Frequently asked questions
Questions are welcome
Everything people ask before booking with Charis — fees, insurance, choosing a therapist, online care, groups, and policies — answered plainly in one place. Start with the topic on your mind.
Alberta Health Care does not cover private-practice mental health services — most clients use employer-sponsored or specialized private coverage.
Getting started
Getting started and choosing a therapist
How to find the right fit, what to consider before you decide, and what the first steps actually look like.
How do I choose a therapist?
Every therapist's profile shows who they support, their areas of focus, credentials, fee, and whether they meet in person or online — so you can compare the team by what matters most to you.
Meet our teamCan I talk to someone before committing?
Many of our individual therapists offer a free phone consultation where offered — a short call to ask questions and get a feel for fit before you book a full session.
See how booking worksWhat happens in a first session?
Your first session is a chance to share what brings you in, at your own pace, and to set direction together with your therapist. For practical details like session length, ask when you book — or call us first and we'll walk you through it.
Prepare for your first appointmentHow do I book an appointment?
Booking runs through Cliniko, our secure online system: choose your therapist, then follow their booking route. Prefer to talk it through first? Call 780-244-3530.
Book online through ClinikoFees and insurance
Fees, insurance, and direct billing
The verified numbers and coverage qualifiers, stated plainly — so cost never has to be a surprise.
How much does counselling cost?
Individual sessions range $120–$235, and each therapist's fee reflects their credentials and experience. Because the team spans several credential levels, some therapists offer lower fee points — every profile shows its exact fee before you book.
See fees by credentialCan you direct bill my insurance?
Direct billing is available for many employer-sponsored and specialized plans, subject to your plan, practitioner, and service eligibility. A quick call to your insurer before the first session confirms what your plan reimburses.
Questions to ask your insurerDoes Alberta Health Care cover counselling?
No — Alberta Health Care does not cover private-practice counselling. Most clients use employer-sponsored or specialized private coverage instead, subject to eligibility.
These answers reflect Charis Counselling's current fees and coverage practices. Each therapist's profile lists their exact fee, and the full picture lives on the Fees & Insurance page.
Care and groups
Online care, children and youth, and groups
Care comes in more than one format. Here is how online sessions, counselling for younger clients, and group programs actually work.
Can I meet online or by phone?
Yes — where eligible, counselling is available online and by phone across Alberta, alongside in-person sessions at our West Edmonton office. Each therapist's profile shows which formats they offer.
Explore counselling servicesDo you see children and youth?
Yes. Charis provides child and youth counselling alongside individual, couples, and family care, and you can choose a therapist by the population they support and their areas of focus.
Find a child and youth therapistHow do group programs work?
Group enrollment is call-first: phone us to learn more and complete a short fit and suitability screening — groups are never booked online. The next groups are planned for October 2026, with exact dates to be confirmed.
Learn about group therapyWhere is the office?
Charis Counselling is at 16856 111 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 4C9, in West Edmonton. Directions and visit details are on the office info page.
Office info and directionsPolicies and emergencies
Policies and urgent boundaries
Some details deserve a straight answer from a person rather than a webpage. Here is what we can confirm now, and where routine counselling ends and urgent support begins.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation and missed-appointment details are confirmed with you when you book, so the policy you agree to is always the current one. If you'd like specifics before booking, call 780-244-3530 or email info@chariscounselling.net and we'll walk you through what applies to your appointment.
Contact CharisHow long is a session, and how often will we meet?
Session length and frequency depend on your therapist and the kind of care you're receiving, so we'd rather confirm than guess. Ask during a free phone consultation, where offered, or when you book.
See how booking worksIs what I share confidential?
Counselling conversations are private, and your therapist reviews confidentiality — including its legal and professional limits — with you at the start of care. If you have questions about privacy or records before booking, contact us and we'll answer them directly.
Ask a privacy questionCan Charis help in a crisis?
Counselling appointments are scheduled support, not an emergency service. If you or someone you care about is in immediate danger, call 911. For urgent mental-health supports between sessions, see our resources page.
View crisis and community resources
Next step
Answered enough to take the next step?
Booking runs through our secure Cliniko system, and if a question is still in the way, we're glad to answer it by phone or email first.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 780-244-3530