How to schedule an appointment?
If you would like to schedule an appointment, you can send us an email, submit a contact form on the contact page, or call us at 403.488.8912. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
How do i use the online portal?
Click on the Book a Session button at the top right of the page or here. Click Register. After you register yourself, fill out the brief Intake Form, review and sign the Consent Form. Once you have registered, you will notice that you are able to send confidential messages, and to find available appointment times.
What happens after I schedule an appointment?
You will then receive a link to the secure online client portal, where you can conveniently complete your intake paperwork prior to your session.
We will have a chance to review this information prior to you coming into your session which will save us some time and will allow us more time to get to the heart of what you are coming in for.
What can I expect from my first session?
The first session can feel like it goes by very quickly, as many things are happening simultaneously. Your first session is an opportunity to get to know your therapist, and for us to get to know you. The focus of the session is to get clear about what you hope to get out of coming in for therapy, to gain insight into the context of your struggle as well as your goal, and to set therapy goals aligned with your subjective situation and needs. You may leave feeling a mix of positive and tired all at the same time. Therapy is work. Our hope is to help the work feel healing and hopeful.
How long does therapy last?
Therapy lasts as long as you need it to last. It differs for each individual person. For some who are feeling stuck around a specific topic, decision or transition, the duration of therapy may be brief. For others dealing with deeper challenges, ingrained habits or beliefs they would like to change, grief, significant transition, loss or couples challenges, a longer duration of therapy may be more effective and helpful. It is important to remember that some of the challenges we experience have taken a long period of time to develop and may not change overnight. However, with some intention and willingness to shift, significant and rewarding change can absolutely happen. Your relationship with your therapist is ideally ongoing relationship that is available for you to tap into when the challenges and celebrations of life ebb and flow. You can think of it as having someone on your team to support you in getting back on track for those moments when life gets tough.
I’ve never talked to anyone. I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to therapy weak?
People who ask for help and have the willingness to be vulnerable and to explore or reflect on struggles they are experiencing are some of the strongest people we know. They tend to be invested in creating outcomes and taking an active role in living a life they choose and one they can embrace and enjoy. Every one of us needs help at one point or another. The question is not about who has challenges. We all do. The question is, what do you do when you feel stuck, feel unable to access your strengths or cope, and do not know which way to turn? You can do hard things, but you do not score extra points for doing them alone.
How does it work? What can I expect from sessions?
Because each person has different challenges and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. We tailor our therapeutic approach to meet your specific needs and connect you with one of our clinicians who we believe may be the best fit to support you.
I want to get the most out of therapy. What can I do to help?
That old adage about how you will get out what you put in, couldn’t be more true. We have the privilege of working with clients who commit to the process, understand that it can feel harder before it feels easier, and hang in there through it with our support. If you are open, reflective, and put into practice what we talk about between sessions, you are likely to see notable outcomes that translate into positive changes in your life.
My partner and I are having problems. Should we be in individual counselling or come together?
This depends on a number of factors:
Depending on the issue you are coming to counselling for, sometimes it works to just dive in together. Other times, the challenges feel overwhelming and emotions are running high. In this case, many of the couples find it helpful to balance a combination individual and couples sessions. This is a benefit for a number of reasons; it provides each partner with the opportunity to process their thoughts and emotions from their perspective and experience without judgment or the tension that comes with having both individuals in the room reacting to one another. When they have had the opportunity to do this, it can create an openness and an increased ability to engage in couples work. Additionally, it allows your therapist to gain some insight into each partners experience and to understand values and beliefs that may be contributing to the challenges. We can then often better support couples in creating shared understanding and increasing mutual support. It is important to note that this combination of individual and couples work includes an understanding that secrets will not be held, but rather partners will be supported in communicating about difficult topics.
Confidentiality - can I really talk “off the record?”
Your confidentiality is one of Core Psychology’s highest priorities, in alignment with the College of Alberta’s Standards of Practice. While this is central to our work, there are some limitations to confidentiality that we are legally and ethically required to share. These include:
When there is a likelihood of imminent and grave harm to the client and/or a third party.
When required to do so by law.
Or with a client’s consent.