The intake process typically takes between 5-15 minutes and is usually best done by calling our office manager, Ashliegh, during reception hours. If we cannot facilitate a phone call, Ashliegh can complete your intake via e-mail; however, we remind you to be mindful of the information you transmit electronically.

The necessary information required is your name, e-mail address, phone number, address, date of birth, and insurance coverage information. It is up to you if you are comfortable briefly sharing more about why you are seeking with Ashliegh so she can match your presenting concern with our clinician’s therapeutic interests, narrowing down the best therapeutic fit for you. Ashliegh will also send you an intake questionnaire that offers a deeper dive into your needs and gives you a space to share how you feel we might be able to help.

After completing your profile and intake, Ashliegh will help you schedule your first sessions. You will receive a few e-mail notifications from us and all applicable electronic consent forms.

Ashliegh will book your initial session plus 2 to 3 subsequent sessions (should you desire) when you complete your intake with her.

You will also receive a few consent forms from her, and through the process of completing these forms, you will set up a username and profile in JaneApp.

By completing your profile setup, you will have access to your therapist’s availability, allowing you to book sessions; cancel and/or reschedule sessions; access your session history; set session reminder preferences.

You are welcome to book subsequent appointments at your convenience online through your online profile or by contacting your clinician directly. You can find your clinician’s contact information in their profile.

The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) sets the standard for counselling fees. The current clinic rate schedule for 2023 is as follows:

Meet & Greets (Initial Sessions):

• $220 / 50-minute hour

Individual Therapy:

• $220 / 50-minute hour

Family and Couples Therapy:

• $220 / 50-minute hour

Reports / Letters / Case Management Consultations:

• $220 / 50-minute hour (pro-rated)
  

We offer reduced session rates for some of our Provisional Psychologists. Please get in touch with us for more details.

*Provisional Reports & Letters are billed at the clinic standard of $220 / 50-minute hour (pro-rated in 10-minute intervals)

Dr. Sylvia Peske offers a slightly different fee schedule. For more information, please visit her website at sylviapeske.com

The industry standard for a session hour is 50-minutes. For the remaining 10-minutes of the session hour, clinicians utilize to maintain your file (charting, scheduling, etc.), which is essential for the continuity of your care.

Children’s sessions can run between 40 – 50 minutes, depending on the age and development of the child.

Couples and Families might find benefit from 60-90 minute sessions.

(Longer or shorter sessions are available if negotiated in advance).

Payments are made at the beginning of each session. We offer you the flexibility to pay by Debit Visa, MasterCard Debit, e-transfer, Visa, MasterCard, or AMEX.

a sacred journey psychological services inc. uses Jane Payments. Jane has encrypted software that allows for the secure maintenance of card information and the processing of payments. The system blanks out your card number except for the last four digits; a sacred journey psychological services inc. will not have access to your full information.

Many clients are covered by private insurance.

Please inquire with your health insurance provider regarding the details of your coverage. While some companies cover the entire cost of a therapy session, others do not, and most have a maximum limit for coverage. Receipts are issued at the time of payment and can be used to obtain a reimbursement from your insurance company for services. Confirming your coverage details and obtaining reimbursement from an insurance company is your responsibility.

When contacting your insurance company for details of your coverage, be sure to verify:

… that psychological services are covered by your policy.

… that you are not restricted to psychologists of their choosing.

… who is covered on your plan?

… how much your plan covers and the details of coverage:

… does your plan pay the full session fee or only a portion of the fee per visit?

… does your plan cover a number of sessions or a maximum amount?

… what is your yearly renewal date?

… whether session length is a consideration.

… whether you need a physician’s referral.

… what the procedure is for reimbursement.

Should you wish for a sacred journey to perform direct Billing, your insurance requires you to complete an Electronic Transmission Authorization and Benefit Assignment consent. Our policy is that clients MUST keep a valid/active payment card on file.

Direct Billing is limited to particular insurance companies and may only be available for our registered psychologists. It is your sole responsibility as the client to confirm the scope of coverage before your initial session; a sacred journey has no way of determining your insurance limits.

Direct Billing is available for the following companies:

• Alberta Blue Cross

• Medavie Blue Cross – National Blue Cross

• Medavie Blue Cross – Canadian Forces

• Medavie Blue Cross – RCMP

• Medavie Blue Cross – Veteran’s Affairs

• Greenshield Canada / SSQ

• First Nations & Inuit Health Benefits (FNIHB) - limited providers

If your insurance company is not on this list, you may still be covered for reimbursement. In this case, we will provide you with a receipt for your submission to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Please note: In some instances where there is dual coverage, we cannot electronically submit claims. In these circumstances, clients must pay upfront and submit directly to their insurance companies.

Sunlife and Manulife do not enable psychologists to direct bill.

Direct Billing for Provisional Psychologists is limited to particular insurance companies. It is your sole responsibility as the client to confirm the scope of coverage before your initial session; a sacred journey has no way of determining your insurance limits.

Provisional Psychologists can Direct Bill to the following companies:

• Alberta Blue Cross

• Green Shield Canada

If your insurance company is not on this list, we cannot direct bill with them, and you will be required to pay upfront and submit your receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Please note: In some instances where there is dual coverage, we cannot electronically submit claims. In these circumstances, clients must pay upfront and submit directly to their insurance companies.

Missed or cancelled sessions without 48-hours advance notification are charged a full session fee. This charge is not normally covered by insurance policies.

We hope you feel better soon!

If you are unable to attend your scheduled in-person appointment, we offer clients the ability to pivot to virtual or telephone services.

If you are cancelling with more than 48-hours notice, you can cancel your appointment online through your client profile.

For all other cancellations and rescheduling needs, please contact your clinician directly. Your clinician’s contact information can be found in their profile here.

For minors under 16, parents are required to attend a parent session. Parent sessions are full (paid-for) 50-minute appointments and offer legal guardians space without the minor present to meet with the clinician to discuss background information and goals and expectations for therapy.

Parents are welcome to share a session, split a session, or have separate sessions. We leave this up to the legal guardians to decide.