Individual
Counselling in Calgary

Individual counselling sessions at Curio are 50 minutes long. Current rates are $200 with our Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs) and Counselling Therapists (CTs), $230 with a Registered Provisional Psychologist, and $230 with a Registered Psychologist — aligned with the Psychologists' Association of Alberta fee schedule. Calgary therapy fees typically run $200 to $240 per session across the city, so our rates sit at the accessible end of the range for credentialed clinicians.

Alberta Health Care does not cover private therapy, but most extended health benefit plans reimburse some or all of the cost. Every new client can also start with a free 20-minute consultation before booking a paid session.

Most extended health benefit plans in Alberta cover counselling, though coverage depends on your specific plan and the credentials of your therapist. Registered Psychologists are typically covered by all major insurers; Canadian Certified Counsellors and Counselling Therapists are covered by a growing number of plans, including Canada Life, Manulife, Sun Life, Greenshield, and Blue Cross.

We provide detailed, insurance-ready receipts after every session so you can submit for reimbursement. We recommend confirming three things with your provider before booking: which designations your plan covers, your annual maximum, and whether you need pre-approval.

No. You don't need a doctor's referral and you don't need a diagnosis to book counselling at Curio. You can self-refer and book directly online or by phone. Some extended health plans ask for a referral before they'll reimburse, so it's worth checking your specific policy, but it's never required to start.

You also don't need to have a clinical condition or a clear label for what you're going through. People come to individual counselling for anxiety and depression, but also for stress, relationship strain, life transitions, grief, work burnout, or simply wanting to understand themselves better. If something is weighing on you, that's reason enough.

Your first session is about getting to know each other and starting to map out what you want from therapy. Your therapist will ask about what's bringing you in, your background, current life circumstances, and what you'd like to work on. You'll review confidentiality and consent, and together begin shaping a flexible plan.

There's no pressure to share anything you're not ready to — pacing is yours to set. Most people leave the first session clearer about the path forward and whether their therapist feels like the right fit. If you'd like to meet your therapist before booking a paid session, we offer a free, no-obligation 20-minute phone or video consultation.

There's no fixed number — it depends on what you're working through, your goals, and how you respond to therapy. Many clients notice meaningful shifts within the first 4 to 8 sessions, while deeper work (chronic patterns, trauma, longstanding anxiety or depression) typically unfolds over 10 to 20 sessions.

Some people use therapy for short-term, goal-specific support; others stay engaged for ongoing growth. Most clients start weekly or bi-weekly and adjust pacing as they progress. Your therapist will check in regularly about progress and frequency, and you're always in control of how long you continue.

The research is clear that the single biggest predictor of progress in therapy is the relationship between you and your therapist — more than their title or the specific method they use. So the best way to choose is to get a feel for the person. You can read our therapist bios to see who works with your concerns and whose approach resonates, then book a free 20-minute consultation to talk before committing.

And yes — you can switch at any time, no explanation or awkward conversation required. Fit is personal, and a good therapist would rather see you matched well than stay out of politeness. Just let us know and we'll help you move to someone who suits you better.

All clinicians at Curio hold a Master of Counselling degree from an accredited university and are members in good standing with their regulatory bodies — the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and/or the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA).

• Registered Psychologists are regulated by CAP and can provide diagnoses; their sessions are covered by virtually all extended health plans.
• Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs) and Counselling Therapists (CTs) are credentialed psychotherapy professionals regulated by CCPA and ACTA. They provide evidence-based therapy and are increasingly covered by major insurers.

The right fit is less about title and more about clinical approach, lived experience, and whether you connect with the person across from you.

Yes. Everything you share with your Curio therapist is confidential and protected by Canadian privacy law (PIPA) and the professional codes of ethics governing CAP, CCPA, and ACTA members. There are a small number of legal exceptions — imminent risk of harm to yourself or someone else, suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult, or a court subpoena — which your therapist will walk you through in your first session. Online and phone sessions are conducted on encrypted, PIPEDA-compliant platforms.

Research consistently shows that for most concerns — including anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions — online counselling produces outcomes comparable to in-person therapy. Some clients prefer the convenience and consistency of virtual sessions, while others find face-to-face contact more grounding.

At Curio we offer all three formats (in-person at our Beltline office, secure video, and phone), and many clients mix them depending on the week. The most important factor isn't the format — it's the strength of the therapeutic relationship and how regularly you attend.

You can book online any time through our Jane booking page, call us at 403-243-0303, or start with a free 20-minute consultation if you'd rather meet your therapist first.

We're open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, and Saturday, 10am to 4pm, with evening slots that work around a standard workday. Sessions are available in person at our Beltline Calgary office (1414 8 St SW, Suite 200) and securely online across Alberta.

We require a minimum of 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule a session without charge. Cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment are billed at the full session fee, since the time has been reserved specifically for you and is difficult to fill on short notice. We understand that emergencies happen — if you're facing an unexpected situation, please reach out to your therapist directly.