Grief & Loss

Embark on a path of healing with our Bereavement Support services, designed to guide you gently through the process of mourning and finding your way back to hope. Recognizing the deeply personal and unique nature of grief, our counselors provide a compassionate and understanding presence, offering a shoulder to lean on and a listening ear. We're here to support you in navigating the turbulent emotions that accompany the loss of a loved one, the end of significant relationships, or any profound life changes. Our goal is to help you find solace in your memories, strength in your resilience, and eventually, hope in the possibility of renewal. With our dedicated bereavement support, you're not alone on this journey towards healing and peace.

Experience compassionate guidance on your journey from loss to healing with our specialized online counselling services. We stand with you in the face of profound pain, recognizing the deep impact of losing a loved one, the conclusion of meaningful relationships, or any significant life changes that bring about grief. Our approach is rooted in empathy and understanding, aiming to provide you with the support needed to navigate the turbulent emotions of grief. By honouring your unique grieving process, we commit to walking alongside you towards a place of healing and renewal. Together, we'll explore the depths of your sorrow while gradually paving the way for hope and recovery, ensuring you're not alone in this journey toward a brighter, hopeful future.

In the wake of loss, find a supportive partner in our counselling services, dedicated to offering a proactive approach to navigating grief. The journey through sorrow following the loss of a loved one or any significant life change can feel isolating, but with us, you're not alone. Our compassionate counselors are here to provide understanding, guidance, and effective coping strategies designed to support you through the grieving process. By honouring your loss and focusing on your resilience, we aim to help you find a way forward, fostering healing and strength in the face of adversity. Together, we'll explore paths of recovery, ensuring you have the support needed to move towards a future of renewal and hope.

Encounter a space of empathy and support with online counselling dedicated to those grappling with Survivor's Guilt. This particular aspect of grief can cast a long, overwhelming shadow on the path to healing, leaving individuals feeling alone in their journey. We recognize the intricacies of survivor's guilt and are committed to offering a compassionate environment where you can openly process these complex emotions. Our aim is to guide you through understanding your feelings, facilitating healing, and finding ways to honour your loved one's memory without bearing the weight by yourself.

Embark on a healing journey towards a new sense of normalcy with our dedicated Grief Recovery services. In the wake of loss, finding your way back to a life that feels recognizable can seem daunting. Our online counselling services are here to offer compassionate support, guiding you through the complexities of grief and loss with understanding and empathy. We believe in the power of walking together through this journey, providing a comforting presence as you explore healing and rediscover balance in your life.

Navigate your grief with the reassurance that your feelings and experiences are fully valid and recognized. "Understanding Grief" underlines our commitment to acknowledging the depth of your loss and the naturalness of your response to it. In our supportive and safe online counselling environment, you're invited to express and explore your emotions, memories, and the challenges that come with grieving. Our compassionate therapists are dedicated to providing guidance, understanding, and empathy, ensuring you don't have to face the complexities of grief alone. With us, you'll find a space where your journey of loss is met with genuine support and validation, helping you move through your grief with care and respect.

Step into a journey of understanding and healing with our supportive exploration of the Stages of Grief. Recognizing the importance of this common framework, our counselling services offer compassionate and informed guidance through each stage of the grieving process. We're here to help you identify, understand, and navigate the complex emotions that arise with loss, providing a supportive environment every step of the way.

In the wake of a traumatic loss, discover a beacon of hope and understanding with our specialized counselling services. "Traumatic Loss" acknowledges the unique and profound challenges that come with navigating the aftermath of sudden or deeply distressing losses. We are committed to providing a safe and compassionate environment where you can process your grief, understand the impact of your loss, and begin the journey towards healing. Our experienced counselors are here to offer you the specialized support and tools necessary to face this difficult time with resilience.

Step into a future filled with hope and purpose with our Life After Loss counselling services. Navigating the journey of grief and loss requires a delicate balance between honouring cherished memories and looking forward to new beginnings. Our supportive and compassionate approach provides a safe space for you to process your feelings, celebrate the legacy of your loved ones, and gradually open up to the opportunities that lie ahead. We're here to guide you through this complex emotional landscape, helping you find meaningful ways to honour the past while embracing the future with optimism.

Experience compassionate support in the wake of losing a beloved pet with our specialized Pet Loss counselling services. The emotional turmoil following the loss of an animal companion can mirror the grief felt for a human loved one, underscoring the profound bond shared between humans and pets. We recognize the depth of this unique relationship and provide a nurturing environment for you to express your sorrow, reminisce about your cherished moments, and honour the memory of your pet.

Navigate the tender journey of grief with specialized support for children and adolescents from our counselling services. Recognizing the unique ways in which young individuals experience and process loss, we offer a compassionate approach tailored to their developmental needs. Our skilled therapists create a nurturing environment that allows children and teens to safely explore their feelings, understand their grief, and learn healthy coping mechanisms. With empathy and expertise, we guide young hearts through their sorrow, offering the support and strategies they need to heal and find strength in the midst of loss.

Explore a range of healing opportunities with our online counselling services, featuring both Individual and Group Therapy sessions tailored to meet diverse needs and preferences. Our approach is designed to offer you the choice between the personalized, focused support of one-on-one sessions and the shared experiences and solidarity found in group settings. No matter which path you choose, our experienced therapists are committed to guiding you through your grief journey with empathy, respect, and understanding.

Embark on a heartfelt journey to honour and remember your loved ones with dignity and love. "Memorializing Loved Ones" focuses on discovering and embracing meaningful ways to celebrate the lives and preserve the memories of those who have passed. Our online counselling services extend beyond navigating the complexities of grief, offering guidance on creating lasting tributes and meaningful rituals that reflect the essence of your loved ones. Whether through personalized memorials, commemorative events, or simple acts of remembrance, let us support you in finding comfort and healing in the act of cherishing their memories.

Discover the profound impact of mourning rituals in the journey through grief with our counselling services. Acknowledging the deep significance of cultural and personal traditions in the grieving process, our therapists provide respectful and knowledgeable support. Whether you're drawing on age-old customs or creating new rituals to honour your loved one, we're here to guide and support you.

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.