Fees for Counselling

How much does counselling cost?

Counselling costs $150 per 50-minute session. I also offer a more affordable rate which ranges from $50 to $75 per 50-minute session for self-paying clients on a budget. There is eligibility criteria for this reduced rate which is explained at the bottom of this page. Please book a free 15-minute phone call with me before your first appointment if you have questions or worries about paying.

How can I pay for counselling?

There are a few ways to pay for counselling depending on your situation. Here are a the ways:

Insurance/health benefits
If you have a group insurance/health benefits plan, they likely provide you with some coverage for counselling. Coverage varies and you are responsible for determining with your human resources or insurance/health benefits provider whether you are covered and for how much. Coverage also varies depending on the professional qualifications and license of the counsellor. I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (license #11243688). This designation may or may not be covered under your plan. You can find this out by looking at your plan’s app/website under counselling coverage or by talking directly with your human resources or plan provider. It is your responsibility to determine this and should there be any amount remaining following coverage, it is also your responsibility to pay the remaining balance. I offer direct billing for most insurers, however should your insurer not allow for direct billing, you are responsible for paying and submitting to your insurer manually. I will provide you with a receipt for reimbursement.

Subsidized counselling
FCSS offers subsidized counselling available to eligible residents of Barnwell, Barons, Coaldale, Coalhurst, Lethbridge County, County of Warner, Coutts, Milk River, M.D. of Taber, Nobleford, Picture Butte, Raymond, Stirling, Taber, Vauxhall, Warner. For more information about the counselling subsidy and eligibility requirements, please visit Counselling Subsidy — Lethbridge ICA.

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
I have applied to be a service provider for NIHB and am currently awaiting approval or denial. This payment option is currently not available.

Other third-party payers
A third party payer is any other organization/company that is paying for your counselling other than you. Examples are your work, Children and Family Services, and Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD). It is your responsibility to ensure that your third-party payer will cover my professional designation, Canadian Certified Counsellor (license #11243688) and for the rate of $150 per 50-minute session.

Self-paying
You can pay for your counselling yourself. If you must pay for counselling yourself and you do not meet eligibility for any of the above payment options for reasons other than income, I offer a reduced rate. My more affordable rate ranges from $50 to $75 per 50-minute session. If you require my more affordable rate, I kindly ask you to schedule a free 15-minute phone call with me before your appointment so that I can ensure you meet eligibility and we can determine what you feel comfortable paying. If you are not eligible for my reduced rate, you would be expected to pay $150 per 50-minute session. You can pay by Interac e-Transfer, credit card, or cash.

Every person’s situation is different and if fees for counselling are the reason you can’t access support for your mental health, please contact me at brittany.anderson@turnofthetidecounselling.ca or (403) 917-9437. Please note, neither of these communication methods are monitored 24/7 and should you require emergency or crisis support please click here for resources.