Anyssa Sipos Psychotherapy
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you might want to know before reaching out.
It is completely normal to have questions before starting. Here are answers to some of the most common ones. If you do not see what you are looking for, feel free to reach out directly.
Getting Started
A free consultation is a 15-minute no-pressure conversation. It is a chance for you to share a little about what is bringing you to therapy, ask any questions you have, and get a sense of how I work. There is no commitment to continue afterward, it is simply a way to see if this feels like the right fit.
That is completely okay. Many people arrive without a clear sense of what they need, just a feeling that something is not quite right. We figure that out together. You do not need to have it sorted before reaching out.
Previous experiences that did not feel right are more common than you might think, and they are worth bringing into the conversation rather than setting aside. Sometimes it is about the approach, sometimes the pace, and sometimes simply the fit between therapist and client. I take that seriously.
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My work is always collaborative and client-led, and I check in regularly to make sure what we are doing feels right for you. If you are hesitant because of a past experience, that is something we can talk through in a free consultation.
What Brings People Here
Patterns that feel automatic or out of our control are often rooted in experiences that shaped how our nervous system learned to respond. When we keep reacting in ways that feel disproportionate or hard to understand, it is often not about lack of effort or willpower. It is about the fact that something deeper has not yet been worked through. Therapy can be a space to begin understanding where those patterns come from, and over time, building a different relationship with them.
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Learn more about patterns that keep repeating →
When an experience is not fully processed, it can continue to feel close, raw, or present even years later. This is not a sign that something is wrong with you. It is a sign that your mind and body are still carrying something that was never fully resolved. EMDR and trauma-informed therapy are specifically designed to work with experiences like these, helping your brain begin to process what has stayed stuck so it no longer has to shape how you feel today.
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Learn more about when the past still feels present →
Yes, and this is actually one of the most common experiences people bring to therapy. Anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere, or that feels bigger than the situation warrants, is often connected to something underneath that has not yet been identified or worked through. Therapy can be a space to begin making sense of what is driving it, not just managing the symptoms on the surface.
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Learn more about anxiety and overthinking →
Intense or overwhelming emotions are one of the most common reasons people reach out for support, and they are something therapy can genuinely help with. We start by building practical tools for managing what comes up in the moment, so you have something to draw on in your day to day life. From there, when it feels right, we can begin to explore what is driving the intensity underneath. You do not have to be able to manage your emotions perfectly to start therapy. That is part of what we work on together.
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Learn more about overwhelming emotions →
Feeling disconnected, from your own emotions, your sense of self, or the people around you, is a common experience for people carrying unresolved stress or difficult past experiences. It can feel like going through the motions, or like there is a version of yourself you have lost the thread back to. Therapy can be a space to begin understanding what is underneath that disconnection, and gently building your way back to a more grounded sense of who you are.
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Learn more about not feeling like yourself →
Relationship patterns that keep showing up, even when we try to do things differently, are often rooted in earlier experiences that shaped how we learned to connect with others. This is not a character flaw. It is something that can be explored and understood in therapy, particularly through a parts-based or trauma-informed lens. Understanding where those patterns began is often the first step toward something different.
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Learn more about relationships and patterns →
About EMDR
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured, evidence-based therapy designed to help your brain process experiences that still feel unresolved. Through guided bilateral stimulation, it helps distressing memories begin to lose their grip on the present. Unlike traditional talk therapy, much of the work happens at a level beyond words, which means you do not need to narrate everything in detail for it to be helpful.
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Although originally developed for PTSD, EMDR has since been found helpful for a range of experiences including anxiety, grief, negative self-beliefs, emotional reactivity, and patterns that keep showing up in your present day life even when you cannot trace them to a clear cause. Whether it is the right fit for you is something we can explore together in a free consultation.
Not necessarily. We will go through a brief history together so we have a sense of what to focus on, but you do not need to recount every detail before we begin the deeper work. Much of the actual processing happens without needing to talk extensively about what occurred. This is one of the things that makes EMDR particularly meaningful for people who want to address what they have been through without having to talk through all of it first.
Yes. EMDR adapts well to virtual delivery and I offer it to adults across Ontario via secure video through Jane. I walk you through everything before we begin so you know exactly what to expect. For many people, being in a familiar and comfortable environment actually supports the work rather than hindering it.
This varies significantly from person to person depending on what is being worked through and how you respond. EMDR follows a structured process that begins with building stability before moving into deeper processing work, and not everyone moves through every phase. Some people notice shifts relatively quickly, while others benefit from longer term work. We check in regularly and adjust based on how things are feeling.
The best way to find out is through a free 15-minute consultation. We can talk through what you are experiencing, whether EMDR feels like a good fit, and what the process might look like for you specifically. There is no commitment to continue afterward, it is simply a conversation to see if this feels right.
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Book a free consultation →
Fees & Logistics
Individual sessions are $130 for 50 minutes. A free 15-minute consultation is available before committing to sessions.
I believe therapy should be as accessible as possible, which is why I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots starting at $75 for those experiencing financial barriers. Please reach out at any time to discuss sliding scale availability. I am always happy to talk through options and find something that works for you.
Every insurance plan is different, so the best place to start is contacting your provider directly to ask what your policy covers. Mental health coverage is typically listed by provider type, so you will want to ask specifically whether your plan covers Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying).
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I do not currently offer direct billing. You will pay for sessions directly and I will provide a receipt afterward that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
Sessions are held via Jane, a secure video platform built specifically for healthcare providers and fully compliant with PHIPA, Ontario's health privacy legislation. Before your first session you will receive a link by email. All you need is a private space, a device with a camera and microphone, and a reliable internet connection. No downloads are required and the platform is straightforward to use. If you run into any technical difficulties before a session, please reach out and we will sort it out together.
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Sessions are 50 minutes and held virtually via Jane. What we focus on depends on where you are and what feels most useful. Some sessions are more exploratory and reflective, others are more practical and skills-focused. I always check in at the start so the direction is guided by you. There is no fixed agenda and no expectation to cover a certain amount in each session.
Session frequency is something we figure out together based on what makes the most sense for you, your goals, your schedule, and what is realistic financially. I understand that everyone's situation is different and I am happy to work with whatever frequency fits your life. What matters most is that you can show up in a way that feels sustainable. We discuss this from the start and revisit it as things shift.
Privacy & Additional Information
Yes. Everything shared in our sessions is confidential. There are a small number of legal exceptions to confidentiality, such as if there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or if disclosure is required by law. I will explain these exceptions clearly in our first session so you know exactly where those boundaries are before we begin.
I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). I offer virtual therapy to adults across Ontario including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Ottawa, Burlington, Oakville, London and beyond.
My practice is not equipped to provide crisis support between sessions. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or need immediate support, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
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If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Find distress and crisis support in your region.
Visit the Distress and Crisis Ontario →
Step 1
Book a Free Consultation
Book a 15-minute no-pressure conversation to see if we are a good fit. You can ask questions, share what is on your mind, and get a sense of how I work, with no commitment to continue.
Step 2
Begin Your First Session
Our first session is about getting to know you. We will explore what is bringing you in and begin to get a sense of what you are hoping for. Together we will start to map out a pace, approach, and direction that feels right for you.
Step 3
Move Forward at Your Own Pace
Therapy is not a straight line and it is not one size fits all. As we work together we check in regularly on what is shifting and what still needs attention, always adjusting to meet you where you are.
READY TO BEGIN
How to Get Started
Book a Free Consultation
Step 1
Book a 15-minute no-pressure conversation to see if we are a good fit. You can ask questions, share what is on your mind, and get a sense of how I work, with no commitment to continue.
​
Begin Your First Session
Step 2
Our first session is about getting to know you. We will explore what is bringing you in and begin to get a sense of what you are hoping for. Together we will start to map out a pace, approach, and direction that feels right for you.
Move Forward at Your Own Pace
Step 3
Therapy is not a straight line and it is not one size fits all. As we work together we check in regularly on what is shifting and what still needs attention, always adjusting to meet you where you are.
