If you are interested in psychological services at Switchback, please click Contact and complete the form. You can also contact Switchback by phone (587-890-9155; leave a voice message) or email (info@switchbackpsychology.ca). You can expect a reply within 2 business days.

Prior to booking a first appointment, we will have a 15-minute phone call (at no charge) to discuss your goals for therapy, answer any questions, and evaluate the suitability of services at Switchback.

Yes! Prior to booking your first appointment, we will have a 15-minute phone call (at no charge) to discuss the suitability of services at Switchback.

I will ask you some questions about your goals for therapy, and please ask me any questions that you may have. If we both feel it is a good fit, we can move ahead with booking your first appointment.

The first appointment typically involves an evaluation and treatment planning. Basically, it’s a chance for us to get to know each other and for me to get a good understanding of you and the issues that brought you to therapy.

I will ask you detailed questions about your concerns, along with factors that may be contributing to them. I will also ask you about your current situation (e.g., family environment, work, stressors), your mental and physical health history, your lifestyle, and so on. All of this is to help me understand you better.

Finally, we will talk about your goals for therapy and how we can collaboratively work together to help you achieve those goals.

Prior to your first appointment, I will create a profile for you in the secure client management system called Jane App. You will receive an email from Jane App, asking you to finish setting up your account by verifying your email address and creating a password.

Once you finish verifying your account, I will schedule your appointment and send you an intake form via Jane App. This intake form includes some basic questions for you, some symptoms measure that are important to measure at baseline, and an “Informed Consent for Psychological Services” form. Reviewing and completing the intake form prior to your appointment will help us make the most of our time together.

In-person appointments:

If you are attending therapy in-person, please arrive to your appointment at least 5 minutes early to ensure we start on time. There is plenty of free parking available at Christie Crossing Shopping Centre.

When you arrive to the office (Unit 3220, within Stellar Clinic), please take a seat and I will come get you when we are ready to start. The reception on-site is for Stellar Clinic only.

Virtual appointments:

If you are attending therapy virtually, you will receive an email 30 minutes before the appointment, with a link that you will click to connect.

I recommend connecting on a computer (if possible), instead of a phone, as it will allow you to better see the forms that I will share with you.

Here are some helpful resources from Jane App about connecting to your appointment:

https://vimeo.com/401661361

https://jane.app/guide/telehealth/how-to-join-your-1-1-online-appointment-for-clients

Both in-person and virtual appointments are offered. If you are located in Calgary and able to attend therapy in-person, Switchback Psychology is conveniently located in the Southwest quadrant. Virtual appointments are available to all residents of Alberta and provided using a secure service called Jane App.

First appointments are typically 80 minutes in length, and subsequent sessions are 50 minutes.

The type of therapy provided at Switchback (cognitive behavioural therapy) is goal-oriented and time-limited. The number of appointments may vary from about 5 to 20, depending on your needs and goals. You are free to end therapy at any time.

Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm (latest appointment starting at 4 pm).

The current rate for a 50-min session is $240, and longer 80-min sessions are $360.

Please note that psychologists’ services in the private sector are not covered by the standard Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. However, many extended healthcare insurance plans (company or personal) provide coverage for psychological services. Please check your coverage prior to your first appointment.

Payment is typically made at the end of each appointment and can be made by e-transfer, credit card, cash, or cheque. If you wish, credit card information can be stored on your secure client file for ease of payment. Regardless of the payment method, you will receive an electronic receipt.

Services covered by registered psychologists are often covered by extended healthcare insurance plans. Typically, plans cover up to a certain dollar amount per year. Switchback does not currently bill insurance providers directly, but you will be provided a receipt for each paid invoice that can be submitted for reimbursement. Please check your coverage prior to your first appointment.

Switchback Psychology is located in the Southwest quadrant of Calgary, in the brand new Christie Crossing Shopping Centre at 40 Christie Park View SW Unit 3220 (directions to clinic).

Unit 3220 is on floor 2 of Building 3000. Look for signs for the Stellar Clinic. The main entrance to Building 3000 is at the south side of the building, facing 17 Avenue SW. Take the elevator to floor 2 and head down the hallway until you reach Unit 3220.

Please note that there is plenty of free parking and two LRT stations (Sirocco and 69th Street) nearby.

If you do not live in Calgary but are a resident of Alberta, you may be interested in virtual appointments.

If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, please contact Switchback by phone (587-890-9155) or email (info@switchbackpsychology.ca) at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment so that other clients may be accommodated. Late cancellations or missed appointments will be charged at the full hour rate.

If you are in crisis, please use alternative services:

Distress Centre Calgary at 403-266-4357 (24-hr crisis line) or https://www.distresscentre.com/

Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 (24-hr crisis line)

Urgent Mental Health at South Calgary Health Centre (walk-in service, call 403-939-9383 for hours)

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention at https://suicideprevention.ca/

911 or emergency department at local hospital

Other non-urgent services include:

Calgary Counselling Centre at https://calgarycounselling.com/

Canadian Mental Health Association, Calgary branch at https://cmha.calgary.ab.ca/

211 Alberta at https://ab.211.ca/

Access Mental Health at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/service.aspx?id=2381