Find a Therapist in Calgary

The cost of seeing a therapist working in private practice in Calgary is not covered by Alberta Health. However, if you see a therapist in a public healthcare setting, such as a hospital or a family clinic, the cost is typically covered by provincial healthcare. You may require a doctor’s referral in order to see a therapist who is covered by Alberta Health.

Your workplace health benefits may fully or partially cover the cost of seeing a therapist in private practice, but it depends on the terms of your particular policy. 

In Calgary, the average per-session fee for counselling is $220. Sessions typically last 50 minutes.

In Alberta, the terms counselling and therapy may be used interchangeably by psychotherapists advertising their services.

Historically, psychotherapists in Alberta have not been regulated. This means that any individual may advertise themselves as a therapist or counsellor and provide treatment. 

Due to recent changes, therapists and counsellors will soon be regulated and licensed by the College of Alberta Psychologists. But until those changes fully come into effect, Provisional Psychologists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Psychiatrists are the only clinical mental health professionals regulated by law in Alberta.

You do not need a referral to see a therapist in private practice in Calgary. However, in order to see a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist in a public health setting like a hospital or medical clinic, you typically need a referral from a doctor.

Whether your health insurance covers the cost of seeing a therapist in Calgary depends on the specific terms of your policy. Carefully check to see which professional designations are covered by your policy, and what level of education your policy requires a therapist to have. 

In Alberta, psychotherapists have historically not been regulated. Anyone with any amount of education or experience has been able to advertise their services as a therapist or counsellor and treat clients.

Provisional Psychologists filled the space normally occupied by certified therapists in other provinces that regulate the terms “therapist” and “counsellor.” A Provisional Psychologist is a practicing therapist who is working towards their full designation as a Psychologist. They hold a Masters degree in clinical psychology, and must meet requirements set by the College of Alberta Psychologists.

Registered Psychologists must hold a PhD in psychology, complete extensive supervised clinical hours, and meet requirements set by the college.

Thanks to recent changes, therapists and counsellors will soon be regulated and licensed by the College of Alberta Psychologists. But until those changes fully come into effect, Provisional Psychologists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Psychiatrists are the only clinical mental health professionals regulated by law in Alberta.

In Calgary, only Registered Psychologists and Psychiatrists may diagnose mental health conditions, and only Psychiatrists and other medical doctors may prescribe medication.

Psychotherapists (therapists and counsellors) may treat mental health conditions but are not licensed to provide diagnoses.

Therapists and counsellors are not currently regulated by law in Alberta. However, due to recent changes, they will soon be regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists.

Until then, however, professionals advertising themselves as psychotherapists range widely in levels of education and experience. 

In order to obtain a diagnosis or a psychological evaluation, you must be treated by a Registered Psychologist or a Psychiatrist. 

Start by considering what you want to work on, then look for a therapist who specializes in that area (for example, anxiety, couples counselling, trauma). You may also want to consider their approach to therapy, availability, and whether you feel comfortable after an initial consultation. Many therapists on First Session offer free initial consultations so you can see if it's a good fit. 

Calgary therapists offer a wide range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), somatic therapy, couples counselling, and trauma-focused therapies. The right approach depends on your needs and goals, which you can discuss during your initial consultation. 

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