Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions about working with Annette Poechman — including questions about psychotherapy, trauma treatment, PTSD counselling, insurance coverage, and what to expect from your first session. If your question isn’t answered here, reach out directly — Annette responds to all enquiries personally.
Yes, Annette has a waiting list. Start by checking available appointments in Annette’s booking software. It’s so easy! Don’t be discouraged if there aren’t any immediately available appointments. Go ahead and add yourself to the Waiting List. Annette regularly keeps time available each week for new clients. If you are flexible, the wait time is minimal. If your concern is urgent, please connect using the contact form. Email messages are private and go directly to Annette.
Yes! Annette offers a free 15-minute consultation. If you are interested in therapy, but are unsure if you and Annette are a good fit, please reach out to book a free 15-minute consultation.
You don’t need to bring anything to the session. Some people make brief notes before coming to therapy because they don’t want to forget anything.
Annette works from her home-based office in Hamilton, Ontario with a separate entrance. Your privacy and confidentiality are important.
Psychotherapy is often included in extended health care plans or by third-party insurance providers. Check your plan for “Registered Psychotherapy”.
Yes, Annette is a provider registered with Blue Cross, and can provide services to veterans and RCMP through Blue Cross.
Annette does not direct bill. When you come to therapy, you will need to pay and then submit to your insurance company after your session.
Yes you can! Click on this Book an Appointment link or the green Book an Appointment button in the side bar.
Psychotherapy offers a safe space to talk about your concerns or issues with a trained provider such as a psychotherapist, counsellor, trauma therapist, social worker or psychologist. It is more than just talking to a friend or family member. Therapy is all about you and you don’t need to censor yourself when in a therapy session.
Individuals seek out therapy when they want something to be different in their life. Different can mean better coping strategies or improved relationships with others or even a better relationship with themselves. When you go to therapy you do not need to have it all figured out. If you are feeling poorly and want your life to be different then that is enough to start the process of therapy.
The first session of therapy is an opportunity to begin sharing your story or problem. You do not need to have a clear direction or plan when you go to therapy. The first session is about starting to develop a relationship with the therapist and for the therapist to begin to understand your situation. There are some administrative functions (signed consent form), symptom assessment and collection of background information that also occur.
Therapy is considered safe particularly if it is being done by a licensed professional. (i.e. psychotherapist, trauma therapist, social worker or psychologist) who have training and experience with your issue. Healthy therapy means that you feel listened to, not pressured to disclose and you can say no or slow the process down.
Choosing the right therapist is a process. You need to consider their qualifications and their experience with the issue that you are bringing to therapy. For example, going to see a therapist about couple’s issues when they have no experience or training in that area would not be productive. In addition to experience and training it may be helpful to see if you connect with the therapist. Often therapists book free 15-minute consultations. Take the time to chat with a potential therapist and ask them questions about their training and style. Click the link to schedule your free 15-minute consultation. Read Annette’s blog, what is psychotherapy or personal counselling.
You don’t need to know specifically what you will say. Just come to your appointment with a general idea of a topic or topics. Annette will help you explore the issues.
Therapy can absolutely help individuals process trauma. The first step – making an appointment and walking in the door – is often the hardest. Trauma therapy can help reduce intrusive symptoms like flashbacks or nightmares. It can change your beliefs about the trauma and reduce your body’s hypervigilance by teaching nervous system regulation. Read Annette’s blog, what is a trauma therapist.
Therapy can make trauma worse in the hands of someone who does not know what they are doing. Generally talking about your trauma will not make you worse. It will stir up things, and you may not feel better initially, but over time your symptoms should improve. When looking for a therapist make sure that they are trained to work with trauma. Read Annette’s blog, what is a trauma therapist.
If you are interested in taking a brief depression inventory please go to https://psytests.org/depr/bdien-run.html which will link you to the Beck Depression Inventory. If the results indicate depression, Annette encourages you to speak to your family doctor and connect with a registered psychotherapist. Your family doctor can rule out any physical causes for your mood change and the need for sleep and speak to you about anti-depressants if that is something of interest. If the results do not indicate depression, I would encourage you to reach out to a registered psychotherapist to make an appointment. A psychotherapist can help you figure out what is going on in your life to make you irritable and together you can generate some solutions for change.
Not Finding the Answer You’re Looking For?
If you don’t see the question and answer you’re looking for here, please send Annette an email!
Listening. Guiding. Caring.
