Therapy That Works
(?) Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
I offer a free 15-minute online consultation to help you determine if we’re a good fit for full therapy sessions. I take a relaxed approach during the consultation and I fully support whatever decision you make. Whether you choose to work with me or another provider, what’s most important is that you’re moving toward your goals—whoever helps you get there.
To book a free online consult, please click this link here.
I’m honest and direct—therapy isn’t a magic fix, and I won’t pretend otherwise. My approach is straightforward—it’s a mix of talk therapy and practical, skills-based techniques that require effort both in and outside of our sessions. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out. If you’re looking for therapy that’s strictly about talking, I might not be the right fit for you.
I take a collaborative approach that combines personalized guidance and strategies proven by research to help clients achieve meaningful growth. My approach draws on evidence-based therapies for various concerns, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Behavioural Conjoint Therapy (CBCT), also known as CBT for couples, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). This involves integrating Socratic questioning, and mindfulness-based techniques.
I use psychological theories, such as dynamic systems and social learning, to guide personal growth and help clients gain valuable insights. My experience as a business professional, Canadian Military Intelligence Officer, and my research on PTSD among veterans further inform my approach, ensuring it is both practical and effective so you can get the most out of therapy.
To learn more about how personalized therapy with Robert Valela works, please click this link: How Personalized Therapy Works.
My therapy services are NOT the right solution for you if any of the following is true:
1. You are a minor or under the care of a legal guardian and under the age of 18.
2. You do not reside in the Canadian province of Alberta.
3. You are in an urgent crisis or an emergency situation.
4. You are seeking strictly talk therapy without skills-building and practice outside of sessions.
5. You do not have a device that can connect to the Internet or a reliable Internet connection.
6. You cannot physically attend in-person sessions AND do not wish to receive therapy online.
7. You do not agree and accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
I work with adults and couples dealing with trauma, post-traumatic stress (PTSD), anxiety, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, depression, burnout, ADHD, and relationship issues. Additionally, I help individuals manage intense emotions like anger, grief, sadness, and general stress. Whether it is intrusive thoughts, painful emotions, or post-traumatic stress from issues like combat or sexual trauma, accidents, abuse, assault, death, or suicide, I am here to provide practical support so you can make positive change.
I’ve worked with veterans, first responders, and professionals in high-pressure fields like the military, police, healthcare, tech, finance, athletics, and more, including those balancing leadership roles. I understand the stresses of leadership, tight deadlines, and the challenge of balancing demanding careers with personal and family life. I also specialize in supporting adults and couples in high-demand careers, such as the military, police, corrections, emergency medical, healthcare, and fire rescue services, who are facing challenges like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
It’s natural to feel like you can handle things on your own, and in some cases, you might. However, therapy provides a structured, supportive environment that helps you gain deeper insight into your challenges and develop tools to address them more effectively. A trained therapist can offer new perspectives, identify patterns you may not see, and guide you through difficult emotions in a way that fosters lasting change. While self-reflection is important, therapy accelerates the process and helps ensure you’re not carrying the weight alone.
Therapy experiences vary, and perceptions of difficulty are subjective. Factors like personal readiness, the issues being addressed, and the therapist-client relationship can influence how challenging it feels. We will discuss difficult topics, and what we uncover may be unsettling at first because it involves facing emotions or patterns that may have been avoided. Change is often hard, and we will likely work on areas outside your comfort zone, as that’s where growth happens. However, many find therapy to be a valuable and transformative process. Open communication, realistic expectations, and giving yourself time to progress at your own pace are key to success.
The frequency and number of sessions vary based on each person or couple’s situation, so the timeline for “feeling better” is different for everyone. Typically, clients work with me for up to 16 sessions, though some continue with 16 to 26 sessions or more. Many clients begin to feel noticeably better within the first month and continue to make progress over time.
To learn more about my personalized therapy approach, click here: How Personalized Therapy Works.
Everything you share in our therapy sessions is private and confidential.
Unless required for coordination with your insurance provider or employer, or to pursue a claim on a delinquent account through a collection agency, no information will be shared. If needed, only essential details, like billing, receipts or contact information, will be provided.
Please note, I may need to contact you or authorities if there’s a concern about your safety, someone else’s safety, or a criminal act.
Your privacy and confidentiality are our top priorities. No matter which service you use, your data will be handled securely in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Registered Psychologists (R. Psych.) are skilled in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. In places like Alberta, they typically hold a graduate degree, such as a Master’s degree (M.Ed. or M.A.) or a Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), requiring anywhere from 2-6 years of study, clinical training, and research. After completing their degree, they complete a year of supervised practice and their licensing exams.
Registered Provisional Psychologists are those who have a graduate degree (M.Ed. or Ph.D.) and are finishing their licensing exams and a year (1600 hours) of supervised practice. They usually have about 3 years of experience in mental health assessment and treatment. Terms for this stage vary by province or jurisdiction.
Unlike many other mental health professionals, psychologists have the unique ability to diagnose and explain mental health conditions to their clients in specific jurisdictions. This means they can assess symptoms, determine the nature of mental health issues, and directly communicate their findings and treatment plans. This ability sets them apart and allows for a more integrated approach to mental health care, ensuring that clients receive accurate diagnoses and clear guidance on managing their conditions.
Couples therapy, also known as couples counselling, focuses on the dynamics and challenges within an intimate relationship. It involves two close people (e.g., partners, parents, siblings, or adult children and their parents) attending sessions together to address issues such as post-traumatic stress (PTSD), depression, and anxiety while improving communication, reducing conflict, and strengthening the relationship.
Individual therapy, on the other hand, is tailored to the needs of a single individual. It provides a confidential space for personal exploration, self-reflection, or personal growth, and addressing individual concerns such as post-traumatic stress (PTSD), anxiety, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, depression, burnout, ADHD, and relationship issues. Additionally, individual therapy is helpful for managing intense emotions like anger, grief, sadness, and general stress. The therapist and the individual work collaboratively to understand and navigate these challenges.
Couples therapy involves sessions with both partners, while individual therapy is a one-on-one interaction between the client and therapist. The choice depends on whether the issues are related to the relationship or individual well-being. In some cases, a combination of both therapies may be recommended to address both personal and relationship challenges.
Therapy sessions are $235 (CAD) per hour, consisting of 50 minutes for therapy and 10 minutes for administrative work. This rate applies to both individual and couples therapy.
Please note: The cost of each therapy session covers the time and effort I invest in preparation before each session and reflection afterward, ensuring that my services are personalized to your unique life circumstances.
The therapy services I offer may be covered by certain public or private health insurance plans.
You’ll be eligible for coverage if you have insurance with: Medavie Blue Cross, Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, Sun Life, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), and WCB.
If you are a Veteran using Medavie/Alberta Blue Cross through VAC, or if you’re covered by Canada Life, therapy sessions with a Registered Provisional Psychologist are eligible for coverage.
Some insurance providers, like Canada Life, Manulife, and Sun Life Financial might not offer direct billing. However, you can submit your receipts to get reimbursed.
If your insurance company isn’t listed, please contact them to confirm:
(1) Whether they cover therapy sessions with a Supervised Registered Provisional Psychologist.
(2) The details of your plan, including coverage amounts and limits.
For example, you may have $1,500 annually for therapy, which resets each June, and is available for services provided by a Psychologist, Registered Provisional Psychologist, or Social Worker.
For Active Duty Military Members: VAC coverage does not extend to third-party providers (like myself) while you are employed by the Department of National Defence (DND). However, you can still access mental health services on base or seek an external referral. Alternatively, you can choose to pay for services out of pocket.
Therapy sessions can be paid for using ACH bank transfer, cash, cheque, Mastercard, or Visa, before our session. If your insurance covers your therapy, I might be able to bill them directly. Administrative staff will confirm this for you at the start of your treatment.
Yes, if you cancel or reschedule with less than 24 hours’ notice or don’t show up, you will be charged the full session fee. A “missed appointment” occurs if you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice or don’t show up. Most insurance policies do not cover these fees, so they will be billed directly to you.
The therapy sessions are either in-person in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, or virtual/online and hosted across Alberta over Doxy.me.
In-person sessions are held at #302 – 11611 107 AVE NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5H 0P9, CANADA.
You will need to schedule a time with me for each therapy session. After the session is scheduled, if it is online, I will send you a Doxy.me link before we start therapy and you will use that same link for each session. At the scheduled time for our call, you can click the link to join the session.
I recommend that you ensure Doxy.me works on your phone, tablet, laptop, or computer and that you can access online therapy in a space that ensures your privacy and confidentiality.
We will communicate with each other in a few ways:
– Email: [email protected]
– Video conferencing over Doxy.me
– Phone: 587-801-4629
– Secure chat (messaging) via the Practice Better Client Portal
For additional contact information, including hours of operation, click here.
Please note: If you choose to contact me and continue communications via email, please recognize the associated risks of email transmission, as it is not secure, and confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
Your data is collected based on the following principles:
Transparency: The Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions explain data use.
Minimal Collection: Only essential data is collected to deliver and improve services,
respecting your privacy.
Security: Data is disclosed, retained, and used with strict safeguards.
Your data is used for:
Ongoing Client care: Such as, adjusting treatment plans based on client progress.
Clinical and security audits: Such as, ensuring compliance with privacy and security
standards.
Data analysis: Such as, analyzing anonymized data to improve services.
Client and workspace safety: Such as, identifying and addressing safety risks.
Delivering and enhancing services: Such as, using feedback to refine and personalize care.
Your privacy and confidentiality are our top priorities. No matter which service you use or where your data is stored, your data will be handled securely in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
While working together, your demographic and contact information, secure messages, emails, uploaded documents, completed forms and practice assignments, and health information, including insurance details and therapy session notes are stored in your Electronic Health Record, ensuring all relevant data is securely managed according to standard practice.
Your privacy and confidentiality are our top priorities. No matter which service you use or where your data is stored, your data will be handled securely in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
If you are using therapy services, only you, your therapist, RV Services Group (RVSG), and The Centre for Posttraumatic Stress & Anxiety Treatment (CPSAT) can see your health information.
If you are using our other services (not therapy), such as our courses, only you and RV Services Group can see your information.
We may use third-party companies and individuals to help run our platform and services or provide support, like customer service, technical maintenance, or billing. They may also help with things like emails, messaging, meetings, database management, and reports. We only share the minimum information needed for them to do their job, and we have privacy agreements in place to protect your data.
Your privacy and confidentiality are our top priorities. No matter which service you use or where your data is stored, your data will be handled securely in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Your Personal Data may be transferred to and stored on servers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, Canada, the United States of America, Switzerland, and Germany. This transfer is essential to ensure the continuity of care and to support the functionality of our Platform and Services. Please be aware that certain features of our platform rely on third-party services, whose servers may also be located internationally, including in the United States. Regardless of where your data is stored, it will be handled securely and in compliance with our Privacy Policy.
Your privacy and confidentiality are our top priorities. No matter which service you use or where your data is stored, your data will be handled securely in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
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