You deserve the highest quality of emotional & mental well-being in this life.
Below are some answers to common questions we receive regarding the therapy journey here at One Life Counselling and Coaching.
How do I know if therapy is for me?
Therapy is a proactive and empowering choice for anyone who is ready for change. It is a profound and transformative process that is accessible and beneficial to anyone who is ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing and personal growth.
How can I book an appointment?
You can book directly online, by email, or by phone. No referral is needed to see a psychologist in Calgary.
We can help connect you with a psychologist or therapist who understands your experience and your needs.
What is the intake process?
Once you’ve completed your booking, you’ll receive an email with a secure link to complete our confidential online intake form.
If booking a group session (couples, family), each participant will complete their own intake form.
How can I prepare for a first session?
If you’re new to therapy, congratulations on taking this brave and important step toward caring for yourself. Starting therapy can feel both exciting and a little uncertain, which is completely normal. We’ve put together some helpful tips to guide you and make your first session feel as comfortable and meaningful as possible.
What can I expect in a first session?
Starting therapy can feel exciting and a little nerve-wracking — that’s normal. Learn what to expect in your first session, how confidentiality is protected, and how you and your therapist will begin building a path forward, starting with your goals for therapy.
What is ongoing therapy like?
Therapy is often layered and unique to each person. While it’s impossible to know exactly what will come up or the paths your journey may take, your therapist will be there to support you every step of the way.
Together, you’ll explore, reflect, and create the meaningful changes you’re seeking.
You have one life to live!
Let us help you access your inner wisdom to stop waiting for your life to begin.
How do I know if therapy is for me?
Therapy is a powerful tool that can help individuals navigate the complexities of life, enhance their relationships, and cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves. It’s a process that provides a safe and confidential space for exploration, where one can gain insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It offers an opportunity to heal past wounds, challenge limiting beliefs, develop healthier coping mechanisms, create meaningful change, build resilience, and lead more fulfilling lives. Whether seeking guidance during a difficult transition, yearning for personal growth, or desiring to deepen connections with others, therapy is an invaluable resource that can support individuals, couples, and families in their pursuit of greater happiness, authenticity, and emotional well-being.
Request an Appointment
We make booking your first session easy! You can schedule an appointment directly on our booking site by clicking on the picture of the Calgary psychologist you want to work with and choose the date and time that works best for you. You can read about our counsellors training and therapeutic approaches on our team page. Want help with deciding who to work with? We would love to help you find the best therapist for you, give us a call at 1-888-540-5791 or email at [email protected]. Our intake coordinator will make a recommendation based on your specific situation and help you choose a therapist.
Our intake coordinator can also arrange for a FREE 20-minute phone consultation with one of our Calgary Psychologists. Consultation calls are helpful if you have specific questions about the therapeutic approaches a therapist might use for your given situation or circumstances.
The Intake Process
Once you book an appointment you will be sent a welcome email with a link to fill out an online intake form. This is an important step that shouldn’t take too long (10-15mins), but will save time in your very first session. It is valuable for our psychologist to have a brief overview of you and your background to help your therapists prepare for meeting you in the most meaningful way.
Preparing for a first session
Although the psychologist plays an important role, progress in therapy is largely dependent on your efforts to share honestly and openly about your problems, thoughts, and feelings. It can be helpful to bring a written list of what brought you to therapy or what you’d like to see differently in your life. Reflection is an integral part of self-development; therapy is a great time to invest in a journal.
A psychologist’s job is not to solve problems for you, but to help you in finding solutions. We all enter relationships with expectations of the other person. Get clear on what you expect from your therapist (ie. to ask questions, to teach you tools to develop skills, to challenge you, to interpret your situation, etc.) and what you expect of yourself. If necessary, the therapist will help to educate you about appropriate roles and behaviours for therapy.
Reflect on your preferences. Are there therapy approaches or treatments that have worked well for you in the past? What about ones that you would like for your therapist to avoid using? For example, some people like a combination of talk-therapy and psychodynamic body therapy, others like solely solution focused approaches.
Write down a list of questions you would like to ask about your psychologist, their therapeutic approaches, and the process of therapy. They will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Attending a first session
Welcome to your first therapy session! At One Life, we have years of experience in helping individuals and couples just like yourself navigate the complexities of their emotions and relationships. We understand that starting therapy can be an overwhelming and daunting experience for some, which is why we want to take a moment to explain what you can expect for your first session and journey with us.
Therapy is a confidential and safe space where you can share your deepest thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement. We will respect your privacy and confidentiality and will not share any information about your sessions with anyone without your explicit consent.
First and foremost, the first session is an opportunity for you to get to know your therapist and for them to get to know you. They will ask questions about your background, your current concerns, your preferences for therapeutic approaches, expectations you have of them (and yourself) and what you’d like to achieve through therapy (your goals). This is also a time for you to ask your therapist any questions you may have about the therapeutic process and their approach to therapy.
Your therapist will explain the basic principles of therapy, sharing how you will work together to achieve your goals. It’s important to understand that therapy is a process that takes time, and that progress can ebb and flow. With patience, commitment, and open communication, your psychologist will work with you to make meaningful changes in your life.
The process of therapy
Our therapists build upon the insights gained and will ultimatly help guide you in examining your attachment styles, conscious and unconscious patterns, and all the ways in which you might need to heal, grow and move forward in your life. Ongoing therapy at One Life is a dynamic journey that aims to transform the quality of your life and overall well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if therapy is what I need right now?
Knowing if you are ready for change and open to therapy requires a certain level of self-awareness and introspection. It starts with recognizing that you are experiencing difficulties or dissatisfaction in your life, whether it’s in your relationships, personal growth, or emotional well-being. You may notice patterns of behaviour that are causing distress or a sense of stagnation. This awareness is crucial because it indicates a readiness to explore new possibilities and make meaningful shifts in your life.
Openness to therapy involves a willingness to engage in self-reflection and vulnerability. It means being receptive to the idea that there may be blind spots or unresolved issues that could benefit from professional guidance.
It involves embracing the idea that change is possible and that personal growth is an ongoing journey. To know if you are ready for change and open to therapy, reflect on your willingness to engage in self-examination, your ability to be honest with yourself and others, and your readiness to take an active role in your own healing and transformation.
When you are open to therapy, you understand that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but rather a courageous step toward personal growth and healing. It involves recognizing that change requires effort and a commitment to self-discovery.
What are some possible outcomes of investing in therapy?
- Higher self-confidence
- Improved relationships
- More self-awareness
- Developing a positive mindset
- Less sabotaging behaviours
- Healing past trauma and wounds
- Reduced symptoms of anxiety & depression
- More meaningful connections
- Better sleep
- Improved overall well-being
- Greater clarity
- More motivation
- Fulfilment at work
- Repairing relationships
- Greater capacity for love
- Improving intrusive thoughts
- Re-inventing yourself
Stress reduction - Increased performance and productivity
- Enhanced resilience
- Improved decision making
- Processing grief
How long does therapy last?
Therapy is a deeply personal and transformative journey that unfolds at its own pace. The length of therapy varies greatly and depends on the unique needs, circumstances, and goals of each individual or couple. Some people benefit from short-term therapy, where they focus on a specific issue and work towards resolution. Therapy could last anywhere from a few weeks to several months (and sometimes years). There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the duration of therapy, as it is an ongoing conversation between the therapist and the client, adapting and evolving as the person or couple evolves.
Many individuals find that long-term therapy offers the opportunity for profound personal growth and a deeper exploration of their inner selves. It is through this extended engagement that the therapeutic relationship can truly deepen, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
We recommend clients begin with weekly or bi-weekly sessions to gain the momentum necessary to engage in therapy.
How do I get to your office?
We are located on the third floor of The Varsity Medical Building: 8 Varsity Estates Circle NW Suite 300, Calgary, AB T3A 2Z3.
FREE parking is available out front of the building and requires registering at the kiosk beside the elevator or at our 3rd floor reception desk.
You will enter the building through double glass doors on the south side next to the pharmacy. You have the option of stairs or an elevator to reach us on the third floor. If your session is during the building’s working hours, the main doors will be open and our office manager will greet you on the third floor.
Important: If you arrive after hours (including weekends), the front doors may be locked and our therapist will meet you at the double glass doors shortly before your appointment time.
Will my sessions with a Calgary Psychologist be covered by my health benefit insurance?
The majority of insurance providers cover Registered Psychologists and Registered Provisional Psychologists. Some of our team members are psychotherapists and are not always covered so it can be best to check in advance with your provider to confirm if your coverage will be available. Please call us and we can provide you with our practitioner’s professional titles, licences and registration numbers to share with your provider.
We believe in our client's ability to transform, heal and grow.
Contact One Life
Today
You don’t have to navigate this alone.
We can help connect you with psychologist or therapist who understands your experience and your needs.
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
— Nelson Mandela
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