If you’re thinking about starting counselling, cost is one of the first things most people wonder about — and one of the last things practices want to talk about directly. We’re not like that.
At Solasta Counselling in Calgary, therapy costs between free and $235 per 50-minute session, depending on which clinician you see. Here’s exactly what that looks like.
How Much Does Therapy Cost in Calgary?
Therapy in Calgary at a private practice typically costs between $160 and $235 per 50-minute session with a Registered Psychologist. At Solasta, we have clinicians across several designation levels, which means the range is wider — and more accessible — than most practices:
| Clinician | 50-minute session |
|---|---|
| Registered Psychologist | $235 |
| Registered Provisional Psychologist | $220 |
| Registered Social Worker | $220 |
| Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) | $160 |
| Counselling Intern (supervised) | $85 |
| Student Counselling Intern (supervised) | Free |
These rates follow the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta’s recommended fee schedule. Direct billing is available to most major insurers, so many clients pay significantly less out of pocket, or nothing at all.
What Does Each Clinician Type Mean?
Understanding the designations helps you make a more informed choice, and explains why prices differ.
Registered Psychologist ($235)
A Registered Psychologist holds a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology and is regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists. They are fully licensed to provide therapy, conduct formal psychological assessments, and make diagnoses. At Solasta, our Registered Psychologists are the only clinicians who can complete adult autism assessments, ADHD assessments, and psychoeducational assessments.
Registered Provisional Psychologist ($220)
A Registered Provisional Psychologist has completed their graduate training and is working toward full registration under supervised practice. They provide the same evidence-based therapy as a Registered Psychologist — the supervision requirement is a professional designation milestone, not a quality distinction. Many clients find excellent fit with provisional psychologists, often at a slightly reduced fee.
Registered Social Worker ($220)
A Registered Social Worker holds a master’s degree in social work and is regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers. RSWs bring a systemic, whole-person lens to therapy and are covered by many extended health benefit plans. At Solasta, RSW sessions are the same rate as provisional psychologists.
Canadian Certified Counsellor — CCC ($160)
A Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) holds a master’s degree and has met the training and examination requirements of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. CCCs provide individual therapy, couples counselling, and family therapy. Coverage under extended benefits varies — some plans include CCCs, others don’t. Check your plan details before booking.
Counselling Intern ($85)
Our Counselling Interns have completed their formal practicum and continue working at Solasta in a paid capacity while building toward full registration. Sessions are supervised and follow the same clinical standards as the rest of the team — at a reduced rate that makes therapy more accessible.
Student Counselling Intern (Free)
Student Counselling Interns are currently completing their master’s-level practicum placement at Solasta, supervised by a Registered Psychologist. Free sessions are available to individuals aged 16 and older. Student intern caseloads fill quickly — check current availability with our admin team.
Does Insurance Cover Therapy in Calgary?
In many cases, yes, partially or fully.
Most extended health benefit plans in Alberta cover sessions with a Registered Psychologist. Some plans also cover Registered Social Workers and Provisional Psychologists. Coverage for CCCs varies by plan.
Solasta offers direct billing to most major insurers, including Alberta Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life, Manulife, Green Shield, Desjardins, Equitable Life, and many others. Direct billing means you pay only what your plan doesn’t cover — not the full session fee upfront.
We are also approved providers for:
- Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
- Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB)
Before booking, it’s worth checking your plan for:
- Which designations are covered (Registered Psychologist, RSW, CCC)
- Your annual maximum
- Whether a physician referral is required (most plans don’t require one)
- Whether virtual sessions are covered
Can I Claim Therapy on My Taxes?
Yes. Fees paid to a Registered Psychologist are eligible as medical expenses on your Canadian tax return under CRA guidelines. Keep your receipts — Solasta provides official receipts that include the clinician’s registration number. For sessions with other designated professionals, confirm eligibility with a tax professional.
How Much Does Couples Therapy Cost in Calgary?
Couples counselling at Solasta is the same per-session rate as individual counselling — there is no separate couples fee. Most couples counselling is provided by Registered Psychologists ($235) or Registered Provisional Psychologists ($220), as couples work requires a specific set of clinical skills and training. Some clinicians trained in Gottman Method or Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) may have different rates — check individual profiles for details.
How Much Do Psychological Assessments Cost in Calgary?
Assessments are a separate service from counselling and are priced differently. At Solasta, assessment fees are split into scheduled payments as your assessment progresses rather than charged as a lump sum.
| Assessment Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult ADHD Assessment | from $1,500 |
| Adult Autism Assessment | $3,250 |
| Child Autism Assessment | $3,250 |
| Child Psychoeducational Assessment | $2,950 |
| Psychoeducational + Autism Assessment | $3,750 |
| Gifted Assessment (Westmount Charter) | $1,100 / $660 |
Every assessment at Solasta includes multiple sessions, standardised testing, a comprehensive written report with recommendations, and a feedback session to walk you through findings. Assessment fees may be partially reimbursable through extended health benefits — check with your provider.
To put the cost in context: the Alberta public system wait for an adult autism assessment can exceed two to three years. A private assessment at Solasta typically takes four to six weeks from booking to report.
What If I Can’t Afford $160–$235 Per Session?
A few options worth knowing about:
1. Book with a Counselling Intern ($85) or Student Intern (free). These are supervised sessions — clinically sound, at a fraction of the cost. Availability changes throughout the year.
2. Ask about sliding scale. Some of our Registered Provisional Psychologists, RSWs, and CCCs offer sliding scale rates. Ask our admin team when you reach out.
3. Use your benefits. If you have extended health coverage, direct billing means you may pay significantly less — sometimes nothing — per session. It’s worth a 10-minute call to your plan provider before assuming therapy is out of reach.
4. Adjust frequency. Biweekly sessions instead of weekly can make the cost more sustainable while still maintaining continuity.
Is Therapy Worth the Cost?
That’s a fair question, and an honest one. The research on therapy outcomes is clear: for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and many other concerns, psychotherapy produces meaningful, lasting change — often as effective as medication for common mental health conditions, and with no side effects.
What you’re paying for isn’t just the 50 minutes in the room. It’s the clinician’s years of training, their preparation and reflection between sessions, a structured and confidential space to work through things, and a process tailored specifically to you. For many people, it becomes one of the more useful investments they make in themselves.
That said — it needs to be financially sustainable for you. That’s why we publish our fees openly and make lower-cost options available. We’d rather you find a way to start than decide it’s not possible before you’ve looked into it properly.
How to Get Started
If you’re considering therapy at Solasta Counselling in Calgary:
- Check your insurance coverage — call your provider or check your plan portal for what designations and annual amounts are included.
- Browse our clinicians — our Find Your Therapist tool matches you based on your concerns, preferences, and budget.
- Book a free 20-minute consultation — no obligation, no fee. A chance to ask questions and see if it feels like the right fit before you commit.