Question 1

Do both parents need to consent for the child to receive assessment or counselling?

Accepted Answer

It depends. When parents are separated, divorced, or were never together after their child's birth, they usually share joint legal custody. This means we need permission from both parents before services can be provided to the child. If there are any specific court orders or custody arrangements that affect this, a copy of the order is required for record keeping. However, exceptions exist, such as when one parent cannot be located or a court order grants healthcare decision authority to one parent. For parenting support services without direct child involvement, only the attending parent's consent is necessary.The primary goal is to ensure minors can access mental health services while respecting legal and ethical obligations. In complex custody situations, it is recommended to discuss specifics with the psychologist during the initial parent-only appointment to develop an appropriate plan and address potential concerns.

Question 2

How does Stable Solutions match children with the right  animal for counselling sessions?

Accepted Answer

At Stable Solutions, I take time to understand each child’s interests, comfort level, and emotional needs. I also consider the unique personalities, strengths, and preferences of the animals I work with. While children are welcome to express a preference, not every animal is the right fit for every client. Matching is done thoughtfully to support safety, trust, and the best possible connection for therapeutic work.

Question 3

How many counselling sessions will my child need?

Accepted Answer

The number of sessions depends on your child’s needs, but this type of therapy is not a quick fix. Most children benefit from a series of sessions over time:
15–20 sessions for more focused concerns
20–30 sessions is most common
30–40 sessions for more complex or long-standing concerns
The first few sessions focus on building a strong, trusting relationship and understanding your child’s experiences. From there, the work deepens to support insight, skill development, and lasting change.
Some children may need fewer sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. We will check in regularly and adjust the plan together to ensure therapy remains helpful and meaningful.

We move at your child’s pace—never rushing the process.

Question 4

What is your cancellation/reschedule policy?

Accepted Answer

Plans can change. To serve all clients well and keep high standards, Stable Solutions has a clear policy. You must give notification at least 24 hours before if you need to cancel or reschedule. If you do, there’s no penalty, but if you cancel or reschedule less than 24 hours before, you will have to pay the full session costs. Thank you for understanding and respecting the policy. Exceptions may be made for illness, poor weather, and road conditions.

Question 5

What types of therapeutic approaches does Stable Solutions offer, and how are they tailored to meet the unique needs of clients?

Accepted Answer

A: I don’t take a mix-and-match approach to therapy. Instead, I choose one primary, evidence-based approach for each child so that the support they receive is clear, steady, and purposeful.Most often, my work is grounded in Adlerian Play Therapy. In some cases, another approach such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), including Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), may be the best fit—but I aim to stay consistent with one approach throughout the work.Within that approach, sessions may include play, animals, sand tray, or mindfulness to meet your child at their level.This means sessions may look different each time, but the direction of the therapy remains consistent and focused on building confidence, connection, and growth.

Question 6

What areas of concerns can be addressed at Stable Solutions?

Accepted Answer

A: I often incorporate animals and/or play to support children and teens with concerns such as:
Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive concerns
Depression
Attention and focus
Self-regulation
Challenging behaviour
Loss and grief
Social skills
Stress
Trauma
School-related difficulties
I support kids and teens who are struggling—but I also work with those who simply need a bit of extra support building confidence, resilience, or social-emotional skills.
Through play-based and animal-assisted approaches, my goal is to create sessions that feel safe, engaging, and meaningful. Whether your child is working through something big or learning tools for the road ahead, therapy can help.
In addition to counselling, I also offer parent support, learning (psychoeducational) assessments, ADHD assessments, and autism screening.

Question 7

What ages do you work with?

Accepted Answer

I provide  therapeutic services for children and youth primarily between 5-17 years, with programs tailored to their developmental needs, often blending play and animals, with evidence based approaches.

Question 8

Tell me about how you help parents who have children with concerning behaviours.

Accepted Answer

I primarily employ the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model to help solve problems in the home.  This model focuses on addressing the unique  challenges of each child through a structured yet flexible approach that encourages problem-solving and communication. I guide parents through each type of session, ensuring they are actively involved and well-informed about the model so they can continue independently.

I also offer SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) Treatment.  It is a parent-based treatment program for children and adolescents with anxiety and/or obsessive tendencies. In most cases, the child or adolescent does not need to attend the treatment session since the treatment focuses on changes that parents can make to their own behaviour.

Both CPS and SPACE sessions can be done virtually.

Question 9

Are virtual sessions offered?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, I offer virtual sessions for several services. Specifically, you can have a virtual initial intake session where we go over the therapy process and gather info about your child. I  also offer virtual Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) sessions and virtual SPACE treatment sessions. If bad weather or hazardous road conditions prevent in-person meetings, we can try to arrange a virtual therapy session for that day.

Please note: I provide all assessments in person. At this time, I do not offer virtual assessments, as I believe face-to-face sessions allow for the most accurate and supportive experience.

Question 10

When working with children, are parents kept informed?

Accepted Answer

As a psychologist, I take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Knowing that kids need safe places to grow, I protect all personal information with strict privacy rules. Parents are kept informed with regular updates while maintaining the confidentiality of session details. This approach allows me to provide a safe and nurturing environment for your child. Also, I  give parents tips they can use at home to help support the work the kids do during sessions. This well-rounded approach makes sure families can support their children's emotional and psychological growth, while at Stable Solutions and at home.

For assessments, after the testing is complete, you'll receive a comprehensive written report outlining the findings and recommendations. We’ll also meet to go over the results together, so you have a clear understanding and can ask any questions.

Question 11

What can I expect during the intake meeting at Stable Solutions?

Accepted Answer

The intake meeting is actually the second step. First, parents should arrange a 15 minute phone or virtual consultation to see if Stable Solutions is able to offer the support that the child needs and if there will be a good match for the child.

The intake meeting is a crucial second step. During this meeting, parents will meet with me without their child present. This allows for a candid conversation about the therapy process, and it also gives me the opportunity to fully explain my services. The intake meeting is designed to explain the therapy process, gather essential background information and discuss your child's needs, goals, and any concerns you might have. This discussion helps me tailor a personalized therapy plan that best supports your child's development and well-being, aiming for a successful and impactful therapeutic journey. If parents are separated or divorced and custody is joint, both parents will need to sign the consent form.  If one parent has sole custody, they are required to share the legal documents indicating sole custody with Stable Solutions and then only the custodial parent is required to sign the consent form.

Question 12

Are you taking new clients?

Accepted Answer

I am currently accepting new clients.

Question 13

My child is autistic.  Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Q: My child is autistic — can you help?
 While not all autistic children need therapy, some benefit from support with things like anxiety, emotional regulation, friendships, or behaviour at home or school. I work with children based on their unique strengths and needs, and I adapt my approach to what works best for them.
When working with autistic children, I often use play-based therapy (following the AutPlay framework) and may also incorporate Animal-Assisted Therapy, which many families find helpful. If parenting strategies like reward and consequence aren't working, I can guide you through a different approach called Collaborative and Proactive Solutions — a model that supports connection, understanding, and problem-solving.
I'm also on the registry of service providers for the ASD Individualized Funding Program in Saskatchewan. While I don’t diagnose autism, I do provide assessments for learning, ADHD, cognitive strengths, and autism screening.

Question 14

What does it mean when you say you complete "screeners" for mental health conditions.

Accepted Answer

Mental health screening is a preliminary assessment tool designed to identify potential mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder. These brief, confidential screenings help individuals understand their mental health status by asking targeted questions about symptoms and characteristics.

It is crucial to understand that mental health screeners are not diagnostic tools. They serve as an initial step to guide individuals toward appropriate support and professional evaluation. If potential concerns are identified, recommendations and potentially referrals may be made to qualified healthcare professionals for comprehensive assessment and diagnosis.

Question 15

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

Q: Where are you located?
Stable Solutions is located on a peaceful farm/ranch about 75 km north of Regina, between Southey and Raymore. The drive is scenic — a chance to slow down and leave the busyness of the city behind. Sessions take place in a calm, natural setting where therapy can include time with animals, outdoor play, and a fresh perspective.
Detailed directions will be provided once your first session is booked.

Question 16

Let's talk about diagnoses.

Accepted Answer

Diagnostic services are available. However, it's essential to note that my diagnostic expertise is specialized to specific populations and conditions. My training and  experience qualify me to competently diagnose children and youth for:

Learning Disorders
Intellectual Disabilities
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

For mental health or developmental concerns outside these areas, screeners may be completed and/or referrals to specialists with the appropriate expertise may be provided to ensure the most accurate assessment and effective care.

Question 17

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

Payment for counselling is due after each session.For assessments, payment is made after each component or appointment.Accepted forms of payment include cash, cheque, and e-transfer.Direct billing may be available for some insurance plans; any remaining balance is the client’s responsibility. Direct billing is available for NIHB clients.

Question 18

Why are your fees set at $170/hour?

Accepted Answer

Q: What are your rates?
The recommended rate for psychologists in Saskatchewan is  $235/hour. I’ve chosen to set my rate lower to help make services more accessible for families in our area.

Many families have full or partial coverage through work or personal insurance plans — it’s a good idea to check with your provider. I can direct bill some insurance companies and I’m also a registered provider with NIHB.

Assessment fees vary depending on what’s needed, but are billed at the same hourly rate. I’ll walk you through all of this during our first consultation meeting.
If cost is a concern, please reach out — I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots based on need and availability.

Question 19

Does Stable Solutions accept insurance for sessions?

Accepted Answer

Many insurance companies provide some coverage for counseling sessions, but it varies. Please contact your provider to confirm your plan's benefits. I'm registered with Telus EHealth to direct bill the following insurance companies: ABC Insurance, AGA Financial Group, Alan, Alberta blue Cross, belairdirect (Formerly Johnson Inc.), Beneva, BPA, Canada Life, Canada Life PSHCP, Canadian Construction Workers Union, Chambers of Commerce (Johnston Group), CINUP (Johnston Group), ClaimSecure, Coughlin & Associates LTD, Cowan, Desjardins, Eclipse Financial, Equitable, First Canadian (Johnston Group), GMS Carriers, GroupHEALTH, GroupSource, Heal Risk Services, HUB International Industrial Alliance, Johnston Group, Liuna Local 183, Liuna Local 506, Major Group, Manion, Manulife, Maximum Benefit (Johnston Group), MDM Insurance Services, Pacific Blue Cross, People Corporation, ProBenefits, RWAM, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Simply Benefits. In addition, I am able to direct bill Saskatchewan Blue Cross.

I am enrolled with NIHB as a mental health provider and can bill NIHB directly. See below if you or your child are an eligible NIHB client.

I am on the register with  the Government of Saskatchewan's Autism Service Provider.

I  offer various payment options to ensure you and/or your child receive quality care and support.

Question 20

Are you a registered provider with the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I am a registered provider with NIHB for eligible clients and claims are sent directly. Eligible clients do not need to pay out of pocket as long as they have been approved by NIHB.  Check out this link: Who is eligible for the Non-Insured Health Benefits program to see if your child is eligible.

Question 21

Do you offer a sliding scale for children or youth appointments who have an identified need for therapy services?

Accepted Answer

Households/parents/guardians who have an annual gross income of $80 000 or above, insurance coverage, or coverage through another program do not qualify for reduced rates. There are a limited number of therapy and assessment spots available for sliding scale clients.  Please ask for details during the 15 minute free consultation call.

Stable Solutions

Where change looks like laughter in a barn, stories in the sand and quiet moments with a four-legged friend.

Frequently asked questions