Individual Counselling in Calgary
You do not need to be in crisis – or have everything figured out – to benefit from talking with someone.
At Solasta, we provide individual counselling in Calgary for adults who are feeling anxious, low, overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, or uncertain about what to do next. You may be dealing with stress or burnout, depression, grief, trauma, relationship patterns, self-esteem concerns, a major life transition, or simply a sense that things are not working as well as they used to.
Sessions are available in person at our NW Calgary office or online throughout Alberta. Select clinicians may also be able to provide virtual counselling in other Canadian provinces, subject to their registration and practice requirements.
No referral is required. If you are unsure who to book with, start with a free 20-minute consultation or use our therapist-matching tool.
Individual Therapy That Fits What You Need
People seek individual counselling for different reasons. Some arrive with a clear concern; others only know that they have been struggling or feeling unlike themselves. Both are valid places to begin.
At Solasta, individual counselling may help when you are experiencing:
Anxiety, persistent worry, panic, social anxiety, or physical tension
Depression, low mood, loss of motivation, or emotional numbness
Stress, burnout, work pressure, or job dissatisfaction
Grief, loss, or changes in family circumstances
Trauma or the ongoing effects of difficult experiences
Relationship difficulties, boundaries, communication patterns, or the aftermath of a breakup
Major life changes, including divorce, parenthood, a move, job loss, retirement, or caring for aging parents
ADHD-related challenges, emotional regulation, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or feeling chronically overwhelmed
Questions about identity, self-esteem, meaning, or the patterns that keep repeating in your life
A wish to understand yourself better or make a change before things become more difficult
If one concern is clearly central, a more focused service may be useful. You can also explore our support for anxiety counselling in Calgary, depression counselling, stress and burnout counselling, grief counselling, or trauma therapy.
If you are not sure what to call the problem, individual counselling is still an appropriate place to start.
Why Choose Solasta for Individual Counselling?
Finding the right therapist matters. Therapy is personal, and the quality of the therapeutic relationship is an important part of the process.
At Solasta, you can choose from a Calgary-based team of psychologists, provisional psychologists, social workers, counsellors, and supervised counselling interns with different therapeutic approaches and areas of focus. This gives you more options to find someone whose experience, style, and availability fit what you are looking for.
Choose a therapist with relevant experience
You can browse therapist profiles, review areas of focus, and book directly with a clinician whose approach seems like a good fit. Our team supports people with concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, grief, burnout, life transitions, relationship patterns, chronic pain, identity, and self-esteem.
Get help deciding if you are unsure
You do not need to choose perfectly on your own. Use our Find Your Therapist tool or book a free 20-minute consultation to talk through what you are looking for and consider which clinician may be a good match.
Meet in Calgary or online across Alberta
Choose in-person counselling at our NW Calgary office or virtual sessions from anywhere in Alberta. Virtual therapy can be a practical option when travel, scheduling, childcare, work demands, or distance make in-person appointments more difficult.
Book directly and get started simply
You can book online with many clinicians through Jane, choose a time that works for you, and receive confirmation of your appointment. No physician referral is required.
Meet Our Individual Counselling Team
Whether you are looking for help with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, burnout, relationship patterns, identity, ADHD, life transitions, chronic pain, or self-esteem, you can explore profiles and choose a clinician who feels like a potential fit.
If you are unsure where to start, use our Find Your Therapist tool or book a free consultation.
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What to Expect From Counselling
Beginning therapy can feel like a significant step. You do not need to prepare a polished explanation of your life or know exactly what you want to say before you arrive.
Start with a free 20-minute consultation
A free consultation is an opportunity to ask questions, briefly describe what has brought you to counselling, and get a sense of whether Solasta and a particular clinician may be a good fit. There is no pressure to continue after the consultation.
Your first full session
Your first counselling session is usually an intake appointment. Your therapist will ask about what has been happening, relevant background and history, what you would like to understand or change, and what support has or has not been helpful in the past.
You can share at your own pace. You do not need to disclose everything at once, and you do not need to have a diagnosis or a fully formed goal before beginning.
Ongoing sessions
Counselling sessions are typically 50 minutes. Many people begin with weekly sessions, while others prefer appointments every two weeks. Your therapist will discuss a schedule that makes sense for your goals, availability, and the kind of support you need.
Your work together may involve understanding patterns, learning practical coping strategies, processing difficult experiences, practising new ways of responding, clarifying values, strengthening boundaries, or making space for emotions that have been difficult to manage alone.
How long does counselling take?
There is no single answer. Some people notice meaningful progress within 6–10 sessions, particularly when they are focused on a specific concern. Others choose longer-term therapy, especially when working through trauma, complex relationship patterns, longstanding anxiety or depression, or major life changes.
Your therapist will talk openly with you about goals, progress, and whether the current approach continues to be useful. You are not committing to a fixed number of sessions when you begin.
Counselling Approaches Used by Our Team
There is no single therapy approach that suits every person or every concern. Your therapist will discuss which approaches may be helpful based on your goals, preferences, current circumstances, and what you are finding difficult.
Depending on the clinician you work with, individual counselling at Solasta may draw from:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a structured, practical approach that explores links between thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical responses. It can be useful for concerns such as anxiety, depression, perfectionism, panic, and stress.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT focuses on psychological flexibility: making room for difficult thoughts and emotions while taking actions that are more consistent with your values and the life you want to build.
EMDR
EMDR therapy may be recommended by appropriately trained clinicians when trauma or distressing memories are central to the work. It is not the right approach for every person or every stage of therapy, and your clinician will discuss whether it may fit your situation.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy pays attention to the ways stress and difficult experiences can be held in the body. It may be useful when physical tension, shutdown, hyperarousal, or body-based responses are an important part of what you are experiencing.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy explores the stories people have developed about themselves, their relationships, and their lives. It can help create distance from problem-saturated stories and identify strengths, values, and alternative possibilities.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Mindfulness-based approaches can help develop greater awareness of thoughts, emotions, and physical cues in the present moment. They may be incorporated alongside other approaches for concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional reactivity.
Your therapist may use one approach consistently or integrate several approaches as your needs and goals evolve.
In-Person Counselling in NW Calgary or Online Across Alberta
Solasta offers individual therapy in person at our NW Calgary office and virtually for clients located anywhere in Alberta.
In-person sessions in Calgary
Our office is located at:
1716 16 Ave NW,
Calgary, AB T2M 0L7
(opposite North Hill Centre and two minutes from SAIT). Free 90-minute parking behind the building).
Online counselling across Alberta
Virtual individual counselling can be a flexible option if you live elsewhere in Alberta, have a busy schedule, experience mobility or transportation barriers, travel often, or prefer the privacy and convenience of meeting from home.
Your therapist will let you know whether virtual appointments are appropriate for your situation and whether they are authorized to work with you in your location.
Book an In-Person or Virtual Appointment
Fees, Insurance, and Referrals
You do not need a referral from a doctor to begin individual counselling at Solasta.
Fees vary depending on the clinician’s registration level and the service you choose. Visit our fees page for current rates and details.
Many extended-health-benefit plans cover sessions with registered psychologists and registered provisional psychologists. Coverage for registered social workers, Canadian Certified Counsellors, and counselling interns varies by plan and employer. Check your individual benefits details before booking if coverage is important to you.
Private psychology services are not generally covered by Alberta Health Care. Some employers offer Employee Assistance Program services, which may provide a limited number of counselling sessions through a separate provider network.
View Counselling Fees
CAP
All of our psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists.
PAA
Many of our psychologists are members of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta.
CCPA
Many of our psychologists are members of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
FAQs
How do I find the right individual therapist in Calgary?
The right fit depends on what you want help with, your preferences, and the kind of therapeutic relationship that feels comfortable to you. You can browse our therapist profiles, use our Find Your Therapist tool, or book a free 20-minute consultation to discuss what you are looking for. If your first therapist does not feel like the right fit, you are welcome to choose someone else on our team.
Do I need a referral to book individual counselling at Solasta?
No. You can contact Solasta and book directly without a physician’s referral. You can book online, use our therapist-matching tool, call our office, or begin with a free 20-minute consultation if you would like help deciding where to start.
How much does individual counselling cost, and is it covered by insurance?
Fees depend on the clinician’s registration level. Please see our fees page for current rates. Many extended-health-benefit plans cover sessions with registered psychologists and registered provisional psychologists, but coverage varies by plan. Check your individual policy for details, including whether it covers registered social workers or Canadian Certified Counsellors.
Can I see an individual therapist in person in Calgary or online across Alberta?
Yes. Individual counselling is available in person at our NW Calgary office and virtually for clients throughout Alberta. Availability varies by clinician, so check the therapist’s profile or booking page for appointment format options.
What happens during the free 20-minute consultation?
The consultation is a brief, no-pressure conversation about what has brought you to counselling, what kind of support you are looking for, and any practical questions you have about the process. It is an opportunity to see whether Solasta and a particular clinician may be a good fit. It is not a full therapy session or formal assessment.
What happens in the first counselling session?
The first full session is usually an intake appointment. Your therapist will ask about what has been difficult, relevant personal history, your current circumstances, and what you hope may change. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis or know exactly what to say. The purpose is to begin understanding your situation together and decide what a helpful next step may be.
How long are counselling sessions, and how often will I attend?
Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Weekly appointments are common when beginning therapy, while some people prefer sessions every two weeks. Your therapist will discuss a frequency that fits your goals, availability, and circumstances.
How long does individual counselling usually take?
The length of counselling depends on what you are working through and what you want from therapy. Some people make progress in a focused number of sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support for concerns such as trauma, recurring relationship patterns, longstanding anxiety or depression, or significant life changes. Your therapist will review progress and goals with you over time.
What if I do not connect with my therapist?
Therapeutic fit matters. If the connection does not feel right after you have had a chance to meet, it is reasonable to try a different clinician. You can book directly with another therapist, use the Find Your Therapist tool again, or contact our team for help identifying another option. You do not need to stay with a therapist who does not feel like a good fit.
Is individual counselling confidential?
Counselling is confidential within the limits set by law and professional ethical obligations. Your therapist will review confidentiality and its limits with you at the beginning of care, including circumstances involving serious safety concerns, child protection obligations, or legal requirements. If you have questions, you are welcome to ask before or during your first appointment.
Our Calgary Office Space
Our thoughtfully designed counselling spaces are crafted to create a warm, welcoming environment where you can feel completely at ease.
Need urgent help?
Solasta is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
For urgent mental-health support in Alberta, call or text 9-8-8 for Suicide Crisis Helpline support, available 24/7. You may also contact Alberta Health Services’ Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642.