Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, I am. If you would like to book a session, please reach out to me here or send me an email at marli@beginningscounselling.ca.

As of January 1, 2024, the recommended hourly fee by the Psychologists' Association of Alberta is $220.00/hour, of which I charge $200.00/hour. Unlike traditional medicine, psychological services are not covered by the public health system. I accept direct billing from many private insurance companies, as well as through NIHB for Indigenous clients. I also accept private payment through Interac E-Transfer, in which case you will be emailed an invoice for your session in the days following your appointment. I do also offer a number of sliding scale options.

If you are considering my services but have financial concerns, please reach out to me. There may be options for you to receive subsidized care. Lastly, psychological services qualify as a tax-deductible medical expense, should that apply to you.

I generally book sessions that are 55-60 minutes in length. However, something I have sessions that are longer or shorter than others. Generally, I book sessions in 30 minute intervals.

All sessions you have with me (as well as any other registered psychologist) are confidential. I will not share any information that you disclose to me in these sessions to third parties without your consent. However, there are a handful of exceptions to this rule:

• If you are at imminent risk of harming yourself or someone else;
• If you disclose current child abuse or neglect; or
• If you are involved in a court case or other legal proceedings and a judge subpoenas your client files.

In keeping with the guidelines in the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the College of Alberta Psychologists, I participate in professional supervision and consultation but without using personal identifiers (e.g., name, address, place of work, etc.) of clients. Thus, client anonymity and confidentiality are preserved and clients gain the benefit from the combined wisdom of a team of mental health professionals who are also bound by the same ethical codes regarding confidentiality as I am. For more information, please visit the College of Alberta Psychologists website at https://www.cap.ab.ca/.

Overall, there is no standard treatment length that will work for every client. It will ultimately depend on your individual therapy goals as well as the complexity of your situation. The amount of time you will require therapy for will also depend on how much work you complete outside of your session as well your motivation to make changes. We will discuss a treatment plan within the first few sessions once I have had enough time to adequately assess and understand the specifics of your situation, as well as what benefit you stand to gain from therapy.

You have the right to withdraw from treatment at any time for any reason.

Sessions will be booked at intervals appropriate to your clinical and financial needs, as well as the constraints of your schedule. Many clients book either weekly or bi-weekly (every two weeks) sessions, but ultimately the frequency at which you have sessions will depend on your individual situation and clinical needs.

In cases where you have insurance or other coverage for your therapy, I only need the details of your insurance plan to cover the costs of your therapy. Should you wish to make payments on an individual basis, I will email you an invoice within a few days of your appointment, which you may fulfill with Interac E-Transfer or other methods of payment.

Should circumstances make it impossible for you to attend a scheduled appointment, please reach out to me as soon as possible. Depending on your situation, we may be able to have your session via telepsychology (via phone or virtual meeting) or reschedule your appointment entirely.

As your scheduled appointment time is specifically reserved for you, missed appointments and late cancellations mean that others are not able to use that appointment time. For that reason, please reach out to me as soon as you can should you be unable to make a given appointment so that we can discuss options.

If you are in a life threatening situation, call 911.

If you have a mental health emergency, please note that I may not be able to provide crisis intervention and support between scheduled therapy sessions. Should you not be able to reach me, please call or text one of the numbers below or visit your nearest emergency department:

• Southern Alberta Distress Line: 403-327-7905
• Mental Health Helpline (200+ languages): 1-877-303-2642
• Indigenous Hope for Wellness:  1-855-242-3310
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988

Clients are entitled to multiple rights, including:

• The right to have their information kept confidential;
• The right to know all about the therapist's experience and training;
• The right to discuss their therapy with anyone they choose;
• The right to know all about the terms of their therapy (e.g., cost, appointment times, cancellation policy);
• The right to have any procedure or method explained before it is used;
• The right to ask the therapist anything about their therapy;
• The right to see the information about them in their therapist's files, or to have it shared with another professional at their request;
• The right to report any inappropriate or illegal behaviour by a therapist;
• The right to refuse any test, evaluation, or therapy/intervention of any kind;
• The right to ask a therapist for a referral to someone who might be a better match for them.

Yes, clients do have responsibilities in regards to their therapeutic treatment. Although sessions are essential in addressing concerns and achieving therapy goals, much of the work in therapy happens between sessions. All forms of therapy are a collaborate effort between you, your therapist, and anyone you choose to involve in your journey. You can improve your rate of success by reflecting on what you discover about yourself in session, trying suggested strategies, and carrying out any homework exercises that may be offered. Therapy works best when you are wholly committed to your well-being.

As with any form of medicine, there are risks with psychotherapy. Clients sometimes experience a range of uncomfortable emotions, such as sadness, anger, guilt, fear, shame, or anxiety. It is important to remember that all of these feelings are normal and even an important part of the therapeutic process. Psychotherapy focuses on facilitating change according to the hopes and desires of the client. Any change, even good change, can affect a person's established lifestyles and relationships, and unfortunately sometimes clients can face resistance from other people in their lives as a result of this change.