Common Questions

Alberta Blue Cross

Canada Life 

Canada Life PSHCP

Chambers of Commerce (Johnston Group)

CINUP (Johnston Group)

First Canadian (Johnston Group)

GMS Carriers 50 (Express Scripts)

GreenShield (includes ASEBP/ARTA)

Industrial Alliance (IA Financial Group)

Maximum Benefit (Johnston Group)

Medavie Blue Cross

People Corporation

The following carriers are not set up to direct bill but offer a pay and submit option

ClaimSecure

Desjardins

Equitable Life

Manulife

Sun Life

We can arrange to have a phone call before your session, so that you can get to know me and assess the vibe of my approach. During this chat I want to start the connection with you, and I will do the work to make that happen! This means that I will explore what we have in common, and show you my personality so that you have some expectations around our first session. For those that have never been to counselling, getting this far into the journey is likely the hardest step. Once we begin working together, I will help to show you that the way forward is lighter and more hopeful than where you were before.  

If you are nervous about staring at a stranger and opening up, please know that we have lots of tools at our disposal that can help conversation flow easier. I often bring items into session, whether that's drawing or painting, fidgets, chess, or other games to help you feel relaxed. If that's not your style, that is absolutely okay. You will likely be laughing each session, as humour is a part of the journey. 

If you are nervous about talking to someone about your mental health, I think it's helpful to know that counselling is about conversation and connection. If you feel that it is hard to communicate, open up, or connect with others, I will support you and teach you how to do this (so please take some of that pressure off of yourself to do counselling 'perfectly' or 'the right way' - it's my job to guide you on the real way). You are in control of the conversation, which means you have the power to say "nah, I don't want to talk about that" and I will respect that.

Some of you may feel that you can open up to friends easily - our conversation will differ from a friends chat in that I will offer you specific strategies, we will practice therapeutic techniques, and I won't just agree with your side or tell you what you want to hear (as good friends tend to do). This means that I will help you see the situation with a different perspective that will guide you towards new healthy practices. I will help you challenge yourself in a way that feels manageable, and I will be direct in my feedback to you about how to find more balance in your life.