FAQs
For Parents
How do I get started?
Book a free 20-minute consultation through my booking page or send me an email at lisa@lisaackerman.com. We'll talk about what's bringing you in and whether we're a good fit to work together.
Where are sessions held?
All sessions are currently virtual via Zoom. You can join from anywhere in Canada as long as you have a private space and reliable internet.
How often do we meet?
Most clients meet weekly or bi-weekly. We'll figure out what makes sense based on what you're working on and what feels sustainable for you.
How long are sessions?
You can choose between 50-minute or 75-minute sessions, depending on what works best for you.
Do you work with kids?
I work with teens and young adults (roughly 13+) individually, and with families that include younger children. This can include sessions in which children attend alone, but generally in the context of family therapy that actively includes the caregivers..
Do you take insurance?
I don't direct bill, but I can provide receipts for you to submit to your extended health benefits. Many plans in Canada cover Registered Social Workers - check with your provider about your specific coverage.
What's your cancellation policy?
I ask for 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations or no-shows are charged the full session fee.
What if I'm not in Canada?
I'm currently registered to work with clients located in Canada only. If you're outside Canada, I'm happy to help you find resources in your area.
How do I pay?
Payment is due at the time of service and can be made via e-transfer.
Is this confidential?
Yes. Everything we discuss is confidential except in situations where there's risk of harm to yourself or others, or if there's suspected child abuse - in those cases, I'm legally required to take action to keep people safe.
What if we're not a good fit?
That happens sometimes, and it's okay! If we realize we're not the right match, I'm happy to help connect you with other resources or practitioners.
FAQs
For Teens
Do I have to come to therapy?
Nope. Therapy only works if you actually want to be here. If your parents are making you come, we can at least use the time to figure out what YOU want, not just what they want.
Will you tell my parents everything?
No. What we talk about stays between us, unless you're in danger or someone else is. I'll explain exactly what that means in our first session. If your parents ask me stuff, I'll check with you first about what (if anything) you're okay with me sharing.
What's the point of this?
Here's what I believe: every kid deserves at least one adult they can actually trust and rely on - someone who sees the best in them. Ideally, that's your parent. Even though I don't know you yet, I think you deserve that.
If things feel hard right now, having another adult in your corner (one who's trained at helping teens and parents actually understand each other) can help. I’ll start with what matters to YOU, but I'm also pretty good at helping your parents see your side - and helping you understand theirs too. Not in a "let's all hold hands" way, but in a way that actually makes things a bit easier at home.
What if I don't know what to talk about?
That's totally normal. I'll ask questions, we'll figure it out together. You don't have to have it all planned out.
Is this going to be awkward?
Maybe a little at first? Most things are awkward at first. But I'm not going to make you do trust falls or any of that woo woo stuff you might be picturing. We'll just... talk. And if something feels weird, you can tell me and we'll adjust.
What do we even do in therapy?
We talk about whatever's going on - friend drama, family stuff, school, identity questions, substances, mental health, whatever. I can help you make sense of it and figure out what you want to do about it. Sometimes we problem-solve, sometimes we just process what's hard.
How long does this take?
This one's tricky to answer. Pretty early on I'll ask what "better" might look like for you (even just a little better), and we'll go from there. I find it helpful to have a shared sense of where we're heading, even if you can't say right now. I'm confident we'll figure it out together. Some people come for a few months, some longer.
What if therapy just isn't for me?
Maybe it's not - and that's okay to figure out. Some people try it and realize it's not their thing, or the timing isn't right. But sometimes what feels like "therapy isn't for me" is actually "this therapist isn't for me" or "I don't know what we're supposed to be doing here." We can figure out which one it is together, and if it turns out therapy genuinely isn't helpful right now, I'll tell you that honestly.