychotherapy, Counselling and Consultations:
Is counselling for one person only or can I bring my family members?
The Redpath Centre currently offers individual, couples and family therapy depending on our client's needs.
How do I know if a Redpath Associate is the right one for me?
All of our clinical associates have a minimum of five years experience in the field of Asperger
Syndrome. A description of the therapist's area of expertise, relevant experience, education and publications are available
within each of the clinical associates profiles accessed through the "Associates" tab on The Redpath Centre website.
If you feel that the associate that you met with is not the right one for you, we can make suggestions for you to meet with
other clinicians who may be more suitable.
What approaches or theories
do Associates use?
The Redpath Centre utilizes an inter-disciplinary
and collaborative approach to ensure the most appropriate services for each person. Our clinical associates draw from a variety
of theoretical frameworks and best practice evidence.
How many appointments
will I have and how often?
The frequency and total number of appointments
varies based on the goals and action plans determined by the clinical associate and client. These concerns are usually discussed
within the first session and are flexible as goals are revisited.
Will
my sessions be kept confidential?
The Redpath Centre respects individual's
rights to privacy and confidentiality. Information shared with your therapist will not be used for additional purposes without
your written consent. Some circumstances such as risk of harm to yourself or someone else, and risk of abuse or harm to a
child are exceptions to the above policy. The Redpath Centre is proud to operate in accordance with the Code of Ethics of
the provincial regulatory colleges governing our professions.