I am new to counselling, what can I expect?

Counselling can be scary and nerve-wrecking for anyone. To support you within your journey, I offer a free 20-minute meet and greet (in-person or Telehealth platform). This will support you in ensuring that I am good fit for your therapeutic goals. In preparation for your first appointment, you will be asked to come in 15-minutes early to complete initial forms.

what is a registered provisional psychologist?

In Alberta, the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) is the regulatory body for the profession of psychology. Their requirements to become a registered psychologist in Alberta are:

• Successful completion of a minimum of a Master’s level degree from an approved Psychology program

• Completed a minimum of 1600 hours of supervised hours in the practice of Psychology.

• Successful completion of the Examination of the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) and successful completion of the Law and Ethics for Alberta Psychologists (LEAP) exam

A registered provisional psychologist is a therapist who has a completed a minimum Master’s level psychology degree and has been approved by CAP to begin practicing (see https://www.cap.ab.ca/registration/registration-and-supervision for more information). While completing the required 1600 hours of supervised hours, a provisional psychologist will meet with a senior psychologist regularly.

do you direct bill?

You will be asked to pay at the time of the visit then you be provided a receipt to submit for reimbursement. It is best to check with your individual insurance plan regarding their process.

Fees for psychological services may be claimed under tax deductible health care expenses on your income tax return.

I want to attend family therapy but my child is hesitant. what can i do?

It is not uncommon for a child or teen to be reluctant to attend therapy. Attending therapy means meeting a stranger, in an unfamiliar place, to discuss potentially uncomfortable things. You can support your child by being transparent about what to expect and how it may positively help. It is important not to single out the young person as they may feel to blame; resulting in therapy feeling like a punishment. For the initial meeting, your child should know that there are no expectations of them other than them meeting the therapist. During the first meeting, it is likely that the time with your child may be spent play games or making art as a way to get to know each other. Many young people are more willing to attend therapy after the initial session.

Can my child attend therapy by themselves?

Depending upon the situation, I recommend that the parents be involved in the therapy process. This is important for a few reasons; it ensures that the skills and strategies we discuss are being transferred into the home; all family members can have a voice within the process; and lines of communication can strengthened if everyone is involved. A family is like a puzzle - it is important to have all the pieces together in order to see the picture as a whole.

I am separated/divorced and want to enroll my child in counselling. Does the other parent need to know?

I require written consent from all legal guardians prior to the initial session. A copy of the custody agreement may be requested.

What is your cancellation policy?

I ask that you provide 48-hour notice for any cancellations of your appointment. If you do not provide 48-hour notice of a needed cancellation, you will be charged your full session fee. I understand that life happens and emergencies occur; therefore, I can offer to change your in-person session to a video session if you need to cancel less than 48-hours before your in-person appointment. In addition, all clients will be given one freebie cancellation per year, in case of an emergency event.

Still have additional questions? Please feel free to contact directly reach out!