A referral from your family physician is NOT required to access psychological assessment or mental health counselling.  However, we do encourage you to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and about your intention to access therapy.  It benefits you if your health professionals can work collaboratively (with your consent).  There may be circumstances in which mental health symptoms are caused by hormonal or physiological ailments, so collaboration can be key.  

We do!  We are happy provide video counselling if you prefer that method.  Telehealth is provided through a secure connection that can be accessed from the comfort of your home or work.  All you need is a private space and a good internet connection.  We have found many benefits and conveniences for clients accessing counselling online.  It can provide increased confidentiality and privacy, it saves travel time and it allows for people to access services from rurual and remote areas that might not otherwise be able to access support.  

Finding the right Psychologist is a very important part of the process of accessing therapy. You want to ensure that the Therapist has the skills required to meet your needs and is a good fit for you.  We are happy to provide a Free 15 minute Telephone Consultation to ensure a good match.   You can book that consultation by clicking “BOOK NOW” button at the top of each page.  If you have further questions and prefer email, feel free to send us a text 403 783 1854 or  an email.  

During the first session, you and your psychologist will meet one-on-one to discuss what to expect from counselling. In that conversation we will discuss confidentiality and privacy, the pros and cons of accessing counselling, and we will ensure we offer what you are looking for. We will begin the therapeutic relationship, initiate the assessment process and and start to identify goals for therapy.  This is your time to ensure that your psychologist/ counsellor is a good fit for you as well.  So feel free to ask lots of questions.  

There is quite a range in service fees from $100.00 – $220 per hour.  It depends upon the qualifications of your provider and the type of interventions you are seeking.  You can dive into the details about the cost in counselling by going to our page outlining the investment in yourself.  Many people can access coverage for therapy fees through their benefit plans and all counselling costs with a registered professional are tax deductible as a medical expense. 

Yes! We are approved providers for NIHB, FNIHB as well as Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA).  We are proud to offer Culturally Sensitive Counselling  at no cost to you.  We have Indigenous Counselllors and Staff who are well versed in Indigenous Psychological Services, the impact of Indian Residential Schools, Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and the Impacts of Trauma.  We are honoured to walk with you and support you.  Feel free to book online.

Yes!  We direct bill to a wide variety of Health Insurance Companies.   We direct bill to Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), First Nation, Inuit Health Benefit Plan (FNIHB), Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), Alberta Blue Cross, Medavie Blue Cross, Canada Life, Manulife , Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP), Maximum Benefit, Green Sheild, Victim Services and several others. There are some companies that do not allow us to direct bill (Sunlife) but our services are still covered by those companies when you submit independently.  Feel free to give us a call or book a free consultation if you want to discuss your specific health benefit coverage.   

Sort of.  Because we do not wish to inquire about your income for the purposes of accessing counselling, we do not offer a true sliding scale arrangement.  We DO, however, offer low cost counselling services provided by practicum students.  We are also open to having a conversation with you if you are struggling financially and accessing counselling would cause further financial hardship.  This can be explored in the consultation session.  We may connect you to funding sources or alternate free services if that seems most appropriate for your personal situation. 

We are happy to answer any questions!  You can book a free telephone consultation to ask more questions or feel free to call, text us 403 783 1854 or email us at hello@mckinneypsych.com with any outstanding questions.  We know it takes a whole bunch of courage to take this first step and we want to make it as easy as possible for you.