The rate for therapy services with one of our registered psychologists or social workers is $235 per clinical hour (which includes 50-minutes of face-to-face time, and 10-minutes of documentation), as per the Psychologists Association of Alberta guideline. Initial intake appointments are 80-minutes and billed at $350. Follow-up sessions are usually 50-minutes and billed at $235. ​ ​

When starting therapy with a child or adolescent 17 years or younger, the first session is an 80-minute virtual intake with parents only. Whenever possible, it is preferable for both parents or caregivers to attend. The focus of the intake appointment is gathering information about your child's history, discussing key presenting concerns, and clarifying goals for therapy. At the end of the intake, the clinician will share initial impressions and recommendations, including next steps. If you choose to move forward with therapy, your child or adolescent can usually begin sessions the following week. In most cases we prefer to see our child and adolescent therapy clients in person (especially to start). For clients 18 years+, the first session can be either a 50- or 80-minute intake. While both virtual or in-person options are available, we often recommend you visit us in clinic for your first session if possible. This allows you to meet your clinician face-to-face and ensure the fit feels right before committing to start therapy.

The recommended number and frequency of therapy sessions can vary depending on your goals, the concerns you’d like support with, and your personal preferences. We’ll talk about this together at your first appointment. Often, starting with more frequent sessions can help us get to know you and build momentum, with sessions spaced out over time as things progress. However, if you’d prefer to come more or less often, let us know and we’ll adjust the plan to suit your needs.

Virtual video and telephone sessions are available and can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many concerns. In some situations, however, virtual services may not be the best fit. Factors such as age and the nature of the concerns may mean that in-person sessions (or a blend of in-person and virtual) are likely to be more helpful. We’ll always talk this through and work together to find the approach that feels most supportive and appropriate.

We get it. Starting therapy can be intimidating. There are many ways to begin support gently such as starting with parent consultation, which allows you to receive guidance and strategies without your child attending sessions right away. Many parents have their own therapists, and parent consultation sessions are not meant to replace that work. Rather, the focus of these sessions is understanding your child's development and/or mental health, strengthening the parent-child relationship, and identifying practical strategies to support their well-being.  When your child/adolescent is ready we can explore flexible options such as having parents join sessions initially, walk-and-talk sessions outside, or a slower, relationship-focused start to build comfort and trust. Often, reducing pressure and giving children a sense of choice makes it easier for them to engage when they feel ready.