Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
How do I book an appointment?
You can book an appointment online , by email (contact@laurafriberg.com), or by phone (613-209-9496). Feel free to text or call. If you call, you may leave a message and I’ll return your call as soon as possible during business hours. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
Do you offer virtual or in-person sessions?
Yes! I offer online therapy sessions for your convenience. While I do not currently provide traditional in-person sessions, if you're located in Ottawa and are interested in walk-and-talk therapy, feel free to reach out.
Do you offer sessions to clients outside of Ontario?
Unfortunately, due to regulations from the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, I can only provide therapy to clients located within the province. If you reside outside of Ontario and are seeking therapy, I’d be happy to help by providing a referral to a qualified therapist in your area.
What should I expect in my first session?
The first session is a chance for us to connect and explore how I can best support you. We'll discuss your concerns, goals, and what you're hoping to achieve in therapy. If you have any questions about me or my services, please don’t hesitate to ask. If improving your sleep is your primary goal, we'll assess your sleep patterns through a series of questionnaires to better understand your needs.
How long are sessions?
Each session lasts one hour, with 45-50 minutes dedicated to our conversation. The remaining time is used for documentation to ensure accurate and personalized care.
Services & Approach
What types of therapy do you offer?
I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and integrate other evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs. These include acceptance and commitment therapy, emotion-focused individual therapy, solutions-focused brief therapy, and dialectical behavioural therapy.
What types of issues do you address?
In addition to acute and chronic insomnia, I work with a wide range of concerns, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, phobias, relational difficulties, anger management, emotion regulation, stress, self-esteem, grief, life transitions, among others.
I have several issues, some of which may be related to my anxiety. Should I address those before working on my sleep?
Not at all! In fact, improving your sleep can help address those other issues. Quality sleep provides the energy, mental clarity, and restoration needed to better manage anxiety and tackle other challenges more effectively.
Is therapy right for me?
Therapy can be helpful for anyone looking to improve their mental well-being, gain insight into their challenges, and develop practical strategies for personal growth. Often times when we have tried to make changes in our lives and we feel stuck, it is a good sign that therapy might be helpful.
How long will I need therapy?
The length of therapy depends on your unique needs and goals. CBT-I is typically completed in about eight weeks, but some clients find it beneficial to extend the process for a more gradual approach. Additionally, if we successfully address insomnia and you’d like to continue therapy to work on other concerns such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, we can seamlessly transition to focusing on those areas as well.
Fees & Insurance
How much do sessions cost?
I offer a free 15-minute initial consultation to see if we're a good fit. If you decide to move forward, my standard session fee is $150.
Do you accept insurance?
I do not bill insurance directly, but I can provide receipts for reimbursement if your plan covers psychotherapy.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
If life gets in the way of keeping your appointment, you can cancel or reschedule using the online booking system or by texting, calling (including voicemail), or emailing. Please note that I require 12 hours notice for cancellations. Late cancellations may be subject to a $20 cancellation fee.
Confidentiality & Privacy
Is therapy confidential?
Yes! Your privacy is my priority. Everything we discuss is confidential, except in rare cases where safety concerns require disclosure (e.g., risk of harm to yourself or others). We will discuss this further in our initial consultation.
Will you share my information with anyone?
No, I will not share your information without your written consent, except in situations required by law.