Want to Strengthen Your Family?
Choosing to get family therapy is a profound and transformative decision that strengthens family bonds, improves communication, and resolves conflicts. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of family members in a nurturing and supportive environment, where positive change can take root and grow.
Long-lasting Transformations
At Flourish Psychological Services in southeast Calgary’s Douglasdale neighbourhood, we understand the importance of finding the right family therapy near you and setting a strong foundation for a successful, long-lasting transformation.
Here, you can expect careful, therapeutic approaches that are tailored to meet your family’s unique needs, led by a highly skilled and compassionate team of counsellors. We believe that every family has the potential to thrive, and we are dedicated to providing the tools, support, and expertise necessary to make that happen.
The Goals of Family Counselling
The goal of family counselling (aka family therapy) is to promote family healing, self-awareness, acceptance, and resolution. Through these sessions, family members work together in a safe and supportive space to address challenges, foster understanding, and improve communication. It helps individuals gain insight into their own emotions, behaviours, and patterns within the family system, allowing family members to embrace each other's differences and unique perspectives.
Finding the Right Family Therapist for You
A counsellor who understands your unique culture and context creates a therapeutic environment that feels safe, comfortable, and inclusive for your family. This understanding allows for a deeper connection, more effective interventions, and a clearer overall process as you proceed.
At Flourish Psychological Services, we prioritize your family's well-being and growth. We foster a collaborative partnership with you and your family, working together to identify goals and develop a personalized treatment plan. Choosing us means choosing a team that is truly dedicated to your family's success – passionate about empowering you to overcome challenges and build a better future together.
Starting a Family Therapy Intervention
Our therapeutic intervention process begins with a comprehensive assessment of your family dynamics, strengths, and areas for growth. Together, we establish clear goals for therapy and create a roadmap for your family's journey. Throughout the therapeutic process, we implement evidence-based techniques and interventions tailored to your family's specific needs, fostering healing, growth, and positive change.
Family Therapy Concepts
In family therapy, we explore how the full system interacts – not just each individual member, but all of them together, along with surrounding influences from culture and the environment at large. Some of these family therapy concepts and methods include:
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Self-differentiation
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Emotional triangles (i.e., parents with a child) and cutoff
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Family projection processes and multigenerational transmission of values/expectations
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Sibling interactions and expectations
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External societal factors
Benefits of Family Therapy
Are you thinking to yourself, “Why should my family get therapy? Will it be effective?” We understand that it might be a brand-new idea to you. While we go further in depth on the benefits of family therapy in a blog post of ours... here are some of the main benefits:
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It provides a safe and non-judgmental space where family members can openly express their thoughts, emotions, and concerns.
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It can foster understanding, empathy, and acceptance among family members, promoting emotional healing and building stronger connections.
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By addressing communication patterns, family roles, and conflicts, family therapy helps cultivate healthier dynamics and equips families with effective strategies for future problem-solving and conflict resolution.
The Various Family Therapy Types
In our practice, we incorporate various types of family therapy techniques to get the best results:
Our 5 Main Approaches to Family Therapy
1) Family Systems Therapy
This method examines the complex interplay of family dynamics and relationships, recognizing how they impact individual members and promoting healthy functioning within the family unit. It can be further divided into structural, strategic, and intergenerational therapies, which focus on different aspects of relationships and values that may influence how family members perceive one another.
2) Narrative Therapy
Narratives explore the stories and themes that shape a family's experiences, allowing for the creation of empowered new perspectives and meanings that can foster growth and empathy.
3) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
This is a common therapeutic approach that targets negative thinking patterns and behaviours, aiming to identify them and bring about positive change.
4) Solution-Focused Therapy
SFT places emphasis on identifying strengths and solutions within the family, working collaboratively to achieve positive change and progress towards desired goals.
5) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages mindfulness, acceptance of difficult emotions, and a commitment to taking actions that align with one's core values, promoting psychological flexibility and well-being.
Scheduling Family Therapy Near Me
Scheduling an appointment for family therapy is simple and convenient. We understand that every family's situation is unique, and our therapists are here to meet your specific needs.
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15-Minute Consultation
Start by filling out our user-friendly online contact form, which will set you up with a free 15-minute consultation with a therapist of your choice. That’s where you’ll briefly share your personal concerns and what you hope to achieve. It also gives us the opportunity to make sure we’re a good fit for you, too.
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Choose Your Therapist
After your free consultation, take the time to reflect on your experience and decide if you and your child feel comfortable and connected with the therapist you spoke with. If so, you can book your first session. If not, we can try someone else, or recommend a different clinic if we feel we cannot provide you with what you need.
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Choose Appointment
Choose the format – in-person or online – that best suits your comfort level and circumstances. Our face-to-face sessions are usually what people prefer but our virtual sessions are available and always secure, confidential, and convenient. Make your choice and we'll warmly welcome you for your appointment!
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How much does therapy cost?Therapy ranges from 175-250 dollars per hour, depending on your provider, level of education, and training. Total cost will depend on the severity of difficulties you are experiencing, and the length of treatment required. Pricing is set by the Psychologist's Association of Alberta
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Is counselling covered by my health insurance?Yes! Typically your private health insurance such as Blue Cross, SunLife, Manulife will cover the cost of qualified registered therapist such as Psychologist. Check with your insurance to see what benefits you are entitled to. Benefits typically reset at the end of the year or in April. Make the most of your benefits! Read our blog: "Are Calgary Psychological Services Covered By Benefits?"
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Do you offer direct billing?At this time we can direct bill Blue Cross, and Green shield. We hope other insurance providers will soon offer this convenient option as well. If you are with a different company because we do all invoices and subsequent receipts electronically, you can submit your claims and most clients report to us that they are reimbursed quite quickly.
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How do I know which therapist to pick?There is good research to suggest that a good "fit" between you and your therapist is a prime driver in whether you will get the most out of therapy. We recommend you browse the therapist's profiles and choose someone who resonates with you, and specializes in what you are most concerned about.
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What form of payment do you accept?We accept all major credit cards, e-transfers, cheque or cash. Payment is due the day services are rendered.
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What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)ART incorporates a combination of techniques used in many other traditional psychotherapies. ARTworks directly to reprogram the way in which distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so that they no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. ART accomplishes this through the use of rapid eye movements similar to eye movements that occur during dreaming. Although techniques similar to these are used in other types of therapies. ART’s very specific and directive approach can achieve rapid recovery from symptoms and reactions that may have been present for many years. ART combines long respected, sound treatment practices with safe and effective methods validated by current scientific research studies conducted by the University of South Florida.
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Will therapy work for me?While individual therapy can be highly beneficial for many people, its effectiveness depends on your willingness to engage in the process and work collaboratively with your therapist. If you go in with an open mind and a real dedication to self-improvement, chances are very good that you’ll see positive results.
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How do I find the right therapist for me?Your free 15-minute consultation allows you to connect with potential therapists and determine the best fit for you. It seems unnecessary but this is a vital step in establishing a strong relationship of trust and healing.
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Can I get free individual counselling?We currently do not offer free counselling services. However, many health insurance plans cover our services, and we strive to provide affordable and accessible therapy options to accommodate various financial situations. Read more on our main FAQ page.
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How do I know if I need individual therapy?If you find yourself facing personal challenges, emotional distress, relationship difficulties, or simply seeking personal growth, individual therapy can be a valuable resource to help you navigate these concerns and foster positive changes in your life.
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What is individual counselling?Individual counselling is one form of therapy where a skilled and educated therapist meets with you one-on-one to explore your experiences and your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in a safe and confidential space. The goal of individual therapy is to help you gain insight and new perspectives into your challenges, develop adaptive coping skills, and make positive lasting changes in your life.
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How long does personal counselling take?The length of personal counselling varies based on your needs and goals that you want to achieve. Some people may only need a small amount of sessions to address a specific issue, while other people may require more extensive treatment over a longer period of time. Your therapist will work with you to figure out a treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs.
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What types of issues can individual counselling help with?Individual counseling can help with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship problems, self-esteem, grief and loss, trauma, and addiction. It can also be helpful for those facing major life transitions, ie., divorce or retirement. Most everyone benefits from having a neutral party listen to their experiences and help gain new perspectives.
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What can I expect during my own session?During an individual counselling session in Calgary, you can expect to have an open and honest conversation with your therapist about your concerns. Your therapist will ask additional questions to gain a better understanding of your situation. Your therapist may recommend resources such as books, articles, or videos for you to look at in between sessions. Sessions are typically 50-60 minutes long and are held on a regular basis, usually weekly or bi-weekly or monthly.
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How do I know if individual counselling is right for me?Individual counselling can be a very beneficial form of therapy for anyone who is looking to improve their mental health and wellbeing. If you are struggling with a certain issue or are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, individual counselling could be a good option for you to look into. It is important to find yourself a therapist who you feel comfortable talking to and who has significant experience in treating your specific concerns.
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What's your couples counselling strategy based on?Our couples counseling therapy is based on the world-renowned Gottman Institute methodology of marriage and relationship therapy. This service begins with a thorough assessment; including interviews both together and individually, as well as a number of online assessments. The assessment takes 4-6 hours. After you have received feedback from the assessment we will work together to overcome weaknesses in the relationship. Treatment length varies depending on your unique relationship needs.
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How much does couples counselling cost in Calgary?Prices range due to a variety of factors, and is set at a provincial level by the Psychology Association of Alberta. The usual price is between $220-$250 per 60-minute session. However, the actual cost to you might be substantially lower or even zero, since nearly all benefits plans cover services delivered by a registered therapist. We can even direct bill several of them, such as Blue Cross and Green Shield. Check your insurance documentation to see what you are entitled to, and you can find more specific information summarized here.
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Do you also offer marriage counselling?Yes. Marriage counselling and couples counselling are very similar. All marriages are couples but not all couples are married. Many of the same methods used to help couples in common law or longterm relationships are also used for couples who are married. Learn All About Marriage Counselling in our blog!
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Is marriage counselling covered by insurance?Yes! As we’ve mentioned before, we are registered professionals – which means most insurance plans cover our services. Depending on the company, you can direct bill (as we do), but otherwise you can submit the receipts to your insurance provider.
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Is marriage counselling free?Unfortunately it is not, but the costs are usually covered by insurance. Read more on our blog about benefits.
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Is marriage counselling tax deductible?This is a bit of a grey area, as it depends on what province you live in. In Alberta, psychologist services are considered a tax-deductible medical expense, but someone who is solely a marriage and family therapist is not. Follow the information on the Government of Canada site for more information.
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How many marriage counselling sessions will be needed?This varies quite a bit from one couple to another. If the sessions are in response to a big crisis, they will need more than if it is simply some maintenance issues. It’s very difficult to give even a ballpark figure.
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Will marriage counselling help save my marriage?The key word here is “help”. Counselling is just one part of a marriage success strategy that involves additional effort on the part of both spouses. If you are willing to put the work in, take the counsellor’s advice, and make things better, you will have much different results than if you have already made up your mind beforehand about ending the relationship. We do good work, but we can’t perform miracles!
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Why does marriage counselling fail?The biggest reason that people don’t get the results they want is that they don’t put in the necessary effort, but it may also come down to a lack of financial resources, or a complete disconnection of goals and communication on one side of the relationship. Mutual respect and motivation are minimum requirements for success. You can read more about getting the most out of therapy sessions here.