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What does a first session look like?

child Counselling and Therapy

The first session of counselling and therapy services for children would involve an initial intake session with parents/caregivers where we sign all the necessary forms, discuss your concerns further, and gather historical information that is relevant to your child's treatment. This initial session is for parents or caregivers only. We will then book a next session where we will meet individually with your child. It is important that children feel comfortable with the counselling process and have interest in attending the sessions. Sessions are typically 60 minutes for individual therapy.

teen Counselling and Therapy

The first session of counselling and therapy services for teenagers would typically involve an initial intake session where we sign all the necessary forms, discuss your concerns further, and gather historical information that is relevant to your teen's treatment. This session involves the parents/caregivers and the teen. We will likely have some one-on-one time with your teen within the first session to start building a relationship and help them to feel safe and comfortable. We will then book a session to meet individually with your teen. It is important that teens feel comfortable with the counselling process and have interest in attending the sessions. Sessions are typically 60 minutes for individual therapy.

adult Counselling and Therapy

The first session for adult counselling and therapy services would involve going over informed consent together, signing the necessary consent forms, discussing your concerns further, and developing treatment goals for moving forward. Individual counselling sessions for adults are typically 60 minutes in length. EMDR processing sessions for adults may be recommended for 90 minutes in length.

Family Counselling and Therapy

The first session of family counselling and therapy services would involve an initial intake session where we sign all the necessary forms, discuss your concerns further, and gather historical information that is relevant to your family's treatment. This session is for parents/caregivers only when the family counselling involves children, but typically involves the entire family for teenagers or adult children. We will discuss our recommendations around who in the family would be included in this initial intake session during our free 15-20 minute consultation. It is important that children and teens feel comfortable with the family counselling process and have interest in attending the sessions. For family counselling, the first 3 family sessions are typically 90 minutes with ongoing sessions ranging from 60 to 90 minutes.

Assessment

The first session for assessment services would typically involve a parent intake meeting, where we would sign all the necessary forms and go over your child's developmental, medical, educational, and social/emotional history to inform the assessment. This initial parent intake session is 60 to 90 minutes in length. We would then book the remaining sessions including interviews with your child or youth, any standardized assessment administration with your child or youth, and plans for sending questionnaires to parents, the child/youth, and teachers.

HOW CAN I PREPARE MY CHILD FOR THEIR FIRST SESSION?

My child is asking questions about seeing a psychologist. How can I prepare my child for their first session?

Counselling:

We often explain counselling to children and youth as having someone to talk to who will focus on them and can help with their feelings. It helps some children to better understand by using metaphor that a psychologist is a “Feelings Doctor” who helps with how we think and feel similar to how a medical doctor treats a broken leg. It can also be helpful to explain that we have lots of things in the office to help them feel more comfortable, including toys, fidgets, and art supplies, and it is ok if they don't feel like talking right away. You can help by normalizing any nervousness or jitters – It is ok to be nervous – it is our job to build a relationship and help them become more comfortable!

Assessment:

We often will talk with children and youth about how an assessment helps us better understand how their brains work, what things they are really good at, and how to help them with some of the things they may be struggling with. You can explain how there will be a bunch of different things during the process, which will include some conversation, some tasks like puzzles and questions, and academic tasks like reading, writing, and math. They are just asked to try their best as some things may be easy for them and some may be hard. You can help by normalizing any nervousness or jitters – It is ok to be nervous – it is our job to build a relationship and help them become more comfortable!

How many counselling sessions will be needed?

The length of treatment depends upon a variety of variables including the nature and severity of the concerns, treatment goals selected, readiness for treatment, and motivation for change.

Is the information discussed in counselling confidential?

Everything discussed in counselling is considered confidential with a few exceptions. Psychologists are legally required to report the following (these are called limits to confidentiality):

• if an individual indicates that they are planning to hurt themselves or someone else,

• if there are reports of abuse/neglect to a child, elder, or vulnerable person,

• and in the case of a court order

If a child or youth disclosed concerns related to harm to self or others, parents would be contacted and then we would notify/involve the appropriate services, as necessary.

How much information from my child’s counselling sessions will be shared with me as a parent?

Counselling and therapy is most effective when a trusting relationship exists between the psychologist and the child or youth. Privacy can be important in securing and maintaining that trust. At CARE Psychology, when we are providing individual counselling and therapy with children and youth, we ensure the caregiver/parent is involved in the process through consultation with them.

At times, the parent/caregiver may even participate in the sessions. However, to ensure a child/youth feels they have a place where they can openly discuss their concerns and have some privacy, we will not provide detailed information to the parent/caregiver regarding what the child/youth shared unless the child/youth provides assent or is within the limits to confidentiality. Instead, general themes, ideas, and recommendations will be provided as well as support and encouragement to the parent/caregiver.

How do I book appointments?

Contact us first for your free 15-20 minute phone consultation. You can email us at admin@carepsychology.com to book or fill out the form on our contact page.

After your initial consultation, you can book appointments here.

Where are you located?

Our current office is located at #14, 620 – 1 Avenue NW in Airdrie, Alberta (Office is located in Airdrie Business Centre that is in the Airdrie Lawyers building).

When do you have appointments?

We are currently available for psychological services both online and in person. We provide our services online through a secure telehealth video platform and in-person at our Airdrie office during the daytime as well as some evenings and Saturdays. All appropriate public health protocols are in place for in-person visits.

What are your rates?

The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) sets the standard for fees for psychological services and there is no GST charge on psychological services.

**Please Note: Rates at CARE Psychology will increase to $220 per hour session starting on January 4, 2023. The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta has increased their 2023 recommended fee schedule for Psychologists in Alberta from $200 to $220**

Consultations

(without an accompanying assessment)

$220 per hour

Assessments

The fees for an assessment vary depending on the type of assessment requested. Each assessment is billed per hour at $220 per hour.

Psycho-Educational Assessment

A typical psycho-educational assessment ranges from $2420 to $3080 (11-14 hours at $220 per hour, including intake, standardized testing, interviews, scoring and interpreting assessment materials, report writing, and a feedback meeting).

Psycho-Educational Assessment plus Autism Assessment

Additional testing for Autism includes the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS 2). The autism testing (including scoring and interpretation) along with the psycho-educational assessment typically ranges from $3520 to $4400 (16-20 hours at $220 per hour; 11-14 hours for the psycho-educational assessment plus 5-9 hours for the autism assessment).

Mental Health Assessment (including ADHD and Anxiety assessments)

A typical mental health assessment ranges from $1320 to $1980 (6 to 9 hours at $220 per hour, including intake, interviews, interpreting results, report writing, and a feedback meeting) *please note: mental health assessments do not include psycho-educational testing

Please talk to your provider for a quote for your specific assessment needs.

Are your services covered by my benefits provider?

Please check with your insurance provider. Many insurance providers offer coverage for services provided by a Registered Psychologist. A receipt will be provided for all services and can be used to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement if your insurance covers psychological services. We also direct bill to a variety of extended health insurance companies. Also, psychological services can be used as a Tax Deductible Medical Expense.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a cancellation fee. In-office appointments can be switched to virtual sessions as needed.

Who should I call in a crisis or emergency?

We do not offer immediate emergency care. If this is urgent, please call the Distress Centre at 403-266-HELP(4357), Distress Centre Confidential Online Chat at http://distresscentre.com, AHS Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642, or the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868. If this is an emergency, you can visit an urgent care centre, the emergency department of your closest hospital, or consider calling 911.