FAQs Archive

How do I know if therapy is working?

Progress in therapy isn't always dramatic, and it doesn't necessarily mean difficult feelings disappear. Sometimes the first changes are subtle. You may begin noticing your reactions before acting on them. Situations that previously overwhelmed you may become easier to manage. You might recover more quickly after setbacks or communicate more openly in relationships. For some people, progress means fewer symptoms. For others, it involves greater self-understanding, improved functioning, or more freedom in how they respond to difficult experiences. Your therapist should be willing to discuss your goals, review progress, and consider whether the approach is helping. Feeling persistently worse or unable to identify a helpful direction deserves attention rather than being dismissed as an inevitable part of therapy.

mpadmin2026-10-25T15:19:13-04:00Comments Off

What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?

An earlier experience of therapy that wasn't helpful doesn't necessarily mean therapy cannot help you. Sometimes the approach wasn't well matched to your needs, the relationship didn't feel comfortable, or important aspects of your difficulties weren't adequately understood. Your circumstances and goals may also have changed. If you've attended therapy before, we'd be interested in understanding what you found helpful, what didn't work, and what you might want to be different this time. Those experiences can provide valuable information when considering a therapist and treatment approach.

mpadmin2026-10-25T15:18:46-04:00Comments Off

Can worrying be a way of trying to feel more in control?

Yes. Worrying can sometimes feel like a way to prepare for problems, prevent mistakes, or protect yourself and the people you care about. You may find yourself reviewing conversations, anticipating everything that could go wrong, or feeling responsible for making sure nothing is overlooked. Although worry can create a temporary sense of preparedness, excessive worry often leaves people feeling more anxious and less certain. Therapy can help you understand what keeps worry going, recognize when it's no longer useful, and develop a different relationship with uncertainty. The goal isn't to stop caring or planning. It's to help worry take up less room in your life.

mpadmin2026-10-25T15:26:02-04:00Comments Off

How long will I need therapy?

The length of therapy depends on your concerns, goals, circumstances, and response to treatment. Some people benefit from relatively brief, focused therapy for a particular difficulty. Others find that longer-term therapy is helpful for understanding recurring emotional or relationship patterns. Your therapist will work with you to identify goals, review progress, and discuss whether the approach is helping. As your needs change, you can discuss reducing the frequency of sessions or bringing treatment to a close.

mpadmin2026-10-25T15:26:09-04:00Comments Off

Can I be depressed even if I’m still working and managing my responsibilities?

Yes. Depression doesn't always mean being unable to get out of bed or carry out everyday responsibilities. Some people continue working, caring for others, and meeting expectations while feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or unable to enjoy things that once mattered. You might find yourself going through the motions, becoming increasingly self-critical, or wondering why ordinary tasks require so much effort. Depression can affect people in different ways, and outward functioning doesn't always reflect how someone feels internally. Therapy can help you understand what you're experiencing, explore contributing factors, and identify approaches that may support recovery.

mpadmin2026-10-25T15:19:53-04:00Comments Off

If I know my obsessive thoughts are unreasonable, why can’t I stop checking or seeking reassurance?

Recognizing that a fear is unlikely doesn't necessarily make the anxiety or urge to respond disappear. With obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), checking, reassurance-seeking, or mental reviewing may briefly reduce distress. That relief can make the behaviour more likely to happen again, even when you recognize that it's unnecessary. Over time, this cycle can strengthen doubt and make uncertainty increasingly difficult to tolerate. Effective OCD treatment, including exposure and response prevention (ERP), helps people respond differently to obsessive fears and resist rituals that keep the cycle going. The goal isn't to achieve absolute certainty. It's to become less dependent on rituals and reassurance to feel safe.

mpadmin2026-10-25T15:52:30-04:00Comments Off

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

Children and teenagers sometimes experience difficulties that go beyond the everyday challenges of growing up. You may notice persistent worry, emotional outbursts, withdrawal, irritability, difficulties with friendships, or increasing struggles at home or school. Some children express distress through behaviour rather than words. A child who becomes angry, avoids school, or repeatedly seeks reassurance may be having difficulty managing feelings they cannot easily explain. Therapy may help when these difficulties cause distress or interfere with daily life. Not every concern requires individual therapy. Sometimes parent consultation or another form of support is a better starting point.

mpadmin2026-10-25T15:21:09-04:00Comments Off

My child has frequent emotional outbursts. How can therapy help us understand what’s happening?

Emotional outbursts can have many explanations. Some children struggle to recognize or regulate strong feelings. Others become overwhelmed by frustration, anxiety, sensory demands, transitions, or situations they experience as unfair. Therapy can help us understand what happens before, during, and after these reactions. Depending on your child's needs, treatment may involve developing emotional awareness, strengthening coping skills, and helping caregivers respond in ways that support regulation. The goal isn't simply to stop a behaviour. It's to understand what's contributing to it and help your child develop more effective ways of managing difficult experiences.

mpadmin2026-10-25T15:21:21-04:00Comments Off

How do I know which psychological assessment I need?

The most appropriate assessment depends on the difficulties you're experiencing and the questions you're hoping to answer. An ADHD assessment explores attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, executive functioning, and relevant developmental history. A psychoeducational assessment examines learning and academic skills alongside relevant cognitive processes. An autism assessment considers developmental patterns, social communication, restricted or repetitive behaviours and interests, sensory experiences, and related characteristics. These areas can overlap. Similar difficulties may also have different underlying explanations. During our initial consultation, we'll discuss your concerns and goals to help determine which assessment may be most useful.

mpadmin2026-10-25T15:51:25-04:00Comments Off

What if my child or teenager doesn’t want to attend therapy?

Reluctance about therapy is understandable, particularly when a young person feels that adults are more concerned about their behaviour than they are. Some children worry that therapy means they've done something wrong. Teenagers may be concerned about being judged, losing privacy, or being expected to change when they don't believe there's a problem. We consider a young person's willingness and ability to participate when recommending individual therapy. For some families, parent consultation may be a more useful starting point. It can help caregivers better understand the difficulties and consider how to respond, even when their child isn't ready to attend.

mpadmin2026-10-25T15:21:40-04:00Comments Off