FAQ

Frequently asked questions

It is entirely normal to have questions before taking the first step, especially when choosing to do things differently. Here are a few answers to help.

By service

Your questions, service by service

Home-environment support

How long does this kind of support last?

It depends on each child’s needs. This kind of follow-up can run from four or five meetings to more than ten, depending on what the parents, the child and the setting need.

Do insurers reimburse these services?

Usually yes, but it depends on the plan. We suggest checking whether yours covers psychoeducation or “mental health professionals”. If your plan mentions only psychology, call them to clarify. We are not psychologists.

Do I have to book an on-site observation before moving online?

For support inside the setting we strongly recommend the on-site observation period. After that, the rest of the follow-up can absolutely happen remotely.

Insurers (SAAQ, CNESST and IVAC)

How do I get psychoeducation covered through my insurer?

Generally you need a recommendation from your treating physician and authorisation from your case officer (SAAQ, CNESST or IVAC). We can guide you through those steps.

Do you write progress reports?

Yes. We produce rigorous progress reports and end-of-mandate reports, documenting how the goals evolved and our recommendations for the rest of the file.

Do you offer teleconsultation for these files?

Yes, if the person’s condition allows it. We often prefer an in-home approach where possible, to get the most out of the rehabilitation.

Parental coaching

How long does parental coaching last?

It depends on the needs of each family. This kind of follow-up can run from four or five meetings to more than ten, depending on what the parents need and how far they want to take it.

What brings people to parental coaching?

Feeling overwhelmed by what is happening at home; the sense that nothing you do is right; an atmosphere that is permanently tense; wanting a hand to intervene better with your children… The reasons are countless.

Do insurers reimburse these services?

Usually yes, but it depends on the plan. We suggest checking whether yours covers psychoeducation or “mental health professionals”. If your plan mentions only psychology, call them to clarify. We are not psychologists.

How should I prepare my home before your visit?

Do not tidy a thing. We want to see your daily life as it really is, so we can help properly. No judgement comes through the door with us.

Do I have to have an in-home meeting before moving online?

No. We recommend it where possible, but parental coaching can easily run entirely by teleconsultation.

Do you work with children online?

It depends on each psychoeducator’s approach. We do not recommend teleconsultation under the age of 10: attention and trust are harder to establish at a distance.

Vehicle desensitization

Do I have to drive in the first session?

Absolutely not. The first meeting is for assessing your needs and giving you calming tools. Physical exposure only begins once you feel ready and equipped.

Do you offer this if I am only a passenger?

Yes. Travel anxiety affects passengers too. We work on desensitisation whether you are behind the wheel or in the seat beside it.

How long is an exposure session?

Desensitisation sessions are often longer (around 80 minutes) so the nervous system has time to settle during the exercise and consolidate what was learned.

What if I have a panic attack while driving?

Preventing exactly that is our job. We progress in steps small enough that the anxiety stays manageable. If something sharp does come up, we have immediate stop-and-settle protocols.

What does a desensitisation follow-up look like?

It involves two assessment meetings, followed by psychological education on strategies for managing the stress and symptoms that can arise while driving. After that we put a gradual exposure plan in place. Together, the psychoeducator and the client set the order of exposures while driving, from least to most stressful. The goal is getting back on the road safely and functionally.

My car was written off. Can I still do desensitisation?

It depends. We can work on desensitisation with you as a passenger in the psychoeducator’s car if needed. But if you need to be desensitised to driving itself, you will need your own vehicle.

Your questions, service by service (continued)

Psychoeducational assessment

How is your assessment different from a neuropsychologist’s?

A neuropsychologist assesses cognitive functions (memory, attention) while a psychoeducator assesses behaviour and everyday adaptation. The two are complementary, and ours often becomes the basis for applying the neuropsychologist’s recommendations in real life.

How long until I get the report?

The full process (from the first meeting to the report handover) usually spans four to six weeks, depending on the complexity of the file and how quickly the questionnaires come back.

Can an assessment be done entirely online?

In some cases, yes. For a full assessment though (particularly with young children) we strongly recommend at least one in-person observation session, at home or in the setting, for clinical accuracy.

Anxiety management

Do you work with young children who have separation anxiety?

Absolutely. With little ones the work often goes through play and direct parental involvement, to build a reassuring safety net around the child.

Do you do cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

We use CBT principles (the link between thoughts, emotions and behaviour) and add the in-the-field dimension particular to psychoeducation, applying those concepts in your own environment.

Can anxiety disappear completely?

The goal is not to remove anxiety (it is a useful emotion) but to reduce its intensity so it stops interfering with daily life.

Nature-based intervention

Do I need to be physically fit?

No. Activities are adapted to your physical condition and your capacities. We choose accessible locations together, and activities that match your needs and your limits.

What happens in bad weather?

Adapting to the elements is part of the therapeutic process (resilience, acceptance). Sessions may go ahead, depending on why you are consulting and on your goals; how that works is settled in the first few sessions. In a severe storm or extreme cold, we can move the session online or postpone it to keep everyone safe.

What are the benefits of this approach?

Nature offers a calming setting that reduces stress and anxiety. It supports emotional regulation, improves mood and allows a deeper connection with yourself. Many studies demonstrate the benefits of contact with nature for mental health.

Is it effective for children with ADHD?

It is one of the most beneficial settings for them. Studies demonstrate that time spent in green space significantly reduces symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. Nature offers calming stimuli that let the brain rest from urban cognitive fatigue.

Post-traumatic stress

Do insurers reimburse these services?

Usually yes, but it depends on the plan. We suggest checking whether yours covers psychoeducation or “mental health professionals”. If your plan mentions only psychology, call them to clarify. We are not psychologists.

Do you take SAAQ, CNESST or IVAC files?

Yes. For more detail, see our page on SAAQ, CNESST and IVAC files.

Do you do in vivo desensitisation?

Yes. Getting past a trauma does not always come from talking about it; often the brain has to relearn through experience that the danger has passed. The method means exposing yourself gradually, safely and in a controlled way to the situations, places or objects you have avoided since the event. The goal is to break the link between those triggers and your brain’s fear response. As we often put it, the alarm system is faulty: it has to relearn when to sound, and when not to.

Do I have to have in-home meetings?

No. We recommend it where possible, but trauma follow-up can run entirely online. What matters is that you are comfortable with whichever mode you choose.

Can desensitisation happen remotely?

Ideally we are with you in the field. We know that is not always possible, geographically or financially. In that case we recommend involving someone close to you as a companion for the first outings. We bring them into the follow-up meetings to explain their role. The desensitisation plan is built accordingly, and follow-up happens weekly to take stock of progress.

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