FAQ | Aligned Counselling

1. REACHING OUT

We start when you’re ready to reach out. No referral is necessary. Simply call or email me me using the form on the contact page to get started. I will do my best to respond to you within one business day, though likely sooner. If you choose to phone and I am unable to answer, please leave a voicemail with your name and number when you call. My cell voicemail is confidential. It is important for you to tell me whether or not I can leave you a voicemail when I call back.

2. FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION (PHONE CALL OR ZOOM)

I like to start with a free 15-minute introductory session by phone or Zoom to discuss your needs and for you to get to know me a little. If it is appropriate for us to meet again, either in-person or on Zoom, we can set up an appointment at that time.

3. CONSENT FORM AND PAYMENT

After our initial session, if you would like to move forward, I will email you an Informed Consent form that you will need to review and sign. You can either email me the signed form if we are meeting virtually or bring it with you to our first in-person session. I require payment prior to our sessions. Following the session, I’ll email you a receipt for your records or insurance submission.

4. IN-PERSON SESSIONS

You have the choice of meeting at one of two clinics, whichever is more convenient for you. The Varsity Clinic in the NW located at 4616 Valiant Dr NW, suite #102, or in the SE at Thrive Business Centre located at 11500 29th St. SE, suite #105. You may park in any available visitor parking space.

5. OUR FIRST SESSION

In our first session, I’ll spend some time reviewing the Informed Consent form with you, assessing your safety if necessary, learning some background information about you, and getting a sense of your therapy goals. The number of sessions you need depends on your situation, and we can work together to figure out what is appropriate for your therapy moving forward.

Yes. I’m available for virtual, in-person, and phone sessions.

Virtual sessions are done through my secure Zoom account.

Phone sessions are available, if that is more convenient for you, however my preference is for virtual or in-person sessions.

In-person sessions are located at:

The Varsity Clinic

#102 4616 Valiant Dr NW

Calgary, AB T3A 0X9

OR

Thrive Business Centre

#105 11500 29th St. SE

Calgary, AB T2Z 3W9

Through my education and training I have gravitated towards Humanistic approaches to therapy. Simply put, Humanistic psychology focuses on each individual's potential and stresses the importance of growth and self-actualization. The fundamental belief of Humanistic psychology is that people are innately good and that mental and social problems result from deviations from this natural tendency.

The three models I use are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-informed Therapy, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy. All three models fall under the umbrella of Humanistic psychology and more than one model may be used depending on a client’s specific needs, abilities, likes and dislikes.

My main priority is building a relationship with you. I believe you are the expert of your life, and you need to discover your own solutions to effectively establish permanent change for the better. You are in the driver’s seat in your therapy, and I am here to guide you and support you.

Change and Cancellation Policy

Aligned Counselling requires 24-hours notice for changing and cancelling a session. This allows me enough time to offer the spot to another client and ensure consistent service. If a cancellation occurs with less than 24-hour notice, this is considered a late cancellation and you will be charged half of the session fee. This payment is due on the same day of the scheduled session. This must be paid in order to schedule future sessions.

Missed Appointment Policy

If you do not show up for your session, this is considered a missed appointment and you will be charged the full session fee. This payment is due on the same day of the scheduled session. This must be paid in order to schedule future sessions.

I encourage you to connect with your insurance provider for late cancellations and missed appointments as they may not be covered as part of your plan.

Exceptions

I understand that emergencies arise and do not always allow for 24-hour notice. Please text me as soon as possible and we'll work together to come up with a scheduling solution.

My Commitment to You

I will also provide you at least 24-hours notice should I need to cancel or reschedule. In the case of an emergency, I will notify you as soon as possible.

All information you share with me is strictly private and confidential. It will not be released without your voluntary and written consent. There are limitations to the confidentiality we share, and these include:

- Responding to a threat of harm to self or others. If you are at imminent harm to yourself or someone else, I am ethically and legally bound to let the proper authorities know. These ethical and legal obligations are grounded in my concern for your health and safety, and that of those with whom you interact.

- Reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect. If during our discussions it is revealed that a child or vulnerable person is being abused in any way, I am legally bound to report this to the appropriate authorities.

- Complying with a subpoena. If I am ordered by a court to testify or deliver records of our sessions, I am legally bound to do so.

For online counselling, client confidentiality is also of utmost importance. However, online communication is not 100% secure. I use software that has increased security and it is important that you secure your privacy on your end as much as possible. All of your information is secured according to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) policy regulation.

The Varsity Clinic

4616 Valiant Dr NW #102

Calgary AB T3A 0X9

OR

Thrive Business and Wellness Centre

11500 29th St. SE #105

Calgary, AB T2Z 3W9

Please arrive 5 minutes early for your session and check-in with reception. If the main door or clinic door is locked upon arrival, please text me at 368-999-1420 to let me know you have arrived and I will come meet you. You may park in any available visitor parking space.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

GETTING STARTED

DO YOU DO VIRTUAL, IN-PERSON OR PHONE COUNSELLING?

WHO DO YOU TAKE AS CLIENTS?

DO I NEED A DOCTOR'S REFERRAL OR ANY KIND OF REFERRAL?

WHAT COUNSELLING APPROACHES DO YOU USE?

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FIRST SESSION?

HOW MUCH DO SESSIONS COST?

WHAT ARE YOUR CANCELLATION OR MISSED APPOINTMENT POLICIES?

WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?

IS WHAT WE DISCUSS IN OUR SESSIONS COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL?

WHAT IS RECORDS RETENTION?

WHAT ARE YOUR PAYMENT METHODS?

DO YOU DIRECT BILL OR ACCEPT INSURANCE?

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

WHAT IF THE CLINIC DOOR IS LOCKED?

IS THERE PARKING ONSITE?

WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS?