parenting
child/adolescent behaviour
academic performance (ADD/ADHD, LD)
marriage/separation/divorce
communication
pre-marital counselling
relationships - common-law, family, stepfamily
abuse/violence (physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, psychological - past or present, child or adult, survivor or witness)
separation/divorce and children - custody and access issues - parenting plan development
depression, anxiety, mood
young offender
adjustment to change
alcohol/drug abuse
aging / managing aging kin

What you should know about my approach to counselling...

People attend counselling because of distress and want relief as quickly as possible.

With traditional counselling approaches, people see the counsellor for the standard 50-minute session, one at a time, week after week. It often takes the counsellor 2 to 3 and even 4 sessions to gain enough information in order to begin being helpful. That means your distress may continue at least that length of time. Even then, many therapeutic approaches have the counsellor saying very little apart from reflecting back your own feeling or validating your concerns. Many people come away from this kind of experience having changed very little. While they may feel validated or supported, issues of distress can continue.

My approach to counselling is different.

Rather than coming back week after week, the first session is a long one; usually a good three hours straight. Through a structured interview process, I obtain the information necessary to understand the problem and situation as fully as possible to be helpful sooner - usually the first time we meet.

At the end of our first meeting, clients are given very direct, honest and forthright feedback. Clients will be provided practical and direct information, guidance and direction to help resolve matters causing the distress. Clients may or may not take head of the feedback, but those that do, tend to do better than those who do not. This will remain your choice. Due to the nature of this approach, remarkably, many people attend this ONE time only.

If folks return, it is generally several weeks later, after they have had time to work with the feedback. Even if folks do return they are rarely seen beyond 3 or 4 times. People can improve sooner and then at less overall cost.

Experience and training matters: Experience and training significantly distinguishes one counsellor from another. Whomever you chose to work with, they should happily provide you with information qualifying themselves. My CV/resume is available on this website as is clients' ratings and feedback.

Due to my approach, I rarely have a waiting list. I see many many people, for a short duration. This means you can be seen quickly. Again, when in distress, being seen quickly matters.

I see folks in the privacy of my home office. This provides a greater degree of confidentiality and comfort than a traditional office setting.

People MUST phone and speak with me personally for a brief conversation before I will set an appointment. The purpose of the call is for me to determine the appropriateness of the referral and how I may be of service.

Fees:

Counselling is provided from my Dundas home office only. As a social worker, I am respectful of people's different income levels. As such, the fee is set on a fee-for-service basis using a sliding scale that ranges from $100 - $350 per hour. The actual fee then is determined by your income, although no verification is required.

Income	Fee/hour
Up to $50,000	$100.00
$50,000 - $75,000	$125.00
$75,000 - $100,000	$150.00
$100,000 - $125,000	$175.00
$125,000 - $150,000	$200.00
$150,000 - $175,000	$225.00
$175,000 - $200,000	$250.00
$200,000 - $250,000	$300.00
$250,000 +	$350.00

Clients provide payment by cash or cheque at the end of each session. A receipt is always provided.

Consultation notes are provided to referring physicians with client consent and there is no extra charge for this service. This is a matter of good clinical practice.

Other:

Counselling is provided on a private and discreet basis.
Service is provided in the safety and comfort of my home-office.
Evening and daytime appointments are available.
Persons may self-refer. Please call.
Persons are expected to attend sober for appointments.
Violence of any fashion will not be condoned.

Confidentiality:

All matters remain confidential with the following exceptions:

Any past or imminent harm or abuse to a child currently younger than 16 years of age will be reported to proper authorities.
Any imminent threat of harm to self or to another adult will be reported either to proper authorities and/or to other persons who may be required to intervene as necessary.
Courts may order disclosure of a clinical file.
Up to an hour can be scheduled between appointments to avoid meeting anyone while entering or exiting.

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Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

www.yoursocialworker.com

gary@yoursocialworker.com

(905) 628-4847

Gary Direnfeld is a child-behaviour expert, a social worker, and the author of Raising Kids Without Raising Cane. Gary not only helps people get along or feel better about themselves, but also enjoys an extensive career in public speaking. He provides insight on issues ranging from child behaviour management and development; to family life; to socially responsible business development. Courts in Ontario, Canada consider Gary an expert on matters pertaining to child development, custody and access, family/marital therapy and social work.

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For information on Direnfeld's book, Raising Kids Without Raising Cane, click here.

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Counselling and assessment services serving Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Burlington, Brantford,

Oakville, Grimsby, Waterdown and other local areas.

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