Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. While Cascade Health specializes in LGBTQ+ affirming and gender-affirming care, our psychologists work with individuals from many different backgrounds, cultures, identities, relationships, and life experiences. People seek therapy for a wide range of reasons, including anxiety, burnout, trauma, grief, relationship stress, life transitions, emotional overwhelm, identity exploration, and feeling disconnected or stuck.

    Our practice is grounded in trauma-informed, inclusive, and compassionate care, with a focus on creating a space where clients feel respected, understood, and able to show up as themselves. Many clients are specifically seeking affirming care, while others are simply looking for a therapist who approaches people with openness, curiosity, and without judgment.

  • Feeling nervous, uncertain, or even intimidated about starting therapy is incredibly common. Reaching out for support can feel vulnerable, especially if you have had difficult past experiences, struggle with trust, or are used to managing things on your own.

    Therapy does not require you to have the “right words” or share everything immediately. Sessions move at a pace that feels collaborative and supportive, with space to ask questions, explore concerns, and build comfort over time. Many clients begin therapy unsure of exactly what they need, only knowing that something no longer feels sustainable on their own.

  • Cascade Health offers a different approach to in-person therapy. Rather than operating from a traditional office, we provide flexible therapy services through virtual care, walk-and-talk sessions, in-home therapy, and mobile appointments throughout Calgary. You can learn more about our unique mobile therapy space on the Outpost page.

    Our clinicians are based centrally and in South Calgary and work collaboratively with clients to find locations that feel accessible, comfortable, and supportive to the therapeutic process. If you are specifically looking for a traditional office setting, Cascade Health may not be the best fit — but for many clients, the flexibility and accessibility of mobile and outdoor therapy offers a more grounded and personalized experience.

  • Absolutely, yes. Many people move through life feeling constantly overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, disconnected, hypervigilant, or unable to fully rest, even when things appear fine from the outside. Survival mode can develop gradually through chronic stress, trauma, burnout, caregiving roles, difficult relationships, or spending long periods needing to prioritize coping over connection.

    Therapy can help clients better understand the patterns keeping them stuck, reconnect with their emotional and physical needs, build nervous system regulation skills, and create more sustainable ways of relating to themselves, others, and everyday life. Healing is learning how to move through the world with greater safety, flexibility, and self-understanding.

  • Walk-and-talk therapy is a form of counselling that takes place outdoors while walking together, rather than sitting in a traditional office setting. Sessions are paced collaboratively and can offer a more relaxed, grounding, and natural approach to therapy for individuals who feel more comfortable moving, being outside, or engaging side-by-side instead of face-to-face.

    For many people, movement and connection with nature can support nervous system regulation, emotional processing, mindfulness, and a greater sense of ease during difficult conversations. Walk-and-talk therapy may be especially helpful for individuals navigating anxiety, ADHD, burnout, trauma, grief, stress, emotional overwhelm, or feeling “stuck” in traditional therapy environments.

    Sessions may take place in outdoor locations throughout Calgary, including parks and pathways that support privacy, accessibility, and comfort. Walk-and-talk therapy is flexible, and there is no expectation regarding pace, distance, or physical ability. Time can also be spent sitting, pausing, or simply being present in nature as part of the therapeutic process.

  • Great question! And honestly, it depends. Together, we can explore what level of support feels most helpful, realistic, and sustainable for your situation.

    For some people, weekly sessions can be especially supportive when things feel overwhelming, emotionally heavy, or are significantly impacting day-to-day life. If you are new to therapy, starting weekly or biweekly can also help build momentum, consistency, and connection before spacing sessions out over time. Others may find that sessions every 2–3 weeks feel like a better fit for ongoing support, reflection, and maintenance.

    There is no perfect therapy schedule, and you do not need to have it all figured out before reaching out. We are happy to connect for a free consultation to talk through your needs and make a plan together.

  • Yes. Whit provides clinical supervision and consultation for provisional psychologists pursuing registration with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Supervision is grounded in reflective, trauma-informed, and relational practice, with space for both clinical skill development and the realities of being a developing clinician navigating complex work.

  • People seek therapy for many different reasons, including anxiety, burnout, trauma, relationship stress, grief, identity exploration, emotional overwhelm, or simply feeling stuck. You do not need to be in crisis or have everything figured out before reaching out. Therapy can offer space to better understand yourself, process experiences, build coping strategies, and feel more supported in navigating life.

  • Finding the right therapist is an important part of the process. Factors such as personality, lived experience, therapeutic approach, areas of focus, identity, and overall sense of connection can all influence fit. Cascade Health works to thoughtfully match clients with clinicians whose experience and approach align with their goals and preferences. Clients are also welcome to book a free 15-minute consultation as an opportunity to meet with a therapist, ask questions, and get a sense of whether the connection feels like a good fit before moving forward with ongoing therapy.

  • We offer a free 15-minute consultation before you commit to booking a session, with no obligation to move forward afterward. Therapy can be a meaningful investment in yourself, your relationships, and your overall wellbeing, and we aim to provide care that feels thoughtful, collaborative, and supportive to your goals.

    Sessions are $240 for a 50-minute individual virtual appointment with a Registered Psychologist and $220 for a 50-minute virtual session with a Registered Provisional Psychologist, in alignment with the current recommended fee schedule set by the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA). Couples, family, and walk-and-talk therapy session rates range from $235–$265 depending on the clinician and format. Please visit the PAA website for more information regarding psychological service fees in Alberta.

  • Nervous system dysregulation can show up in many different ways, including anxiety, emotional overwhelm, difficulty relaxing, irritability, shutdown, numbness, trouble sleeping, feeling constantly on edge, or feeling stuck in survival mode. Many people notice patterns of overthinking, people-pleasing, burnout, disconnection, or feeling unable to slow down even when they want to.

    These responses are not signs that something is wrong with you. Often, they reflect the ways the mind and body have adapted to stress, trauma, overwhelm, or environments where safety and rest have been difficult to access. Therapy can help clients better understand these patterns, build emotional regulation skills, and reconnect with a greater sense of grounding, flexibility, and self-trust.

  • At Cascade Health, you are responsible for payment for all services via e-transfer and will need to seek reimbursement from your insurer. We do not offer direct billing to insurance providers. Most insurance policies will cover a Registered Psychologist if the policy includes counselling/therapy/psychological services under an extended health coverage plan. Review your insurance policy and contact your insurance provider to determine how much coverage you have, what professional designation is covered, and what portion of the fee (if any) you may be responsible for. If you do not have insurance coverage, services may be tax deductible.

  • Cascade Health is currently unable to accommodate any requests for student placements for practicums and/or internships at this time. Whit is currently accepting applications for supervision under the College of Alberta Psychologists.

  • Trauma-informed supervision recognizes that therapists are people too. Supervision is collaborative, supportive, and grounded in curiosity rather than shame or perfectionism. Alongside case consultation and competency development, space is made for reflection, nervous system awareness, boundaries, sustainability, and the emotional impact of clinical work.