Is virtual therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Yes. Multiple studies — including a substantial body of research from the pandemic period — show virtual therapy produces outcomes equivalent to in-person for most presentations, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.

What do I need for a virtual therapy session?

A device (phone, tablet, or computer), a stable internet connection, headphones, and a private space where you won't be overheard. Andrew uses a secure, PHIPA-compliant platform. No special software download is required.

Is virtual therapy confidential?

Yes. Andrew uses an encrypted, PHIPA-compliant video platform. Sessions are not recorded. Standard professional confidentiality applies — the same as in-person sessions.

Does extended health insurance cover virtual therapy sessions?

Yes — most extended health benefit plans that cover RSW services cover virtual sessions at the same rate as in-person. Confirm with your insurer before your first session. Direct billing is available for most major plans.

Can I switch between virtual and in-person sessions?

Yes. Many clients alternate based on schedule or preference — virtual when time is tight or they're travelling, in-person when they prefer face-to-face contact. Andrew is flexible and can work with whatever format suits you best.

Virtual Therapy Ontario | Garnet Counselling | Andrew Garnet MSW, RSW

The Same Quality of Care — Without the Commute

Virtual therapy has become a mainstream and highly effective option for most types of counselling. Research consistently shows that online therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person sessions for anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues.

For many clients, virtual sessions are actually preferable: there's no commute, no waiting room, and you can attend from wherever you feel most comfortable and private — whether that's your home office, your car, or a quiet lunch break at work.

How Virtual Sessions Work

Andrew uses a secure, end-to-end encrypted video platform that is fully PHIPA-compliant (Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act). Your information and sessions are never stored on third-party servers.

Book online — via Jane App at agarnetcounselling.janeapp.com
Receive a secure link — via email before your appointment
Join from any device — laptop, tablet, or phone — with a camera and microphone
Find a private space — where you won't be interrupted or overheard
Session runs just like in-person — 50 minutes, full focus, complete confidentiality

Is Virtual Therapy Right for You?

Virtual sessions work well for most people and most concerns. They may be especially appealing if:

You're located outside Scarborough but within Ontario
Your schedule makes commuting difficult
You prefer the privacy of attending from home
You're in a period of reduced mobility or managing a health condition
You're a shift worker who needs flexible scheduling

There are some situations where in-person sessions may be recommended — Andrew will discuss this during your consultation.

Privacy and Security

Your privacy is paramount. The platform used for virtual sessions is:

End-to-end encrypted
PHIPA-compliant (Ontario privacy law)
PIPEDA-compliant (federal Canadian privacy law)
Hosted on Canadian servers
No session recordings are made without your explicit consent

For your part, Andrew recommends attending from a private space where you feel comfortable speaking openly, using headphones if possible, and letting household members know you need uninterrupted time.

Privacy Standards

✓ PHIPA Compliant
✓ PIPEDA Compliant
✓ End-to-End Encrypted
✓ Canadian Servers
✓ No Session Recordings

Session Fees

Individual$180

Couples$200

Same fees as in-person. Direct billing available.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is virtual therapy as effective as in-person therapy?: Yes. Multiple studies — including a substantial body of research from the pandemic period — show virtual therapy produces outcomes equivalent to in-person for most presentations, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.
What do I need for a virtual therapy session?: A device (phone, tablet, or computer), a stable internet connection, headphones, and a private space where you won't be overheard. Andrew uses a secure, PHIPA-compliant platform. No special software download is required.
Is virtual therapy confidential?: Yes. Andrew uses an encrypted, PHIPA-compliant video platform. Sessions are not recorded. Standard professional confidentiality applies — the same as in-person sessions.
Does extended health insurance cover virtual therapy sessions?: Yes — most extended health benefit plans that cover RSW services cover virtual sessions at the same rate as in-person. Confirm with your insurer before your first session. Direct billing is available for most major plans.
Can I switch between virtual and in-person sessions?: Yes. Many clients alternate based on schedule or preference — virtual when time is tight or they're travelling, in-person when they prefer face-to-face contact. Andrew is flexible and can work with whatever format suits you best.

Virtual Therapy Across Ontario