Getting started begins with a free 15 minute telephone consultation. This gives us an opportunity to briefly discuss what is bringing you to therapy, answer any questions you may have, and determine whether my services may be a good fit for your needs.

If we decide to move forward, we will schedule an initial session and you will receive intake and consent forms through a secure online portal to complete beforehand.

During the first session, we will take time to explore your concerns, relevant history, strengths, and goals for therapy. We will then work together to develop an approach that feels supportive, collaborative, and paced for you.

For children and youth, a parent or legal guardian typically will be asked to participate in the initial session. This provides an opportunity to discuss current concerns, relevant history, goals for therapy, and any questions about the counselling process. Depending on the young persons age and needs, part of the session may also be spent meeting with them independently.

Required consent and intake forms will be provided through the secure online portal before the appointment.

Therapy sessions are collaborative and tailored to your individual needs, goals, and comfort level. Sessions provide space to explore what is happening in your life, better understand patterns and emotions, develop practical tools, and work toward meaningful change.

You will not be expected to share more than you are ready to. We will move at a pace that feels manageable, regularly check in about what feels helpful, and adjust our approach as needed.

Individual therapy sessions are 60 minutes.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) sessions are scheduled for 90 minutes to allow enough time to complete the process without feeling rushed.

The frequency of appointments will be discussed together and may change as your needs evolve.

Your privacy is important, and information shared in counselling is kept confidential in accordance with professional standards and applicable privacy laws.

There are limited circumstances in which information may need to be shared without your consent, including when there is a serious risk of harm, when there are concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or when disclosure is required by law or court order.

These limits will be reviewed with you as part of the informed consent process.

For children and youth, confidentiality will be discussed with both the young person and their parent or legal guardian, including what information may remain private and when information may need to be shared for safety or legal reasons.

15 minute telephone consult: Complimentary

60 - minute individual or parent session: $200

90 - minute ART session: $250

A limited number of reduced-fee spaces are available for clients who may otherwise be unable to access counselling.

Reduced fees are offered based on individual circumstances and current availability and can be discussed during the initial consultation.

Many extended health benefit plans provide coverage for counselling services delivered by a Registered Social Worker; however, coverage varies between plans. Clients are encouraged to contact their provider in advance to confirm their eligibility, coverage limits, and any requirements for reimbursement.

Payment is due at the time of the appointment. A detailed receipt will be provided and may be submitted to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Please note that clients are responsible for any fees not covered by their benefit plan.

Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 24 hours notice.

Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, as well as missed appointments, may be charged the full session fee.

Exceptions may be considered in cases of sudden illness, emergency, or other unavoidable circumstances.

Please note that cancellation and missed appointment fees are generally not covered by insurance plans.

Brief communication between sessions is available for scheduling, appointment changes, or other administrative matters. Whenever possible, please use the secure client portal to protect your privacy.

Email and portal messages are not intended for counselling, urgent concerns, or crisis support. Messages will generally be responded to within two business days during regular office hours.

If you require immediate support or are experiencing an emergency, please contact an appropriate crisis service or call 911.

Both in-person and virtual counselling sessions are available.

In-person sessions take place in a private and comfortable office in Drayton Valley.

Virtual counselling is available to clients located in Alberta at the time of their appointment. Sessions are offered through a secure video platform and allow you to attend from the comfort of your own space.

For virtual appointments, you will need a reliable internet connection and a private location where you feel comfortable speaking openly. A secure link will be provided before your appointment.

In some circumstances, an in-person session may be changed to virtual when illness, weather, or travel makes attending the office difficult.

Serein Practice does not provide crisis or emergency services, and messages are not monitored continuously.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

For urgent mental health support:

• Call or text 988 for Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24 hours a day.

• Call the Alberta Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642 or dial 811 for support and information about local services.