Fees and Insurance

Know the cost before you start. All amounts below are in Canadian dollars. Online therapy sessions are 50 minutes; a first phone consultation is free and lasts 15 minutes.

All sessions are online by secure video, for people who are physically in Alberta at the time of the session.

Start with a free consultation

Session fees

PsychologistSessionFee
Kyle Poon, M.Ed., R.PsychIndividual session, 50 minutes$250
Marissa Whalley, MC, R.PsychIndividual or couples session, 50 minutes$235
Kyle or MarissaFree phone consultation for new clients, 15 minutes$0

Kyle sees adults, including older adults (65+). Marissa sees individuals aged 16 and older, and couples. If you're not sure who to see, start with the free consult or meet our team.

How often we meet is up to you. We work it out together, based on what fits you best, including your finances and your coverage.

Direct billing to most insurance companies

We can bill most insurance companies directly. When we bill your plan, you only pay whatever it doesn't cover, and you don't have to submit a claim and wait for a refund.

Tell us about your plan at your free consult. We'll confirm before your first session whether we can bill it directly. If we can't, you pay for your session and claim it back from your plan with your receipt.

A notebook, pen and flower on a table

Insurance plans we work with

See insurance plans and what to check

Many extended health plans cover Registered Psychologists, but plans vary. Before you start, check your annual maximum (the yearly limit on what your plan pays) and whether you need a doctor's referral.

Between them, our psychologists work with these plans:

  • Alberta Blue Cross
  • Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP)
  • Beneva (formerly SSQ)
  • Canada Life (formerly Great-West Life)
  • Canadian Construction Workers Union (CCWU) Benefit Trust Fund
  • Chambers Plan
  • Desjardins
  • Equitable Life of Canada
  • First Canadian Health and CINUP (Johnston Group)
  • First Nations Health Authority
  • Green Shield Canada
  • GroupHEALTH
  • iA Financial Group
  • Manulife
  • Maximum Benefit
  • Medavie Blue Cross
  • Physician Support Network
  • Sun Life
  • TELUS Health
  • The Co-operators
  • Unify Consulting Group

Your plan's details decide what's covered, so check with your plan even if it's listed here. A plan that isn't listed may still cover you, and we may still be able to bill it directly.

Funding programs we bill directly

Funding programs. Once your coverage is confirmed and any needed approval is in place, we bill these programs directly:

  • Veterans Affairs Canada, through Medavie Blue Cross
  • RCMP, through Medavie Blue Cross
  • Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
  • WCB-Alberta
  • Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRS RHSP)

These programs are available for sessions with Kyle or Marissa. If you're not sure which program applies to you, ask us at your free consult.

Programs that can cover therapy

Read program eligibility and coverage details

Several programs can pay for therapy if you qualify. Here's a short summary of each, with links to the full details.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). If you have an approved VAC disability benefit, Treatment Benefits cover psychological services through your Medavie Blue Cross card. Some treatment needs pre-authorization the first time, and VAC says to allow up to six weeks for processing.

Since April 2022, Mental Health Benefits have covered psychological treatment right away for former CAF members while VAC decides their claim. This applies if you've applied for a disability benefit for an anxiety, depressive, or trauma- and stressor-related condition. It lasts up to 2 years or until a favourable decision, with no separate application.

We also see serving Canadian Armed Forces members. While you serve, your care is covered by the CAF health system rather than VAC, so ask your CAF health services team about a referral and coverage. Read more about therapy for Veterans and military members.

RCMP. Serving members' benefits are through Medavie Blue Cross. Counselling is initially covered for up to 6 hours individually, plus 6 hours as a couple or family.

More needs pre-authorization from your divisional psychologist (the RCMP psychologist for your area). The psychologist you see must be registered with the RCMP claims administrator.

Former members with an RCMP disability pension, administered by VAC, get Treatment Benefits through Medavie. Read more about therapy for first responders.

NIHB Mental Health Counselling. This Indigenous Services Canada benefit is for First Nations people registered under the Indian Act, and recognized Inuit. It covers an initial assessment plus up to 20 counselling sessions (22 hours) per 12 months. Prior approval is needed after the assessment.

Enrolled providers bill NIHB directly, so you pay nothing for approved sessions. Alberta NIHB regional office: 1-800-232-7301.

IRS RHSP. The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program offers counselling for survivors and their family members, regardless of status or where they live. Counselling is provided by psychologists registered with Indigenous Services Canada. Alberta regional office: 1-888-495-6588.

WCB-Alberta. For some occupations, WCB-Alberta presumes that PTSD and other traumatic psychological injuries are work-related. These are firefighters, paramedics, police and peace officers; correctional officers and emergency dispatchers (since 2018); and registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (since July 2025).

Other workers can still make a psychological injury claim without the presumption. WCB may approve your own psychologist if they work with WCB on return-to-work planning. Approved treatment is paid directly.

Victims of crime. The Alberta Victims of Crime Assistance Program offers support, including counselling, for victims of serious crimes in Alberta. The crime must be reported to police, but you don't need to wait for a charge or conviction. Apply within 2 years.

Contact your local victim services unit, or call 780-427-7217 (toll-free via 310-0000). Ask your victim services unit how counselling can be covered.

Tax

Read GST and medical expense information

GST. Psychological services for a health purpose are GST-exempt, so no GST is added to your session fees.

Medical expense tax credit. Psychologists' fees qualify for the medical expense tax credit, for amounts not reimbursed by a plan. Keep your receipts for tax time.

Payment methods

Most clients pay by Interac e-Transfer. We also accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. If we bill your insurance directly, you only pay the part your plan doesn't cover.

Cancellation policy

We understand that plans change. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give us at least 24 hours' notice.

Late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) and missed sessions are charged the full session fee. Current clients can manage their bookings in Owl Practice.

If cost is a barrier

Therapy is a real cost, and it's okay to talk about it. Alberta Health Care (AHCIP) doesn't cover psychologists, so it helps to know what else is available:

  • Veterans, former RCMP members and families: the VAC Assistance Service is free and available 24/7 at 1-800-268-7708.
  • Eligible First Nations and Inuit clients: NIHB covers an assessment and approved counselling with enrolled providers, at no cost to you.
  • Victims of crime: ask your local victim services unit how counselling can be covered.
  • Work-related injuries: WCB-Alberta pays for approved treatment directly (see above).
  • Tax time: fees your plan didn't reimburse qualify for the medical expense tax credit.
  • Finding other services: call or text 2-1-1 (211 Alberta), any time, to find services in your community.

If cost is a worry, tell us at your free consult. We'll talk honestly about your options. If another service would suit you better, we'll help you find an appropriate referral.

Common questions

Is the free consultation really free?

Yes. The 15-minute phone consultation costs nothing, and there's no obligation to book sessions afterwards. It's a chance to ask questions, including about fees and coverage.

Do you bill my insurance directly?

In most cases, yes. We can bill most insurance companies directly, so you only pay the part your plan doesn't cover. Tell us your plan at your free consult, and we'll confirm before your first session.

Do I need a doctor's referral?

Not to see us. Some benefit plans need a referral before they'll pay, though, so check your plan before your first session.

Will my plan cover couples therapy?

It depends on your plan. Before you start, ask whether couples sessions with a Registered Psychologist are covered and how to claim them. Marissa's couples sessions are $235 for 50 minutes.

What if my coverage runs out partway through therapy?

Let us know as early as you can, ideally before it happens. Some programs have limits too. NIHB covers up to 20 counselling sessions per 12 months, and RCMP counselling beyond the first 6 individual hours needs pre-authorization.

We'll look at your options together, such as other coverage, paying privately or an appropriate referral.

Start with a free consultation

Written by Kyle Poon, M.Ed., R.Psych, EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant · Reviewed September 2026

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