Therapy Services
Frequently Asked Questions
At Begin Psychology, we know that every counselling experience is unique.
Here are some additional insights to help you decide if Begin is right for you.
How long does therapy typically last?
Therapy is a fluid process with a wide range of timeframes. Some clients require only two or three sessions to see major progress, while others may benefit from a dozen or more sessions, especially when working through complex, deeply rooted issue. No matter how long the therapeutic journey, deciding on treatment goals and duration is a mutual process.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes, Begin offers a 15-minute free consultation to help you decide if your clinician is right for you. Please click here to submit our online form to make a phone consultation request.
What is EMDR therapy?
Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a structured treatment that asks clients to focus on a traumatic memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (BLS). The bilateral stimulation may be received through eye moments (i.e., tracking a dot or other image on a screen as it moves back and forth), auditory processes (i.e., listening to a preferred sound as it moves from side to side using earbuds or headphones, such as music or nature sounds), or through tactile measures (i.e., clients tap themselves on each shoulder, one shoulder at a time, using the 'butterfly hug'). While you are aware the entire time, it is as though you are on a train, with the memory floating by from a safe distance. This process helps you experience reduced vividness and emotion of the traumatic memory.
Does EMDR therapy work?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched and effective therapeutic method proven to help people recover from trauma and trauma-related symptoms. Positive clinical outcomes have also shown EMDR therapy to be helpful for the treatment of other mental-health issues, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and other distressing life experiences.*
​
*Source: EMDR International Association (Maxfield, 2019)
What training is required to provide EMDR therapy?
Formalized training is required to practice EMDR. Your clinician is a Full Member of the EMDR International Association, having completed an EMDRIA-Approved EMDR Basic Training Curriculum requiring 20 hours of instructional material, 20 hours of supervised practicum, and 10 hours of consultation. Please visit the EMDR International Association for more information.
How will I know if I'm ready for therapy?
The first time you (or your child or teen) meets your clinician, you may not know if you are ready to proceed. You may finish the first session, or even the second or third, and still not know that you are ready for all that might come next. And that's ok! Your clinician will walk with you through these early moments (metaphorically, of course!), support you as you take each new step, and encourage you to take a breath (or a full-fledged break) at any time along the way. You are always the one in control of the therapeutic process.
Does Begin offer couples or family therapy?
Begin does not offer therapy for couples or families. If you are looking for a family or couples therapist, please refer to the Psychologists' Association of Alberta online referral service.
Are therapy fees tax deductible?
If you are not covered under an insurance plan, you may be able to utilize your Begin Psychology receipt(s) as a medical expense for income tax purposes in Canada. Please consult with your tax professional for further information and guidance.