Psychiatry Referrals
It's estimated that nearly half of Canadians with a mood or anxiety disorder take psychiatric medication, and about one-third receive therapy along with medication. Medication can be an integral part of mental health treatment. The right medications can support better emotional regulation and mood stabilization. Based on your individual circumstances, they may also significantly reduce depressive or manic symptoms, hallucinations, and delusions.
However, taking medications isn't always straightforward. Because everyone's brain chemistry is inherently unique, it's hard to predict how certain drugs will work. Similarly, some medications take weeks or months for their full effects to unfold. Some people stop taking medication due to side effects, perceived lack of effectiveness, or forgetfulness. This can affect mental health treatment.
Psychiatrists are part of Alberta Health Services and are free for you to access with a referral. At Boreal Therapy Collective, every therapist has the credentials needed to refer you to one of our local psychiatrists or telepsychiatry services. If you and your therapist mutually agree, your therapist will refer you to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will meet with you to complete an assessment to determine whether medication is right for you. Your therapist will collaborate with your psychiatrist to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care.
Please note that you can also request a psychiatry referral from your family doctor.
Starting Therapy in Fort McMurray
How to Start Therapy
Beginning therapy with Boreal Therapy Collective is easy and requires no referral. You can book your initial assessment here.
Understanding Length of Therapy and Treatment
Your first appointment will be 90-minutes long. For all future appointments, you can choose to book for 1 hour or 90-minutes. During your first appointment, your therapist will ask you questions to better understand you and your areas of struggle. This is known as an assessment. Depending on how much you share, the assessment phase can last anywhere from one to three appointments. The assessment is critical. It helps you and your therapist understand your goals, and it helps your therapist develop a treatment plan to support you in achieving these goals.
After the assessment is complete, treatment begins! In the treatment phase, you will be introduced to a variety of skills to practice and implement to better manage your symptoms. Most people will have a therapy session every two weeks, and we recommend this for optimal treatment. Effective therapy typically takes somewhere between six to twelve appointments (for some more, others less). Many choose to continue therapy once formal treatment is complete. This is referred to as maintenance. People who do this typically have an appointment once every six to eight weeks. This is not a requirement and is a matter of personal choice.
Starting Therapy at Boreal Therapy Collective
Where We Are Located
We’re located at 8530 Manning Avenue, Unit 104. You’ll find us in the Service Canada building (on the side of the building that faces the Clearwater River). To check out our space, click here.
Parking is located at the front and back of the building. The front parking lot is closer to us but tends to fill up quickly. There is also an empty dirt lot adjacent to our office that many use for parking. If you park at the back (where Service Canada is located), you can walk around the building to reach our office. To learn more about parking, click here.
Importantly, you do not need to be in town for treatment. We offer in-person and virtual therapy and our therapists are happy to provide whatever option works best for you!
Rates & Benefit Coverage
Initial assessments are billed at a rate of $330.00 for a 90-minute appointment. Follow-up sessions are billed at a rate of $220.00/hour or $330.00/90-minutes (you can choose your preferred appointment length when booking).
Our social workers offer direct billing to 25+ benefit providers. Many benefit providers will cover a portion or the whole amount of your therapy session. With your consent, we will always direct bill your benefit provider first. Please note that our Registered Psychiatric Nurses are typically ineligible for direct billing.
If we are unable to direct bill, you can pay via email money transfer or credit card. You will be given a receipt once payment has been collected. For more information, click here.
