Welcome to One Tree Psychological and Therapeutic services. We provide in-person, virtual or telephone counselling services for children, youth and adults affected by many psychological concerns. Our staff is diversely trained to ensure that each person receives the right treatment for their unique concerns.
Goals of Therapy
Information, skills and support so you can regain your personal power
Understand, express and integrate your feelings
Move through your experience to a life that is less impacted by what happened
Before your first session
Our office manager will be sending you intake and consent forms. These will need to be filled out and sent back prior to your first session. We will also be collecting insurance and payment details.
Based on your preference or specific concerns, we will place you with the best available clinician tosuit your needs.
During your first session
We want to get to know you better:
– Going over your initial consent form
– Gathering information about your symptoms and how they affect your life
– Your current needs and expectations
– Other factors in your life impacted by psychological challenges
After your first session
As you process new ways of thinking, you may experience:
– Tiredness
– Irritability
– Vulnerability
– Discomfort
These can be part of the change process. They may feel unsettling initially but can lead to growth and change.
Safety Concerns
A certain Degree of discomfort is common in therapy, especially at first. However, if you do not feel comfortable with your assigned therapist, you can ask for referrals for other therapists. Any reports of sexual misconduct or abuse will be reported to the appropriate regulatory body. If our staff become aware that there is a conflict of interest or if their own personal experiences will interfere with their ability to provide you with the best care possible, they may talk to you about transferring to another therapist.
The Relationship with my Therapist
Counselling is different from talking to a friend or family member. You may share important and personal details you usually keep private. As you form a strong therapeutic relationship, the content of the sessions stays focused on your life.
A professional code of conduct means we cannot:
Have a familial, business or romantic relationship with former or current clients
Give advice we are not qualified for (i.e. legal, medical, financial, etc.)
Give or receive gifts from clients or attend personal parties/events of ours
Be your supervisor, teacher or evaluator while also engaging in counselling with you
Practice outside of our jurisdiction. If you are going to be out of province for your remote session, discuss this with your therapists ahead of time
If we see each other in public
– Your therapist will not acknowledge you unless you acknowledge them first
– Your therapist will let you take lead in the conversation – you can discuss whatever you feel comfortable with and they will follow your lead
– If asked where your therapist knows you from by their peers or your peers, they will defer the question to you
– We always aim to be courteous and avoid being rude. If you feel that your therapist did not handle seeing you in public well, please let them know so that you can discuss how to better handle the situation
Communication
Should we need to contact you, we will try to reach you by phone, text or email. Any email or message you send will be added to your file. You may leave messages for the Office Manager and the Office Manager may be the one to respond to emails that you send to the clinicians.
Confidentiality & Privacy
Information related to your counselling is only shared with your consent, except:
Therapists meet with their supervisors on a regular basis to discuss clients to get feedback, support and new ideas. Therapists are legally responsible to disclose your information without consent when:
Reporting to appropriate authorities to get supports if a vulnerable person is at risk of abuse, violence or neglect
Reporting to the appropriate authorities to get supports if you intend to harm yourself or someone else
Providing files subpoenaed by court
If a complaint is made to a therapist’s regulatory body, then file information may be shared during the investigation
Minors
All legal guardians must sign consent forms for a therapist to see a child or youth under 18 years old. Client-therapist confidentiality with the child or youth will be maintained unless there is a clear indication the child is in danger.
Mature Minors
If you are under the age of 18 and are wanting to pursue counselling without your guardian(s) consent, in some cases your therapist can assess if you qualify to be treated as a mature minor. This is based on your understanding of therapy, the risks and benefits, and your ability to make value-based decisions.
Storage and Access of Information
Confidential progress notes, sand tray pictures, and pictures of art are kept for all sessions. Clinical records are saved according to PIPPA requirements.
Should you wish to access your clinical files, you may do so by completing a formal request. Clinical records are maintained for 11 years after services. If there is disclosure of sexual abuse, clinical records are maintained indefinitely.
Client Rights and Responsibilities
Be treated with dignity and respect
Ask for what you need, be heard and move at your own pace
Timely, confidential and compassionate therapy services
Withdraw consent for therapy at any time in writing
Say ‘I don’t know’ or ‘no’ to any services, ideas or suggestions
Concerns
You are encouraged to speak directly with your therapist if you have any concerns. If your concerns are still not resolved, you have the right to contact the therapist’s supervisor. Further unresolved conflicts can be reported to the therapist’s regulatory/licensing body.
Cancelling an Appointment
You have the responsibility to inform your therapist if you will be late or absent
If an appointment is missed or cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, you will be charged for the full appointment
If you no show/late cancel more than 3 times in a row, no further appointments will be booked
Insurance companies often do not cover no show/late cancel fees; it is your responsibility to pay this fee
Termination of Therapy Services
You may choose to stop counselling at any time, however, we ask you discuss this with your therapist first. If you or your therapist feel another person may be better suited to support you, appropriate referrals will be made before counselling is terminated.
If you are having a mental health emergency
Please go to your nearest hospital emergency department or contact one of these crisis numbers:
– Canadian Mental Health Association 24/7 Distress Line – 780-482-4357
– Alberta Mental Health Line – 1-877-303-2642
– Access 24/7 – 780-424-2424
If you have any questions please contact us
onetreepsychological.ca
780-886-5471
contact@onetreepsychological.ca
