Starting therapy, reaching out about your teen, or considering a psychological assessment can come with a lot of questions. Please review some of the most common questions below - if there is something else you are wondering about that isn't answered here, navigate over to the Contact Us page and drop us a line!
Choosing a psychologist is a personal decision. We believe that feeling comfortable, understood, and respected is an important part of doing good work together.
We focus on teens and young adults - adolescence and early adulthood come with their own unique challenges. We are experienced in helping with these stages of development.
We value supporting the context in which teens and young adults exist - this is why we offer Parent Support Sessions for parents who want guidance in supporting their teen or young adult.
We offer a small, cozy clinic that focuses on quality support in a low-volume environment (this means we don't have a huge staff and multiple offices that are trying to push through as many clients as possible)
You don't need to have a diagnosis or be certain that something is "wrong" before reaching out. Therapy can be helpful when a young person is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, disconnected, or is having difficulty coping with things that used to feel manageable. If you're unsure, we're happy to discuss your concerns and help determine whether therapy or another type of support would be appropriate.
Ideally, yes... especially as teens get older. Therapy works best when a young person has some willingness to participate. That doesn't necessarily mean they have to be excited about therapy! It's very common for teens to be hesitant about starting. We can help make the process feel comfortable and collaborative rather than something being "done to them."
This is a very common concern. If your teen isn't ready to participate, a Parent Support Session can be a helpful place to start. You can come on your own, talk through what's happening, and get guidance about how to support your teen without escalating conflict or putting additional pressure on them.
Yes! Our goal is to make mental health support as accessible as possible, which means we are always trying to provide direct billing options to as many providers as possible. Currently, we offer Alberta Blue Cross, Greenshield, and many companies under Telus eClaims.
Most extended health plans provide coverage for services, but coverage varies between plans. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to understand your specific coverage.
You'll find plentiful free parking right outside the building, and when you enter FLIP Psychology you'll be greeted by a large, comfortable waiting room. Feel free to grab a beverage or a snack, cozy up on the couch, and your therapist will be with you at your appointment time.
The first session is primarily about getting to know one another and understanding what's bringing you in. We'll talk about what's been happening, what you'd like to be different, and what might be helpful. There isn't a test to pass or a right way to do therapy. Over time, sessions may involve talking things through, learning practical strategies, building emotional awareness, challenging unhelpful thought patterns, or working on specific goals.
Individual Therapy or Parent Support sessions are typically 50 minutes.
This depends on the individual and what you're hoping to accomplish. Many clients begin with weekly or biweekly therapy sessions, with frequency adjusted as things change. We'll work together to determine what makes sense.
This depends on age and the circumstances - generally, we suggest that a parent attend the first session when a teen is under age 18. This will typically involve a portion at the beginning of the session where the therapist talks with the teen and parent(s) together, followed by one-on-one time with the teen.
Regarding ongoing parent involvement in therapy - this depends on what everyone agrees would be helpful. Parents may be involved in some aspects of treatment while still respecting the young person's privacy and developing independence. We'll discuss this at the beginning of therapy so everyone understands what to expect.
Privacy and confidentiality are an important part of creating a safe space for therapy. At the beginning of treatment, we'll talk openly about how information is shared with parents, so expectations are clear from the start. We'll also explain how confidentiality works and the circumstances in which information may need to be shared, including situations involving safety concerns or legal requirements.
There’s no set length of time that everyone spends in therapy. Some people benefit from a few focused sessions to work through a specific challenge or learn new strategies. Others may choose to continue therapy for longer as they work through more complex or ongoing concerns.
We’ll regularly check in about how things are going and whether therapy is still meeting your needs. The goal isn’t to keep you in therapy - it’s to help you make meaningful progress and feel confident moving forward. As things improve, sessions may become less frequent, or you may decide that you’re ready to wrap up. And if you need support again in the future, you can always reach out.