Frequently Asked Questions:

Counselling is a type of therapeutic interaction where a counsellor (such as a psychologist) aims to work collaboratively with a person (the client) to promote change.  In counselling, clients may explore their thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviours as well as their concerns they have and the changes they want to work towards.  The psychologist may make recommendations or suggestions for clients to try something new or different. The client has the right to understand the reasons for these recommendations/suggestions and has the right to discontinue counselling at any time. Counselling plans and progress are reviewed at every session with the client to determine their continued appropriateness and efficacy*.

*Adapted from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association’s Standard of Practice (2015).

What counselling is not at MeHealing™ with Justine:

• Venting
• I discourage venting because it can perpetuate problems and reinforce negative responses to the situation.
• Blaming or shaming
• I find it very helpful to explore your family of origin and early childhood attachment; however, the intent is not to place blame or shame you or anyone else when exploring your past.
• Direct advice-giving
• If you ask me “what should I do [about a situation/problem]?”, I would not provide direct advice (unless safety was a concern for you or another person). I am here to support you and to provide a nonjudgmental space for you to explore what changes you want to make. In counselling we work together to find your solutions. It is not me telling you how to live your life. I believe you are the expert of your life.

There are many benefits to online counselling. Many people prefer the convenience of speaking to a mental health professional from the comfort of their home, especially if such resources do not exist in their community. However, online counselling is not appropriate for all people or for all mental health situations.

Some risks associated with online counselling include:

• Therapeutic Limitations – with instant messaging there are potential for misunderstanding when visual cues are absent. There is also a need to routinely review whether online counselling is in your best interest. Sometimes in-person therapy would be more beneficial.
• Technology Limitations – with any technological service there is always risk of equipment failure, time delays, poor internet speed, etc. There is also the risk of information be transmitted when not intended. See MeHealing's policies for more detailed information .
• Confidentiality Limitations – There are added confidentiality limitations due to risk of being discovered by possible hackers. These limits are further discussed in MeHealing's  policies and are further discussed before consenting to therapy.

In addition, online counselling at MeHealing™ Ltd. is less effective for:

• People who are in crisis or who require urgent care. Examples include individuals experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts
• People who experience psychoses
• People who have been diagnosed with personality disorders
• People with active trauma symptoms such as flashbacks

For each of these scenarios in-person therapy would likely be more appropriate. People who are in crisis may benefit from going to their local emergency centre or phoning their local crisis numbers. For psychosis, personality disorders and active trauma symptoms, specialized treatment specific to the mental health concern would likely be more appropriate.

Crisis information in Canada:

https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

Resources for finding an in-person therapist:

http://www.psychologistsassociation.ab.ca/

www.psychologytoday.com

Self-help, in general, is intended to be self-directed without the support of a professional. There are many advantages to self-help material. You can work at your own pace and can often return to the material as many times as needed. It may also be more convenient and cost-saving depending on the self-help topic.

However, self-help material is not always effective for everyone or for all situations. Uncomfortable feelings may arise or it may leave the person wanting further direction. Professional intervention may be beneficial if the person becomes overly distressed when working through the material. Counselling with a professional (such as with a psychologist) may be helpful to further process the person’s experiences.

Crisis resource information in Canada:

https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

Global Crisis Information:

http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

Resources for finding an in-person therapist in Canada:

http://www.psychologistsassociation.ab.ca/

www.psychologytoday.com

When you download self-help material from MeHealing™ Ltd. you are not entering into therapy with Justine. Self-Help materials cannot replace professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice.

The self-help products by MeHealing™ Ltd. are based on Justine’s experiences as a counsellor and registered psychologist as well as research findings within the field of psychology and nutrition. MeHealing™ Ltd self-help materials have yet to be evaluated for validity and reliability.

Always seek appropriate consultation from your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding your medical or mental health condition.

Online-counselling is a nontraditional approach to therapy that makes use of online treatment modalities. 

In-person counselling is the traditional approach to counselling where you would meet with the counsellor in person at an office for appointments.

According to the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta, the recommended fee range for registered psychologists in the province of Alberta is $220 per 50-minute session.  

Sliding fee scale available for people who do not have access/limited access to immediate health benefits. Online only. 

If you are employed, you may have coverage for a Registered Psychologist through your health benefits. It’s your responsibility to check with your employee benefits package if psychology is covered or not. You do not need a referral from a doctor to meet with a psychologist for counselling. You do receive a receipt upon completing your session. Typically, you would submit your receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement.

**We are now able to offer direct billing with Blue Cross. 

There is a 24 hour cancellation policy. If you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment, a fee of $25 will be applied to your account. No further sessions will be booked until the outstanding fee is paid.

Working collaboratively means that you and your psychologist will periodically assess how treatment is progressing. It is your responsibility to let the psychologist know if you are not benefitting from counselling.

Generally your information in counselling is private between you and your psychologist. That means no one else other than your psychologist has access to your counselling information without your written consent. However there are limits to this confidentiality.

Disclosing without informed written consent:

Psychologists may disclose confidential information about a client when the psychologist has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that disclosure is necessary to prevent immediate and grave harm to:

The client

Another person’s mental or physical health or safety

Public Safety

Psychologists also disclose confidential information when permitted or required by law

Duty to report:  psychologists must follow mandatory reporting requirements under existing legislation. For example, in Alberta, if a client reports a minor (anyone under the age of 18) is being abused (sexually, physically, or emotionally) or neglected, under the Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act, this abuse needs to be reported to the proper authorities.

If you choose to engage in counselling at MeHealing, the limits of confidentiality would be further discussed before consenting to counselling.

A psychologist in Alberta is typically someone who possess a Master’s or Doctorate Degree and who has had post-education supervision in the field of psychology. A registered psychologist in Alberta has met the standards of the College of Alberta Psychologists.

A psychiatrist is typically someone with a medical degree who has specialized in mental health. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications. A psychiatrist in Alberta has met the standards of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.

Sometimes psychologists will refer to themselves as a “counselling psychologist” or a “counsellor-psychologist”.  This typically means that the psychologist was trained specifically in mental health counselling (see above for definition of “counselling”).  There are different types of psychologists depending on their training. Justine is considered a “counselling psychologist”