Policies and Informed Consent
What are your fees?
The Psychologists' Association of Alberta's recommended fee schedule for psychological services is $235 per 50-minute session. At this time, my standard fee is set to $200 per 50-minute session to reflect my current level of training and expertise while also recognizing the financial realities many individuals are facing.
As a therapist who works primarily with marginalized communities, accessibility and equity are central values in my practice. When applicable, I also offer compassionate fee pricing to further reduce financial barriers to care.
Payment of services is required at the time of each appointment. E-transfer, Visa, Master Card and American Express are accepted for clients who are not utilizing direct billing through their extended healthcare benefits. Your credit card information will be kept on file in order to collect payment for session fees, late cancellations, and no show appointments.
Report writing, letters, consultation and form completion are billed at the $200/hour rate of services provided. Please note that if you require any form of report writing, I will require a session in order to go over your needs for the report and gather any necessary information. Depending on scheduling, this may delay the timeliness of the report, so I encourage clients to let me know as soon as possible if this is something that they require!
What is your cancellation policy?
Your appointment time is reserved just for you. A late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the practitioner's day that could have been filled by another client. As such, I require 24 hours notice for any cancellations or changes to your appointment. Clients who provide less than 24 hours notice or miss their appointment will be charged a cancellation fee.
What are the risks and benefits to therapy?
Therapy can offer many benefits including increased self-understanding, emotional relief, improved coping skills, and meaningful, long-term change. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that therapy can involve some risks. The process of exploring difficult emotions, past experiences, or long-standing patterns may feel uncomfortable, especially in the beginning. It is common for some clients to notice more distress before they begin to feel better, as therapy can involve reopening old wounds in order to understand and heal them. While research consistently shows that therapy is effective for many people, the experience is rarely linear or easy.
My role is to support you through this process with care and attunement and I welcome ongoing feedback about what pace and depth feel safe for you so that our work together remains collaborative, respectful, and grounded in your sense of safety.
Why do you record your sessions?
As a Registered Provisional Psychologist, I am required to engage in ongoing clinical supervision as part of my registration. Therapy sessions may be recorded to support this supervision process to ensure ethical, competent, and reflective practice. I also utilize a secure transcription service to assist with supervision and clinical-note taking. All session recordings and transcriptions are solely viewed by my clinical supervisor for the purposes of evaluating and fostering my skills as a therapist. They are stored securely on an encrypted drive and are retained for a maximum of 30 days before being permanently deleted. These practices are in place to support high standards of care, confidentiality, and professional growth.
How do you keep your records and files?
I maintain clinical records in accordance with professional and ethical standards, with a strong emphasis on protecting clients’ privacy and autonomy. Clinical notes are stored electronically using encrypted systems and software that adhere to the professional guidelines outlined by the College of Alberta Psychologists. My notes are written thoughtfully and conservatively, focusing on information that is clinically relevant while avoiding extraneous detail.
If there are specific items you would like included in your record such as goals, themes to revisit in future sessions, or shared reflections, I am more than happy to collaborate and incorporate these at your request. With that said, I remain mindful of confidentiality and legal considerations, including the possibility that records may be subpoenaed, and I strive to document in a way that respects your right to privacy while meeting professional obligations.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes! I adhere to the ethical standards of practice for psychologists, including the ethical principle of confidentiality, and I practice under clinical supervision by Lauren Terlecki, Registered Psychologist (#4956). Confidentiality is a foundational part of therapy; however, there are specific circumstances in which it may be limited by ethical or legal requirements. These include:
Consultation with my supervisor, and the possibility that sessions may be reviewed as part of the supervision process.
If there is an imminent risk of harm to yourself or another person.
I am legally required to report any suspected or potential sexually inappropriate behaviour by a healthcare provider to the appropriate professional college, as well as any suspected abuse or neglect of children or other vulnerable individuals to the appropriate authorities.
Information obtained during treatment may be released if required by a court of law or by the Workers’ Compensation Board in cases related to a psychological workplace injury; when a psychological work injury is disclosed, healthcare providers are required by law to report to the Workers’ Compensation Board within 48 hours of treatment. Whenever possible, the nature and extent of any information shared with a third party will be discussed with you in advance.
If you are under 18 years of age, or if a legal guardian has been appointed by the courts, what you share is treated as confidential unless there are identified risk factors that a parent or guardian needs to know, or unless alternative arrangements have been mutually agreed upon by you, your guardian, and the therapist regarding the sharing of information.