Frequently Asked Questions
Therapy with MindBeacon
MindBeacon offers Canadians a full spectrum of digital mental health supports, from face-to-face live therapy, therapist-guided programs, messaging counselling, and free content.
Everyone has different needs. So, there's no one solution that fits everyone. You choose what works for you.
MindBeacon provides Guided CBT Programs and Live Sessions (sessions by phone or video).
Please visit our homepage for a detailed comparison of our services.
We get it. Finding an hour in your day to talk about yourself can feel like a massive commitment.
That's why we have options like our Guided Program, which provides access to support whenever it's most convenient to you.
You can direct message your therapist while waiting for your pasta to boil, or review readings while waiting for your kid's soccer practice to end. It's therapy built around your availability.
But, yes, therapy can take some of your time. There is no getting around that. But this is about you feeling better - about being more resilient and getting more out of your life.
You deserve to live your best life. Invest in yourself.
From the very start, MindBeacon's mission has been to break down barriers to mental health support and price was one of the first we tackled. We offer a wide range of services at various price-points to make therapy accessible for you. And, in most cases, MindBeacon services are covered by your insurance provider. Most plans provide between $500-$1000. For more information on pricing see our services table on our homepage. You can also learn more about benefits coverage for mental health.
Currently, all of our therapy services are available in English and French.
Many people feel like their mental health isn't "bad enough" to seek out therapy.
That's not what this is about. You don't have to hit a some predetermined "level of sickness" before you reach out. This is about gaining the skills and resiliency you need to face the challenges life throws at you.
While the stigma around mental health support has lessened, there's still is a lot of misunderstanding about what therapy is.
Thousands of Canadians trust MindBeacon to help them tackle a variety of issues every day, so you'd be in good company. We want to see everyone get healthier, happier and more resilient.
And, if security is a concern, know that our practices are compliant with PHIPA, PIPEDA, FIPPA and the health custodian regulations set out by the College of Psychologists of Ontario. We are also certified compliant with HIPAA, the US standard governing protection of sensitive patient data.
Our MindBeacon Therapists
Our therapists are all registered mental health professionals – registered social workers, psychotherapists, and psychologists. The therapist assigned to you will be registered to provide care in your province or territory of residence.
If you have a concern about your therapy, the first step is to discuss the issue with your therapist. They should be open to this discussion, which could, in fact, lead to a better relationship and more effective psychotherapy. However, if you feel that your conversation was not beneficial and the situation has not improved, you can reach out to help@mindbeacon.com. With your written permission your file can be transferred to a new therapist, so that you do not have to repeat the entire assessment process.
MindBeacon Guided CBT Programs
MindBeacon Guided Programs are available to all Canadians, age 18 years or older. Guided Programs can help you tackle a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, panic, PTSD, stress and many other concerns that impact your wellbeing. But MindBeacon IS NOT a crisis service. If you’re ever in crisis, please phone ‘911’ immediately or visit your nearest hospital emergency room. Your safety is absolutely the most important thing to us.
We begin with an online assessment that will help us understand more about what you’re experiencing. Your responses are then reviewed carefully by a therapist who will confirm if our Guided Programs are the right fit for you. You don’t need to have a diagnosis and you don’t need to know specifically what you’re struggling with.
If your assessment suggests that our Guided Programs isn’t appropriate for you, we’ll offer alternate resources and suggestions.
It starts with your assessment, to better understand the issues and challenges you’re facing. From there, we create a unique treatment plan and assign a dedicated registered therapist to oversee your progress. Each time you visit, you’ll have readings, activities and check-ins that will help you develop new skills and let us better understand how you’re progressing. Remember: Your therapist will always be there for you throughout the process via messaging.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an established, evidence-based psychotherapy that’s been proven effective in treating a range of mental health problems. Unlike other “talk therapy”, CBT is about learning and practicing new skills that will help support your best mental health.
CBT is most effective when you have the dedicated support and guidance of a qualified therapist who personalizes your program to your specific needs. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a time-limited, problem-focused, and goal-oriented form of therapy. It looks at how the way we think about things can affect our feelings and behaviours. CBT helps us learn how to change negative cycles of thoughts and behaviours so we can function better, in order to improve our quality of life.
You are paired with one therapist for the duration of your Guided Program, and they are dedicated to your progress from beginning to end.
Your therapist will tailor a course of therapy based on your unique needs, selecting readings and activities that will help you develop new skills. As you work through the activities, your therapist will review your progress, provide encouragement and advice, as well as new perspectives to consider. You interact with your therapist via secure messaging through the MindBeacon digital therapy platform, and they will always respond within two business days.
MindBeacon allows you to work through the same materials you would otherwise have access to during in-person therapy, but with easy, anytime access. You’ll also be able to communicate with your therapist more frequently than you would during in-person care - instead of weekly or monthly sessions, your therapist will respond to you every couple of business days over the course of your program.
Every Guided Program is personalized and unique. Your therapist will provide a tailored and progressive set of readings and activities for you over the course of your therapy – things like learning worry management and relaxation techniques, exposure activities or thought records. The main goal for all these activities is to reflect on what you’re thinking, doing and feeling, and then help you learn strategies to help change these cycles for the better.
Everyone’s a little different, and we want you to progress at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Generally, people will stay with us for eight to 10 weeks, but your therapist will be there for you for 12 weeks in case you need more time or just want to ask questions.
After the 12 weeks you will still be able to maintain access to your readings, worksheets and more for an additional 40 weeks.
Yes – you get your own therapist, who will be dedicated to you throughout your care, and who will tailor your program from start to finish. MindBeacon therapists are registered mental health professionals who are experienced in providing CBT treatment online.
The MindBeacon Guided Program works by offering you 12 weeks of ongoing interaction with a therapist. They will respond to your messages and check in with you every few days. However, there are no weekly sessions booked with your therapist by phone or in person.
If you select the Guided Program plus Insights, you’ll follow up your online assessment with a call with a registered psychologist or equivalent in your area.
The psychologist will review your assessment, ask clarifying questions and provide you with diagnostic impressions over the phone.
Getting started with a Guided Program
You can access MindBeacon Guided Programs on any internet-enabled device, including smartphones, laptop and desktop computers, as well as tablets.
Your assessment plays two key roles. First, it allows the therapist to confirm if Guided Programs are the right care for you. Second, it provides your therapist with valuable insights into your unique set of circumstances. From these, a customized care path will be created just for you.
Some people wonder why we collect information such as an address (considering this is an online service) and things such as an emergency contacts. There are two reasons: First, we require this information in order to ensure your safety in case of an emergency. But we also require this information so that we can match you with a therapist in your region. Every question in our assessment has a very specific purpose in ensuring you get the best care possible.
If you've submitted a non-diagnostic assessment, you should hear from us within two to three business days about starting treatment, if your therapist determines that we’re a good fit for you.
The psychologist will spend some time introducing themselves and explaining their qualifications as well as reviewing limits of confidentiality. They’ll then review the online assessment section by section, and ask any questions if they need more information to determine a diagnosis.
Our Guided Programs aren’t the right fit for everyone. The most common reasons that a Guided Program might not be a good fit are if you’re seeking help for an issue our programs don’t treat or if a different form of care would be more appropriate to your circumstances. If your assessment suggests that Guided Programs are not appropriate for you, we’ll offer alternate resources and suggestions.
You can message your therapist at any time, and they will respond within two business days.
When you log in, you will be taken to the main lobby, where you continue your program. On the MindBeacon platform, you’ll be served up the latest reading or skills-building exercise, depending on where you are in your treatment, or you can reach out to your therapist if you have any questions or feedback.
We recommend checking in on a daily basis to see if there are new messages or material from your therapist. Feel free to ask your therapist directly how often they would like you to engage based on your goals for therapy.
If you are having trouble completing any tasks, please try completing that task on a different device than the one you’re currently using. If you continue to experience technical difficulties, please reach out to our Client Experience team at help@mindbeacon.com.
As the saying goes, “You only get out what you put into it.” The same can be said about Guided Programs – you'll get much more out of it if you dedicate time every day to working on your activities, communicating with your therapist and sticking with the program until completion. Our programs will help you improve only if you commit to doing the work. Your assigned readings and activities will help you change how you interpret and react to difficult situations. And you’ll be surprised how quickly these skills can start to make a difference in your life.
Live Sessions
Live Sessions are virtual sessions that allow you to speak with a therapist at a dedicated time through video or phone. You can select a therapist who’s right for you, schedule a time that works for your schedule, and get started using their favourite device. Live Sessions provides personalized care to help with a wide range of mental health concerns and allows you to talk one-to-one with a therapist of your choice on a secure platform. It’s great for those who prefer to talk to someone and have a conversation face-to-face or over the phone.
All sessions are booked as 60 minutes, which includes 50 minutes of treatment and 10 minutes for clinical documentation.
We recognize that everyone has different needs and preferences. What works for each person depends on how comfortable they might be discussing their concerns face-to-face, or how much flexibility they have in their schedule. Live Sessions are great for people who like a scheduled appointment or want to talk to someone and have a face-to-face connection, even if they are remote.
During the first session, the therapist will try to get to the heart of why you’ve chosen to seek help and will ask about the challenges you’re facing. If the therapist believes that the services we offer are a good fit, they’ll discuss a potential treatment plan. (A second session may also be necessary to properly determine next steps.) We refer to this as an assessment. The assessment is customized based on your needs and the therapist’s assessment structure, which follows evidence-based practices. It may consist of an interview, self-report measures, discussion of your concerns/goals, and next steps. It’s an opportunity for you to share more about your challenges, issues, background and history and understand expectations for therapy and your treatment plan.
Our therapists are all mental health professionals, including psychologists, registered social workers, and psychotherapists. The therapist assigned to you will be registered to provide care in your province or territory of residence. Our therapists are experienced in providing CBT and other evidence-based treatments through video and/or phone sessions.
Our therapists provide compassionate and evidence-based care. They listen closely to assess your concerns and design a personalized treatment plan for you. The kind of psychotherapy you receive depends on your own unique needs. It may include but is not limited to: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and others.
Live Sessions can help with a wide range of conditions/concerns including, but not limited to: general mental health concerns, depression, anxiety/worry, stress, relationship difficulties, panic attacks, social anxiety, health anxiety, trauma, sleep problems, chronic pain, eating/body image issues, self esteem, alcohol/substance use, phobias, obsessive compulsive behaviours, procrastination, bipolar disorder, and pre/post natal.
Live Sessions are not suitable for individuals with the following:
- Current crisis or emergency
- Active suicidal intent/ideation
- Active features of psychosis
- Significant self-harm that requires medical attention
- Bipolar Disorder that has not been stabilized with medication
- Looking for group therapy sessions (e.g. couples, family)
- Has specific reporting requirements from a third party insurer
- Below 18 years of age
Everyone is different. There's no one-size-fits-all answer to that. The therapist will work directly you to let you know what to expect. An individual may need 6-15 sessions in a typical treatment plan, but the number of sessions vary based on the individual’s needs.
You start by creating a MindBeacon account (or logging in if you already have one). From there, you will see the Live Therapy option directly in your account homepage. After clicking on that option, you can indicate the concern you are looking to address and will then be provided with therapist profiles and availability to choose from and book a session.
Therapists enter in availability 7 days per week between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in their respective time zones, with variances depending on therapist schedules per province.
We ask for 24-hour notice for any cancellations or changes to booked sessions. Those who provide less than 24 hours notice or miss their appointment without notice will be charged the full value of the session. You will not be charged for any sessions cancelled by the therapist.
You access Live Sessions using a desktop, laptop, or tablet (Mac or PC) with the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox or Edge.
Live Session are not currently supported in our mobile app, but you can use the web browser on your smart phone for a session.
MindBeacon treats protection of your personal information with the utmost importance. Our systems and processes comply with the highest standards of security to ensure your information is confidential and protected. Our privacy practices are based on strict adherence and compliance with PHIPA and take into account PIPEDA, FIPPA and the health custodian regulations set out by regulatory colleges, including the College of Psychologists of Ontario. In addition, we have been certified compliant with HIPAA, the US standard governing protection of sensitive patient data.
Your sessions are not recorded.
Costs and Health Benefits Coverage
MindBeacon accepts all major credit cards for payment.
Please retain your receipts for your insurance or income tax claims, if applicable. In some circumstances, we will bill a third party directly for the services you receive (e.g., your insurance company). However, this option is available only if the third party authorizes the treatment in advance and agrees in writing to pay for it.
For our Guided Programs, you will be prompted to provide your payment information when you have completed your assessment and before confirming you would like to submit your response for therapist review. The first charge will occur following the therapist review of your assessment and timing of any subsequent charges will depend on the payment plan you have selected.
For Live Sessions, you will be charged when you complete your session.
In most cases MindBeacon services are covered by your insurance provider.
Your benefits plan may cover services in whole or in part – subject to your plan provisions (i.e. maximums, copayments and/or deductibles). Most plans provide between $500-$1000 of coverage. Learn more about health benefits coverage for MindBeacon mental health therapy.
For Guided Programs, every time you are charged you will receive a printable receipt by email. The receipt will include the information you need to submit a claim to your benefits provider, including the therapist's name and registration number. If they have provided any service, you’ll also have the therapist's name and registration number on your receipt.
Privacy and Data Security
All interactions with the therapist and the MindBeacon platform are treated as protected health information and will not be shared without your consent.
No information (including all information contained in your clinical file) will be communicated directly or indirectly to any third party without your informed and written consent, except when we have the following legal obligations to release confidential information:
- If your therapist believes that you pose an imminent danger to yourself or to someone else, he/she is required to contact the authorities – people who can intervene to help prevent harm to you or others, or any intended victims of harm.
- If your therapist learns that you have been sexually or physically abused by another registered health provider (e.g., a physician, dentist or psychologist), he/she is required to contact that person’s regulatory college and report what he/she knows; however, the therapist would not give your name without your permission.
- If your therapist suspects or is informed that a child is at risk of being harmed in any way (e.g., through sexual or physical abuse or negligence), he/she must contact Child and Family Services and report all relevant information.
- If your therapist suspects or is informed that an adult resident in a long-term care facility is at risk of being harmed in any way (e.g., through sexual or physical abuse, negligence), he/she must contact Child and Family Services and report all relevant information.
- If the contents of your clinical file are subpoenaed by a court of law, your therapist is required to release the file to the court.
- If the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) requests access to MindBeacon clinical files for the purposes of assuring quality of care, we are obligated to allow them that access. The CPO is bound by its own strict confidentiality rules.
Please review our Privacy Policy for details link to privacy policy
Your interactions with MindBeacon are secured to the highest standards of data protection. The MindBeacon platform is HIPAA, PHIPA and PIPEDA compliant.
Your interactions with MindBeacon are protected health information and confidential. Your employer will never know you are accessing MindBeacon, and may only receive non-personal aggregate information, such as number of users or average satisfaction ratings.
Please review our Privacy Policy for details.
All interactions with the therapist and the MindBeacon platform are treated as protected health information and will not be shared without your consent. We never sell or provide client data to third-party advertisers or service providers.
Please review our Privacy Policy for details link to privacy policy
Technical Troubleshooting
You can contact our Client Experience team at any time by emailing help@mindbeacon.com.
You should hear back from someone within a business day or so.
If you are unable to log in, ensure that you have successfully set up your account and that you're following the password requirements indicated on the account creation page. If you're still unable to log in and you have created your account, please try resetting your password from the login page.
To access MindBeacon on your mobile device, visit the Google Play Store or the App store.
To create an account, visit our website at www.mindbeacon.com. Once you are invited to therapy, you can access your treatment on the mobile app for Apple or Android.
There may be a few reasons why you're having trouble resetting your password. Here are some common errors that might be taking place:
- Using unsupported symbols in your password. Be sure to follow the guidelines listed on the password reset page when creating a new, secure password.
- The Reset Password email link expires after 24 hours. You may need to click “Forgot Password” again.
MindBeacon codes and promotional links are typically provided by employers if they have partnered with MindBeacon to provide our therapy to employees at no charge. You are still able to complete your assessment and access MindBeacon without a code if you are accessing it directly.
If you’re having trouble completing any tasks, please try completing that task on a different device than the one you are currently using. If you continue to experience technical difficulties, please reach out to our Client Experience team at help@mindbeacon.com.