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Do I Need a Referral for a Psychologist in Alberta?
By Dr. Lynne M. Kostiuk
Short answer: No, you usually do not need a doctor’s referral to see a psychologist or therapist in private practice in Alberta, including here at Aspirations Inc. in Edmonton.
You can check out each of our therapist profile pages to learn more about how we each approach our work with clients, choose the therapist who feels like the best fit, and book an appointment without seeing your family doctor first.
How Do Referrals Work Differently Between Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Public Health Services?
This is where a lot of people understandably get confused, because “mental health services” can mean different things.
Psychologists or Counsellors in private practice
- You can usually contact them directly, with no referral.
- Sessions are not paid for by Alberta Health Care; many people use extended health benefits or pay privately.
Psychiatrists (medical doctors who can prescribe medication)
- You typically do need a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner to see a psychiatrist, especially within hospital or clinic settings.
- Their services are covered by Alberta Health Care.
Alberta Health Services / community mental health programs
- Some programs allow self-referral, and some are accessed through your family doctor or other providers.
You don’t have to pick only one option. Many people see a private psychologist for counselling while also working with their doctor or psychiatrist for medications or medical care.
Aspirations Inc. is a private practice offering psychological counselling services to care for Albertans, located in Edmonton, Alberta. Many of our clients have several healing practitioners working in their corner. No one service can cover all of the needs but together we can support healing and health to enhance living.
When Could a Referral to a Psychologist an Private Practice be Required?
Even though you usually don’t need a referral to see a psychologist in private practice, there are a few situations where it can still be may benefit you.
Insurance Requirements: a small number of benefit plans ask for a doctor’s note or referral letter for reimbursement, so it’s always a good idea to check your coverage details.
Coordinated Care: if you’re already working closely with your family doctor or psychiatrist, they may want to send a referral letter so everyone’s on the same page about your care.
Specific Services Paid by Third Parties: there are times when a specific type of care is covered by a specific agency, institution or insurance company where the referral is made to the psychologist directly to perform the services. Alternatively, the client requests that the referral is made directly to the Psychologist of their choice in order to provide their care.
If you’re not sure whether your benefits require a referral, first place to check is the Insurance Provider who covers your services. Psychologists at Aspirations Inc are listed as approved providers for all of the major insurance companies. We have generally ranked very high by other clients who have accessed our services. You may even find our therapists among their lists of providers from which you can choose.
How it Works at Aspirations Inc. based in Edmonton, Alberta
At Aspirations, you generally do not need a referral to book counselling with one of our psychologists or therapists.
You can:
- Learn more about each of our therapists - they each have their own profile page which goes into great detail on their approach the therapy, their populations they serve and their areas of focus and/or specializations.
- Choose who feels like a good fit for you - once you have found someone you want to work with, you can view their schedule for appointment availability
- Register your service and Book directly as a self-referral right from the therapist profile - you can choose either in-person in Edmonton or virtual services - we serve all of Alberta
What Are You Waiting For?
Many people wait to reach out because they think they need a doctor’s referral first or that their concerns “aren’t serious enough” yet. But that is not the case! You can get started RIGHT NOW! No more waiting required! If you have thought about talking to a therapist, that’s often a sign you’re ready to explore counselling and see how it will support you.
You can contact us to ask questions, get help choosing a therapist, or book your first session in-person at our Edmonton office or online within Alberta.
If you need help registering on our site, please watch our booking video to help you get started.