Frequently Asked Questions
What are your wait times?
Wait times for NEW clients vary based on several factors, including service demand and clinician availability. Typically, wait times range from 2 to 4 months for services unless someone new starts at our clinic.
Please know that the wait for service is ONLY for new clients seeking an initial appointment. We limit the number of new clients we take so that you can easily access follow-up appointments once you become a client. After all, what is the point of starting services if you can’t continue them at a pace that works for you? We do our best to maintain a schedule where follow-up appointments are available within 1-3 weeks.
For most clinicians, you can find out how long it will take to start services by checking our online booking page. Please choose the type of initial appointment you need and the clinician best suited to your needs. If no initial appointment options pop up, the wait time is likely more than four months. If the wait time is longer than four months to start services, you are still welcome to contact us and ask about booking options. We are willing to schedule initial appointments with new clients as far ahead as six months. We do not offer to put new clients on a waitlist. We would rather provide you with an appointment time that you can count on.
We understand that a long wait for services can be very difficult. If you or your child are having significant struggles in day-to-day functioning, we can put you on a cancellation list. We only offer the cancellation list to those clients we deem more clinically urgent. We understand that most people would like an earlier appointment, and we are actively managing our schedules all the time to make this happen. If one of our schedules opens up (i.e., due to less demand for services, new times being offered, or cancellations occurring), we will do our best to offer all new clients earlier initial appointment times. This typically happens a couple of times a year. There is no guarantee that an earlier appointment will become available, but we will let you know if it does!
What are your fees?
The rate for Psychology services is currently $200.00 per hour, and the rate for Counselling services is $170.00 per hour. Please note that as of October 1, 2025, our hourly rate for psychology services will increase to $235, in line with updated PAS fee guidelines.
Psychology rates are set according to the recommendation of the Psychological Association of Saskatchewan. Many clients have extended health benefits through employee plans, which may provide full or partial coverage for psychology or counselling services. Please check with your insurance provider to determine what services are covered.
For more detailed costs of an assessment, you can check out these quotes:
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
We understand that life happens! We ask that you provide at least 48 hours’ notice of cancellation to avoid a cancellation fee and give us time to offer your appointment to someone else.
If you need to reschedule an appointment, please give us a call or rebook online using your account. Please note that not showing up for your appointment or last-minute cancellations will result in a cancellation fee. Cancelled appointments without 48 hours notice will be charged an amount equal to half the cost of your appointment. Payment will be required before follow-up appointments can be made.
Please note that if you choose to reschedule your initial appointment, there could be a long wait to start services again. Our schedules are carefully managed to allow our current clients the best access to follow-up care. This includes limiting the number of new client appointments we offer each month.
Do you direct bill?
We do not direct bill to insurance providers. We only direct bill to organizations that require it, including NIHB, Jordan’s Principal, Regina Police Services EFAP, and Victim Services.
Payment is due at the time of your appointment, and we will provide a receipt that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Please check with your insurance provider to see what services are covered. You will want to find out what providers are covered (i.e., registered psychologist, registered social worker, and/or certified counsellor), how much coverage you have, what type of services are covered (i.e., assessment, therapy or both) and how much reimbursement each family member is entitled to per year. Psychological services not covered by insurance are tax-deductible medical expenses.
What types of payment do you accept?
For your convenience, we accept cheques, cash, credit cards, and e-transfers.
Many people with personal health insurance have extended coverage, which may cover all or a portion of services. We will provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your health insurance plan for reimbursement. Please review the details of your coverage to see whether your plan includes coverage for services and if you require pre-approval or a physician’s referral.
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
We do not need a referral to begin providing therapy or assessment services.
We welcome referrals from other professionals or specialists such as teachers, principals, speech-language pathologists, social workers, psychologists, family physicians, pediatricians, or psychiatrists. Some insurance providers require a physician referral to qualify for reimbursement. Please check with your provider for details.
While we do not require a referral, there are times when informing your doctor of your concerns before starting services is important. For instance, before you begin an assessment, it is essential for you to speak with your doctor about your concerns and ask for a medical rule-out. Various physiological problems can mimic neurodevelopment or mental health problems, and these should be ruled out before a psychological assessment is completed. For instance, low iron can result in difficulties concentrating or learning, and thyroid issues can cause feelings of anxiety or depression.
What if parents are not together?
If parents are separated, divorced, or never cohabitated following the birth of their child, then there is joint custody of the child and consent from both parents would be needed for services to be provided to your child.
Legal guardians need to consent and agree for services to be provided to children and youth. Exceptions to this include being unable to locate the other parent or having a court order stipulating one parent has authority over health care decisions. In the case of a court order, we require a copy for our records.
If you are seeking parenting support only and your child will not be seen, the other parent’s consent is not required. In this case, the file is opened under the name of the parent seeking services.
If the other parent’s whereabouts are unknown and it is not possible to obtain their consent, you can sign a consent form indicating this.
Some joint custody situations are tricky; trust us when we say we have seen it all, and we understand. We are bound ethically and legally to do our best to obtain consent from both parents before seeing a minor. However, we do not want to be an obstacle to your child accessing mental health services. We will do our best to obtain consent from each parent, even if one is not interested in participating in services or has minimal involvement in your child’s life. Also, it is helpful to remember that the initial appointment is for parents only, so we do not require consent from the other parent for this appointment. In the case of challenging or sensitive joint custody situations, it is often best to discuss your situation with your clinician at the initial appointment. This way, you can agree to a plan together, and your clinician can answer any questions.
What should I expect from the first session?
The first session is an opportunity to meet your psychologist or counsellor and discuss in detail what brought you in for services.
This includes a review of your or your child’s history and a clinical interview, followed by discussing a plan for treatment or assessment. We will discuss consent for services and how your information is kept private and confidential. Before your first appointment, we ask you to complete the online intake forms. This saves time in the first appointment, allowing the discussion to focus more on your specific concerns.
This appointment is booked for 80 minutes, 30 extra minutes compared to most follow-up sessions. We find that 95% of the time, the typical 50-minute appointment is not sufficient for gathering all the information we need to create a plan for services. Should you be the 5% that only requires 50 minutes for an initial appointment, then that is the time we will take and charge accordingly.
Therapy follow up sessions will be 50 minutes. Assessment follow-up sessions vary between 30 minutes and 2.5 hours, depending on the service provided.
How should I prepare for my first session?
Great question! Preparing for your first session with a psychologist or counsellor can help you make the most of the experience and ensure that you start building a productive therapeutic relationship. Here’s a checklist to help you prepare:
- Identify Your Goals:
Think about what you want to achieve. Reflect on why you’re seeking therapy and what you hope to gain from it. Are you looking to address specific issues, develop coping strategies, or gain insight into certain aspects of your life? - Reflect on Your (or your child’s) History:
Consider any relevant background information, such as significant life events, family history, or any previous mental health issues. When you book your first appointment, you will also have the opportunity to complete an history form for your clinician to review before meeting you. - Prepare Your Questions:
Prepare any questions you might have about the psychologist’s approach, qualifications, or what to expect in therapy or assessment. - Gather Relevant Documents:
If you have any relevant health evaluations, previous psychological assessments, or medical documentation, bring this documentation or be prepared to discuss it. - Practice Open Communication:
Remember that the psychologist is there to help you, and honesty will lead to the most effective therapy.
Share what you’re hoping to achieve and any concerns or fears you may have about the therapy process. - Consider Practicalities:
Confirm the date, time, and location of your appointment. If applicable, understand how payment will be handled and review your insurance coverage. - Self-Care:
It’s normal to feel nervous or apprehensive. Try to approach the session with an open mind and a willingness to explore your feelings. Consider using relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or mindfulness, before the session, to help calm any anxiety. - Make A List:
It can be helpful to jot down your goals, specific concerns, questions, etc. before the session.
Should I bring my child/youth to the first appointment?
We request that parents/guardians attend the initial session without their child.
The initial appointment is an opportunity for your psychologist or counsellor to understand your concerns and reasons for requesting service. Parents typically have a wealth of information about their child’s current and historical strengths and concerns that are important in developing an appropriate treatment or assessment plan. Parents of younger children often have information that would be difficult to share with their child present. Even for parents of older youth, having that initial session without your child allows you to share your perspective, participate in developing a plan for services, and understand the role you will have in your child receiving services.
How do I prepare my child for services?
Take a few minutes to talk with your child about why they are going for therapy or assessment.
Try to be honest but age appropriate and keep it simple. You can talk about the challenges they have been having, that you want the best for them and that you decided to ask for help. Let them know of the appointment ahead of time, so they can feel prepared.
How do I know if my child needs an assessment?
- Is your child struggling to learn in school?
- Does your child have difficulty following directions and is easily distracted?
- Is your child restless and impulsive?
- Does your child have difficulty interacting with peers?
- Does your child seem much younger than other children the same age or behind in meeting developmental milestones?
- Is your child’s teacher concerned about attention, learning, emotional or behavioural problems?
- Does your child’s emotions cause impairment in their ability to live their life with relative ease?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, an assessment may help provide some insight on how to support your child.
Before beginning an assessment, it is important to speak with your doctor about your concerns and ask for a medical rule-out. Various physiological problems can mimic neurodevelopment or mental health problems, and these should be ruled out before a psychological assessment is completed. For instance, low iron can result in difficulties concentrating or learning, and thyroid issues can cause feelings of anxiety or depression.
How much does an assessment cost?
Assessment services are charged based on the standard hourly psychology rate. The total cost can vary based on several factors, including the reason for the assessment, how many appointments it takes, the types of assessment methods used (testing, questionnaires, interviews, etc.), and the complexity of the concerns.
We understand each client is unique and deserves an assessment based on their circumstances. Even with common assessments, there can be small variations in cost based on individual factors. However, this allows us to provide a comprehensive and personalized service.
Depending on the evaluation, assessments may cost anywhere from $1400 to $3200. Payment is made after each appointment or assessment piece is complete. A larger payment for the written report is typically required at the end of the assessment.
It is important to remember that all services begin with an initial appointment, which helps determine the most beneficial use of services in terms of time, cost, and positive outcome for the client. After the initial appointment, your psychologist will be able to give you an estimated cost for services and a breakdown of the costs. Don’t want to wait? Check out our assessment quotes for each age population we serve, under “Services”. We do our best to be as transparent as possible!
Assessments are resource-intensive services (i.e., high cost and a lot of time involved), and a decision to complete an assessment should be made carefully. Psychologists are ethically bound to provide services that are in the best interests of their clients. So, even if an assessment is the initial request, your psychologist will help you determine whether an assessment is the best use of resources to help you or your child and what that assessment might look like. This is typically determined within the initial session but can occur at any point in services.
Is my information kept private?
All information provided during services is kept confidential and may not be shared without your written and informed consent.
When you share personal information with a psychologist or counsellor, you can trust that it is handled with the utmost care and respect. This information is not only necessary for receiving the best possible service, but it also helps us understand you better. It is common practice to consult with other qualified practitioners, but this is always done anonymously and only to provide you with the highest quality of care.
Although no health information will be communicated without your consent, it is important to note that there are specific and limited exceptions to this confidentiality, which include the following:
A. When there is a risk of imminent danger to a client or another person, psychologists and counsellors are ethically and legally bound to take necessary steps to prevent such danger. This may include contacting relevant authorities even if the client does not want them to do so.
B. When there is a reasonable suspicion that a child, elder, or any vulnerable person is being sexually, physically, emotionally or psychologically abused or neglected or is at risk of such abuse, psychologists and counsellors are legally required to take steps to protect the person and to inform the proper authorities.
C. When a client becomes involved in a legal case, the judge has a right to subpoena any information relevant to this legal problem, which could also include a client’s health records. If court-ordered, psychologists and counsellors must comply with the request to release confidential information.
D. Psychologists and counsellors are required to report any compromised driving ability to SGI.
E. If a client files a complaint against their psychologist to the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists, the psychologist may need to release information from the client’s file to the investigating body to evaluate and address the concerns.
What if I feel uncomfortable?
In addition to providing ethical and evidence-based services, our goal is always to practice as compassionate and non-judgmental practitioners.
We believe in human integrity, dignity, and equality. It is an inherent risk in assessment and therapy to have discomfort as you or your child explore uncomfortable feelings and issues that have been causing problems. We will try our best to make you feel comfortable, and you may ask as many questions as you need to feel at ease.
Are you able to diagnose?
All of our registered psychologists can diagnose.
Important to note, though, is that each psychologist specializes in different populations and mental health or developmental concerns. This means they may be competent to diagnose one condition but not another. Please look at each clinician’s bio to find out what areas of practice and populations they provide services for.
Can you prescribe medication?
No. We are not able to prescribe medication.
Only physicians and nurse practitioners can prescribe medication. This would include a family physician, pediatrician and psychiatrist. These professionals have the medical training that psychologists and counsellors do not. We are always happy to consult with other professionals, like doctors, to discuss our clinical opinion and the services we are providing to our clients. Occasionally, we suggest clients consider discussing medication as a treatment option with their doctor. In the end, though, the decision to use medication to treat is made between the doctor or nurse practitioner and their patient.
I am a professional wanting to make a referral, how do I do that?
If you would like to make a referral, please contact us directly to discuss or send a referral letter.
In the referral letter please include the client’s name, parent/legal guardian’s name(s) if a child/youth, date of birth, phone number, address, and the reason for referral.
Elements Psychology
1701 McDonald Street
Regina, SK
S4N 6A9PH: (306) 910-7511
Fax: (306) 205-3120