Counselling Services

Payments
Payment for private counselling is not covered under Alberta Health Care. However, most benefit plans provide coverage for therapy under Psychological Services. 

ACS service fees are guided by the Recommended Fee Schedule endorsed by the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta, which can be viewed here. Rates listed are effective as of January 1st, 2023 and are subject to change. Our administrative staff will confirm the fee schedule when you contact us.

We recommend couples and family counselling sessions are 1.5 hours in length.

Telephone consultations with clients, parents, teachers, and physicians will be charged in 15 minute increments of the therapist's hourly rate.

Formal reporting requests by clients or 3rd parties (e.g., insurance companies, lawyers) will be billed according to our fee schedule.

Please note that the fees for some of our specialized therapies may be different. We will discuss them prior to your session.

We are happy to take payment in the following forms:

• Credit Card (VISA, Mastercard, American Express)
• Internet Bank Transfer
• Direct Deposit

Third Party Billing
In some cases, our fees may be covered through and billed directly to a third party payors. In the past, we have worked with legal firms, Section B, and community not-for-profit organizations. Prior to an appointment being booked under this arrangement, the ACS accounting department will contact the third-party payor to confirm billing procedures.

Insurance
Employer Health Benefit (EHB) and Personal Health Benefit (PHB) insurance plan providers often cover mental health services. Plans provide a fixed dollar amount for services, a pooled account for "paramedical services" including psychology, or a coverage based on a percentage. You can find your specific coverage in your online account, benefits book, or by contacting your human resources department or plan provider. Some plans provide a Health Spending Account that gives the employee flexibility to cover the services they need individually.

Not every insurance plan offers direct billing and not every plan covers every type of mental health therapist, so it's important to confirm your coverage before you schedule an appointment.

Questions to ask your insurance provider are:

1. What types of clinicians (e.g. Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Canadian Certified Counsellors) do I have coverage for?
2. Does my plan offer direct billing for all clinicians?
3. Is there a maximum coverage amount (per year/lifetime)? If so, what is it?
4. When does my insurance coverage 'roll-over' or 'renew'?

Please note that only your insurance company can provide this information to you. As a service provider, we are unable to request your plan's details.

You are responsible to pay any outstanding balance that is not covered by your insurance plan.

We do all assessments and therapy sessions using video chat software, screen sharing, and remote administrational of psychological questionnaires. We follow provincial and federal legislation regarding privacy and security, and we continue to update our knowledge.

While some people prefer the experience of being in the room with the therapist during traditional in-person therapy, our clients find there are distinct advantages to online therapy.

• Accessibility: Clients with limited mobility often struggle to arrange transportation to and from their home or to navigate professional buildings that often have difficult parking and building design. Online therapy eliminates this physical and financial cost.
• Convenience: Couples seeking therapy have the added challenge to schedule sessions around two busy schedules. With online therapy, they can attend sessions even if they are in different postal codes due to work-related travel. Additionally, sessions are more easy to access when emergencies arise, even if you are not near your therapist's office.
• Economy: Scheduling therapy means budgeting the expense and time to travel to and from the location. It also can mean arranging childcare and the related travel time. Online therapy eliminates some if not all of these considerations.
• Familiarity: It is often easier to open up about difficult subject when you are more comfortable. With online therapy, you can literally attend with all the comforts of home.
• Privacy: Sometimes it is hard to discuss problems in a relationship when the person is sitting beside you. Couples therapy and Family therapy can often benefit from a little physical distance during a difficult conversation.
• Safety: Commuting is no longer a hindrance to therapy during bad weather. Icy roads and snowstorms will not cause traffic delays and won't create the backlog of appointments during the day.

• Go to our online booking page.
• Choose your service, therapist, date & time.
• Input your credit or debit card to secure booking slot.
• Send insurance details to admin@auschratcounselling.ca.
• We will send intake forms to complete before your session.
• We will call via phone or video call at session time.
• Straightforward & clear communication.
• Relax in your space & chat with your therapist