Fees & Insurance
What counselling costs, and how it gets paid
Straight answers on session lengths, payment, receipts and insurance — so cost is never the mystery that stops you picking up the phone.
Sessions
Session lengths and rates
Every service shows its current rate on the booking page before you confirm, so you always see the price first. Rates are reviewed periodically, which is why the booking page — not this page — is the source of truth.
Free consultation
15 minutes, online — No charge
A short conversation so you can hear how I work and decide whether it feels like a fit. No intake forms, no obligation.
Individual counselling
60 minutes — See booking page
Anxiety, depression, grief, anger, self doubt and spiritual direction. Online across Alberta or in person in Calgary.
Couples & pre-marital
60 minutes — See booking page
Gottman-informed marriage and pre-marital counselling for both partners together.
Walk and Talk
60 minutes, outdoors — See booking page
Trail-based sessions in Redwood Meadows. Never charged if weather cancels the walk.
Insurance
Using your benefits
You receive a receipt
Every session produces a receipt listing the provider, credentials, date, service and amount paid — the details insurers normally require for reimbursement.
Check for “Registered Psychotherapist”
Coverage differs plan to plan. Some Alberta plans cover psychotherapists; others list only psychologists or social workers. One phone call to your provider, asking whether a Registered Psychotherapist is eligible under your plan and what your annual maximum is, saves a lot of guesswork.
Vince Urquhart is a CPE, B.A (Religion), MDiv, M.A (Counselling), Registered Psychotherapist.
Payment and cancellations
Payment is taken securely through the booking system at the time of your session. If you need to move or cancel, 24 hours notice lets the time go to someone else. Walk and Talk sessions cancelled by weather are never charged.
Alberta Health Care does not cover private counselling. If cost is the thing standing in the way, raise it in the free consultation — it is a normal conversation.
Questions
Fees and insurance questions
- How much does a session cost?
- Current rates for each service are shown on the booking page before you confirm anything, so you always see the price before you commit. The first 15 minute consultation is free.
- Is counselling covered by Alberta Health Care?
- No. Alberta Health Care does not cover private counselling or psychotherapy. Many extended health benefit plans do, either fully or in part.
- Will my benefits plan cover a Registered Psychotherapist?
- Some plans cover psychotherapists, others only cover Registered Psychologists or Social Workers. Coverage varies by insurer and by employer, so it is worth calling your provider and asking specifically whether a Registered Psychotherapist is an eligible provider under your plan.
- Do I get a receipt I can submit?
- Yes. Every session generates a receipt showing the provider name, credentials, date, service and amount paid — everything an insurer normally asks for.
- How do I pay?
- Payment is handled securely through the booking system at the time of your session. You will never be asked to send money by e-transfer or over the phone.
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Please give at least 24 hours notice if you need to move or cancel a session, so the time can be offered to someone else. Weather-cancelled Walk and Talk sessions are never charged.
- What if cost is the thing stopping me?
- Say so in the free consultation. It is a normal conversation to have, and it is better to talk about it than to not come at all.
Next step
Still have a question about cost?
Ask it in the free 15 minute consultation, or send a note through the contact page. Nothing is charged until you book a full session.