Frequently Asked Questions

1. What services does Clinic Altera offer?

Clinic Altera is a bilingual psychotherapy and wellness clinic in Montreal that provides a range of mental health and personal development services. Our team offers individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, and family therapy, as well as executive coaching, clinical supervision for professionals, therapy intensives, and wellness programs. We also provide specialized offerings such as the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), group workshops, and continuing education opportunities. Whether you are seeking support for emotional health, relationship challenges, or professional growth, our clinic creates a safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed space to meet your needs.

2. How do I book a psychotherapy session at Clinic Altera?

Booking a session at Clinic Altera is simple and flexible. You can use our secure online booking platform to view availability and choose the therapist you would like to work with. Each therapist at our clinic has a detailed bio outlining their clinical background, areas of expertise, and the languages in which they offer therapy. This ensures you can make an informed choice about the professional who best matches your needs. If you are unsure who to book with, our clinic can assist you in finding the right fit.

3. Do you offer therapy in English and French?

Yes. Clinic Altera is proud to be a bilingual mental health clinic in Montreal, offering services in both English and French. Since each therapist may have different language offerings, we encourage you to review the therapist’s profile to confirm they provide therapy in your preferred language. Accessibility, comfort, and clear communication are central to our mission, so we strive to ensure you receive care in the language that feels most natural to you.

4. How much does therapy cost at Clinic Altera?

At Clinic Altera, sessions are 50 minutes in length. Our fees are based on a tiered pricing structure that reflects the therapist’s level of specialization, years of experience, and professional designation. This allows us to offer options that are accessible while also recognizing the expertise of our more senior clinicians. Session fees are always transparent and listed at the time of booking.

5. Are your services covered by insurance?

Yes. Many of our psychotherapy services are eligible for reimbursement through private insurance providers. Services offered by licensed social workers and psychotherapists are commonly covered. Professionals at Clinic Altera with other designations and licenses (such as counselling or coaching) will discuss coverage with you individually, or you can verify directly with your insurance provider. We always provide receipts for submission to your insurance plan.

6. What issues can psychotherapy help with?

Psychotherapy at Clinic Altera supports clients with a wide range of concerns, always with an inclusive, affirming, and trauma-informed approach. Common areas we help with include:

  • Anxiety, stress, and panic

  • Depression and mood difficulties

  • Trauma and post-traumatic stress (PTSD)

  • Medical trauma

  • Complex grief and ambiguous loss

  • Disordered eating and body image challenges

  • Health and wellness concerns

  • ADHD and neurodivergence

  • Relationship and family challenges

  • Burnout and workplace stress

  • Addiction and recovery support

  • Career development and professional identity

  • Postpartum, perinatal, parenthood, and fertility concerns

Our clinicians are committed to providing care that is LGBTQ+ affirming, sex-positive, and welcoming of ethical non-monogamy (ENM) and diverse relationship structures. We also bring deep experience in supporting survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and we honour the experiences of Indigenous, racialized, and marginalized communities.

At Clinic Altera, your therapy is tailored to your unique context, identity, and goals—creating a safe and respectful space for meaningful growth and healing.

7. Do you offer online or virtual therapy?

Yes. Clinic Altera offers secure online therapy sessions using a HIPAA-compliant, user-friendly platform. Virtual sessions allow you to connect with your therapist from anywhere in Quebec, making psychotherapy more accessible, flexible, and convenient. Many clients choose a combination of in-person and virtual care depending on their schedule and comfort level.

8. What is a psychotherapy intensive?

A psychotherapy intensive is a focused and immersive therapeutic experience designed to help clients make progress more quickly. Instead of weekly sessions spread out over months, intensives involve longer or more frequent sessions over a few days. This approach can be especially effective for people who feel “stuck” in their process, those navigating trauma, or clients seeking accelerated growth and integration. At Clinic Altera, intensives are carefully structured to provide a safe and supportive environment for deeper exploration and healing.

9. How do I know if Clinic Altera is the right fit for me?

Choosing the right therapist or clinic is an important step. At Clinic Altera, you can book an initial consultation to meet with one of our clinicians, share your goals, and explore whether our therapeutic approach matches your needs. Our clinic is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming, sex-positive, and neurodivergent-friendly space. We welcome diverse identities and lived experiences and will work collaboratively with you to determine the best path forward.

10. Do you provide supervision for clinicians?

Yes. Clinic Altera offers clinical supervision for mental health professionals, including psychotherapists, social workers, counsellors, and other clinicians. We provide both individual and group supervision, with a focus on psychodynamic, relational, trauma-informed, and integrative approaches. Supervision is tailored to the clinician’s level of experience, caseload, and professional development goals, helping therapists deepen their clinical skills while receiving mentorship in a supportive setting.

11. What is trauma?

Trauma is not just about a single event—it is about how overwhelming experiences affect the nervous system, body, and sense of safety in the world. Trauma can arise from sudden events, ongoing stress, or relational patterns that impact emotional well-being. At Clinic Altera, we understand trauma as both an individual and relational experience, and we tailor therapy to address its many forms.

Types of trauma we work with include:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Often linked to a specific event or series of events such as accidents, violence, or medical trauma. Symptoms can include flashbacks, hypervigilance, and avoidance.

  • Complex PTSD (C-PTSD): Develops from repeated or long-term exposure to trauma (e.g., childhood neglect, chronic abuse, intimate partner violence). It can affect self-esteem, emotional regulation, and relationships.

  • Attachment Trauma: Results from disruptions in early caregiving relationships, leading to difficulties with trust, safety, and connection.

  • Relational Trauma: Stemming from harmful or inconsistent relationships, this may include experiences of betrayal, neglect, or emotional invalidation.

How we support trauma healing at Clinic Altera:
We offer a range of trauma-focused services, including:

  • Individual psychotherapy and counselling for trauma recovery

  • Trauma-informed couples counselling to address the impact of trauma within relationships

  • Nervous system regulation intensives, providing deeper, structured support for integration and healing

At Clinic Altera, we take a trauma-informed and integrative approach, combining relational, psychodynamic, and somatic methods to support healing. We emphasize not only symptom reduction but also the possibility of post-traumatic growth, resilience, and reconnection.