top of page

Common Questions and Resources

At Lumen Psychology, we know that it is completely normal to have questions and uncertainties about counseling. We're here to alleviate any stress or apprehensions you may have, guiding you through the process with clarity and compassion. Whether you're wondering about what to expect in therapy, how to choose the right therapist, or any other inquiries, we're dedicated to providing you with the information and support you need to feel confident and empowered on your journey towards healing and self-discovery.

Don't see your question answered? Please don't hesitate to reach out!

Common Questions

What can I expect at my first appointment?

The first appointment is your opportunity for us to get to know each other, talk about the reasons you are seeking services, and to discuss what you hope to get out of our time together. This includes a review of your/your child’s history through a clinical interview, after which we will discuss a treatment or assessment plan. We will talk about confidentiality, consent for services, and what to expect going forward. It is important for you to complete the online intake and consent form before your appointment so that we can free up time to focus on your specific concerns.

What are your fees?

Our rates vary depending on whether you are seeing a Registered Psychologist ($200), Registered Social Worker ($165), or Certified Counsellor ($165 inclusive of GST). The rate is based on 50 minutes of appointment time and 10 minutes of record-keeping time. Some clients have extended health benefits through employee plans that cover part or all of the cost of services. Please confirm your coverage details with your insurance plan, including whether they require a physician’s referral for service.

How do I pay for services? Do you direct bill to insurance?

We accept payment by credit card, e-transfer, or cheque. We are happy to direct bill to your insurance where possible. We currently direct bill to Canada Life, Desjardins, ClaimSecure, IAFinancial Group, Green Shield Canada, Chamber of Commerce, Blue Cross, WCB, NIHB, Victim Services, and Jordan’s Principle. Some workplaces who cover costs directly also allow for direct billing. If your plan is not listed and you think we may be able to direct bill, please email us or talk to your practitioner and we will see if we can make it happen!

Do I bring my child to their first appointment?

Please talk to your practitioner about their preference. It can be helpful in some situations when we can meet without your child for the first appointment. You have valuable information about their history and current functioning that may be most appropriate to discuss without them present. We can then come up with a plan for how best help the child you are seeking service for before we bring them in. For these reasons, we recommend that you do not bring your child/youth to the initial appointment, particularly when the child is 12 or under. However, there may be times where it makes sense to bring your child to part or all of the first appointment (eg/ teens). If you believe this is the case for you, it will be important for us to discuss this in advance of the appointment.

What if parents of a child are divorced/separated or the child is not in the care of either parent?

All parents/legal guardians with legal authority to consent to psychological services must provide written consent before the child/youth can come for services. However, sometimes getting consent of one or both parents/guardians is difficult/impossible – for example, if one parent cannot be found or reached. If this is the case for the child you are seeking service for, please contact us by email or phone and we will do our best to help you access service for the child within ethical boundaries.

How much does an assessment cost?

The short answer is, it depends, but we will always make sure we have given you a firm price before proceeding past the initial intake appointment. The long answer is . . . Each assessment is tailored to the individual based on the concerns you have and the questions you want answered. Assessment is a considerable investment of your time and resources, and we want to make sure that it is the best option for you or your child before we proceed. Regardless of what assessment type you initially request, we will start with an intake appointment (included in cost estimates below) to discuss your situation and decide the most helpful way to proceed. We will provide you with a firm quote before we continue so that there are no surprise costs. You are never obligated to continue with assessment after this first appointment. In general, an assessment typically falls into one of 2 categories: Psychoeducational Assessment: most often completed with children/youth/adult students to assess for specific learning disorders, ADHD, intellectual developmental disorder, and mental health difficulties. The cost is typically $2400. Adult ADHD Assessment: most often appropriate when an adult is no longer attending school and there is no evidence of specific learning disorders. The cost is typically $2000, although this can vary depending on the complexity of your concerns. A firm quote will be provided at your initial intake appointment.

How do I know if my child needs an assessment?

An assessment may be helpful if the child you are concerned about is: – having difficulty learning in one or more subjects despite getting extra help and supports – stressed/overwhelmed by school and it causes excessive anxiety, frustration, or conflict – taking far longer to complete homework than would be expected – tends to have trouble making/keeping friends – forgetful, has difficulty paying attention, or has a lot trouble keeping track of belongings – is restless, impulsive, or reckless – is not meeting developmental milestones/seems young for their age A good place to start when there is trouble related to school is the child’s classroom teacher to find out if they are seeing what you are seeing. Often the teacher will be able to provide insights into your child that may be helpful in your decision to pursue assessment. In some cases, the school may be able to provide assessment services, although wait times can often lead parents to pursue private assessment.

What does it mean when a Registered Psychologist is “Provisional”?

You may have noticed that practitioners can be listed as a Registered Psychologist (Provisional) and wondered what that is about. A Registered Psychologist (Provisional) has already completed their graduate level university training and has moved on to their initial licensing period, during which their work is supervised* by a fully licensed Registered Psychologist. The Provisional period lasts between 1 and 3 years, includes a minimum of 1500 supervised hours, licensing exams, and rigorous standards, after which they are able to become fully licensed Registered Psychologists. One of the benefits of choosing a Registered Psychologist in their Provisional period is that you are getting the freshly developed skills and knowledge of a new Psychologist along with the experience and expertise of their Supervisor – effectively getting the opinion and skill of two professionals in one! *(Supervision includes having their notes/files reviewed periodically by their Supervisor, consulting with their Supervisor on treatment plans/methods/options, and occasionally having their Supervisor observe their sessions first hand. Clients are never obligated to give permission for their sessions to be observed. Session observation occurs infrequently, and most clients do not have their sessions observed.)

Do you provide any services at a lower cost?

Please inquire with each individual practitioner about the options of receiving services on a sliding scale, as we know that our rates are not manageable for everyone. At times, we may have additional lower cost resources available such as students or groups, both of which have adjusted prices. We value mental health access for all, and have included other referral options below.

Resources

If you or someone you care about needs urgent mental health support, call:
  • (306) 766-7800 COAST (Community Outreach and Support Team – Sask Health Authority)

  • (306) 757-0127 – Mobile Crisis Services

  • (306) 525-5333 – Crisis Suicide Helpline

  • 911 in a life-threatening emergency

​

Free or low cost mental health resources and support:
Lumen Psychology
Lumen Psychology

210-2631 28 Avenue, Regina, SK, S4S 6X3

Facebook and Instagram
bottom of page