HELP CENTER

You Ask - I Answer

DO YOU OFFER SLIDING SCALE RATES?

I have always been committed to offering reduced counselling fees to those who are on limited income and would otherwise not be able to afford receiving counselling from a psychologist. Please contact me to discuss your needs.

WHAT DOES A FIRST SESSION LOOK LIKE?

When you choose to book a session with me, I am focused on providing you a warm, calm, confidential and ethical environment to explore what has brought you to therapy. It is important to me that you have a space that allows you to feel comfortable, and that you have the opportunity to get a feel for my office. For example, I will ask you how you would like the lighting, if you would like a blanket, water, tea, or coffee etc.

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Your first session will be focused on getting to know one another and how we can best work together. I will discuss with you your rights as a client including privacy. We will go through some paperwork to make sure you are on the same page before starting this journey. I want to help you feel prepared to make an informed decision to participate in working with me. Please feel free to ask me any questions about my policies or address any concerns you have about the process and your consent. We can review these policies and talk about them at any time. If any updates or changes are made, I will let you know right away.

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I will then invite you to let me know a bit about yourself and as much or as little as you wish to share about what has brought you to see me. This involves me listening to you and, at times, asking you questions to gain a deeper understanding of what you are communicating. Sometimes the questions I may ask might make you uncomfortable. You are always welcome to decline answering a question. I will encourage you to exercise your choice to say yes/no/maybe/I don’t know/pass/stop/I am done for today. You can also ask me questions, and I have the same right to choose in answering. During this first session, I want to ensure you feel that the process is transparent, and for us to explore if we will be a good fit for working together. If you think that’s not the case, after our initial session or our first couple of meetings, just let me know. No hard feelings. And if I feel that I may not be the best person to meet your needs, I will let you know who I think could be a better fit.

HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION TAKE?

Generally, sessions are 50 minutes in length. However, I am happy to work with you in ensuring that we find the right length of time that will meet your needs. As such, I am happy to meet for 30 minutes, for 2 hours...or whatever you feel will work best for you.

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Assessment appointments typically vary in length and will be discussed with you prior to your appointment.

HOW DOES THERAPY HELP?

Counselling is a supportive and collaborative process that enables clients the opportunity to explore their experiences. This includes their thoughts, beliefs, emotions, sensations, movements and patterns of behaviour that may be getting in the way of living a more full or balanced life.

WHAT IS YOUR PRIVACY POLICY?

I treat, with great care and respect, all the information that you share with me during sessions. It is your legal right that my records about you be kept confidential. This privacy is also protected by the ethics of the psychology profession. There are a few situations, however, in which your confidentiality may not be protected. These include:

1. My records could be subpoenaed and/or I could be asked to testify in court;

2. If you make a serious threat to harm yourself or another person, the law requires me to try to protect you or that other person. This usually means telling others about the threat, for example, the police, or a parent;

3. If I believe that a child has been, or will be, abused or neglected, I am legally required to report this to authorities;

4. If some or all of your therapy is being covered by an insurance company, I may be obliged to provide basic information to them (for example, the dates we have met; presenting problems; a treatment plan and possibly your progress).

I will review these Limits of Confidentiality with you during your initial appointment and you will be given the opportunity to ask questions. You will also be asked to sign a form consenting to these limits.

DO YOU OFFER VIRTUAL/PHONE SESSIONS

Sessions can take place in person at my office, or virtually. I am happy to offer flexibility in order to help ensure that our sessions are able to accommodate your schedule or situation.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

24 hours notice is typically required and can be done by phone or email. To ensure we can fill the appointment with another client, please let me know as early as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. If you do not let me know 24-hours in advance, there is a fee charged.

WHAT IF I NEED IMMEDIATE CRISIS OR EMERGENCY SUPPORT?

I do not provide emergency crisis services or 24/7 support- please contact the below services if you are in crisis. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

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1. Distress Centre Calgary (24-hour crisis phone support) 403-266-HELP (4357)


2. ConnectTeen (24-hour support for teens) 403-264-8336; Text: 587-333-2724


3. Family Violence Helpline (24 hour crisis phone support) 403-234-7233


4. Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566; Text: 45645

   • Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre


   • List of crisis lines and centres across Canada: https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/