Now Accepting New Clients · Scarborough & Virtual Ontario

You've Carried
This Long Enough.

Helping adults, couples, first responders, and veterans across Ontario work through trauma, stress, and relationship difficulties — so that life starts feeling genuinely different again. In Scarborough and online.

18 Years Experience Direct Billing Available In-Person & Virtual Free 20-Min Consultation OCSWSSW Registered
18+Years Experience
RSWOntario Registered Social Worker
11+Evidence-Based Approaches
Free20-Min First Consultation
12+Insurance Plans Accepted
You're Not Alone

Does Any of This Sound Familiar?

Many people who reach out to Andrew are dealing with one — or several — of these experiences. If you recognize yourself here, therapy can help.

You replay past events over and over and can't seem to let them go

Your relationship feels stuck, distant, or like it's on the edge

You're exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on empty — every single day

You've seen things on the job that stay with you when the shift ends

You've served and come home, but part of you still feels like you're over there

You want help but feel like you should be able to handle this on your own

You feel disconnected from yourself, your emotions, or the people you love

Anxiety and stress are affecting your work, sleep, and relationships

What I Treat

How I Can Help

Andrew offers evidence-based therapy tailored to your specific situation — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Trauma Therapy

Processing the past to reclaim your life

Whether it's a single incident, childhood experiences, or complex ongoing trauma — Andrew uses EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and other evidence-based approaches to help you process what happened so it no longer controls your daily life.

Learn about Trauma Therapy

Couples & Relationship Counselling

Rebuild connection, trust, and communication

Relationships are hard. Whether you're navigating communication breakdowns, trust issues, conflict, intimacy challenges, or questioning the future of your relationship — individual and couples therapy can help you find a clearer path.

Couples & Relationship Counselling in Scarborough

Stress & Burnout

Reclaim calm when everything feels like too much

Chronic stress, workplace burnout, and overwhelm can affect health, mood, work, and relationships. Counselling may help you understand contributing factors, clarify what can change, and develop strategies suited to your circumstances.

Learn about Stress & Burnout Therapy
View All Services

Physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, and other regulated professionals can review the professional referral information before discussing a possible referral.

Who I Work With

Focused Support for Different Needs

Andrew's practice experience includes work with populations who may face specific barriers to seeking support.

Adults

Navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, grief, and personal growth

Couples

Communication, conflict resolution, trust repair, and relationship renewal

First Responders

Police, fire, paramedics & dispatchers dealing with occupational trauma & stress

Military & Veterans

Dedicated support for those who have served, with an understanding of military culture

Men 18–65

A judgement-free space for men ready to take the first step toward feeling better

Andrew Garnet MSW, RSW
About Your Therapist

Meet Andrew Garnet

MSW, RSW — Registered Social Worker · Scarborough, Ontario

With 18 years of experience as a Registered Social Worker, I have supported people through trauma, stress, relationship concerns, occupational strain, and other difficult periods.

My approach is collaborative and genuinely evidence-based. I draw on EMDR, CBT, ACT, DBT, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and several other approaches — but I always tailor what I use to what works for you specifically, not a generic template.

I have deep respect for the courage it takes to ask for help. That's especially true for first responders, veterans, and men — people who are often taught that pushing through is the only option. It isn't. There's a different way, and I'd be honoured to help you find it.

MSWRSWEMDR Trained18 Years ExperienceOCSWSSW Member
Evidence-Based Practice

Therapeutic Approaches

Andrew draws on eleven evidence-based modalities to build a treatment plan that fits your specific needs — not a one-size-fits-all formula.

EMDR · Eye Movement Desensitization & ReprocessingCBT · Cognitive Behavioural TherapyACT · Acceptance & Commitment TherapyDBT · Dialectical Behaviour TherapySFBT · Solution-Focused Brief TherapySP · Sensorimotor PsychotherapyMBSR · Mindfulness-Based Stress ReductionMBCT · Mindfulness-Based Cognitive TherapyIPT · Interpersonal TherapyEFT · Emotionally Focused TherapyGottman · Gottman Method Couples Therapy
“The moment someone decides to reach out — that moment alone takes more courage than most people realize. My work is to make sure that courage leads somewhere real.”
Andrew Garnet MSW, RSW  ·  18 Years in Practice
Getting Started

How It Works

Most people who reach out have been thinking about it for a while. The process is straightforward and low-pressure — here's exactly what to expect.

Book a Free 20-Min Call

Tell Andrew briefly what's going on — and ask whatever questions you have. No intake forms, no commitment. Just a real conversation to see if it feels like the right fit.

Your First Full Session

No agenda other than understanding what you're carrying and what you want to be different. You set the pace. Andrew brings the questions that help you get clear on what's actually going on — and you'll leave with a clearer sense of what we're working toward together.

Work That Follows You Into Real Life

Sessions are focused and progress is reviewed collaboratively. You may leave with something to notice or practise before next time, while recognizing that the pace and outcome of therapy vary from person to person.

Book Your Free Consultation Now
A Solo Practice — On Purpose

The Person You Call Is the Person You'll See

At larger clinics, a questionnaire decides who you end up with. Here, there's no matching quiz, no intake coordinator, and no handoffs.

One Therapist, Start to Finish

The person you speak with at your free consultation is the person you'll work with in every session — someone who knows your whole story, not a file summary.

You Know Who You're Getting

18 years of experience, MSW, RSW — his credentials, his approach, and his fees are all on this site. No roster roulette, no “your therapist has left the practice.”

Decisions Happen in the Room

Scheduling, approach, pace — worked out directly between you and Andrew. No policies handed down from a head office, no waiting on a care coordinator to call you back.

Credentials & Coverage

Why Clients Trust Garnet Counselling

Andrew is a regulated health professional — registered with and accountable to the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Regulated & Accountable

RSW registration means Andrew meets strict professional standards and is subject to the OCSWSSW Code of Ethics and ongoing oversight.

Confidential, With Legal Limits

Your privacy is protected by professional obligations and applicable Ontario law. Andrew explains the limited legal and safety exceptions to confidentiality before services begin.

18 Years of Practice

Andrew brings 18 years of social-work practice experience with adults, couples, first responders, veterans, and people facing varied life circumstances.

Direct Billing Available

Some extended health plans cover RSW sessions, and direct billing is available for eligible plans. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary; confirm them with your insurer.

Extended Health Benefits Accepted

Some plans administered by the following insurers may include Registered Social Worker services:

ManulifeSun LifeCanada Life (Great-West)DesjardinsBlue Cross (Medavie)Green Shield CanadaOTIPChambers of Commerce GroupIndustrial AllianceCowan InsuranceJohnston GroupClaimSecure

Confirm provider eligibility, annual limits, referral requirements, deductibles, and reimbursement directly with your insurer. Listing an insurer does not guarantee coverage or direct billing.

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Transparent Pricing

Fees, Insurance & Direct Billing

Fees and possible additional charges are disclosed before service. Some extended health plans may reimburse RSW services, and direct billing may be available for participating plans. Confirm coverage with your insurer.

Free Consultation
$0
20-minute phone or video call

No obligation, no intake forms — just an honest conversation to see if we're the right fit for each other.

Book Free Call
Couples Therapy
$200
per 50-minute session

Relationship counselling for couples navigating conflict, distance, trust repair, and communication.

Book a Session

Some extended health benefit plans reimburse services provided by eligible Registered Social Workers. Direct billing is available for eligible plans; your out-of-pocket cost depends on your individual coverage. Contact us before your first appointment to confirm your coverage.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Ontario is regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Andrew holds a Master of Social Work degree and RSW registration and is accountable to applicable legislation, the College's Code of Ethics, and its Standards of Practice. Some extended health plans reimburse RSW services; clients should confirm their own eligibility and limits.

Direct billing is available for many eligible plans, including some Canada Life, Manulife, Sun Life, and Desjardins plans. Coverage, limits, and out-of-pocket costs vary. Confirm your individual coverage with your insurer before treatment.

Yes. Andrew offers secure video sessions for clients located in Ontario. Research supports virtual therapy for many concerns when clinically appropriate; suitability and outcomes vary. Platform and privacy details are available before the first virtual appointment.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-supported therapy used for some trauma and PTSD presentations. It uses bilateral stimulation — such as guided eye movements or tapping — as part of a structured treatment process. Suitability and outcomes vary by person and are assessed individually. EMDR appears in clinical guidance from organizations including the World Health Organization and Veterans Affairs Canada. Learn more about EMDR →

Standard sessions are 50 minutes. For most clients, weekly sessions are recommended at the start of treatment to build momentum. As you progress, sessions may shift to bi-weekly. Extended sessions (75–90 minutes) can be arranged for intensive EMDR processing work. Andrew will discuss a plan that fits your needs and schedule.

It's completely normal to feel nervous or unsure. Your first step is a free 20-minute consultation — a casual phone or video call where you can ask questions and decide if Andrew feels like the right fit. There's no obligation. Your first full session focuses on listening to your story and understanding what you're hoping to get from therapy. Andrew creates a non-judgmental, confidential space where you set the pace.

You don't have to. Most people come in feeling exactly that way — “I don't even know where to start” is one of the most common opening lines. Andrew's job is to ask the questions that help you find the words. You just have to show up.

Progress may show up in daily life: handling a difficult situation differently, sleeping better, or feeling less reactive. Timing varies with your goals, circumstances, frequency of sessions, therapeutic fit, and the concerns being addressed. Andrew will review progress with you and adjust the plan when appropriate.

It happens — and it's worth understanding why. The most common reasons are a mismatch with the therapist, an approach that wasn't suited to what you were actually dealing with, or not enough time to build the safety that deeper work requires. Tell Andrew what didn't work before. That's useful information, and it shapes how we start.

Yes. Andrew's practice includes support for first responders and military members experiencing operational stress, trauma symptoms, moral injury, occupational burnout, or transition challenges. Care is individualized without assuming that every person has the same occupational or cultural experience. Learn more about first responder support →

Andrew's in-person office is located at 10 Milner Business Court, Scarborough, Ontario, conveniently accessible from the 401. Virtual sessions are available for clients anywhere in Ontario. Get directions and contact info →

Before You Reach Out

A Few Things Worth Knowing

Most people who reach out have the same quiet concerns. Here's what Andrew wants every potential client to know before they book.

Confidentiality and Its Limits

Personal health information is protected by professional obligations and applicable law. During informed consent, Andrew explains circumstances in which disclosure is authorized or required, including certain safety and legal situations.

There Is No Wrong Way to Start

Most people don't know what to say in a first session. You don't need to have it together before reaching out. “I don't even know where to begin” is one of the most common first lines — and a perfectly fine place to start.

You're Never Locked In

Sessions are booked individually, and you can discuss pausing, ending, or changing the plan at any time. The disclosed cancellation and missed-appointment policy still applies to reserved appointments.

Ready to Begin?

Take the First Step Today

Booking is easy. Use the online scheduler to find a time that works for you — or call or email if you prefer.

In-Person Office
10 Milner Business Court
Scarborough, Ontario
Virtual Sessions
Available anywhere in Ontario
Hours
Open 7 days a week · 7:30am – 8pm
Book Online via Jane
Resources & Insights

From the Blog

Practical information to help you understand your options and take the next step.

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You Don't Have to Carry This Any Longer.

You don't have to have it all figured out before reaching out. A free 20-minute conversation is all it takes to get started.