Question 1

What can I expect from counselling/therapy?

Accepted Answer

Benefits of counselling include improvements in mood, emotion regulation skills, self-esteem and interpersonal skills. Risks include experiencing uncomfortable emotions and potential temporary increase in symptoms. A small percentage of clients worsen with counselling. You will be informed of risks and benefits of specific treatment approaches on an ongoing basis.
 
Sessions will run for the traditional 50-minute therapy hour. If longer sessions are desired (e.g. 80 minutes or 110 minutes), they must be arranged in advance. The first 1-3 sessions are utilized to determine your treatment goals and to collaborate on a treatment plan.
 
You will be asked for feedback about your experience of the sessions and your preferences for treatment will be incorporated.
 
A complimentary 15-minute telephone consultation is available to support making a decision about counselling services. Contact Casey now to schedule your phone consultation.

Question 2

What happens when I book my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

Once an initial appointment is scheduled, you will be sent secure, electronic consent form(s) to be digitally signed. Individuals who will only be accessing in-person services will be sent the general consent form only whereas those individuals who will be receiving video/phone counselling will be provided both the general consent form and the Consent to Counselling Services via Distance Technology form.
 
You will also receive a secure, electronic Client Information Form to be completed prior to your first session. The benefits of completing this form includes: mentally and emotionally preparing you for counselling, helping you reflect on most important concerns and desired treatment goals, allowing your psychologist to tailor and reduce the amount of questions asked, and maximizing use of the initial session.

Question 3

What is confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality is the duty that psychologists have to protect the privacy of client information. Almost all of the information that you share within the context of a professional therapy relationship is kept private and will not be released without your informed, written consent. There are rare exceptions related to safety and legal reasons.
 
All of our communications – including during scheduled sessions, over the telephone, via email and within the Secure Messaging feature of Owl Practice’s online client portal – will become part of your confidential client record. Your confidential client records  will be stored and maintained both within an electronic practice management system as well as a physical paper file. In order to maintain confidentiality, I adhere to both the College of Alberta Psychologists’ Standards of Practice and the Personal Information Protection Act.

Question 4

What are the limits to confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

In the following circumstances, psychologists are required or permitted to release information to specific authorities.
When there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe that disclosure is needed to prevent imminent and grave harm to:
The client
Another person’s mental or physical health or safety, including:
Abuse or neglect of a child (defined as under the age of 18 in the province of Alberta).
Abuse or neglect of a person under the care of a government-run institution, care home or nursing home.
A client reporting intent to kill or gravely harm a specific individual or group.
Public safety including:
Public threat to health and/or communicable diseases (e.g. COVID-19 symptoms).
A psychologist or allied health professional who has engaged in sexual abuse or sexual misconduct.
A client reporting intent to drive while intoxicated
If a client sustains a physical and/or psychological injury that occurred in the workplace and that is likely to result in more than one missed day of work.
If there is a court order for information related to a client’s psychological services.

Everything You Need to Know

about Your First Session

What can I expect from counselling/therapy?

What happens when I book my first appointment?

What is confidentiality?

What are the limits to confidentiality?