Frequently Asked Questions

In Alberta, the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) is the regulatory body for the profession of psychology. Their requirements to become a registered psychologist in Alberta are:

• Successful completion of a minimum of a Master’s level degree from an approved Psychology program (which would have included a 200-600 hour practicum)
• Completed a minimum of 1600 hours of supervised hours in the practice of Psychology.
• Successful completion of the Examination of the Professional Practice of Psychology and passed the oral exam.

A registered provisional psychologist is a therapist who has a completed a minimum Master’s level psychology or related degree and is practicing to become a registered psychologist. They must have completed a practicum placement of 200 to 600 hours of counselling in order to obtain their graduate degree. Once they’ve graduated, they can apply to become a registered provisional psychologist. They must also present a supervision plan to CAP as part of their application requirements.

It’s important to note that many registered provisional psychologists have significant experience, are of varying ages and can have areas of unique expertise or specialty.

It takes generally one or two years (or more) for a provisional psychologist to become a registered psychologist.

A senior psychologist has been registered and practicing for at least five years.

According to the dictionary, psychiatry is the study and treatment of mental illness, emotional disturbance, and abnormal behaviour.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with special training in psychiatry and mental health who can also prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists provide therapy but many do not and tend to focus on diagnosis/evaluation and/or psychiatric medication monitoring.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour.

A registered psychologist is a person with a minimum of a graduate degree in psychology (although there are several registered psychologists who also have doctorate level degrees), who has completed a minimum of 1600 hours of supervised practice, and in Alberta, has passed the Examination of the Professional Practice of Psychology. Psychologists focus on different therapeutic approaches, usually from the approach of combining biological, psychological and social factors to treat mental illness and issues. They do not prescribe medication.

At Insight, we have a variety of therapists available to support clients in their mental wellness. We have:

• Senior psychologists – Registered psychologists with at least 5 years of experience practicing in a clinical setting.
• Registered psychologists – A psychologist is a person with a minimum of a graduate degree in psychology (although there are several registered psychologists who also have doctorate level degrees), who has completed a minimum of 1600 hours of supervised practice, and in Alberta, has passed the Examination of the Professional Practice of Psychology. Psychologists focus on different therapeutic approaches to mental wellness and do not prescribe medication.
• Registered provisional psychologists – A therapist who has a completed a minimum Master’s level psychology or related degree and is practicing to become a registered psychologist. They must have completed a practicum placement of 200 to 600 hours of counselling in order to obtain their graduate degree. Once they’ve graduated, they can apply to become a registered provisional psychologist. They must also present a supervision plan to CAP as part of their application requirements.
• Certified Canadian Counsellors – The Canadian Certified Counsellor certification is a national service that identifies to the public those counsellors who CCPA recognizes as qualified to provide counselling services in Canada. Obtaining the status of Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) includes recognition of standards of professional preparation, continuing education, and a formal code of ethics. As a non-statutory self-regulating body, CCPA provides advice and discipline for members on matters of professional conduct. (from www.ccpa-accp.ca)
• Post practicum therapists – A Master’s level student who has completed their student practicum hours and may still be in the process of obtaining their Master’s degree, or may have graduated but have not yet applied for their provisional status. They are practicing under the supervision of a registered or registered provisional psychologist.
• Practicum student therapists – A master’s level student who is in the process of completing their graduate degree and are practicing between 200 to 600 counselling hours under the supervision of a registered or registered provisional psychologist

• GIFTED/INTELLECTUALLY ADVANCED (Intellectually Advanced Assessments)
• NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL (Assessing Brain Injury or Neurological Illness)
• CAREER & JOB APTITUDE (Understanding Career Options)
• DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (Diagnosis of Developmental Disorders)
• PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL & MEMORY (Tests related to aspects of Learning & Academia)
• FORENSIC (Experienced Expert Opinion and Risk Related))
• PERSONALITY & BEHAVIOURAL (Comprehensive Testing & Clinical Evaluation)
• CUSTODY/ACCESS & PARENTAL (PN7, PN8 & Related Assessments)

We can provide direct billing through Blue Cross or Green Shield. There are some insurance plans that will accept direct billing. It’s best to check with your own plan to determine if this is possible. Most insurance plans will have clients pay at the time of the visit then get reimbursed later.

Unfortunately, psychologist visits are not currently covered under Alberta Health Care, unless you are visiting a hospital. Most extended health benefit plans and Employee Assistance Plans will cover in whole or in part the fees for private psychological services. Please also note that fees for psychological services may be claimed under tax deductible health care expenses on your income tax return.