Calgary Psychologists & Counsellors

In Calgary, session fees vary depending on the type of clinician you see:

• Practicum Therapists – $125 per session
  Practicum Psychotherapists work under the supervision of a senior psychologist and provide the opportunity to access high-quality support at an accessible rate.

• Certified Canadian Counsellors – $200 per session
  CCCs Offer professional counselling services with recognized national certification.

• Registered Psychologists – $235–$250 per 50-minute session
  This range reflects the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta’s (PAA) recommended fee for psychological services.

At Core Psychology, our fees align with these standards. Therapy is an investment in your overall health, relationships, and well-being. Many extended health insurance plans cover sessions with psychologists and counsellors, so we encourage you to check your plan details to confirm your coverage.

The word therapist is a broad term that can include psychologists, counsellors, social workers, or other mental health professionals. A psychologist is a regulated health professional with advanced graduate-level training in assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of mental health concerns. In Alberta, psychologists are licensed through the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), which ensures the highest standards of practice, ethics, and accountability.

It depends on what you’re looking for. Both psychologists and psychotherapists can provide talk therapy and support with mental health concerns. The main difference is that psychologists are regulated health professionals with training in assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment for mental health conditions. Psychotherapists and counsellors can also provide valuable support, but may not have the same regulatory oversight or ability to provide formal diagnoses. Many people choose psychologists when they want care that is both relational and clinically grounded.

At this time, psychological services are not covered by Alberta Health Care. However, many extended health benefit plans through employers, student plans, or private insurance do reimburse for sessions with a registered psychologist. In addition, some clients may be eligible for coverage through programs such as Victim Services, Veterans Affairs, or First Nations Health Authority.

Psychologists help people improve their mental health, relationships, and quality of life. This can involve:

• Supporting clients through anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, grief, and relationship challenges.

• Providing therapy to individuals, couples, families, and children.

• Helping clients identify unhelpful patterns, strengthen coping skills, and build resilience.

• Conducting assessments to better understand concerns such as ADHD, learning challenges, or emotional functioning.

At Core Psychology, our psychologists focus on helping you tap into your strengths, develop insight, and create lasting change in the areas that matter most to you.

A psychologist provides therapy and evidence-based treatment for mental health concerns. Psychologists hold graduate-level degrees and are regulated professionals but are not medical doctors. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health and can prescribe medication. Often, people will see a psychologist for therapy and a psychiatrist for medication management, depending on their needs.

In Alberta, psychologists are not medical doctors. Most psychologists hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in psychology. A doctoral-level psychologist may use the title “Dr.” but is not a physician. Psychologists focus on assessment, therapy, and strategies to support mental and emotional well-being, while physicians and psychiatrists focus on medical treatment, including prescriptions.

No referral is needed. You can book directly with a psychologist in Alberta without going through your family doctor. Many clients do choose to involve their physicians in their care, but it isn’t required. This makes it easy to start when you’re ready. Our team is happy to collaborate with your physician to ensure continuity of care and to collaborate in supporting you in reaching your desired wellness goals.