Calgary therapy FAQs — fees, insurance & booking.

Therapy provides a safe, supportive, and confidential space to better understand yourself, develop healthier coping strategies, and work through life's challenges. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, or simply feeling stuck, therapy can help you gain insight, build resilience, and create meaningful change.

At Healing Journey Collective, we tailor therapy to your unique goals and needs using evidence-based approaches.

Your first appointment is focused on getting to know you. Your therapist will ask about what brings you to therapy, your personal history, current concerns, strengths, and goals. Together, you'll begin creating a plan that feels right for you.

There's no pressure to share everything at once. Therapy moves at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Feeling nervous before your first therapy appointment is completely normal. Many people wonder what to expect, worry about opening up, or feel unsure about whether therapy is right for them.

Your first session is simply an opportunity to get to know your therapist and talk about what brought you to therapy. There is no expectation that you'll share everything at once, and you are always in control of what you choose to discuss. Therapy moves at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Our goal is to create a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where you feel safe, heard, and respected. We understand that taking the first step can be difficult, and we're here to make the process as comfortable as possible.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Some clients benefit from just a few sessions focused on a specific concern, while others choose longer-term therapy for ongoing support or deeper personal growth.

Your therapist will regularly review your goals with you and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

Most clients begin by attending weekly or bi-weekly sessions. As you make progress, appointments may become less frequent. Your therapist will work with you to determine a schedule that best supports your goals.

Therapy fees at Healing Journey Collective vary depending on the clinician and the service provided. Fees for registered clinicians typically range from $220 to $240 per 50-minute session, or $220–$235 per 60 minutes. Couples therapy is also $220–$235 per 60 minutes, depending on the clinician you book with.

We also offer affordable therapy and affordable counselling with practicum students, with fees ranging from $30 to $80 per 50-minute session. Ashlea Tait currently offers this lower-cost option under the supervision of Simone Swenson, Registered Psychologist.

Current fees for each clinician and service are available through our online booking system.

We also offer a limited number of pro bono and reduced-fee spaces when available.

Payment is due at the end of each appointment. We accept major credit cards through our secure booking platform, Jane.

Many extended health benefit plans cover services provided by Registered Psychologists. Coverage varies depending on your individual plan, so we recommend checking with your insurance provider before your appointment.

Questions you may wish to ask include:

• Do I have coverage for psychological services?
• What is my annual maximum?
• Do I require a referral?
• Does my plan cover Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, or practicum students?

Yes. Healing Journey Collective is able to direct bill many major insurance providers. Coverage and direct billing availability vary by insurer and clinician.

If direct billing is unavailable, payment is collected at the time of your appointment, and you'll receive a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

We require 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, as well as missed appointments, are subject to the full session fee. Insurance companies do not reimburse missed appointment fees.

Most individual therapy appointments are 50 minutes, and couples are generally 80 minutes, allowing time for documentation between sessions.

Longer appointments may be available for services such as EMDR or intensive couples therapy.

Yes. Evening and limited weekend appointments may be available depending on your therapist's schedule. Availability changes throughout the year, so we encourage booking in advance.

No. Due to licensing regulations, most of our psychologists can only provide therapy to clients who are physically located in Alberta at the time of their appointment, even if the appointment is virtual. Please ask your therapist if they provide sessions to any other locations within the country, including Nova Scotia or New Brunswick.

Virtual appointments are conducted through Jane, our secure, encrypted telehealth platform. You'll receive a link before your appointment—no special software is required.

You'll simply need:

• A private space
• A reliable internet connection
• A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone

Yes. Our Calgary office is wheelchair accessible and offers elevator access. If you have accessibility needs, please let us know before your appointment so we can help make your visit as comfortable as possible.

No. You do not need a referral to book an appointment.

However, some insurance companies require one for reimbursement, so it's always a good idea to check your benefits beforehand.

Yes. Confidentiality is one of the foundations of therapy.

Your information is kept private except in specific situations required by law or professional standards, such as:

• Risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else
• Concerns about the abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable person
• Court orders or other legal requirements

Your therapist will review confidentiality with you during your first appointment.

That's completely okay. Many people spend time thinking about therapy before taking the first step.

If you're unsure, we encourage booking a complimentary consultation. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions, learn about our approach, and determine whether we're the right fit for you.

A psychologist is a regulated mental health professional trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health concerns using evidence-based therapies.

Psychologists do not prescribe medication in Alberta, but they often collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals as part of your care.

Both are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists and are qualified to provide therapy.

A Registered Provisional Psychologist has completed their graduate education and is practicing under the supervision of an experienced Registered Psychologist while completing additional registration requirements.

A Registered Psychologist has completed all licensing requirements and practices independently.

Both provide high-quality, ethical, evidence-based care.

Healing Journey Collective is not a crisis service.

If you are in immediate danger or require urgent mental health support:

• Call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
• Go to your nearest emergency department.
• Call or text 988, Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline.
• Call 811 to speak with Health Link Alberta.

We welcome feedback and encourage you to speak directly with your therapist whenever possible. Open communication often helps resolve concerns quickly.

If your concern cannot be resolved, you may contact our Clinical Director or file a complaint with the College of Alberta Psychologists.

Yes. We offer complimentary 15-minute consultations with our therapists. This is an opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy, ask questions about our approach, and determine whether we're the right fit for your needs.

Consultations are available by phone or secure video and are intended to help you make an informed decision before booking your first appointment.

Finding the right therapist is an important part of the therapy process. Consider factors such as your goals, the concerns you'd like to address, your preferred therapy approach, and whether you feel comfortable with the therapist.

If you're unsure who would be the best fit, we're happy to help. Contact us, and we'll recommend the clinician whose experience and approach best match your needs.

Absolutely. The relationship between you and your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy. If you feel another clinician on our team may be a better fit, we're happy to help coordinate a transition.

Our goal is to ensure you receive the support that best meets your needs.

Healing Journey Collective primarily provides therapy for adults, adolescents (ages 12+), and couples.

Our clinicians offer individual therapy for adolescents (12 years and older) as well as adults, supporting clients through concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, life transitions, family challenges, and emotional well-being.

Our other clinicians currently focus on working with adults and couples.

Yes. Couples therapy is one of our areas of specialization.

We work with couples at all stages of their relationship, whether you're dating, engaged, married, separated, or navigating significant life transitions. We also welcome couples in diverse relationship structures, including consensual non-monogamous relationships.

Common reasons couples seek therapy include:

• Communication difficulties
• Frequent conflict
• Rebuilding trust after betrayal
• Emotional or physical intimacy concerns
• Parenting challenges
• Premarital counselling
• Life transitions
• Strengthening connection

Our therapists use evidence-based approaches, including the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

Our therapists support clients experiencing a wide range of concerns, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress and burnout
• Trauma and PTSD
• Grief and loss
• Relationship and couples concerns
• Self-esteem and confidence
• Life transitions
• Emotional regulation
• Women's mental health
• Workplace stress
• Perfectionism
• Attachment and relationship patterns
• Communication challenges

If you're unsure whether we can help, feel free to contact us or book a complimentary consultation.

Yes. Simone Swenson, Registered Psychologist, offers EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy for clients who may benefit from this evidence-based treatment.

EMDR is commonly used to help process trauma, PTSD, anxiety, distressing memories, and other experiences that continue to impact daily life.

During your initial assessment, your therapist will determine whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment option based on your goals and clinical needs.

Yes. We can provide documentation such as summary letters, treatment confirmation letters, and other clinical documents when appropriate.

Documentation completed outside of therapy sessions is billed separately at the clinician's hourly rate.

Please note that requests for reports or letters may require additional time, and not all requests can be accommodated if they fall outside the scope of your therapist's role. If you're unsure whether we can provide the documentation you need, please ask your therapist.

In many cases, psychological services provided by a Registered Psychologist may qualify as an eligible medical expense for Canadian income tax purposes.

Tax rules can change and individual circumstances vary, so we recommend consulting the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or a qualified tax professional to determine your eligibility.

We provide receipts after each appointment that you can keep for your records.

Booking is easy. You can schedule an appointment online through our secure Jane booking system, contact us by email, or request a complimentary 15-minute consultation if you'd like help deciding which therapist is right for you.

Book Online: https://healingjourneycollective.janeapp.com/
Email: hello@healingjourneycollective.ca

We're happy to help.

If you can't find the information you're looking for, please contact us. We'd be happy to answer your questions or help you determine which therapist may be the best fit for your needs.

Book Online: https://healingjourneycollective.janeapp.com/
Email: hello@healingjourneycollective.ca