Help & FAQs
FAQs
- How do I book a session?
You have a few options:
1. You can phone us at (587) 705-0705
2. Email us at info@onyxtherapy.ca
3. Book directly through our booking platform here. Note: you will be required to create an account before scheduling an appointment.
Please connect with us and our admin team will assist you with scheduling in a time to meet with a therapist.
- Do you offer in-person counselling?
Although our office space is under construction we do offer in-person services. At this time, only Christine and Wendy are booking in-person sessions. Holly is booking virtual sessions for November.
All in-person services will resume in December, 2022 at our newly constructed office.
- How long is a session?
- What are the differences among Provisional or Registered Psychologists, Canadian Certified Counsellors, and Mental Health Therapists?
Psychologist
In Alberta, registered and provisional psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and require a master’s degree or a doctorate in psychology or a related field. Psychologists are qualified to conduct assessments, and provide psychology services including counselling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups in Alberta. They have met stringent professional standards and comply with the code of ethics set by CAP.
Registered provisional psychologists have met the educational criteria set by their regulatory board, CAP, but are in the process of completing the required number of hours of client therapy, supervision, and examinations to be licensed as a registered psychologist.
Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC)
Although the term counsellor is not regulated in the Province of Alberta, Canadian Certified Counsellors require a master’s degree in counselling psychology or a related field as the minimum educational requirement to be certified with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). The CCPA is a national association that recognizes and identifies counsellors who are qualified to provide counselling and psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, families, and groups in Canada. CCCs also adhere to professional standards and a code of ethics established by the CCPA.
Mental Health Therapists
Mental health therapists at our office have completed the minimum educational requirement of a master’s degree and can offer counselling services, while they await registration or certification with a regulator board or association like CAP or CCPA, to be completed.
Practicum Student Therapist
Student therapists have completed their education at a Master’s level and are in the process of working with clients directly toward formal registration with a governing or licensing body. Students are required to receive supervision from a qualified supervisor and will work alongside their supervisor to build and enhance their therapeutic skill and competency when working with clients.
- Why is GST charged for some services?
Healthcare services are typically exempt from GST. According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), psychologists are among the health care providers that are exempted from charging GST. At this time, clinical counsellors, psychotherapists, and unregulated practitioners are not exempt and must charge tax for their services.
There is a possibility that you may be able to claim a personal tax deduction for counselling services if the costs for services have not been reimbursed by your health benefits plan. You would need to discuss this with your accountant or tax professional to determine if you are eligible.
- What is the cost of a session?
Please refer to our fees page for more information.
- How do you accept payment?
We accept payment by credit card, debit, or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
We require a credit card authorization on file, which can be used to process the payment for the session. This is requested when you schedule your first appointment. Your credit card information is processed through an online billing platform that keeps your personal information encrypted and secure.
- Why the different fees?
Each profession has their recommended fees for services. We follow industry and provincial standards and try to keep our fees fair so that our therapists are adequately paid for the essential work they do and the quality care they provide, and clients can access the mental health supports they need.
We believe therapists deserve to be compensated for their ongoing quality care, education, training, and commitment to improving their competence in this field. We also believe that everyone should have access to mental health care, and we try to offer various fee options to our clients so that mental health care is accessible to those with varying financial situations.
We are always open to discussing your needs and helping you find suitable options.
- Will you bill directly to my insurance?
At this time, we can direct bill to Alberta Blue Cross and Green Shield only. For all other insurance plans, you will need to pay for the session, and we will issue a receipt for you to claim reimbursement.
Always check your plan prior to booking a session to confirm whether the cost of therapy or specific therapists is covered.
- Will my insurance cover the cost of therapy?
Coverage depends on the benefits plan decided by your employer. Some plans might cover all or a portion of fees for counselling services for the year. Some plans may only reimburse for the services of psychologists. Although, many insurance providers also provide coverage for Canadian Certified Counsellors.
You would have to confirm with your insurance provider about your coverage.
Before starting therapy or booking a session, you may want to determine:
• How much your extended health care plan would cover or reimburse for therapy because this can determine how many sessions you might have available to you each year.
• Which counselling professional the insurance plan will cover – Psychologist or Canadian Certified Counsellors.
• Will the plan cover the full fee or a portion?
• Are you able to supplement the cost of therapy with your personal income/finances should you require more sessions than is covered by your benefits plan?
- How many sessions will I need?
There is no straightforward answer to this. The number of sessions is determined on several factors that are unique to you such as the concerns and severity of the issues that brought you into therapy; your goals for therapy; the treatment approach/s used to help you meet your therapeutic goals or address the main concerns; availability to attend sessions; financial consideration; etc. Depending on what you require from therapy, some therapeutic approaches can be altered to offer a limited or minimum number of sessions or focus on a specific problem. Once you meet with your therapist and they have a solid understanding of your concerns, needs, and goals for therapy, they will work with you to decide on a treatment approach and plan that is suitable for you.
