FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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As the human condition invariably involves suffering, loss, confusion and disillusionment along the way, therapy will arguably be helpful for almost anyone at some point in their life. I believe that having someone simply listening to us, unconditionally accepting us and skilfully holding a space in which we can get in touch with our own inner ’compass’ and innate ability to heal is beneficial and supportive for most people. 

People come to therapy for a very wide variety of reasons. Sometimes people are just going through a ’rough patch’ and others have more long-term and debilitating challenges that they wish to overcome. Aside from feelings of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and stress there are some people who come to therapy in order to simply understand themselves better and make wiser choices. While some people have an interest in personal growth and development, or even awakening to deeper aspects of themselves, others may have more chronic and distressing symptoms that are making it difficult to get through each day or relate to others in a meaningful and constructive way. 

Basically, we will work together to determine what your needs are. You are unique, so you will need a unique approach!

My standard rate for individual therapy is $200 for a full 60 mins (most psychologists offer 50 min sessions). However, I do offer a sliding scale to people who would like to work with me, but do not have insurance or the financial ability to pay this fee. 

Some insurance companies allow psychologists to direct bill such as Blue Cross, ASEBP and Canada Life.  I offer direct billing wherever it is possible. However,  many insurance companies, such as Sunlife and Manulife require clients to claim costs directly with their insurer. In these cases, once I have received payment from you, I will send a receipt and any other information necessary for you to be reimbursed as soon as possible.

Every insurance company is different in terms of how much they cover. I recommend to call your insurance company to find out how much they cover per calendar year. When we meet we will work out a treatment plan that works with your coverage.

 At this time Alberta Health Care does not cover the costs of psychological services. However psychological services are eligible to be used as a medical expense for tax purposes. Therefore, save your receipts so that whatever portion of your expense can be used as a tax deduction.

Several local employers will pay for short-term counselling services for their employees under “Employee and Family Assistance Programs” (EFAP). Such services may include counselling, training, assessments, and workshops. Please check with your employer. 

We will work together to determine how many sessions will most benefit you - as every person’s therapeutic needs are different. However, somewhere between 6 and 14 sessions is normal. Some will only need two or three sessions – and some (especially those with developmental trauma and the psychological consequences of this) may need to be in therapy over a longer period.

According to research, therapy has been shown to be effective in meeting people’s goals whether they are to increase self-esteem, improve relationships, heal trauma, or to stop self sabotaging behaviors. However, sometimes when addressing parts of us that have been hurt difficult feeling can come up. Yet having these feelings come up in a safe therapeutic setting of empathy, acceptance, and non-judgment allows a space for healing, letting go and moving forward.

 It is important that you feel comfortable working with me and that we are ’a good fit’. According to research most of the benefits that can come from therapy are due to a positive, trusting and authentic therapeutic relationship, shared therapeutic goals and motivation to change. Only a small amount is due to the actual techniques used. Therefore my goal is for you to feel safe working with me and considering this research, I will offer various treatment modalities that I have been trained in so that we can collaboratively decide what works best for you.

The following organisations offer subsidised or free services:

Community Counselling Centre - https://www.communitycounsellingcentre.ca/

Catholic Social Services - https://www.cssalberta.ca/

Jewish Family Services Edmonton - http://www.jfse.org/

The Family Centre - https://www.familycentre.org/counselling

CASA (Children, Adolescent and Family Mental Health) - https://www.casaservices.org/

Alberta Health Services - https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/amh.aspx

See also: https://true-nature.ca/inspiration-and-resources/f/low-cost-mental-health-counselling-options-in-edmonton?blogcategory=Regulation