Starting counselling or talk therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you don’t know what to expect. At Counselling Alberta, we’re here to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible. With no waitlist, no financial barriers, and the highest client results in the industry, we’re here to support you!

Whether it’s your first time considering counselling or you’re returning for more support, here’s a guide to help you understand how it works.

How do I get started?

Registering for counselling is easy! You can sign up online 24/7 or call us at 833.827.4230 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. We offer online counselling across the province, and in-person sessions available in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer.

During the intake, we’ll ask you a few questions to learn about your needs, why you’re seeking counselling, and any preferences you may have for a counsellor. From there, we’ll match you with a counsellor who best matches your needs and preferences. Your assigned counsellor will then contact you to schedule your first appointment.

We offer flexible appointment times, including weekdays, evenings, and Saturdays— ensuring there’s a time that works for everyone.

Is there anything I need to complete before each session?

Before each session, you’ll fill out a short questionnaire to assess how you’ve been feeling over the past week. It’s like checking your vital signs when you go to the doctor, but in this case, it’s an emotional check-in that helps you and your counsellor track your progress and make any necessary adjustments.

This process has been part of our approach since 2004, helping clients achieve breakthrough results that are 35% higher than the national benchmark. The results have been so effective that we train counselling organizations worldwide in adopting our process.

What happens in a counselling session?

Each one-on-one session with your counsellor lasts 50 minutes. If you’re attending counselling with a family member, you’ll have sessions together. Typically, in the first session, you’ll talk about what brought you in, discuss your goals, and create a tailored plan of action that works best for you.

Reasons for counselling are unique to each individual. These are just some of the common reasons that people come to counselling for:

Feeling sad, angry, or stressed for long periods of time
Having trouble in a relationship (not communicating well, arguing etc.)
Worrying a lot, to the point that it’s affecting day-to-day life
Needing help making or adjusting to a big life change– changing jobs, moving to a new city, having children
Not feeling quite like yourself and not knowing why

Finding the right counsellor for you

The right fit with your counsellor is critical, so if at any point you feel that your counsellor isn’t the right fit, we encourage you to let us know. We have a large group of counsellors ready to help you and it's important that you feel comfortable with your counsellor. So, if you’d like to switch counsellors, that’s more than okay! You can bring it up in your session, or if you prefer, simply call 833.827.4230 and we’ll help with the transition.

How long does counselling last?

Everyone’s counselling journey is different, but many clients find that they experience meaningful, lasting change within 8–10 sessions. However, we’ll work with you as needed. Life is unpredictable and filled with ups and downs. Even if you’ve already completed counselling, but something has come up that you want help with, we’re here for you!

If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, call or email your counsellor. We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid a no-show fee. You can also sign up for text message reminders—just let your counsellor know if you'd like to receive them.

I’m worried about the cost, what do I do?

We believe that finances should never be a barrier to getting support. That’s why our fees are based on a sliding scale—you only pay what you can afford. When you register, we’ll provide a fee estimate based on your self-reported income. But if you feel your fee is unmanageable, talk with your counsellor to make adjustments—we’ll never turn anyone away based on ability to pay.

We accept various payment methods, including cash, debit, Visa, Amex, and Mastercard. Some insurance plans cover counselling, so be sure to check with your provider. We can also direct bill certain Blue Cross plans—your counsellor can help you navigate this process.

Counselling is a step toward taking care of your well-being, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. For more information on what to expect from counselling, listen to our podcast episode. Ready to take the first step? Register online or call us today!

What to expect from counselling