Find a Psychologist in Edmonton

In Alberta, psychotherapists have historically been unregulated. Anyone with any amount of education or experience has been able to advertise their services as a therapist or counsellor and treat clients.

Registered and Provisional Psychologists fill 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 or equivilant, and must meet requirements set by the College of Alberta Psychologists.

Registered Psychologists must hold a graduate degree 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 Edmonton, the average cost of seeing a psychologist is $220 per session (sessions typically last 50 minutes). An individual therapist’s fees typically depend on their level of education and experience, as well as demand for their services. Provisional Psychologists often charge less as they have less hours of experience. Some psychologists offer sliding scale pricing, which adjusts the session fee based on your income or financial situation. This can make therapy more affordable if cost is a barrier.

The cost of seeing a private practice Psychologist is not covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, but your health insurance plan may provide full or partial coverage. There are some community resources available which are free to the public, but may have waitlists, or only be tech-enabled offerings (not private therapy).

In Edmonton, you do not need a referral to see a Psychologist. You can book with a Provisional or Registered Psychologist directly whenever you wish.

However, you typically need a referral in order to see a Psychiatrist, who can diagnose psychiatric disorders and prescribe medication. If you are referred by a doctor, the cost of seeing a Psychiatrist is covered by Alberta Health.

Your health insurance may cover seeing a psychologist, but carefully review your plan before booking an appointment. Health insurance plans are very specific about the designations of mental health professionals they cover. For instance, your plan may cover treatment by a Social Worker, but not by a Psychologist, even if you would receive similar treatment from professionals with either designation.

To confirm, review your benefits booklet and contact your insurance provider to ask exactly what mental health services are included, which professional designations are covered, and the annual coverage limit. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to check your insurance coverage.

Start by considering what you want to work on, then look for a psychologist who specializes in that area (for example, anxiety, couples counselling, trauma). The video profiles on First Session are very helpful to allow you to assess whether or not a therapist you are considering is a good fit for you.

You may also want to consider their approach to therapy, availability, and whether you feel comfortable after an initial consultation. Most Psychologists on First Session offer free initial consultations so you can see if they seem like a good fit before investing money.

Edmonton psychologists 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.