Soulstead Therapy | Mandy O'Brecht MSW, RSW

Individual therapy sessions are $155 for 55 minutes, and couples therapy sessions are $175 for 55 minutes. Click here for a full breakdown of session fees, including 30-minute and 90-minute sessions.

I believe therapy should be accessible, so I do offer a limited number of sliding scale spots. If my sliding scale spots are currently full, I maintain a waitlist and would be happy to add your name to it or provide referrals to other low-cost community resources.

I primarily provide virtual therapy sessions to individuals and couples residing anywhere in Ontario. This allows you to engage in therapy from the comfort and privacy of your own space.

However, if in-person sessions are preferred, this can be arranged. My physical office is located in Stratford, Ontario. For more information regarding in-person availability, please contact me directly at hello@soulsteadtherapy.com.

Typical sessions are 60 minutes long and include 55 minutes of direct therapeutic time. I also offer 30-minute sessions for quick check-ins, and 90-minute sessions for deeper work. The final 5 minutes of our scheduled time are reserved for off-camera clinical administration, including progress notes, the creation of any follow-up, summaries, or resources I may be sending you, and billing. This ensures your records are kept up-to-date, and your session wraps up smoothly.

As a Master’s level Registered Social Worker, my services are covered by most extended health benefit plans in Ontario. I encourage you to check with your insurance provider to confirm that “Registered Social Worker” or “MSW” is included in your coverage.

Yes! To make accessing therapy even easier, I now offer direct billing to most insurance providers! If your provider does not support direct billing, I will provide a detailed receipt after each session that you can submit for reimbursement. I always recommend checking with your provider to confirm that ‘Registered Social Worker’ is included in your specific plan.

Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with is the most important factor in the success of our work together. You might find we are a good fit if you are looking for a space that is down-to-earth, authentic, neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, and deeply collaborative. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, I meet you where you are—whether you’re navigating the complexities of parenthood, marital and relationship conflicts, managing an ADHD or Autism diagnosis, or setting boundaries with family members. To help you decide, I offer a free 15-minute consultation via phone or video. This is a no-pressure way for us to chat about your goals and for you to see if my style feels right for you before we begin.

I require 24 hours’ notice for any cancellations or rescheduling. This allows me the opportunity to offer that time to another client who may be waiting for an appointment. Sessions cancelled with less than 24-hour notice are subject to 50% of the full session fee.

The first session is an ‘intake’ where we’ll talk about your history, what’s bringing you in right now, and what you hope to achieve. It’s a space for us to begin building comfort and a plan for our work together. There is no pressure to share everything all at once—we go at your pace

I use a neuro-affirming lens, which means we focus on understanding how your unique brain works rather than trying to ‘fix’ it. We look at executive functioning, self-compassion, and practical strategies that actually fit your life.

As a neurodiverse individual myself, I bring my lived experience—and my struggles—to our work. I am a Certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP), but I also know how it feels to hear the same repetitive advice from professionals who don’t ‘get it.’ If we look at standard strategies, we do so differently, ensuring they actually align with your reality. I won’t judge you for not doing the ‘homework’. What I will do is help look for the ‘why’, and use that information to reapproach your goals.

No, a formal diagnosis is not required. Whether you are formally diagnosed, self-identified, or simply questioning if your struggles align with ADHD, you are welcome here.

I can help you explore whether a formal diagnosis is something you’d like to pursue and help you navigate that process. We can discuss the pros and cons of an official assessment, look at available resources, and ensure you feel supported in whatever path you choose. Our primary focus will always be on the challenges you are facing in the present moment and finding strategies that work for your unique brain.

Not at all. While I am here for the difficult seasons, therapy is also a wonderful tool for self-discovery, preventative care, and navigating life transitions before they feel overwhelming.

Yes. Privacy is a cornerstone of therapy. Everything we discuss is confidential, with a few legal exceptions (such as safety concerns) as explained here, which are explained in the consent and confidentiality agreement you will sign before our first session. I am more than happy to go over these exceptions thoroughly during our first session so you feel completely informed.

Most clients find it helpful to start with weekly or bi-weekly sessions to build momentum and establish a strong therapeutic relationship. However, therapy with me is always flexible. We will collaborate to find a frequency that fits your goals, your schedule, and your budget.

I am a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (CC-PMH) and Certified Birth and Reproductive Trauma Therapist (CC-BRT). My approach includes lived experience in both of these areas and is trauma-informed, focused on providing a safe container for you to process your experience. We work at your pace to move through the ‘stuck’ feelings and find a path toward healing and integration.

Absolutely. As a perinatal specialist, I understand that childcare can be a barrier. You are more than welcome to have your baby with you during our virtual or in-person sessions. We can pause for feedings, diaper changes, or soothing whenever needed—this is a parent-friendly space.

I am trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which is a gold-standard, research-based approach to relationship healing. Instead of just teaching ‘communication tips’ that often fail in the heat of the moment, EFT helps us identify the deeper emotional patterns and attachment needs underneath the conflict. We work together to de-escalate the ‘cycle’ of arguing and build a secure, lasting bond where both partners feel safe and valued

While many approaches focus on resolving specific arguments or learning ‘fair fighting’ rules, EFT goes deeper. It looks at the emotional heartbeat of the relationship. We focus on the underlying fears and needs that drive our reactions. By understanding these, we can change the way we respond to each other at a fundamental level, leading to a much deeper sense of intimacy and trust.

Our first session is about understanding the ‘dance’ of your relationship. We will discuss your history as a couple, the current challenges you’re facing, and what a ‘win’ looks like for both of you. My role is not to act as a judge or to take sides, but to be a neutral facilitator who helps you communicate more effectively and reconnect with one another.

While couples therapy is most effective when both partners are committed to the process, it is very common for one person to feel more hesitant than the other. I provide a non-judgmental space where even the most ‘reluctant’ partner can feel heard. If your partner is currently unwilling to attend, we can still work individually on the tools and boundaries you bring into the relationship.

My primary ‘client’ is the relationship itself. However, I sometimes suggest brief individual check-ins if it helps us move through a specific block, and I typically suggest an individual intake session with each partner. It’s important to note that I maintain a ‘no secrets’ policy—anything shared in an individual session that is vital to the health of the relationship will eventually need to be brought back to the joint space.

Every relationship is unique. Some couples find that a few sessions provide the ‘reset’ they need, while others prefer longer-term support to navigate deeper patterns or transitions like new parenthood. We will check in regularly to ensure the frequency and pace feel right for both of you.