On December 6th, the Director of the Kanata Psychology and Counselling Centre, Dr. Rebecca Moore, was interviewed by www.ottawacommunitynews.com to discuss her latest goal which is to expand the practice to include drop-in services for all ages.
Click here to go to the article, or read below:
Kanata Kourier-Standard
The Kanata Psychology and Counselling Centre celebrated two years of operation on Nov. 26.
Dr. Rebecca Moore, a Carp resident, opened her own clinic in the west end after working in a practice downtown and as a psychologist in high schools in the English public school board. A practitioner since 2003, her goal now is to expand the practice to include drop-in services for all ages.
“It’s been a goal to provide drop in services here, not just for teens but all ages,” she said. “It can be often a very difficult first step to come in and to meet with someone you’ve never seen before and to talk about very personal things. But it can be a very important step.”
Often people seek help when they are in crisis and it can be difficult to know where to turn or what resources are available, she said. Those who aren’t admitted to hospital for mental health issues are often “at a loss as to where to go for immediate service.”
It can also be difficult for people living in the west end or in more rural communities to access drop-in centres, which are more concentrated in central Ottawa, she said. Her goal is to provide a place where people can come to speak with a professional, while also receiving information on options.
“We know that it’s absolutely something that is needed in the community,” said Moore, adding she has clients from as far away as Petawawa. “There are very few services this side of Ottawa and further west.”
Moore, a school and clinical psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, is researching possible ways to fund the drop-in services, as the clinic is a private practice and not a charitable organization, to make it accessible for everyone.
“My ideal would be for it to be a free or almost free service for people,” she said. “My goal is to make it as feasible as possible.
“It’s not something that will resolve a mental health issue but it’s a first step.”
Moore already offers reduced-fee services at the centre, which serves clients of all ages, from children to seniors.
“Psychological services are covered under insurance, and that really depends on the individual and families work circumstances,” she said. “A lot of them don’t cover much.”
The services include helping those with diagnosed mental health issues, difficulties in relationships, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, trauma, and with separation, divorce and co-parenting.
Eldercare counselling is another service offered at the practice, run by counsellor Michael McCleery. It helps individuals and families who are caring for aging relatives to understand their options, how to navigate health and social service systems, with decision-making and family conflict resolution, she said.
Since opening two years ago, Moore’s practice has grown from employing three counsellors to eight to respond to the demand for service in the west end. For more information, visit kanatapsychology.com.
