Questions are a part of life

Therapy isn’t just for times of crisis—it can be a powerful tool for anyone looking to improve their well-being or navigate life’s complexities. Many people come to therapy not because something is “wrong” but because they want to better understand themselves, enhance their relationships, or work toward personal growth.

Therapy provides a safe, supportive space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and patterns with the guidance of a trained professional. It can help you manage stress, anxiety, or depression, build healthier coping strategies, and gain deeper insight into your behaviours and relationships. Beyond that, therapy can boost self-esteem, improve communication, and foster stronger, more fulfilling connections.

Whether you’re facing a specific challenge, navigating a life transition, or simply seeking greater balance and clarity, therapy can empower you and help you create meaningful, lasting change.

At your first appointment, we’ll start with an orientation to therapy. We’ll review the consent process, answer any questions you have, and ensure you feel informed about how therapy works and how we’ll support you.

Your comprehensive intake session is a time for us to get to know you—your needs, strengths, and the challenges you’re facing. This session may feel a bit like an interview, as we’ll ask thoughtful questions to gain a deeper understanding and create the best plan for your care.

By the end, we’ll share our initial impressions, discuss how we can support you, and offer recommendations. We’ll also help you determine how often to book sessions and begin setting goals with actionable steps.

Therapy works best when you give it enough time, but the length of treatment can vary depending on your unique needs and goals.

Research shows that, for 50% of people, noticeable improvements and symptom reduction typically occur after 15 to 20 sessions. However, the length and type of therapy depend on the nature and severity of your concerns. Short-term challenges may require fewer sessions, while chronic or long-standing issues often take more time.

Our therapists are here to collaborate with you, helping set realistic expectations and tailoring therapy to your needs. They will also guide you in determining when it’s the right time to finish therapy. Research shows that the longer someone stays in treatment, the more likely they are to see meaningful changes and feel better. Ending therapy too soon can sometimes lead to unresolved issues or a return of symptoms, so we aim to support you in creating lasting, meaningful change.

The frequency of therapy sessions depends on your unique needs and the type of support you're seeking. Different therapeutic approaches require varying amounts of time to be effective.

If you’re just starting therapy, weekly or bi-weekly sessions can help you build momentum and begin making meaningful changes. Over time, you and your therapist can adjust the frequency based on your progress and evolving needs.

As you start feeling better, notice improvements in your symptoms, or experience greater overall well-being, you may choose to space out your sessions or schedule occasional check-ins for maintenance. Your therapist can help you find the right balance—there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Our fees vary by service type and therapist. You can find fees listed on our Meet the Team page and when booking a service on our Jane booking site.

Payment is due following the received service. We offer direct billing for many insurance companies, and accept payment via credit card and e-transfer. E-transfers must be sent PRIOR to the session.

Most Extended Health Care Plans cover the cost of psychological services. Before your first appointment, you may wish to contact your employer or benefits provider to confirm you health coverage.

Insurance providers generally require you to work with a Registered/Provisional Psychologist or Registered Social Worker.

Here are helpful questions to ask your insurance:

• Does my extended health plan include mental health benefits?

• What type of therapist does my coverage include?

• Do I have a deductible? If so, how much?

• How much coverage does my policy include?

• Is there a yearly limit on the number of sessions?

Any fees paid to a Registered Psychologist (that are not reimbursed by an insurance provider) are considered a tax-deductible health expense.

We offer direct billing in Alberta to: Alberta Blue Cross, Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association (ARTA), Alberta School Employee Benefits Plan (ASEBP), Canada Life, Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance, D.A. Townley, Desjardins Insurance, Equitable, Group Health, Group Source, Industrial Alliance, Johnson Inc., Johnston Group Inc., Manulife Financial, and RWAM Insurance.

Please note, not all of our therapists are authorized to direct bill through all insurance companies. In the event you have an alternate benefits provider, you will be provided with an invoice to submit for reimbursement.

If you are an existing client and would like to sign up for direct billing, please call us or email info@risewellpsychology.com.

Note, due to many variations in insurance policies and the unreliability of the online portal where we access your insurance information, we require any clients wishing to direct bill with our clinic to provide a valid credit card on file. Any balance not covered by your insurance policy will automatically be charged to the credit card on file.

Your appointment time is reserved just for you. A late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the therapist's day that could have been filled by another client. Cancellations within 48 hours of your appointment are subject to a cancellation fee. In the event of a late cancellation, we provide three options:

1. If we’re able to fill your appointment time with another booking, we can waive any fees.

2. If re-booking is not possible, you will be offered a one-time compassionate cancellation that you can use or save for another time. You will receive one compassionate cancellation every 12 months.

3. Otherwise, late cancellations and no shows are charged at the full rate for the session to the credit card on file.

Appointment lengths vary be service and client preference. Intake sessions are generally 80-minutes in length. Individual Therapy sessions are generally 50-minutes in length. Couple Therapy sessions are generally 80-minutes in length.

If you believe that longer or shorter appointment times would be beneficial for your needs, please get in touch to discuss.

Currently in Canada, the regulatory bodies who oversee the practice of psychology require that psychologists can only see clients in provinces or territories in which they are licensed.

We currently have team members who are licensed in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario and able to serve clients who reside in both of these provinces. Please check individual team profiles on our Meet the Team Page or on our Jane booking site to ensure your therapist is licensed in the province in which you reside.

A secure telehealth platform, Jane, is used to conduct virtual therapy sessions. Once your initial appointment is set up, you will receive a welcome package via email that includes detailed instructions for how to log in to your Jane account. It is recommended that you do virtual therapy sessions in a private space and use headphones to keep your information private.

It’s important to us that you feel seen, heard, and supported throughout your wellness journey. Risewell is committed to providing an accessible, safe, and inclusive space for all of our clients, including those with different needs and abilities.

Please visit our Accessibility page for more detailed information.

If you have questions or specific requests, please contact us.

You do not need a referral to access services at Risewell Psychology. However, some insurance companies require a physician’s referral for coverage purposes. We recommend checking with your insurance company prior to booking your first session.

Privacy and confidentiality of client’s information is taken very seriously. This means that your information is kept confidential unless you provide written consent for us to share your information with someone else. The exceptions to this would be when required to disclose information by law or in the event of serious risk of harm towards yourself or others.

We will review confidentially and its limits with you during your first appointment and throughout your care, as needed.

That’s totally fine! The timing may not be right for you to access therapy right now, or perhaps you’re feeling unsure. You can check out the resources page for recommended books, podcasts, and links to help you on your journey.

We know that starting therapy is a big step, and sometimes it helps to meet a therapist before committing to a full session. That’s why we offer complimentary meet-and-greet sessions. This is a chance for you to ask questions, learn how therapy can support you, and get a feel for whether a therapist is the right fit for you.

A psychologist is a mental health professional who has specialized training in how people think, feel and behave from a scientific perspective. Psychologists use their knowledge and training to help people understand themselves better, to identify unhelpful patterns of thinking or behaviours and to make changes where necessary.

The term “psychologist” is a protected title in Canada and can only be used by professionals who are licensed to practice psychology. Working with a professional who is licensed helps to protect the public by ensuring that the professional has met and is accountable to rigorous standards of practice.

For more information about what psychologists do please visit: https://cpa.ca/public/whatisapsychologist/

A Registered Provisional Psychologist is in the initial phase of their professional practice. They have completed their educational requirements, which typically include a master's degree in psychology, and are working towards full registration. Provisional psychologists must practice under the supervision of a fully Registered Psychologist to gain the practical experience needed for full licensure. This period allows them to refine their skills under the guidance of an experienced mentor.

A Registered Psychologist has completed all the requirements set by the College of Alberta Psychologists, including the necessary educational qualifications, a specified amount of supervised practice, and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Registered Psychologists are qualified to practice independently and can provide a wider range of psychological services without supervision. They are recognized as fully licensed professionals who meet all the standards required to ensure public safety and ethical practice in the field of psychology.

If you need immediate help or are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact the Canada Suicide Crisis Helpline @ 9-8-8 or visit your nearest emergency room.

Yes! We have crafted several custom mental health and wellness workshops for businesses and community partners. Please reach out here to inquire further.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have! Please reach out to us directly by using our general inquiry form here.