Between Sessions: 
A therapy blog on being human and the contemplative work of psychotherapy

Therapist self-doubt isn't a sign of incompetence — it's often a sign of ethical, reflective practice. A look at why "enough" feels so hard to measure in this work.

Amanda Carver, Clinical Director of Vistas Psychotherapy & Wellness, joins the Live Your Yoga podcast to discuss gender-inclusive yoga practices and the personal experience of raising a transgender child. A candid conversation on inclusion, language, and creating safer spaces on and off the mat. Listen to the full episode.

Money can feel surprisingly complicated—especially in therapy. Our beliefs about money are shaped by culture, family, and past experiences, often linking it to ideas of worth, care, or power. Because therapy is deeply relational, paying for it can stir emotions for both clients and therapists. Yet the financial exchange serves an important purpose: it protects clear boundaries and ensures the therapeutic relationship remains focused entirely on the client’s needs. Rather than diminishing care, it allows therapists to bring their full presence, training, and attention to the work. When money is discussed openly and without shame, it becomes part of a transparent and respectful therapeutic process.

Most therapists leave the room at least once a week feeling like a fraud. We compare our "messy" sessions to the neat, 10-session arcs found in textbooks and wonder: Am I even helping? This article explores why that Inner Critic is actually a misguided protector—and why the moments we dismiss as "just talking" are often the most therapeutic parts of the job. Key Takeaways: The Nonlinear Reality: Change happens beneath the surface. Just because a client repeats a pattern doesn't mean you've failed; it means they are human. Supportive Counselling is "The Work": We debunk the myth that structured modalities (like CBT or ACT) are the only "real" therapy. Grounded presence and emotional validation are the foundations that make specialized interventions possible. Reframing the Critic: Your imposter syndrome is a "protective part" trying to keep you safe in the face of clinical ambiguity. Learn to soften its message into a tool for ethical conscientiousness rather than a source of shame. The Power of Presence: Clients rarely remember your perfect intervention; they remember how you made them feel when they were at their most vulnerable. The Bottom Line: You don't need to be a technician to be a healer. By integrating your inner critic and trusting the therapeutic relationship, you move from being a "perfectionist performer" to a grounded, effective clinician.

Evidence‑based therapies like CBT dominate modern psychology, but real clients rarely fit neatly into research protocols. This article explores the core dilemma psychotherapists face: balancing scientific validity with the complexity of individual human experience. Drawing on Jung, contemporary research, and clinical realities, it argues for a more flexible, integrative approach — one where therapists trust the evidence, but trust the client even more.

Cross‑Border Therapy in Canada: What Ontario Clinicians Need to Know Navigating cross‑border therapy as an Ontario clinician can feel overwhelming — especially as clients travel, relocate, or work remotely across provinces and countries. This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential rules, risks, and documentation requirements for providing virtual care when clients are outside Ontario. You’ll learn how licensing regulations work across Canadian provinces, what to consider when supporting clients in the United States or abroad, and how to build a clear, ethical workflow that protects both you and your clients. Whether you’re a solo practitioner, supervisor, or clinic leader, this post offers practical steps, therapist‑friendly explanations, and up‑to‑date guidance to help you deliver safe, compliant, and compassionate care across borders. Keywords: cross‑border therapy Canada, Ontario therapist regulations, virtual therapy across provinces, interjurisdictional practice, online counselling rules Canada, therapy licensing across borders, continuity of care virtual therapy, Canadian psychotherapy regulations.

Wondering what to do when a client asks for a letter? This guide walks Registered Psychotherapists through the ethical, clinical, and documentation considerations of letter writing. Learn how to stay within CRPO scope, assess competence, obtain informed consent, and avoid common pitfalls. Includes tone tips, formatting advice, and downloadable resources to support supervisees and new therapists. Keywords: - Registered Psychotherapist letter writing - CRPO documentation standards - therapist letter template - informed consent psychotherapy - clinical documentation tips - psychotherapy scope of practice - therapist support letters - supervision resources for RPs

Therapist self-disclosure is one of the most nuanced skills in psychotherapy. While authenticity helps build trust and strengthen the therapeutic relationship, sharing too much personal information can unintentionally shift the focus away from the client. For newer therapists especially, the line between being genuine and becoming autobiographical can feel difficult to navigate. This article explores the difference between authentic presence and personal storytelling in therapy, and why thoughtful restraint is often just as important as connection. Drawing on clinical experience and psychotherapy research, it examines how self-disclosure can either support the therapeutic alliance or blur professional boundaries depending on timing, motivation, and relevance. You’ll learn why self-disclosure is often considered an advanced clinical skill, how to evaluate when sharing may benefit a client, and how to maintain the therapeutic frame while still showing up as a real human being in the room. The article also outlines practical guidelines for intentional, client-centered disclosure and summarizes key research findings on how therapist self-disclosure affects trust, rapport, and therapy outcomes. Whether you are a therapist in training, an early-career clinician, or simply curious about how therapy works behind the scenes, this reflection offers a thoughtful look at one of psychotherapy’s most subtle relational tools.

Self-Care is More Than Bubble Baths: It's Sustainable Practice. Therapists, we're tired of the fluff. True self-care is less about self-indulgence and more about the difficult, crucial work of self-parenting and professional accountability. This includes mastering administrative essentials like case note strategy to eliminate chronic stress, embracing the moral complexity of the work to prevent despair, and establishing clear rituals for leaving work at the office. Furthermore, sustainable practice requires building a supportive community, making Imposter Syndrome an ethical ally, and carefully vetting contracts to avoid predatory clinic models. You don't have to navigate the isolation and complexity alone; finding a supervisor you truly connect with is often the most powerful form of self-care.