Body Image

Our online counselling practice incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), an evidence-based treatment highly effective for addressing body image concerns. CBT helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns related to their body image, replacing them with healthier, more positive beliefs. Through this structured approach, clients learn to recognize triggers of body dissatisfaction and develop practical skills to manage and overcome these feelings. Our goal is to empower you with the tools to build a more positive and realistic perception of your body, leading to improved self-esteem and overall well-being.

We offer both individual and group therapy options to address body image concerns, catering to the diverse preferences and needs of our clients. Individual therapy provides a private, one-on-one setting where you can delve deeply into personal issues with the undivided attention of a therapist, allowing for personalized strategies and intimate support. Group therapy, on the other hand, offers a supportive community environment where individuals can share experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual understanding. Whether you prefer the focused approach of individual counselling or the shared experience of group sessions, our goal is to provide a therapeutic format that best supports your journey towards a healthier body image and self-acceptance.

We are committed to providing non-judgmental support, ensuring a safe and accepting space for every individual seeking guidance on body image issues. We understand the vulnerability involved in addressing concerns about one's body, and we prioritize creating an environment where you can feel comfortable to explore these feelings without fear of judgment. Our approach is rooted in empathy and understanding, offering you the support needed for healing and growth. By fostering an atmosphere of acceptance, we encourage open and honest discussion, allowing for genuine progress and self-discovery.

We are dedicated to addressing issues of self-esteem and confidence, particularly as they relate to body image. We understand that struggles with body image can deeply impact one's sense of self-worth and overall confidence. Our approach is compassionate and comprehensive, focusing on helping individuals recognize their value beyond physical appearance. Through personalized therapy sessions, we explore underlying factors contributing to body image concerns and work towards fostering a healthier relationship with oneself. Our goal is to support you in building self-esteem and confidence, empowering you to see your true worth and embrace your individuality.

Our counsellors are focused on cultivating a positive body image, aiming to foster a healthier and more accepting view of one's body. We believe in promoting self-love and body positivity, helping individuals to appreciate their bodies for their functionality and uniqueness, rather than just their appearance. Through supportive and empowering sessions, we address the societal pressures and personal experiences that often lead to negative body image. Our approach encourages clients to redefine their relationship with their body, focusing on strengths, health, and well-being. Our goal is to guide you towards embracing your body with kindness and gratitude, fostering a sense of peace and acceptance.

Our counselling services are centered on fostering self-acceptance, encouraging individuals to embrace themselves fully, imperfections and all. We understand that the journey to self-acceptance can be challenging in a world filled with unrealistic beauty standards and constant comparisons. Our approach is to guide clients through the process of acknowledging and appreciating their unique qualities, both physical and beyond. By promoting self-compassion and challenging negative self-talk, we aim to help clients build a more positive and accepting relationship with themselves. Our goal is to empower you to recognize your inherent worth and to celebrate the diversity of human beauty, leading to a healthier body image and overall well-being.

We emphasize mindfulness and self-compassion as key therapeutic approaches to improving body image. By fostering a practice of being present and adopting a kinder, more forgiving attitude towards oneself, we aim to help individuals break free from the cycle of negative self-judgment and body dissatisfaction. Through mindfulness, clients learn to observe their thoughts and feelings without criticism, creating space for acceptance and understanding. Self-compassion encourages a gentle and supportive inner dialogue, counteracting harsh self-criticism and fostering a nurturing relationship with oneself. Our approach is designed to cultivate a healthier, more positive body image and a profound sense of self-worth.

We are dedicated to promoting a healthy body image, with the aim of helping individuals develop a realistic and positive perception of their bodies. We believe in the importance of seeing oneself in a light that balances health and self-acceptance, moving away from unrealistic standards and negative self-assessment. Through personalized counselling, we explore the factors influencing body image, working to replace harmful beliefs with empowering, positive narratives. Our goal is to support clients in recognizing their body's value and capabilities, encouraging a shift towards self-care and appreciation.

Online counselling includes specialized support for individuals facing challenges with eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. Understanding the complexity of these conditions, we offer compassionate and comprehensive therapy tailored to address the psychological, emotional, and physical aspects of eating disorders. Our approach integrates evidence-based treatments to promote recovery, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and nutritional counselling, ensuring a holistic path towards healing. We provide a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore underlying issues related to their eating disorder, working collaboratively to develop healthier coping mechanisms and a more positive relationship with food and body image.

We offer specialized support for disordered eating recovery, providing a beacon of hope for those struggling with eating disorders and related issues. We understand the complexities of disordered eating patterns, whether they manifest as anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, or less defined eating concerns. Our approach is compassionate and comprehensive, focusing on the underlying emotional, psychological, and environmental factors contributing to disordered eating. Through evidence-based therapies and personalized treatment plans, we aim to help individuals rebuild a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. Our goal is to support you through every step of your recovery journey, offering guidance, understanding, and the tools necessary for healing and empowerment.

Our therapeutic approaches are deeply rooted in the principle of empowerment, aiming to instill a sense of strength and control over one's life and body image. We believe that true empowerment comes from within, and our mission is to guide clients in discovering and harnessing this inner strength. By addressing body image concerns through a lens of empowerment, we encourage individuals to redefine their relationship with their bodies on their own terms, fostering resilience, self-acceptance, and confidence. Our approach is designed to support you in feeling more connected and in control of your body image, transforming the way you see yourself and navigate the world.

We are proudly gender inclusive, recognizing that body image issues affect individuals across all gender identities. We understand the unique challenges faced by people of diverse gender backgrounds and are committed to providing a supportive, affirming space for everyone. Our approach is sensitive to the specific needs and experiences of each client, ensuring that therapy is tailored to respect and address the nuances of gender identity in relation to body image. By fostering an environment of inclusivity and understanding, we aim to empower all individuals to explore and improve their relationship with their body in a space that acknowledges and celebrates their true selves. image.

We embrace and promote the body positivity movement, reflecting a mindset aimed at celebrating all body types and challenging societal norms around beauty and health. We believe in the importance of fostering an environment where every individual can feel confident and accepting of their body, regardless of shape, size, or appearance. Our approach encourages clients to recognize and appreciate their body's uniqueness and inherent worth, moving beyond the constraints of conventional beauty standards. Through supportive dialogue and therapeutic practices, we empower clients to cultivate a positive body image, self-love, and resilience against negative societal pressures.

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.