Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA)

Evidence-based treatment underscores our commitment to utilizing scientifically supported methods in addressing trauma. Our approach is rooted in the latest research and best practices, ensuring that every therapeutic strategy we employ is backed by evidence for its effectiveness. From Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), our treatments are chosen with the goal of providing the most effective support for trauma recovery. Trust in our expertise to offer you a path towards healing that is not only compassionate but also grounded in the science of psychological well-being.

Trauma-informed care underpins our online counselling approach, recognizing the profound impact that trauma has on an individual's mental health and well-being. Our services are designed with an understanding of the complexities of trauma, ensuring that every interaction is rooted in sensitivity, empathy, and respect. By adopting this approach, we commit to providing a safe, supportive environment where individuals can explore healing without fear of judgment, empowering them to rebuild trust and resilience.

Recovery from accident trauma focuses on fostering positive outcomes and emphasizes the journey towards healing and improvement after experiencing traumatic accidents. Our online counselling services are dedicated to supporting individuals as they navigate the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that follow. With a compassionate and outcome-focused approach, we aim to guide you through the process of regaining strength, resilience, and a renewed sense of well-being, helping you to envision and achieve a future marked by recovery and growth.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common condition that can arise after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, such as motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). Our online counselling services offer specialized support for those grappling with PTSD, providing a safe space to understand and navigate the complexities of this condition. With empathetic guidance and evidence-based treatments, we're committed to helping individuals find pathways to healing and regain a sense of control over their lives.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support is a crucial aspect of our counselling services, recognizing the profound cognitive and emotional challenges that can follow a TBI. We are dedicated to providing specialized support for individuals navigating the complexities of recovery from brain injuries. Understanding the unique needs that arise from TBIs, our approach is tailored to offer guidance, strategies, and compassion for managing cognitive difficulties and emotional adjustments.

Resilience building is at the core of our counselling services, focusing on strengthening your ability to cope with and recover from trauma. Understanding the challenges that come with traumatic experiences, we aim to empower individuals with the tools and strategies needed for resilient recovery. Through personalized support and evidence-based techniques, we help you build the mental and emotional fortitude necessary to navigate adversity, fostering a sense of strength and confidence in your ability to heal and move forward. Our commitment is to guide you through the process of turning obstacles into opportunities for growth, ensuring you emerge stronger and more resilient.

Grief and loss counselling is a pivotal part of our services, addressing the profound mourning process that follows accidents. Whether it's coping with the loss of mobility, independence, or the heartrending pain of losing a loved one, our counselling sessions are designed to provide compassionate support and guidance. We understand the multifaceted nature of grief and are here to help you navigate through these challenging times with empathy and understanding.

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques are essential tools in our counselling services, designed to offer practical support for managing stress and anxiety stemming from trauma. We provide a range of techniques aimed at grounding you in the present moment, reducing overwhelming feelings, and enhancing your capacity for emotional regulation. Through guided mindfulness exercises and relaxation strategies, we help you cultivate a sense of peace and stability, empowering you to face your healing journey with calm and resilience.

Driving anxiety therapy targets the specific fears and anxieties that commonly arise after experiencing a motor vehicle accident. Our dedicated approach is designed to help individuals confront and overcome the fear of driving, restoring confidence and independence on the road. Through personalized therapeutic strategies, we work to address the root causes of your driving anxiety, providing tools and techniques to manage anxiety symptoms effectively.

Counselling for families affected by MVAs extends our support beyond the individual to embrace family members grappling with the ripple effects of the trauma. Recognizing that accidents impact not just the direct victims but their loved ones as well, our services are designed to provide a comprehensive support system for the entire family. Together, we explore the emotional, psychological, and relational challenges that arise, offering a path towards healing and resilience. Our aim is to foster communication, understanding, and mutual support, ensuring that every family member feels equipped to navigate the aftermath of the accident as a united front.

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.