Supporting Wellness Psychological and Family Services

How Do You Find a Therapist in Red Deer?

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To find a therapist in Red Deer, decide what kind of help you want, then look at registered clinicians through a local clinic, your benefits provider or the Psychologists' Association of Alberta directory. Check the clinician's designation against what your insurance covers, and book a short call before you commit. If cost is the barrier, Red Deer also has free and lower-cost options.

Decide what you are looking for

A few quick decisions narrow the search a lot:

You do not need to know the name of a therapy approach. Describing what is going on is enough for a clinic to point you in the right direction.

Psychologist, provisional psychologist or counsellor?

The titles tell you about training and, just as usefully, about insurance.

  • Registered psychologist. Registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists, which keeps a public register. Psychologists provide therapy and formal assessments.
  • Registered provisional psychologist. Has finished graduate training and practises under supervision while completing registration. See what a provisional psychologist is.
  • Canadian Certified Counsellor. A master's-level counsellor certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Some benefit plans pay for registered psychologists only, while others include provisional psychologists, social workers and counsellors. On our Red Deer team, counselling is provided by Canadian Certified Counsellors, and our psychologists see Red Deer clients for assessments. Red Deer clients can also book online sessions with our Calgary clinicians, including psychologists. Tell us which plan you have and we will tell you who it covers.

Where to look in Red Deer

  • Group practices. A clinic with several clinicians can match you with someone suited to your concern, instead of leaving you to compare profiles yourself.
  • The Psychologists' Association of Alberta. Its Find a Psychologist directory lists psychologists by location and area of practice.
  • Your benefits provider or employee assistance program. Many have provider lists, and assistance programs often include a few free sessions.
  • Your family doctor. You do not need a referral to see a psychologist privately, but your doctor may know who works well with particular concerns. If your doctor is part of the Red Deer Primary Care Network, the network also offers brief counselling for adults.
  • 211 Alberta. Call 211 to hear about community programs, including lower-cost counselling.

Free and lower-cost options

Private therapy is not covered by Alberta Health Care, but Red Deer has other routes: drop-in counselling at the addiction and mental health clinic on 49 Street, brief counselling through the Red Deer Primary Care Network, and employee assistance programs. At Supporting Wellness, sessions with a supervised counselling intern are $80 for 50 minutes. Our guide to free and low-cost counselling in Red Deer has the details.

What to ask before your first session

  • Do you have experience with what I am dealing with?
  • When could we start, and how often would we meet?
  • What does a session cost, and can you bill my insurer directly?
  • What is your cancellation policy?

If you are in crisis

If you are thinking about suicide or worried about your safety, call or text 988 at any time, or call 911. The Alberta Mental Health Helpline is free and open 24/7 at 1-877-303-2642.

Finding a therapist with Supporting Wellness in Red Deer

Our Red Deer clinic is at 5550 45 Street, Unit G11, open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm, with online sessions when getting to the office is hard. Call 1-888-622-8350 and we will match you with a clinician whose training fits, or book online. No referral is needed, and you can start with a free 15-minute connection call.

We direct bill many insurers, including Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Greenshield and Desjardins, so you pay only what your plan does not cover. See how direct billing works.

Related reading: How to choose the right therapist, Psychologist, therapist or counsellor: the difference, Counselling for men in Red Deer and Free and low-cost counselling in Red Deer.

Our Matching Process

Over the Phone Consult
Give us a call for an over-the-phone consultation. Booking a therapy session requires no referral. We look forward to getting to know you and helping you access the care you need.
Pair With a Practitioner
Once we’ve spoken on the phone, we’ll be able to assess your concerns and pair you with a practitioner in our office who is best suited for your situation. We want you to receive relevant and relatable support. We have locations in Calgary, Red Deer and Cold Lake.
 
Come in to Talk
We look forward to having you come in for your first session; our goal is to make you feel welcome and comfortable. You will sit down with a therapist who has specialized knowledge of your area of concern.

Why Choose Supporting Wellness

Supporting Wellness Psychological and Family Services
Safe & Welcoming Environment
Our office is comfortable and inviting for clients of all ages with a modern, open, and friendly atmosphere. We do our best to ensure you feel completely safe and comfortable when you come for your appointment, whether with a family member or on your own.
Family Oriented Practice
We cater to families with multiple concerns. We are knowledgeable about marriage and family counselling, couples therapy, and child therapy. We are dedicated to maintaining an environment that is safe, comfortable and inviting to families.
We Listen & Work Collaboratively
We use a collaborative approach in our therapy and counselling sessions. We listen intently, respond with care, offer helpful feedback, and often recommend activities or reading materials to support progress between sessions.
Specialized Care
Our team includes specialized psychologists and therapists with advanced training. You can trust that the professional supporting you has the experience and expertise needed to provide high-quality care.
No Referral Necessary
We do not require a referral from your family physician; seeking care from one of our trained practitioners is the first step to better mental and emotional health, and we want you to have easy access to the care you need.
Free Connection Calls
All of our therapists offer free 15-minute connection calls to help you determine if they’re the right fit for your needs. It’s a chance to ask questions, share what you’re looking for, and feel confident in your next steps, so you can move forward knowing you’re supported from the very beginning.