FAQ - Getting Started.

  • Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions for many concerns. Nick offers secure video sessions, allowing you to access professional support from the comfort of your home while maintaining privacy and confidentiality.

  • Yes. Research consistently shows that virtual counselling produces outcomes equivalent to in-person therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship challenges. Many clients find that the comfort and convenience of connecting from their own space actually helps them open up more easily.

  • Not at all. Many people begin therapy because they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like something is off — without being in acute crisis. Feeling like you want more from your relationships, your mood, or your sense of self is reason enough to reach out.

  • Getting started is simple. You can book a session directly through the website. Once you’ve scheduled, you’ll be prompted to complete a brief intake form. Before our session, you’ll receive a secure video link where we’ll meet. No extra steps—just a clear path to getting the support you need.already have enough on their plates.

  • New clients can book a free 15-minute consultation directly through Jane App on this website. The consultation is a no-pressure conversation to see if working together feels like a good fit — no commitment required.

  • The best way to find out is through a free 15-minute consultation. It's a low-pressure conversation where you can ask questions, get a sense of Nick's style, and decide whether working together feels right. A good therapeutic fit matters — and there's no obligation to continue if it doesn't feel like the right match.

FAQ - Working With Nick.

  • Nick works with adults and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. A common thread across all of these is helping people understand the patterns that keep them feeling stuck — and building a different way forward.

  • Nick specializes in supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, identity exploration, and relationship challenges. His work is inclusive and affirming, with sensitivity to culture, gender, and lived experience.

  • Nick takes a curious, collaborative approach. Sessions aren't about being told what to do or having someone nod along passively. Nick asks the questions that get underneath the surface — warmly, but honestly — because meaningful change usually comes from understanding what's really driving a pattern, not just managing the symptoms.

  • Nick integrates evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based practices. His approach is tailored to each client’s needs, drawing from relational, trauma-informed, and humanistic perspectives to support meaningful and lasting change.

  • Integrative psychotherapy means drawing on multiple therapeutic frameworks — rather than following a single rigid model — to tailor treatment to the individual. Nick combines cognitive behavioural, relational, humanistic, and trauma-informed approaches depending on what each client needs. The goal is a therapy experience that fits you, not the other way around.

  • A Registered Psychotherapist is a regulated mental health professional in Ontario, registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). RPs are trained to assess and treat mental health conditions through psychotherapy. Nick holds RP designation, meaning his practice meets provincial standards for education, ethics, and ongoing professional development.

  • Yes. Nick works with couples experiencing conflict, communication breakdowns, trust issues, and relationship transitions. Virtual couples counselling makes it easier to attend sessions together regardless of schedules or location.

  • Yes. Anxiety and depression are among the most common reasons people seek virtual counselling in Canada. Nick uses evidence-based, integrative approaches — including cognitive behavioural, relational, and trauma-informed methods — to help clients understand what's driving their symptoms and develop practical tools for managing them.

  • Yes. Nick offers trauma-informed therapy for adults dealing with the effects of past trauma, including PTSD, complex trauma, and grief. Virtual sessions can be conducted safely and effectively for trauma work when the right therapeutic relationship and approach are in place

FAQ - Practical Details.

  • Many extended health benefit plans in Canada include coverage for psychotherapy provided by a Registered Psychotherapist. Coverage varies by provider and plan, so it's worth checking directly with your benefits provider to confirm whether RP services are included. Nick can provide receipts for insurance purposes upon request.

  • Online therapy — also called virtual counselling or teletherapy — is professional mental health support delivered over secure video or phone. In Canada, therapists must be registered in the province where the client is located during sessions. Nick DunstanGaren is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) offering virtual sessions to adults across Canada, meaning you can access support from home, work, or anywhere private

  • Item descriptionTherapy is a highly individualized process. Some clients attend for a few months to work through a specific issue, while others may engage in longer-term exploration. Nick works collaboratively to set goals and regularly reassesses progress to ensure therapy remains aligned with your needs.

  • Individual and couples sessions are 50 minutes. This is the standard therapeutic hour and gives enough time to go deep without feeling rushed.

  • Just a device with a camera and stable internet connection for video sessions, or a phone for phone sessions. Sessions are conducted through Jane App, a secure, PIPEDA-compliant Canadian platform. No special software download is required — you'll receive a link before your appointment.

  • Yes. Phone sessions are available for clients who prefer not to use video or have limited internet access. The therapeutic experience is just as effective — what matters most is that you feel comfortable.

  • Nick offers virtual therapy to adults across Canada. Because sessions are fully online, location is no barrier — whether you're in a major city or a rural area, you can access support as long as you have a private space and a phone or internet connection.

  • Yes. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship and a professional obligation for Registered Psychotherapists. Information shared in sessions is kept strictly private, with limited exceptions required by law (such as imminent risk of harm). Nick uses PIPEDA-compliant platforms to ensure your data is protected.