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DR. WILL CUPCHIK
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST
250 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite G-3 tel: (416)
928-2262
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4V 1R6 fax: (416)
489-8882
email: wcupchik@aol.com
web sites:
www.WhyHonestPeopleSteal.com &
www.DrWillCupchik.com
MyMy
Practice Information Bulletin
This information bulletin
describes:
·
my beliefs
and approach to psychological services
·
the nature
of my practice
·
my fees,
appointment and cancellation policies
·
what to do
if you find yourself in an emotional emergency, and
·
an
abbreviated summary of my credentials, training and experience.
My Psychological Services
In my practice,
psychological assessment and psychotherapy are collaborative ventures.
My client and I work together to clarify and achieve the client's
goals. A working professional relationship grounded in openness and
honesty facilitates a rapid progression towards, and increases the
likelihood of, an effective outcome.
Your
task is to talk about whatever is on your mind. Together we will
explore your thoughts and feelings in areas related to the reasons that
led you to seek assistance. Part of our work together will include
discussion of your experience of our professional relationship, and of
the progress and process of the therapy.
As your psychologist my task
is to listen carefully; to look for patterns in your life experiences,
as well as your thinking, feelings and behavior; and to point out
alternative interpretations of events or strategies for problem
solving. I will ask evocative questions and provide and promote
intellectual, emotional, and behavioral learning experiences to
stimulate you to move your thoughts, feelings and actions in more
suitable and satisfactory directions. It is not usually my job to tell
you what to do or to give direct advice; rather, I may suggest
that you consider specific ideas, exercises and other actions,
but the final decisions and actions, of course, are yours to make. Human
behavior is frequently a reaction to unconscious needs and conflicts;
psychotherapy is intended to help you to come to conscious
decisions about courses of action that will promote your own best
interests.
My aim is to be an objective
sounding board, a trained, knowledgeable listener who is present and
here for you. In a successful therapy relationship a
genuine, appropriate and caring bond (technically known as the
"therapeutic alliance") develops between therapist and client where the
focus is on nurturing the psychological development of the client.
Everything you say is
confidential and no information will be released to anyone without your
consent. Exceptions include the legal obligation the psychologist has
to inform a potential victim of violence of the client's intention, and
to inform the Children's Aid Society if a client is placing a child at
risk for sexual or physical abuse. In rare cases, a court of law could
subpoena clinical records.
It is my belief that psychotherapy should be tailored to the client's
needs, using approaches and methodologies appropriate to the issues and
the client's personality and functioning, as well as the client’s
situation. My first job is to assess what psychotherapeutic approaches
would be most useful to you. Usually this is done by my asking you
questions. Sometimes I also use questionnaires and/or structured
experiences. From this information I formulate an approach. Then I
explain the process and suggest what approximate time frame you may
expect.
However, you have the
right to work at your own pace, and to be an active participant
in discussing the progress of your psychotherapy. Different clients of
the same psychologist who may be dealing with similar issues, will
progress at different rates and may be receiving different types of
psychotherapy. What matters is what works for you.
My approach to psychotherapy
The Process of Therapy
Because we are together to
help you deal with personal issues of importance, it is necessary to
discuss matters that may be considered 'private'. While I
encourage clients to be as open and honest as they can, I also take the
view that at no time should you consider yourself obliged, within our
sessions, to do or say anything. I do ask that you
inform me directly of any hesitation on your part to respond to any of
my questions or suggestions. It is particularly important that you
not tell me anything that you know or believe is not accurate
or truthful, as far as you are consciously aware. If you do not wish to
reply accurately and truthfully to any question that I may ask, just
tell me that you prefer not to answer that question, rather than tell me
anything you know is untrue or incomplete. To do otherwise would be to
precipitate and participate in pseudotherapy, which is, at the
least, a waste of our time and your money.
Therapeutic Issues
My teen/adult/couples clients
present with a variety of issues. Many wish to deal with one or more of
the following areas: depression, anger management, loss, stress
management, parent & adult-child relationships, mid-life and mid-career
issues, heart-healthy lifestyle changes or atypical theft behavior.
Therapeutic Approaches
To facilitate their dealing
with these and other matters, I employ a variety of theoretical and
practical assessment and therapeutic approaches within our sessions,
depending upon what appears, in my clinical judgment, likely to be most
effective and efficient. Generally I employ a Transactional
Analysis/Gestalt Therapy/Mental Imagery/Cognitive Behavioral
orientation, one that also goes by the name Redecision Therapy.
I began training in Redecision Therapy nearly three decades ago (in
1972) with the originators of this approach, Dr. Bob and Mary Goulding,
co-directors of the Western Institute for Group and Family Therapy, in
Watsonville, California. I also employ Reintrojection Therapy, a
psychotherapeutic approach that I have developed and written about in
professional articles.
Goals
The whole of the
psychotherapy process is 'grounded in' and augmented by our
developing professional relationship. It is essential that we work as
partners-in-the‑process, each with different roles and functions, yet
with the same or similar goals in mind. These goals are mutually agreed
upon by us in our early sessions, although at a later date they may be
modified by mutual agreement. By keeping in mind our agreed-upon goals
for both the therapy process and for individual sessions, we can assess
whether you are getting what you came into psychotherapy to acquire,
whether that be improved feeling states, thinking processes and/or
behavioral functioning.
Frequency of Sessions
The frequency of sessions is
also determined by us, jointly. Sessions usually do not occur more often
than once per week, and indeed, in most cases, our sessions eventually
become spaced further apart as our work progresses. (Later, sessions
may be scheduled on a once per two weeks or even once per month or
quarterly basis, as desired and agreed upon.) Clients may stop therapy
at any time; once terminated, psychotherapy may begin again at any time
in the future as mutually agreed upon, and as both our schedules allow.
Couples
In my work with couples
I state at the outset that I usually consider myself to have three
clients: each partner individually and the couple-as-a-unit.
The exception is where either or both partners already have individual
therapists. My intake (initial) interviews usually consists of two
individual appointments and a joint appointment with both partners
together. I maintain confidentiality with each client: what is
discussed in individual sessions is not transmitted or communicated to
the other partner without consent. When I am with you in my office,
you are my client, and my role is to be there for you.
There are several
advantages in having a flexible approach that permits individual as well
as joint sessions. In the event that issues emerge that are primarily
the concern of one of the partners and/or that person is not prepared to
discuss, or perhaps even disclose, certain matters in the presence of
the partner, we may schedule individual sessions to address these
matters without the other person being present. Each of you may request
(or I may recommend) individual or joint sessions at any time.
As both
partners are fully aware of this opportunity to request and have
individual, confidential sessions, and as both have agreed to this
arrangement, I have seldom encountered any objection to proceeding in
this manner. In the rare instance where there may be a conflict of
interest when operating with this approach, I will recommend a referral
to another therapist for one or other partner, or the couple‑as-a-unit.
Psychotherapy Groups
The psychotherapy
groups that I may conduct from time to time usually consist of
five to ten people who meet together once per week for a minimum of
1-1/2 hours. Group members are encouraged to experience and express
their feelings and to deal with unresolved matters of the past or
present. The purpose of the group is not for intellectual discussion,
but for emotional experiencing, conflict resolution and personal
growth. As is true as well of individual and couples sessions, group
psychotherapy sessions are not ordinary social situations; giving
appropriate voice to genuine feelings (often frowned upon in many social
and working situations) is encouraged and accepted. How much people
ultimately gain, as in any other therapy format, depends upon their
active involvement in the process.
Types of problems and
clients:
I frequently work with
clients who must deal with one or more of a variety of problems,
including the psychological and behavioral consequences of being adult
children of dysfunctional families, or the survivors (or children of
survivors) of the Holocaust or other severe trauma. Many clients present
with self/relationship destructive states of depression, anger, anxiety,
stress or other chronic negative feelings; some clients wish to deal
with issues of co-dependency, compulsive behaviors, atypical theft
behavior, mid-life and mid-career issues, couples conflict resolution,
or inter-generational (parent & adult-child) issues. I also work with
clients who have cardiac problems who want to learn to employ stress
management, relaxation, and mental imagery approaches in the service of
moving towards wellness.
Some clients may be having
some difficulties in their inner (intrapsychic) and/or outer
(interpersonal and/or working) aspects of their lives. Others are
experiencing sexual or communications problems. Still others are dealing
with needing to make important decisions (such as whether to get married
or to divorce, to have a child or remain child-free, to retire, change
jobs, move, and so on). I usually limit my direct client contact to
clients who are over 14 years of age.
Some of my clients are
executives or business owners who are dealing with work-related matters
where there can be value in discussing these matters with an objective
professional who has no personal investment in the business-related
issue being discussed but who does have a keen, informed awareness of
the personality, history and requirements of the client. My earlier
careers as electrical engineer, a high school teacher and guidance
counselor, staff member of the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, and
book author and publisher, have given me a breadth and depth of
familiarity with a wide variety of professions and work-related
situations. Many of my other recent or current activities as a software
developer, Internet web site owner and site content provider, have
further augmented my familiarity with business and work-related matters.
I previously was (for twelve
years) on the staff of the forensic service of the Clarke Institute of
Psychiatry (where, from 1984-86 I was the Psychologist-in-Charge,
Forensic Outpatient Psychological Services). Presently,
the only forensic cases that I undertake for assessment and/or treatment
are those involving possible ‘Atypical Theft Offenders’, i.e.,
individuals who are generally honest, frequently hardworking and ethical
persons who have committed acts of shoplifting, fraud or other acts of
theft.
I am the
author of Why Honest People Shoplift Or Commit Other Acts Of
Theft: Assessment And Treatment Of ‘Atypical Theft Offenders’,
published by Tagami Communications in 1997, and in relation to this
subject I maintain Internet web sites, and regularly work in both long
term and intensive formats to assist certain clients to uncover and deal
with the issues underlying their atypical theft behavior. I do not
work with other kinds of criminal cases, nor do I take multiple
personality disorder cases.
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Frequently, when it is
important to the progress of my client, I may ask to see a "significant
other" -- often the spouse, parent, or child of my client -- in a
separate interview and/or with my client.
Such sessions usually provide important and relevant information about
my client from one who has known that person for some time.
After more than 37
years of doing counseling and psychotherapy I can truly say that
virtually nothing -- no thought, feeling or behavior that you
could tell me about -- would shock me. You are able to say virtually
anything while expecting to be viewed as one who is personally deserving
of concern, compassion and caring.
Part of my philosophy
of client care is to rule out any physical basis for the clients'
problems. To this end, I expect my client to see his or her family
physician for a physical examination. I also promote consultations with
other professionals such as psychologists, neuropsychologists,
psychiatrists or other medical specialists when there is an indication
that the client might benefit from the expertise of these
professionals. It is my policy to work with the other resources
of the community and to stay within the limits of my competence as a
psychologist. It is also my policy to expedite the referral of any
client who wishes to transfer, for whatever reason, so that nothing
stands in the way of any individual receiving the help he or she needs.
Length of Sessions
Individual sessions are 50
minutes in length, although I may continue somewhat longer at times.
Payment is the same regardless, unless it has been previously agreed
that we will be doing ‘one-and-one-half’, or ‘double’ length sessions.
Intensive Intervention
Programs are usually 16 sessions in length over three consecutive days.
This format is particularly helpful to out-of-towners.
Fees* and Cancellation
Policy
My fees are at or below those
the guidelines set by the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) for
psychological assessments, consultations and ongoing individual, couples
and group psychotherapy. I offer a sliding scale in regard to fees that
is a primarily a function of total gross household income and whether
the client has third party coverage through their place of employment of
private health insurance, although other factors may be taken into
account in individual circumstances. Generally, clients pay for
their sessions at the end of each visit. In this way, the account
remains manageable and psychotherapy becomes a naturally budgeted
expense. Unless you cancel 48 hours before a session, you will
likely be charged for a missed session. I expect that your
psychotherapy will become one of your top priorities. This will be
reflected in your determination to come to sessions on time even when it
is difficult, and to handle your account responsibly.
There are objectively
very few reasons for which an appointment must be canceled. For
example, even if your car is not working there are, of course, taxis and
the TTC. One of the few exceptions is in the event of severe
(usually in winter) driving conditions if you could only be arriving by
private automobile; in such a case, by all means do not take any undue
risk -- merely call and let me know that the weather/driving
situation is markedly risky for you. There will be no charge
for a missed session in such a situation regardless of how close to the
time of the session you call to let me know of your circumstances.
If you have insurance
that reimburses you for your psychotherapy expenses, I will issue or
sign any document that you require for submission to your insurance
company. Usually, I do not accept checks directly from the insurance
company or submit your claim on your behalf. There may be some
exception to this general policy due to special circumstances of the
client. However, my agreement is with you and you are
responsible for your account here.
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* The
general policy for NSF checks
for individual sessions is
that the client repays the amount of the cherub, plus a $10.00
handling charge.
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For
out-of-town clients:
Clients arriving from outside Toronto for the Atypical Theft Offender
Intensive Intervention Program are asked to send a retainer
in the amount of the full fee, via an International Money Order drawn
on a major U.S. bank to the address they are given at the time of
scheduling appointment times with Dr. Cupchik. This money order is to
be Fedex-ed to Dr. Cupchik.
If it is necessary to
cancel the ‘Intensive’ for any reason, advance notice of the intention
to cancel is required to be received by Dr. Cupchik at least seven
(7) days in advance of the beginning of the Intensive, in order to
obtain a refund equivalent to one-half the full fee. No refund shall be
provided if less than seven days notice is given by the client.
If It is ever
necessary for Dr. Cupchik to cancel an Intensive (this has never
occured) a full refund for the Intensive fee will be provided. However,
no compensation will be given for any airline or hotel bookings the
client may have made.
In Case of Emergency
Sometimes clients have a
genuine emergency which requires attention ASAP. The first recourse is
to call my office and/or my home; my business card, on the back
of which I write the times and dates of your upcoming appointments and
which I give to you at the end of our sessions has both my office and
home phone numbers for just such purposes.
My business card also has my
fax number. The fax machine is located at my home office, should
you have some thoughts or information that you want to transmit to me
between sessions. Unless I am out of the city on an extended trip (in
which case you will be so informed, in advance, by a note on the
bulletin board located in the waiting room, I will most often get back
to you within a few hours of receiving your call. You may also e-mail me
at wcupchik@aol.com; please note, however, that I do not check my
email as frequently as I do my telephone answering service, so if
you have to cancel a session with less than 48 hours notice, please do
not use e-mail, but rather, phone me.
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Please note: I use call-forwarding to my
home; please call my office or home phone numbers only
between the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (New York City time),
any day of the week.
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If it is the middle of the
night or if you feel you cannot wait for me to get back to you, and you
are having an emotional emergency, then you should consider going to the
emergency department of any of the hospitals in your area.
The Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto specializes in
emotional problems. Do be aware, however, that if you are admitted to
hospital, you become the responsibility of the attending physician and
my rights, responsibility and accountability end. Your psychotherapy
with me ends and you may or may not want or be able to resume it later.
Resumption of psychotherapy must be discussed in light of the
limitations inherent in the private practice context and what types of
support you need.
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Some Personal and Professional History
I was born in Montreal and
lived for my first 21 years in Quebec. I moved to Ottawa in 1961 where I
lived for five years. My first profession was as a professional
electrical engineer. I then began work as a high school teacher
and guidance counselor. In 1966 I moved to Toronto and have
lived, studied and worked here ever since.
I am registered as a
psychologist with both the Ontario College of Psychologists and the
Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
Registration as a
psychologist in Ontario requires a doctorate degree in psychology from a
recognized university, a one year supervised postdoctoral experience and
passing written and oral examinations. Registration as a health care
provider in Psychology in Canada requires all of the above plus specific
clinical psychology predoctoral training and two years supervised
clinical psychology experience.
I have also been an
extramural instructor at the Ontario Institute of Education/University
of Toronto where I taught graduate courses in group therapy.
My formal
education/working career has had several distinct phases.
·
My first university degree was a Bachelor
of Engineering (B.Eng.) from
McGill University (1961). I worked for one year (1961-62) as an
electronic engineer doing original design work in the aeronautical
field, as a Navigational Systems Design engineer for Computing
Devices of Canada, located near Ottawa.
· I began my formal
study of psychology at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia
University) in Montreal prior to my final year in engineering at
McGill. I returned to university full-time in 1962 at Carleton
University in Ottawa, and graduated in 1963 with a
Bachelor of Arts
(BA) (major in psychology).
·
In 1963 I began my first of a total of 9 years in the full-time employ
of three different Boards of Education in Ontario -- Ottawa, North York
and Etobicoke. For the first six years I worked as high school
science and mathematics teacher, and as of 1964 I began dividing my
time between classroom teaching and being a guidance counselor.
·
For the three years that I worked for the Etobicoke Board of Education I
worked out of the board office as an Attendance Counselor.
·
While working for school boards I acquired Ontario Department
of Education’s Specialist Certificates in both Guidance and
Physics.
·
I earned a Masters of Education
(M.Ed.) degree in Guidance and Counseling (1970), and
·a
Doctorate in Counseling Psychology
(Ph.D.)., (1979), both degrees from OISE/University of
Toronto.
· I
have been registered as a Psychologist in Ontario since 1980.
·
In 1969 I began training as a group psychotherapist at the North York
Group Psychotherapy Foundation (NYGPF). I was a senior group
therapist for NYGPF for two years, from 1972-74. I acquired full
membership in the American Group Psychotherapy Association in
1972. I began my private practice in 1972.
·
Also in 1972, I began training in Redecision Therapy with it’s
developers, Dr. Bob and Mary Goulding, co-directors of the Western
Institute for Group and Family Therapy (WIGFT) in Watsonville,
California, starting with a one-month intensive training program.
Thereafter I attended professional training programs at WIGFT on
numerous occasions, and also worked for WIGFT as guest faculty in
both California and Canada.
·
In 1974, while in the doctoral program at the Ontario Institute for
Studies in Education (OISE), a graduate faculty of the University of
Toronto, I began a psychology internship at the Clarke Institute
of Psychiatry. I was taken on board as a part-time psychometrist in
the Clarke's forensic service the following year, and in subsequent
years worked as a full-time psychometrist, and then staff
psychologist.
·For
the last two years that I was on staff at the Clarke Institute of
Psychiatry (1984-86), I held the title of Psychologist-in-Charge,
Forensic Outpatient Psychological Services. In 1986 I left the
employ of the Clarke to pursue my private practice on a full‑time
basis.
My belief in continuing
education as a method of furthering professional competence leads me to
attend conferences, workshops and/or training seminars every year.
I hold full membership
in the following professional associations:
·Ontario
Psychological Association,
·Canadian
Psychological Association
·American
Psychological Association
·Canadian
Group Psychotherapy Association
The American College of
Forensic Examiners. I have been
awarded Diplomate status as a Board Certified Forensic Examiner
·Certificate
of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ),
certifies that the
qualifications established by the Association of State and Provincial
Psychology Boards have been met
If You Have Any
Questions
Please feel free to ask
me about any aspect of your psychotherapy or any other aspect of your
potential or actual experience here.
Disclose 14 in
Office Laptop November 11, 2003
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