FAQs
Who provides therapy at Hakawati?
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Our practice includes fully licensed therapists and a diverse group of supervised student therapists completing their clinical training. Our student clinicians include pre-licensed professionals working toward registration with the CRPO, therapists with Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) status, and internationally trained clinicians bridging their credentials to Canadian licensure. All student therapists work under the close clinical supervision of Tala El-Achkar, RP.
What do the different therapist titles mean?
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Registered Psychotherapist (RP) — A fully licensed mental health professional registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). To hold this designation, a therapist has completed a graduate-level program, accumulated significant supervised clinical hours, and passed a regulatory examination.
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) — RP(Q) — A therapist registered with the CRPO who is in the final stages of their training or early post-graduate period. They are held to the same ethical and professional standards as RPs. The "(Qualifying)" reflects where they are in the licensure journey, not a lesser standard of care.
Pre-licensed therapist — A mental health professional actively completing the requirements to register with the CRPO. They bring graduate-level training and genuine clinical skill, and at Hakawati work under the direct supervision of Tala El-Achkar, RP.
Student therapist / Practicum student — A graduate student completing their required clinical placement hours as part of an accredited master's program. At Hakawati, student therapists may be pre-licensed, RP(Q)s, or internationally trained clinicians bridging their credentials to Canadian licensure.
Is it safe to work with a student therapist?
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Yes. When a therapist practises under supervision, their clinical work is regularly reviewed and guided by a more experienced, fully licensed clinician. At Hakawati, this means your student therapist or RP(Q) meets consistently with Tala El-Achkar, RP, to discuss cases, reflect on the therapeutic process, and ensure the care you receive is thoughtful and well-supported. All therapists are also bound by the same confidentiality and ethical standards that apply to regulated health professionals in Ontario.
Supervision is a standard and required part of clinical training in Ontario — it is not a workaround, but a structured professional safeguard. In many ways, a supervised therapist offers you two sets of eyes on your care.
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
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At Hakawati, our work is grounded in four core frameworks, woven together and adapted to each person.
Psychodynamic therapy invites exploration of the deeper patterns, histories, and relational dynamics that shape how we experience ourselves and others, much of which operates outside conscious awareness. Relational therapy places the therapeutic relationship itself at the centre, recognizing that healing often happens through the experience of being genuinely seen, heard, and met with consistency over time. Narrative therapy attends to the stories we carry about ourselves and our lives, examining where they came from, whose voices shaped them, and how they might be re-authored. Somatic approaches bring the body into the room, recognizing that stress, trauma, and emotional experience are held not only in the mind but in physical sensation, breath, and movement.
Our student therapists are often integrative in their practice, drawing on additional modalities including humanistic, CBT, and DBT approaches depending on what a client needs. What remains consistent across all of our work is careful listening, psychological depth, and a commitment to understanding the whole person in context.
What happens during a consultation call?
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A consultation call is a free 30 to 45 minute conversation between you and your prospective therapist. It is not a therapy session, but it is an important first step. Your therapist will share key information about how they work, including their approach, fees, scheduling, and what to expect around privacy and confidentiality. You will also have the chance to share what brings you to therapy, ask any questions you have, and get a genuine sense of what working together might feel like.
There is no commitment required. The consultation exists so that both you and your therapist can make a thoughtful decision about fit. A good therapeutic relationship matters, and this is your opportunity to explore whether Hakawati feels like the right place for you.
What can I expect from a session?
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Sessions at Hakawati are 50 minutes and typically begin on a weekly or biweekly basis, held on a consistent day and time. This regularity is intentional, it creates a rhythm that supports momentum, continuity, and the gradual deepening of the work. There is no fixed agenda or worksheet to complete. Your therapist will follow your lead, listening carefully and helping you explore what feels most alive or pressing for you.
Early sessions tend to focus on getting to know one another: your history, what brings you to therapy, and what you are hoping for. Over time, the work deepens as trust builds. You may find yourself exploring patterns you have noticed in relationships, making sense of past experiences, sitting with difficult emotions, or simply having a space to think out loud with someone who is genuinely paying attention.
Therapy here is not about being told what to do or handed a diagnosis. It is a collaborative process, and you are always the expert on your own experience.
Who do you work with?
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We work with individuals across a wide range of backgrounds, life stages, identities, and circumstances. Care at Hakawati is BIPOC and LGBTQIA+-affirming and anti-oppressive, with particular attentiveness to cultural identity, migration experience, and the social and political contexts that shape mental health. We welcome clients who are looking for a therapist who will meet them with depth, curiosity, and genuine cultural awareness.
Do you offer virtual therapy? In-person?
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Yes. All of our therapists offer virtual sessions via secure video platforms. Some of our clinicians offer in-person therapy at our office located at Bay & Bloor in Toronto, ON.
How much does therapy cost?
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Sessions with our student therapists are offered on a sliding scale up to $90, with reduced fees available depending on your circumstances. We actively work to maintain multiple fee points because we believe meaningful mental health care should not be limited to those with the highest resources. If cost is a concern, please reach out, we will do our best to find an option that works for you.
How do I get started?
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You can book a free consultation through our website. This is a brief introductory conversation, a chance to ask questions, share what you’re looking for, and get a sense of whether Hakawati feels like the right fit. There is no commitment required.