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• FAQ5

FAQ

• Where is your office located and is there parking available?

  My office is located in Suite 301, 8135 - 102 Street in the Roots on Whyte Community Building. Look for the signs for Integrated Counselling once you're in the building. There's free street parking near the building, but please make sure you keep an eye out for the parking restriction signs as some parking is designated for one hour and some for two hours. There's also underground parking ($3.00 for 90 minutes) available directly under the building which can be accessed via the back alley behind the building. If you're coming by bus, there are several major bus routes that run along 82 Avenue with bus stops in front of the building.

• What payment methods do you accept?

  Cash, cheque or e-transfer. Payment is due in full at the time of service.

• What fee do you charge for a therapy session?

  My fee is $190.00. The fee currently recommended by the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) is $200.00. I offer potential new clients a free half hour phone consultation to discuss your concerns and goals.

• Why see a psychologist and more specifically a registered psychologist?

  Psychologists help people understand, explain and develop healthier and more effective ways of behaving. They have specialized knowledge and training in how people feel, think and behave; how problems can develop in these areas of functioning; and how to support clients to change so that they may reduce their stress, resolve problems and experience improvements in their overall psychological health and well-being. When considering the services of a mental health professional, it’s always wise to seek the services of someone who is licensed/registered. In Alberta psychologist is a protected title, which means that only those with specific education and training are permitted to use this job title. Registered psychologists in Alberta are registered with and regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), adhere to a strict code of professional ethics, and are accountable to rigorous standards of practice.

• Does therapy actually work?

  Psychotherapy can have pros and cons. Since therapy often involves exploring unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. Progress may not happen as quickly as you would like. Clients can sometimes make improvements only to go backwards after a time. There are no guarantees that therapy will yield positive or intended results. It’s also worth noting the potential downsides of not participating in therapy such as loss of connection with self and others, disruption of relationships, loss of productivity, and compromise of physical health. On the other hand, psychotherapy has been shown to have benefits for people who engage in it. Therapy often leads to a significant reduction in feelings of distress, greater personal awareness and insight, increased skills for managing stress and resolutions to specific problems, and improved satisfaction in interpersonal relationships. A key factor is that therapists carefully monitor the therapy process to ensure that clients are actually experiencing benefits from the treatment they’re receiving.