The 'fit' between client and counsellor is an important factor in determining how helpful counselling will be. People often look for different characteristics in a counsellor but in general, most people want to feel comfortable and respected. Most people also want to sense their counsellor is competent and can help.

This website was designed to give you a good sense of how I work as a therapist. I invite you to explore this website if you have not already done so.

You can learn a lot about me from my social media. Check me out on Instagram @the.womens.therapist.

I also offer free phone consultations to get a sense of how we might work together. You can book a phone consultation here

Counsellor, therapist, and coach are general terms and are not regulated. In other words, anyone can use these terms to refer to themselves regardless of education or training. I will often refer to myself as counsellor or therapist when looking for a general term for the work I do.

Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and  Social Workers are all regulated titles; only those who meet the requirements and are registered with their regulatory body can use these titles.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who completed additional training in psychiatry.  Some Psychiatrists may provide counselling services but most tend to focus on medication regulation. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication.

Psychologists have a minimum of a masters degree in psychology and have completed additional supervised practice and entrance exams. Psychologists may provide psychological testing or counselling services (or both). Psychologists do not prescribe medication.

Social Workers with a Masters degree are also trained and able to provide counselling services.

The type of professional you choose to work with will be influenced by your personal preferences and needs. However, I encourage people to always make sure any mental health professional you work with is registered with a regulatory body. Regulatory bodies:

• ensure the professional's education and training meet minimal requirements.
• have codes of ethics and conduct that members must abide by.
• are a space for you, the client, to voice any ethical concerns around a professional's conduct.

Following my regulatory guidelines set by the College of Alberta Psychologists, I am prohibited from using solicited or unsolicited testimonials of previous or current clients.

You can use my online calendar to book a phone consultation or first appointment.

You can also Contact Me! You can use the phone (403 988 0944) or email (ashley@hopefulhorizons.ca). I try to respond to inquiries as soon as possible.

I have a confidential voicemail. I also make every attempt to keep my email confidential, but due to limitations in digital technology, I am unable to guarantee email will be confidential. Many clients will still choose email as the preferred method of contact, and I just ask them to be mindful of this limitation.

My hours are Monday-Friday 8am-2pm Mountain (11am-5pm Atlantic). I also offer appointments on various evenings Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 5pm-8pm Mountain (8pm-11pm Atlantic for fellow night owls)

The number of sessions is difficult to predict as it depends on the issues you bring. Many clients are able to meet their goals in 8-12 sessions (some will meet their goals in fewer sessions, and some need more). Some clients also choose to make therapy part of a longer-term coping and wellness plan.

The frequency of sessions also varies. Generally, we will likely meet more frequently in the beginning (every 1-2 weeks) and then space out sessions as we progress.

We will have an open dialogue about the frequency and amount of sessions.

Therapy is an investment in yourself. You are investing time, energy, and money into yourself when you start therapy. We hope this investment will result in you meeting your goals, feeling good about yourself, and living a meaningful life according to your values. I want this to happen for you.

The fee for services is $220 per session (50-60 minutes - with longer sessions prorated to this rate). I follow the fee schedule for Psychologists provided by the Psychologists Association of Alberta.

Payment can be made by Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or Email Transfer. Payment is made at the end of each session. You will receive an official receipt to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement and tax purposes.

Most extended health benefit plans include coverage for a Psychologist (in part or in full). I encourage clients to contact their insurance provider prior to our first session to gather information about their coverage.

Psychological services are approved as a medical expense by the Canadian Revenue Agency.

Low-cost counselling is available at the rate of $50 - or less if needed (just ask) by working with an intern therapist under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist, Ashley Bishop Lapierre. These sessions are not able to be claimed for insurance or taxes. Learn more about the low-cost counselling program here

Our first session will lay the foundation for our work together by going over paperwork and hearing your story.

We will go over consent for counselling and discuss important details such as confidentiality. I will do a little bit of history taking (personal history and family history). Then I will ask you to share your story about why you are seeking counselling. We will discuss your struggles and your hopes for counselling. I will share some ways counselling might be helpful for you and we will collaborate on setting goals and a game plan for our work together.

Yes, our sessions will be confidential. In instances where there is an imminent risk of harm to yourself or someone else, I am required to break confidentiality. We will discuss the limits of confidentially in our first session.

I use a secure video platform to conduct virtual therapy sessions, so we will be able to see each other's faces (telephone sessions are available as an alternative or backup). We have a lot of studies that show virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy.

Many people prefer virtual therapy because:

• it is time-efficient (save time by avoiding traffic and dealing with parking, etc.)
• access to more specialists and providers. You are not limited to working with the practitioners in your local city or town. You are now able to work with any therapist who can provide services in your province (I can provide virtual therapy to residents of Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Nunavut)
• increased access to mental health services in rural communities
• ability to do this work from the comfort and familiarity of your own home

There are times when virtual therapy is not appropriate, and that includes when privacy and safety are limited. In these cases, it is advisable to seek in-person care.