Get Started
HOW TO GET STARTED
Welcome! You made it here, which is a great first step!
If you are interested in attending the office for your counselling session, call 780-540-1425 or email sarah@balance-counselling.net to book your appointment time.
We can send you a initial self report form where you can write out your goals for counselling and a few details about what brought you here today. This will help us best prepare for our work together. You will also be given some information on policies with Balance Counselling, as well as information on your rights with confidentiality, privacy and consent to treatment. This information will further be reviewed at your first session, but is helpful in preparing for your appointment.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Balance Counselling takes your privacy very seriously. We comply with The Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIP) and The Personal Information Protection Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and all personal health information protection legislature in Canada.
All information shared with your counsellor is confidential and no information can be released without the client’s written and signed authorization. All Personal information is collected and stored, in compliance with PHIPA, PIPEDA, and all other personal health information protection legislature in Canada. All information collected from Balance Counselling, is for the purpose of collecting fees, providing personal support services, and completing forms, as they pertain to your counselling requests and needs. Information will not be shared with other third parties or used for any other purposes other than those outlined within this document. For more information, please see the intake package.
There are specific and limited exceptions to confidentiality, which include the following:
When there is risk of imminent danger to the client or to another person, the therapist is ethically and legally bound to take necessary steps to prevent such danger. This may include contacting relevant authorities even if the client does not wish for the therapist to do so.
When there is a reasonable suspicion that a child or elder or any vulnerable person is being sexually, physically or emotionally/psychologically abused or neglected; or is at risk of such abuse, counsellors are obligated to contact relevant authorities.
Therapists are legally required to take steps to protect the person, and to inform proper authorities. In the above scenarios, client’s personal information may be released to police or emergency responders, to ensure safety of those who may be deemed at risk.
FEES
In office and Online Appointments: $200.00 per 50 minute session
Payment for both online counselling and in office counselling, can be made through via e-transfer, Debit, Visa, or Mastercard.
Receipts will be provided that may be able to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement, if you hold coverage for this service. Be aware, these services are not currently covered by provincial health plans, however, extended health or employee benefits plans often do offer coverage. Please consult with your benefit provider to inquire about your specific coverage.
Direct billing is available with several providers including: Green Shield / SSQ, Client Connect, Blue Cross, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Blue Cross Medavie, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Department of National Defense (DND), Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). Outside of direct billing providers, a receipt is provided which can be submitted to your benefit provider for reimbursement, as per your plan.
Please look into your personal coverage amounts including per session and yearly allotment amounts, as well as limitations that your provider may have on coverage.
Cancellation Policy – If a session must be cancelled or rescheduled, a 24-hour notice must be provided. In the event that 24-hour notice is not given, the full cost of the session will be charged.
