Qualifications
Mahyar Zaud is a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), which governs psychotherapy in Ontario. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology, and a Masters of Arts degree in Psychoanalysis.
Description of Psychotherapy:
According to the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy and is intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being. Registered Psychotherapists work with individuals, couples and families in individual and group settings. Psychotherapy occurs when the Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy life. Please check https://www.crpo.ca/find-a-registered-psychotherapist/what-is-psychotherapy/ for more information.
What to Expect from a Registered Psychotherapist
When you seek the services of a Registered Psychotherapist, you can expect to receive competent, ethical, quality care from a qualified professional who is registered with CRPO.
RPs are accountable to CRPO for the quality of care they provide and for their professional conduct. Only individuals who are registered with CRPO are able to use the title “psychotherapist”, “Registered Psychotherapist” or any abbreviation or variation thereof in any language, or to hold themselves out as qualified to practise as a psychotherapist in Ontario (no matter what title they use).
Standards of Practise
All RPs in Ontario must follow the established standards for the profession. CRPO’s Professional Practice Standards for Registered Psychotherapists are in place so you can be assured that your psychotherapist is practising in a competent and ethical manner. The standards provide clear expectations for RPs, covering everything from professional conduct to record-keeping and documentation.
CRPO holds all Registered Psychotherapists accountable for their conduct and practise.
Please visit https://www.crpo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Professional-Practice-Standards-EN-v-6.0.pdf for more information.
Potential risks and benefits
Although psychotherapy is considered to be relatively low risk, but because psychotherapy explores difficult aspects of one’s life, clients might experience uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety, sadness, fear, frustration, anger, loneliness, guilt, suicidal ideation, etc. Clients might recall unpleasant feelings and memories during or in between sessions, which is a normal experience during the process of psychotherapy. As a result of psychotherapy, clients might also notice some changes in their relationship with others and with their surrounding, as they learn more about themselves and find new ways of coping and problem solving.
Despite these risks, therapy has generally been shown to benefit those who choose to engage in it. Therapy often leads to a significant long-term reduction in feelings of distress, increased satisfaction in relationships, greater personal awareness and insight, and development of more effective coping skills.
Psychotherapy Outcomes
The client has to keep in mind that the outcome of psychotherapy is not predictable and there can be no guarantee in the clients progress towards her/his goals, since psychotherapeutic progress is dependent on many factors. However, Mahyar is a professional psychotherapist with years of experience and is committed to do his best to help you through your life challenges.
Age of Consent to Service
In Ontario, there is no “age of consent” with respect to personal health care decisions. In general, clients of any age are considered capable of refusing or providing consent to their own treatment as long as they possess the maturity to reasonably understand the information provided and can appreciate the consequences of their decisions.
Where a client is a minor (e.g. under the age of 16 for health care decisions, or under the age of 18 for decisions involving contracts), their capacity to provide consent must be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Confidentiality
No information about the client nor what is discussed within the psychotherapy sessions will be shared with anyone, unless the client discloses that she/he is either going to harm herself/himself, or harm someone else, or there is a minor (child under 18 years of age) or an elder who might be in danger. In the case that your information gets subpoenaed by court, your psychotherapist is entitled to release your information to the court. Also, when a client discloses that she/he has been sexually abused by another helping professional who is a member of a profession regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act of Ontario (e.g., psychologist, medical doctor, physiotherapist, etc.) or the Social Work & Social Service Workers Act of Ontario, it may be necessary to report the name of the professional (not the client) to the relevant college. In a situation of the unexpected death or illness of the therapist, you may be contacted by a representative who is acting on behalf of the therapist and is committed to the confidentiality rules. At any time, you have the right to withhold or withdraw consent to, or place conditions on, the disclosure of your information.
Emergencies
If you have an emergency between sessions, please contact your physician, the emergency department of the local hospital nearest to you, call the local community mental health crisis lines or dial 911.
Electronic communication (Videoconferencing, e-mail, texting)
Electronic communication is generally used for online sessions and scheduling appointments. Although Mahyar uses updated spyware, antivirus, and VPN, due to the nature of digital technology, the complete security and privacy of e-communications cannot be guaranteed as information may be intercepted, lost, corrupted, or infected, or someone may access your computer. It is highly recommended that clients also use a VPN, in order to reduce the risks of sessions getting hacked.
Record Keeping
Psychotherapists are required to keep a record of each session with the client. Records are kept for a minimum of 10 years after a client turns 19 years of age. All information is maintained in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) of the Federal Government of Canada and the Personal Health Information and Protection Act (PHIPA) of the Province of Ontario. Your personal information is protected by specific safeguards including locked cabinets and computer passwords.
Client’s Rights and Expectations
During the first session, Mahyar will explain to you his approach in psychotherapy, the informed consent form, and an estimate number of sessions.
Mahyar is entitled to explain to you his education background and work experience, if you require.
You can ask to see Mahyar’s registration certificate with the Ontario College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO).
After the first session, you will have a complete understanding of the session fees.
You can refuse any recommendations, practices or techniques which you find unsuitable for you.
You can stop therapy at any time. Although, Mahyar recommends that you participate in a termination session prior to leaving.
Feedbacks are welcomed
Payment Policy
The fee for each 50 minutes session is $200. Please note that longer sessions, report writing, requested letters, check-in-calls, consultations with other professionals, is also charged by the hourly rate.
Sliding scale might be available in certain situations. Please speak with Mahyar if you have any questions.
Payments can be made by cash, cheque, or e-transfer.
Cancelation Policy
If you need to cancel your session, please inform Mahyar or his assistant 24 hours before the session. If you fail to do so, you will be charged the full cost of the session.
For ongoing clients, who have committed to weekly or bi-weekly sessions, the fee of $30 will be charged even if the notice of the cancelation has been given in advance.
Cancelation or missed session fees will be waived only if there is an emergency such as urgent medical treatment, death in the family, dangerous weather conditions, imprisonment, or in the event of an accident or natural disaster.
Insurance
Many 3rd party insurers cover Psychotherapy by a Registered Psychotherapist. Please contact your insurer to determine coverage. After each session, we will provide a receipt for you to submit to them.
Assistant
Any assistant, volunteer, or employee of Zaud Psychotherapy Professional Corporation will be fully committed to confidentiality laws in psychotherapy practice, and will sign a confidentiality agreement form. The assistant will have No access to clients personal files, such as session notes, etc. The assistant will only be responsible for scheduling appointments, managing cancellations and missed sessions, sending invoices and receipts, and bookkeeping. For this purpose, the assistant will have access to your name and personal information stated on this form.
Acknowledgement and Consent
By signing below, you indicate that you have read and understood this consent form. You indicate that any questions you have about this consent form or the information form were answered to your satisfaction and that you were provided a copy of this document. You agree to accept the psychotherapy services as offered herein. You understand that psychotherapy is a process of collaboratively working to resolve issues presenting for you.
