When you're searching for a psychologist or psychotherapist in Kanata, the terminology alone can be confusing. Psychologist, psychotherapist, counsellor, therapist. The titles overlap, the descriptions blur together, and it's hard to know who's actually qualified to help with what you're going through. Here's what matters, and how Aura Counselling fits.
Psychotherapy vs. Psychology: What's the Difference?
In Ontario, both psychologists and registered psychotherapists provide talk therapy. The key differences are in training, scope, and cost.
Psychologists hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology. They can conduct psychological assessments, diagnose conditions, and provide psychotherapy. Their fees typically range from $200 to $300 per session.
Registered Psychotherapists hold a master's degree in counselling psychology or a related field and are regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). They provide psychotherapy using evidence-based approaches but do not conduct formal psychological assessments or diagnose.
For the majority of people seeking therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, or life transitions, a Registered Psychotherapist provides the same calibre of therapeutic care at a more accessible price point. If you need a formal diagnosis or psychological testing, a psychologist is the right fit. If you need someone to help you work through what you're dealing with, both are qualified to do that work.
At Aura Counselling, our team consists of Registered Psychotherapists with specialized training in evidence-based methods. Sessions are $180 for 50 minutes, with sliding scale options available.
Our Therapeutic Approaches
Psychotherapy at Aura is grounded in well-researched methods. Your therapist will draw from the approaches most relevant to your situation:
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively studied therapeutic approaches. It works by helping you recognize thought patterns that fuel anxiety, depression, or avoidance, and replace them with more accurate and functional ways of thinking. CBT is structured, practical, and focused on building skills you can use between sessions.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) centres on the role of emotions in psychological health. Rather than treating emotions as problems to manage, EFT helps you understand them as signals, access underlying feelings, and use that awareness to make meaningful changes. Particularly effective for attachment and relationship concerns.
Dialectical-Behavioural Therapy (DBT) was originally developed for people experiencing intense emotional responses. It teaches four core skill sets: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Useful for anyone who feels overwhelmed by their emotional reactions.
Somatic and trauma-informed therapy recognizes that traumatic experiences are stored in the body, not just the mind. These approaches help you notice and process physical responses to stress and trauma, often reaching material that traditional talk therapy doesn't access.
Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) uses real-time observation of how partners interact to identify and shift the patterns that create disconnection and conflict. Grounded in attachment theory and neuroscience.
What We Specialize In
Our psychotherapists work with a range of concerns:
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Anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, and health anxiety
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Depression including persistent low mood, anhedonia, and situational depression
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Trauma and PTSD from single events or complex, ongoing experiences
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Relationship and attachment difficulties in romantic relationships, family dynamics, or broader interpersonal patterns
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Life transitions including divorce, career change, parenthood, relocation, and loss
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Self-esteem, identity, and body image concerns
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ADHD with a focus on emotional regulation, executive function strategies, and self-understanding
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Codependency and people-pleasing patterns rooted in early attachment experiences
Our Team's Credentials
Every therapist at Aura Counselling is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Our team includes graduates of recognized Canadian counselling psychology programs with specialized certifications in approaches like PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy).
Maryse Hebert, our Clinical Director, holds a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and Level 2 PACT certification from the PACT Institute in California. She founded Aura Counselling with a focus on attachment-based work for individuals and couples.
Our team offers services in English, French, Nepali, German, and Hindi.
Practical Details
Session length: 50 minutes
Fee: $180 per session. Sliding scale rates available upon request.
Insurance: OHIP does not cover psychotherapy. Most employer-sponsored extended health plans reimburse Registered Psychotherapist services. Your receipt includes your therapist's name and CRPO registration number for claims.
Location: In-person sessions at our Kanata-Stittsville office. Free street parking available.
Virtual: Online sessions available for clients anywhere in Ontario.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Book a Session
Contact us through auracounselling.ca/contact or email mhebert@auracounselling.ca. We'll respond within 48 hours and match you with the therapist best suited to your needs and goals.