Frequently
Asked Questions

It is our belief that everyone could benefit from therapy. While many people engage in therapy to receive support around a particular mental health concern or to deal with a specific event in their life, others choose to come to therapy to enhance their wellness and encourage their personal growth.

You do not need a referral or a prescription to begin therapy, you are free to self-refer. That being said, we do sometimes receive referrals from psychiatrists, doctors, schools, other psychologists and insurance companies.

The easiest option is to book online. All our therapists have a link on their page to their specific online booking platform. Alternatively, you are welcome to call or email us to book. If you are unsure who might be a good fit for you, our office manager is in the office from Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm and can support you in selecting the best therapist for you.

Our typical fees are $220 per 50-minute session. These fees are based on the recommended fee schedule set out by the Psychologist Association of Alberta (PAA). We are able to direct bill most insurance companies, but be sure to check with your insurance provider to ensure psychological services are covered and if they allow direct billing. You are also able to claim your sessions on your annual income tax statements as a health expense. We are also happy to offer lower-cost counselling from our Registered Provisional Psychologists and Canadian Certified Counsellors. The typical rate is $180 for a 50-minute session with a Registered Provisional Psychologist is and $160 for a Canadian Certified Counsellor.

We are able to direct bill most insurance companies, but be sure to check with your insurance provider to ensure psychological services are covered and if they allow direct billing. Official receipts will be provided following each session.

All therapists at Helix Psychology work independently and have different options for payment; be sure to speak directly with your therapist about payment options. Most therapists at Helix Psychology will accept payment by credit card or e-transfer only. For our low-cost counselling program, we accept credit card or e-transfer. ***Please note that as part of our payment policy and cancellation policy we do require a valid credit card on file. Your information will be securely stored within a confidential, secure database designed for healthcare practitioners.***

When you book your first therapy session, you will be sent an electronic intake form through Jane. Please fill out the form so your therapist can review it prior to your session. When you arrive you will see a sign on our door that asks you to text upon arrival. We keep the door locked at all times for the safety of our clients and staff, so please send a text to the Helix Psychology number at (780) 245-1110 and one of our administrative staff will come let you in as soon as they are able to. If it is very cold out, feel free to wait in your car for a response that indicates we are ready to let you in! From there you will be checked in and can have a seat in our waiting room until your therapist is ready for you. Once in the therapy office, your therapist will welcome you and do their best to help you feel comfortable. It is completely normal to feel a little bit nervous for your first session, so your therapist will take the lead to help you get started. To help you feel more comfortable, your therapist will go at your pace and respect your boundaries. You don’t have to disclose your whole story until you are comfortable. While all our therapists work a little differently, you can usually expect some common themes in your first session. These include conversations about informed consent, your rights as a client, and confidentiality. We will spend time getting to know you, what brings you into therapy, and how you have been coping up to this point. Your therapist will share insights with you and lay out some potential options for treatment. From there you and your therapist will collaborate to create some goals for your time together and establish a treatment plan based on those goals. Finally, if you feel like you have found the right fit, your therapist will let you know you can either book online or connect with our administrative staff at the front desk to book a follow up. Your therapist is here to support you so please feel free to ask any questions you have about the therapeutic process during your session!

Sessions are typically 50 minutes to allow 10 minutes for charting session notes.

Feeling safe and comfortable with your therapist is one of the most important factors for success in therapy. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable or like you haven’t found the right fit, please let us know and we would be happy to provide you with some alternative options either here at Helix Psychology or in the psychological community.

At Helix Psychology we are committed to providing ethical and evidence-based services to our clients. Our Registered Provisional Psychologist program provides counselling to our community while also mentoring the next generation of counsellors. Registered Provisional Psychologists have completed a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in counselling. Registered Provisional Psychologists are required to complete 1600 hours of supervised and evaluated practice to fulfill their educational requirements before becoming fully registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists. The Canadian Certified Counsellor designation is a national service that allows the public to identify counsellors who are recognized by CCPA as being qualified to provide counselling services in Canada. Canadian Certified Counselors have completed 250 clinical hours at Helix Psychology under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist. Registered Provisional Psychologists are supervised regularly by a Registered Psychologist at Helix Psychology who possesses a Master’s degree, a minimum of 5 years postgraduate experience, and has engaged in various post graduate training, including clinical supervision training.