Psychotherapy is a collaborative treatment based on the relationship between an individual and a psychologist. It provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who’s objective, neutral, nonjudgmental and involves closely looking at yourself, your situation and others around you. You and your psychologist will work together to develop awareness and understanding as well as identify and change the thought and behavior patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best.

People seek therapy for a variety of reasons. Some have felt anxious or depressed for a long time, while others may have short term problems that they need support with. Some common reasons people seek help are: depression, anxiety, grief and loss, anger, stress at home/work, past trauma/abuse, relationship issues, and/or life transitions.

Working with a psychologist can help you:

• Develop new skills to cope more effectively with life’s challenges
• Identify and change unhealthy thought and behaviour patterns
• Resolve past experiences that continue to influence the present
• Achieve more balance and confidence
• Deal with fears
• Identify and express emotions
• Improve communication

The first few sessions are generally focused on gathering background information in an effort to understand you and the difficulties that brought you to therapy at this time. Together we will decide on the goals for treatment and develop a plan. Each person is unique and has had different experiences that shape their current needs. Therapy is therefore specifically tailored to meet your individual goals. Sessions can be structured or open ended depending on your preference.
A session generally lasts 50 minutes, however an EMDR processing session may last up to 90 minutes.

How often? The frequency of your sessions will depend on your particular needs. Some clients prefer to come more frequently while they are addressing a problem in the early stages and then schedule less frequent appointments to maintain gains or even just have occasional “booster” sessions.

Therapy is not a passive process. You can enhance your experience in therapy by being honest and open with yourself and your therapist, and by practicing any of the new skills that you acquire in therapy. People often achieve greater results from therapy when they are open to the process and are willing to actively participate.

Confidentiality means that any information that a client shares with their Psychologist during the course of therapy stays private between themselves and their therapist. There are exceptions to this rule that Psychologists must adhere to, by law. These are:

• When there is risk of imminent danger to yourself or others.
• When there is a reasonable suspicion that a child or any other vulnerable person is being sexually, physically, or emotionally abused or neglected or when there is at risk for such abuse.
• When there is a subpoena regarding information discussed in therapy.

Fees are $200 per hour for therapy sessions or $300 per hour for forensic and legal cases. This rate is consistent with the fee schedule recommended by the Psychologists Association of Alberta.

Services on a sliding scale may be available for those who qualify. This is determined on a case by case basis. Please contact to find out more.

Alternative payment options can be arranged through certain Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) or Insurance providers.

If you have Medavie Blue Cross (Veteran Affairs, Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police), claims can be submitted directly.