For physicians, lawyers and other referring professionals
Professional Referrals for Trauma, PTSD & Anxiety Therapy
When someone you support is living with the effects of a difficult experience, you need a clear way to explore therapeutic fit. Paulina is a registered social worker and psychotherapist. Her experience includes child protection work and collaboration with police in challenging investigations. In therapy, she starts with the person’s needs and readiness, building practical coping capacity before deciding together whether approaches such as EMDR or DBR are appropriate.
Referral at a glance
- Clinician
Paulina Dysko, MSW, RSW — registered social worker and psychotherapist. EMDR and DBR formal training. - Care settings
In person in London; virtual appointments across Ontario. - People served
Adults, teens and children. Therapy sessions are offered in English or Polish. - First step
Clients can book directly through Jane our secure on-line booking platform; fees and benefit coverage should be confirmed before booking
When a referral may fit
A formal PTSD diagnosis is not required to ask about therapy. A conversation may be useful when symptoms or experiences affect daily life, work, relationships or wellbeing.
- Traumatic events, PTSD symptoms and cumulative stress
- Anxiety, panic and persistent worry
- Grief, loss and major life changes
- Low mood or emotional shutdown
- First responder and healthcare-related stress
- Emotional regulation or dissociation-related concerns
- Stress related to illness or changing health
- Children and teens with anxiety or difficult experiences
These examples guide an initial fit discussion; they do not guarantee assessment, acceptance or a particular outcome.
For your profession
Physicians and clinicians
If a patient is struggling with trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, panic or life stress, we can discuss general fit without patient identifiers. Therapy may take place alongside medical or psychiatric care. Any care coordination follows the client’s authorization.
Lawyers and legal teams
Clients facing injury, loss, workplace events or relationship changes may want therapy for wellbeing and daily functioning. Treatment is separate from independent forensic assessment or expert opinion. Documentation requests require a separate discussion of scope and consent.
Community and frontline partners
Victim services, first responder organizations, social workers and case managers can ask general questions about fit. Paulina’s child protection background informs her work with people affected by difficult experiences. See her first responder support page.
How referrals work
1. Ask about fit or share the page
Contact Paulina with a general, de-identified question, or give the client the booking link.
2. The client chooses
The client books through Jane and receives intake and consent forms there. For a child, the first appointment is a parent-only consultation.
3. Discuss care together
Paulina and the client meet to discuss goals, allow client to ensure there is a good fit.
Scope, safety and confidentiality
Gentle Pathways is an outpatient psychotherapy practice. It does not provide medication management, urgent psychiatric assessment or 24-hour crisis care. For immediate safety concerns, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. In Canada, call or text 988 for suicide crisis support.
Please do not send patient records, identifying details or sensitive clinical information by ordinary email. If care coordination requires information sharing, Paulina can discuss an appropriate method and the necessary authorization.
Common referral questions
Does a client need a physician referral?
Clients can normally contact the practice or book through Jane directly. An insurer or funded program may have its own approval requirements.
Can I discuss a case without sending records?
Yes. Start with a general, de-identified question about fit. Any later exchange of identifiable clinical information requires an appropriate, authorized process.
Is virtual therapy available?
Yes, for clients located in Ontario. In-person sessions are available in London.
Can children and teens be referred?
Possibly, depending on their needs and fit. A child’s first appointment is a parent-only consultation. Consent and involvement for teens are considered individually.
Will a referrer receive progress updates?
Treatment is confidential. Information sharing can be discussed where clinically appropriate and authorized; a referral does not create routine reporting.
Can a lawyer request a report?
Psychotherapy is separate from independent forensic or expert assessment. Any letter or summary would require a separate discussion of scope, professional judgement, consent and fees.
What does therapy cost?
A 50-minute individual session cost $170. Private-practice RSW services are not covered by OHIP; extended benefit coverage depends on the client’s plan.
Give the client a direct booking path
Clients can review appointment options and book in Jane, our secure and confidential external appointment system. Jane sends intake and consent forms after booking. Share this link directly; it carries no patient information:
Discuss a referral
For a general question about clinical fit or logistics, contact Paulina directly. We will respond as soon as possible. Please do not email patient records or sensitive clinical information.