Dr. Tener's Practice

Cognitive Therapy Training
for Mental Health Professionals

What I Do:

My private practice in clinical psychology focuses on teaching skills which allow people to:

manage moods
improve relationships
increase self-confidence
overcome stress
step over barriers to creativity and accomplishment

Physicians refer patients to me for depression, anxiety problems, stress management, interpersonal problems, and adjustment disorders.

How Does This Work?

People come for one hour appointments, usually once every week or two to begin with. The idea is to come for only as many sessions as you need to understand your situation, to set goals, and to learn how to work towards them. The approach I take is called Cognitive Therapy, which is a collaborative approach to understanding your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and how they interact with the world around you. The main focus is on the here-and-now, but for some people understanding and coming to terms with early experiences may be an important part of handling their current situation better.

Can You Make Your Own Appointment?

Yes. People are often referred by their family doctor, their Employee Assistance Program counsellor, or a friend, or they can refer themselves. Sometimes a check-up with your physician is a good idea to see if a problem, for example, depression or anxiety, has an underlying medical cause. Sometimes an insurance company requires a physician's referral letter.

Is your visit covered by your provincial health plan?

No. Psychologists in private practice in Ontario are not covered by the provincial health plan. However, many people have extended health insurance plans through work which cover at least a portion of their psychologist's bill.

My Training:

To call yourself a psychologist in Ontario you must be registered with the College of Psychologists, and to do that you typically need a Ph.D. in psychology, a year of supervised clinical practice following your Ph.D., and successful completion of the written and oral registration exams.