FAQs About Therapy with Dr. Roberts
What does therapy involve?
Therapy is a collaborative process between you and Dr. Roberts. She uses her training and experience to support you in understanding and addressing difficulties affecting your life. Therapy is active—you will be encouraged to engage during and between sessions to make meaningful progress.
Who can attend therapy?
Dr. Roberts works with adults experiencing a wide range of mental health, emotional, or behavioural difficulties, including life transitions, stress, trauma, and adjustment challenges.
Do I need a referral to start therapy?
No referral is required to begin therapy. Some insurers may request a physician referral for reimbursement.
What will I be asked about in sessions?
Your first session focuses on understanding your concerns and goals. Dr. Roberts will also ask about your strengths, supports, and what is going well in your life. When appropriate, she may use psychological assessments to provide a thorough understanding of your situation. This ensures therapy is person-centred and tailored to your needs.
How can therapy help?
Therapy can help you:
How many sessions will I need?
This varies depending on the nature and complexity of your difficulties. After the initial assessment, Dr. Roberts will provide a more specific estimate. Typically, therapy ranges from 5 to 15 sessions.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes. All sessions with Dr. Roberts are confidential under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA, effective April 1, 2026) and CHCPBC standards. All communications and records are private and will not be shared without your written consent, except in legally or ethically required situations, including:
What should I bring to my first session?
Bring any relevant information about your health history, medications, or insurance. No other preparation is needed beyond your questions or thoughts about therapy.
What happens after the initial assessment?
Following the assessment and any relevant psychological testing, Dr. Roberts will discuss a tailored treatment plan, including goals and strategies for your sessions. Progress is reviewed regularly to ensure therapy meets your needs.
Do you provide written reports?
Reports are generally provided only if requested for insurance purposes. Reports summarise the work completed and your progress, without sharing unrelated personal details.
Can I switch between in-person and virtual sessions?
Yes. Sessions can be provided in-person or via secure video or telephone, depending on your preferences and circumstances.
How do I prepare for therapy?
Think about your goals, questions, or concerns. Therapy works best when you engage actively, but no special preparation is required.
What if I feel therapy isn’t helping?
It’s normal to feel unsure at times. Therapy is collaborative—if something isn’t working, discuss it openly with Dr. Roberts so the approach can be adapted to meet your needs.
What about insurance coverage?
Private psychological services are not covered under MSP. Many people are covered through Extended Health Plans. Key points to check:
What does therapy involve?
Therapy is a collaborative process between you and Dr. Roberts. She uses her training and experience to support you in understanding and addressing difficulties affecting your life. Therapy is active—you will be encouraged to engage during and between sessions to make meaningful progress.
Who can attend therapy?
Dr. Roberts works with adults experiencing a wide range of mental health, emotional, or behavioural difficulties, including life transitions, stress, trauma, and adjustment challenges.
Do I need a referral to start therapy?
No referral is required to begin therapy. Some insurers may request a physician referral for reimbursement.
What will I be asked about in sessions?
Your first session focuses on understanding your concerns and goals. Dr. Roberts will also ask about your strengths, supports, and what is going well in your life. When appropriate, she may use psychological assessments to provide a thorough understanding of your situation. This ensures therapy is person-centred and tailored to your needs.
How can therapy help?
Therapy can help you:
- Understand and manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that affect your wellbeing
- Recognise patterns that may be keeping you “stuck”
- Develop practical strategies for coping with stress, anxiety, or other challenges
- Build on your strengths and resources to support long-term wellbeing
How many sessions will I need?
This varies depending on the nature and complexity of your difficulties. After the initial assessment, Dr. Roberts will provide a more specific estimate. Typically, therapy ranges from 5 to 15 sessions.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes. All sessions with Dr. Roberts are confidential under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA, effective April 1, 2026) and CHCPBC standards. All communications and records are private and will not be shared without your written consent, except in legally or ethically required situations, including:
- Risk of harm to yourself or others, or abuse/neglect of a minor or vulnerable adult
- Unsafe driving due to a disclosed medical or psychological condition
- Unreported communicable disease posing a risk to others
- Court orders or regulatory requests from CHCPBC
- Public safety concerns regarding other licensed professionals
- Workplace disclosures regarding stress, harassment, or bullying
What should I bring to my first session?
Bring any relevant information about your health history, medications, or insurance. No other preparation is needed beyond your questions or thoughts about therapy.
What happens after the initial assessment?
Following the assessment and any relevant psychological testing, Dr. Roberts will discuss a tailored treatment plan, including goals and strategies for your sessions. Progress is reviewed regularly to ensure therapy meets your needs.
Do you provide written reports?
Reports are generally provided only if requested for insurance purposes. Reports summarise the work completed and your progress, without sharing unrelated personal details.
Can I switch between in-person and virtual sessions?
Yes. Sessions can be provided in-person or via secure video or telephone, depending on your preferences and circumstances.
How do I prepare for therapy?
Think about your goals, questions, or concerns. Therapy works best when you engage actively, but no special preparation is required.
What if I feel therapy isn’t helping?
It’s normal to feel unsure at times. Therapy is collaborative—if something isn’t working, discuss it openly with Dr. Roberts so the approach can be adapted to meet your needs.
What about insurance coverage?
Private psychological services are not covered under MSP. Many people are covered through Extended Health Plans. Key points to check:
- Annual maximum – how much can be reimbursed each year
- Coverage percentage – some plans cover only part of the fee (often 80%)
- Plan year – most plans renew on 1 January
- Referral requirements – Dr. Roberts does not require a physician referral, but your insurer may
- Registered provider – Dr. Roberts is a Licensed Psychologist with CHCPBC