Will our appointments be in person or by video?
In Person: During COVID, I am able to see clients with appropriate precautions in place. You will be asked to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer (provided). I will be sanitizing between clients and ensuring more time between clients to facilitate this. I will ask that you complete the Daily Screening Checklist by Alberta Health Services. If a household member is positive, or you have symptoms, I will ask that you do your session by video or rebook.
Covid Screening Checklist: https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/22ef201e-7764-4f7a-91ae-788e8ea2e1df/resource/4a71e822-552e-4e05-9bb6-eb6e2c3b86bd/download/covid-19-information-alberta-health-daily-checklist-2022-02.pdf
Video: This will be through secure and PIPEDA compliant platform (Owl Practice). You will login to your client portal where you can join your video up to 30min before your scheduled session begins.
Tips for a great Video session:
In Person: During COVID, I am able to see clients with appropriate precautions in place. You will be asked to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer (provided). I will be sanitizing between clients and ensuring more time between clients to facilitate this. I will ask that you complete the Daily Screening Checklist by Alberta Health Services. If a household member is positive, or you have symptoms, I will ask that you do your session by video or rebook.
Covid Screening Checklist: https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/22ef201e-7764-4f7a-91ae-788e8ea2e1df/resource/4a71e822-552e-4e05-9bb6-eb6e2c3b86bd/download/covid-19-information-alberta-health-daily-checklist-2022-02.pdf
Video: This will be through secure and PIPEDA compliant platform (Owl Practice). You will login to your client portal where you can join your video up to 30min before your scheduled session begins.
Tips for a great Video session:
- headphones for best sound quality
- access to good wifi or wired internet
- ask others to stay off video streaming, especially with limited bandwith
- restart your computer before the session
- clear your cache in your browser
- find a private space where you can talk uninterrupted. You can make a “do not disturb” sign.
- Troubleshooting: restart your session or call/text/email Kelsey to troubleshoot, continue as a phone session, or reschedule
Do you Direct Bill?
I currently can direct bill to Blue Cross and ASEBP. If you have another carrier, I recommend you call them prior to your first appointment to check they cover a Masters level Social Worker and how much per session they will cover and the yearly cap.
I currently can direct bill to Blue Cross and ASEBP. If you have another carrier, I recommend you call them prior to your first appointment to check they cover a Masters level Social Worker and how much per session they will cover and the yearly cap.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This specialized therapy approach has been practiced since 1987 and has dozens of randomized control trials showing the efficacy for trauma and other issues.
EMDR works a little like REM sleep, where using back and forth eye movements while thinking about the target memory can help the brain process the memory so it is no longer disturbing. Like taking that stack of bills littering your desk and neatly paying them and filing them all away. This is because difficult things in our lives (things that are traumatic, confusing, or hurtful) can get stuck in our brain and our systems without a way of releasing. This can create triggers for stress, anxiety, panic, and other symptoms to flare up. Sometimes you know the trigger, and sometimes you don't. EMDR can help you deal with the trigger. Once each target is dealt with in EMDR, it is done, and you do not need to revisit what has been processed again.
Is EMDR like being hypnotized?
Although there are elements of EMDR that can be linked to clinical hypnosis, it is not hypnotism. You are in complete control during all parts of the EMDR process, I am merely your guide. EMDR also works well with many other therapy approaches, such as, DBT, CBT, and Somatic interventions.
Can I get started on EMDR right away?
EMDR has 8 phases, the first being history taking and the second being client preparation. Since you will be bringing up oftentimes painful memories, we will begin with ensuring you have enough resources to deal with your memories. This means our first sessions are dedicated to these two phases. Depending on your needs, we may spend more or less time preparing you, as we don't want EMDR to flood you with negative emotions from those memories. That means, as with any therapy, there is always a risk. I want to make sure you have the best possible experience and can leave feeling better than when you entered my office.
How can I learn more about EMDR?
You can watch a video here
Or you can go to the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This specialized therapy approach has been practiced since 1987 and has dozens of randomized control trials showing the efficacy for trauma and other issues.
EMDR works a little like REM sleep, where using back and forth eye movements while thinking about the target memory can help the brain process the memory so it is no longer disturbing. Like taking that stack of bills littering your desk and neatly paying them and filing them all away. This is because difficult things in our lives (things that are traumatic, confusing, or hurtful) can get stuck in our brain and our systems without a way of releasing. This can create triggers for stress, anxiety, panic, and other symptoms to flare up. Sometimes you know the trigger, and sometimes you don't. EMDR can help you deal with the trigger. Once each target is dealt with in EMDR, it is done, and you do not need to revisit what has been processed again.
Is EMDR like being hypnotized?
Although there are elements of EMDR that can be linked to clinical hypnosis, it is not hypnotism. You are in complete control during all parts of the EMDR process, I am merely your guide. EMDR also works well with many other therapy approaches, such as, DBT, CBT, and Somatic interventions.
Can I get started on EMDR right away?
EMDR has 8 phases, the first being history taking and the second being client preparation. Since you will be bringing up oftentimes painful memories, we will begin with ensuring you have enough resources to deal with your memories. This means our first sessions are dedicated to these two phases. Depending on your needs, we may spend more or less time preparing you, as we don't want EMDR to flood you with negative emotions from those memories. That means, as with any therapy, there is always a risk. I want to make sure you have the best possible experience and can leave feeling better than when you entered my office.
How can I learn more about EMDR?
You can watch a video here
Or you can go to the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
What is the difference between a Counselor, a Social Worker, a Psychologist, and a Psychiatrist
Social Worker *hey this is me!!*: A Masters level social worker is trained to provide various forms of psychotherapy, often with an emphasis of the person in environment. This means we look at more than what is wrong, we look at how your environment may or may not contribute to it, as the whole person and their system is important to us! Social Workers are regulated in Alberta as part of the Health Professions Act.
Counselor/Psychotherapist/Therapist: Usually (but not always) a Masters level professional trained in psychotherapy. May or may not be registered with a regulatory body (a licence to practice, legislated by the government) but may belong to an association. An association does not have the authority to discipline its members like regulatory body does for violations of ethics or other breaches.
Psychologist: At least a Masters level (to be registered in Alberta) clinician that may be trained in psychological assessments, and will be trained in some form of psychotherapy. Often their schooling is focused on the person and pathology. Also regulated in Alberta as part of the Health Professions Act.
Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Registered Nurses: Both are regulated professions under the Health Professions Act. When working in mental health, they may have engaged in further training to provide therapy and psychosocial interventions. Ask about their training and experience!
Psychiatrist (MD): A medical doctor with a specialization in psychiatry. These are the only mental health clinicians which may prescribe medications (please note some health programs allow for specific and limited prescribing abilities for Registered Psychiatric Nurses). You must have a referral for an appointment with a psychiatrist, often your primary care physician will provide a referral, if needed.
Social Worker *hey this is me!!*: A Masters level social worker is trained to provide various forms of psychotherapy, often with an emphasis of the person in environment. This means we look at more than what is wrong, we look at how your environment may or may not contribute to it, as the whole person and their system is important to us! Social Workers are regulated in Alberta as part of the Health Professions Act.
Counselor/Psychotherapist/Therapist: Usually (but not always) a Masters level professional trained in psychotherapy. May or may not be registered with a regulatory body (a licence to practice, legislated by the government) but may belong to an association. An association does not have the authority to discipline its members like regulatory body does for violations of ethics or other breaches.
Psychologist: At least a Masters level (to be registered in Alberta) clinician that may be trained in psychological assessments, and will be trained in some form of psychotherapy. Often their schooling is focused on the person and pathology. Also regulated in Alberta as part of the Health Professions Act.
Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Registered Nurses: Both are regulated professions under the Health Professions Act. When working in mental health, they may have engaged in further training to provide therapy and psychosocial interventions. Ask about their training and experience!
Psychiatrist (MD): A medical doctor with a specialization in psychiatry. These are the only mental health clinicians which may prescribe medications (please note some health programs allow for specific and limited prescribing abilities for Registered Psychiatric Nurses). You must have a referral for an appointment with a psychiatrist, often your primary care physician will provide a referral, if needed.
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