Therapy and counselling in Calgary
Counselling in Calgary, in person and online
Whether you’re carrying anxiety, grief, burnout or strain in a relationship, counselling gives you a steady place to make sense of it. Our psychologists and counsellors see adults, couples, teens, children and families in our Marda Loop office and online across Alberta.
Call or text 403.488.8912 · Start with a free 15-minute phone consult if you’d like
01 · What counselling is
A confidential space to slow down and understand what’s happening.
Counselling is a working relationship with a trained professional. You talk through what’s going on, notice the patterns underneath it, and build practical ways forward that fit your life.
It isn’t about being told what to do, and it isn’t only for a crisis. Many clients come because something has been building for a while, or because life has changed and they want support while they find their footing.
Our clinicians draw on evidence-based approaches such as CBT, EMDR, the Gottman Method and emotion-focused work, matched to what you need rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.
You don’t need the right words, or a crisis, to start.
02 · When it can help
Counselling can help when…
Worry, low mood or stress has started to shape your days
Something painful happened and it still feels close
Your relationship keeps circling back to the same argument
You’re parenting through a hard stretch, or your child or teen is struggling
Life has changed and you’re not sure who you are in it yet
You simply want to understand yourself better
03 · Counselling services
Support for every stage of life.
We offer individual counselling for adults and teens, couples counselling, child and family therapy, and support for specific experiences like trauma, grief and the perinatal period. Not sure where to start? See all services or ask us to help you choose.
04 · Who you’ll see
Psychologists and counsellors, working as one team.
In Alberta, “psychologist” is a protected title. Our Registered Psychologists and Registered Provisional Psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Our counsellors hold master’s degrees and are Canadian Certified Counsellors.
All of them provide counselling and therapy. The two words are used interchangeably, and what matters most is training, experience and how well you connect with the person you’re working with.
05 · Getting started
Starting counselling is simpler than it sounds.
- STEP 1
Reach out
Book directly with a clinician, or request a match and our client care coordinator will suggest who may be the best fit.
- STEP 2
Talk first, if you’d like
You can have a free 15-minute phone consult with your clinician before booking, to ask questions and get a feel for them.
- STEP 3
Your first session
Sessions are 50 minutes. The first one is about understanding what brings you in and what you’d like to feel different. There’s no pressure to share everything at once.
- STEP 4
Go at your pace
You and your clinician set goals together, check in on progress and adjust along the way. You can change clinicians at any time if the fit isn’t right.
Fees and insurance.
A 50-minute session ranges from $235 to $250 depending on the clinician, and counselling and psychology services aren’t charged GST. Alberta Health Care doesn’t cover private counselling, but many extended health plans cover psychologists, and some also cover Canadian Certified Counsellors.
We provide receipts for you to submit to your plan. See our fees page for the full breakdown.
06 · Our team
Meet our Calgary psychologists and counsellors.
Jordan Pisesky, MC
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Megan Emery, MA, MS
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Max Wood, MC
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Jesse Fehr, MA
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Avery Rozak-Leach, MC
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Tasha Chapman, MA
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Sarah Spicer, MC
Registered Psychologist
Julie Walder, MA
Clinical Lead · Canadian Certified Counsellor
Leah Callao, MC
Canadian Certified Counsellor · Music Therapist
Claire Granson, MC
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Lisa Thomson, MA
Clinical Director · Registered Psychologist
07 · Where we are
In Marda Loop, and wherever you are in Alberta.
Our office is in Marda Loop, one of Calgary’s most walkable neighbourhoods, a short drive from downtown, the Beltline and most of southwest Calgary. Clients also come from across the city and from nearby communities like Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks and Chestermere.
Prefer to meet from home? Online counselling is available by secure video anywhere in Alberta.
08 · Questions
Counselling in Calgary FAQs.
Have a question that isn’t here? Call or text 403.488.8912 or email info@corepsychology.com.
How much does counselling cost in Calgary?
Rates in Calgary vary by clinician and training. At Core Psychology, a 50-minute session ranges from $235 to $250 depending on who you see, with no GST. Many extended health plans cover some or all of the cost. Our fees page has the details.
Is counselling covered by insurance in Alberta?
Alberta Health Care doesn’t cover private counselling. Many extended health plans through work or a private policy cover sessions with psychologists, and some also cover Canadian Certified Counsellors. It’s worth checking your plan. We provide receipts, and counselling costs may also count as a medical expense on your taxes.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly. Some insurance plans ask for a doctor’s note, so check yours if you’re unsure. If you’d like us to work alongside your physician, we’re happy to.
How do I choose the right counsellor?
Start with what you’d like help with, then read a few clinician bios and notice who you feel drawn to. If you’re not sure, request a match and we’ll suggest someone who may be a good fit. You can also have a free 15-minute phone consult before booking.
What happens in the first session?
Your clinician will ask about what brings you in, what you’ve already tried and what you’d like to be different. You’ll also talk about confidentiality and how sessions work. It’s a conversation, and you set the pace.
How long does counselling take?
It depends on what you’re working on. Some clients come for a handful of sessions to work through something specific, and others prefer longer-term support. You and your clinician will review progress together and decide what makes sense.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. What you share stays private, with a few exceptions required by law, such as a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, a concern that a child may be at risk, or a court order. Your clinician will explain this at the start.
Do you offer evening and weekend appointments?
Yes. Our hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm, and Saturday, 9am to 3pm, in person in Marda Loop and online.
Let’s find the right fit for you.
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out. Book a time that works for you, or let our care team help you find the right counsellor.
Call or text 403.488.8912 · info@corepsychology.com
Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm · Saturday, 9am to 3pm
In crisis? Call or text 988, or call 911.