Frequently Asked Questions
Do you do Direct Billing?
Except in very certain circumstances, such as billing with Veterans' Affairs, I do not do direct billing. You will have to pay me up front and submit a receipt for reimbursement.
If you have a benefits package, you should double-check requirements with your benefits package before booking an appointment. However, most packages will cover a Registered Psychologist. My registration number with the College of Alberta Psychologists is 2523.
What is your rate?
I charge $245 per session for individuals, and $250 for couples. The rate approved by the Psychologists' Association of Alberta is $235 as of January, 2025. My slightly higher rate reflects the fact that I have over 3 decades of counseling experience.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
No.
How do you accept payment?
I take payment via Interac debit, Visa, Mastercard, cash, cheque, or email transfer.
What is your cancellation policy?
I require 24 hours notice of a cancellation, otherwise you have to pay the full rate for the session.
Are psychologists covered by Alberta Health Care?
Some Psychologists are available through Primary Care Networks, although funding is very tight and availability is limited. As a Psychologist in private practice, my services are not covered by Alberta Health Care.
Are you covered to treat First Nations clients?
I work with First Nations clients, but I am not on the list of approved providers with Health Canada and cannot direct bill for services.
Do you do sessions online?
I prefer in-person sessions, but I also will do sessions online with residents of Alberta only. In the case of unexpected circumstances (such as a vehicle breakdown or illness), rather than cancelling a session we can meet online.
Do you work with people outside Alberta?
Psychologists are licensed by province (or by state, in the U.S.). I am only licensed to work with residents of Alberta.
Do I need a doctor's note to see you?
No, unless it is required by your benefits provider. You should check with them before booking an appointment.
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
No. I will speak with someone on the phone for a few minutes or respond to questions by email regarding whether I would be a good fit, but this is limited contact.
Many people have no idea how to go about choosing a psychologist. Here are some suggestions to guide you:
1. Talk to friends and family that you trust. Some of them may have seen a psychologist and be able to offer some suggestions.
2. Ask your family physician, pediatrician, psychiatrist, or other medical professional.
3. Check with the referral service for the Psychologists' Association of Alberta for people who work in the area in which you are interested. Note that this is an advertising service, and having your name listed under one of the areas does not guarantee expertise in the area. You could also look at other online advertising sites, such as HealthLocal, Psychology Today, or Theravive, but be aware that these sites also include non-psychologists.
5. Call and ask to speak with the psychologist for 5 minutes. Most of us are willing to take a couple of minutes to speak with you as part of your process of deciding who to see. Research into therapy outcomes indicates that regardless of the type of therapy used, the strength of the professional relationship between the therapist and client is one of the most important factors in predicting success in therapy - if you do not feel good about the person on the other end of the phone, try calling some other people before making a decision.
6. Check online ratings, but be cautious about them. People may be more likely to give an online rating if they are dissatisfied, and when they are dissatisfied, the tone of the rating may be very harsh. Also be aware that our professional code prohibits us from seeking endorsements from clients for psychological services. If you are asked by a psychologist to provide an endorsement or testimonial, that psychologist is acting outside our professional regulations. And ... if you decide to spontaneously provide a rating online, please remember that we are real people too. Most of us prefer that both gratitude and criticisms be provided to us directly.
I no longer complete assessments.
Below are links for PDF documents of pages that were on my website previously, and I have posted them here for public information:
Learning Disabilities (the Alberta Education criteria referred in here may have changed ...)
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities