Child Psychology FAQs in Calgary
Have questions about child therapy, psychological assessments, or getting started? You're in the right place. We've answered some of the questions Calgary parents ask most often, from booking your first appointment to understanding how therapy works. Explore the answers below, and remember, our team is always happy to help if you need a little more guidance.
Getting Started & Booking.
How do I book a child psychologist in Calgary?
Booking an appointment at Creative Sky Psychology
is simple. You can
book online
or contact our Calgary office for help getting
started. Tell us a little about your child's age,
your concerns, and what kind of support you're
looking for. You don't need to have everything
figured out before reaching out.
Our team can help you find a psychologist whose experience and approach fit your child's needs. We'll also explain what to expect from your first appointment so you can feel comfortable taking the next step.
Our team can help you find a psychologist whose experience and approach fit your child's needs. We'll also explain what to expect from your first appointment so you can feel comfortable taking the next step.
Do I need a referral to see a child psychologist?
No. You do not need a doctor's referral to book
an appointment with a child psychologist in
Alberta. Parents and caregivers can contact
Creative Sky Psychology directly to arrange
therapy or psychological assessment services.
If your family doctor, teacher, or another professional has recommended support, you're welcome to share that information. Some insurance plans may have separate referral requirements for reimbursement, so it's worth checking your coverage.
If your family doctor, teacher, or another professional has recommended support, you're welcome to share that information. Some insurance plans may have separate referral requirements for reimbursement, so it's worth checking your coverage.
How do you match my child with the right psychologist?
Finding the right fit matters. We consider your
child's age, personality, concerns, and goals,
alongside each psychologist's clinical expertise,
therapeutic approach, and availability.
Whether your child needs support with anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation, friendships, or another concern, we'll help you explore which psychologist may be a good match. If the fit doesn't feel right after getting started, we can discuss other options.
Whether your child needs support with anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation, friendships, or another concern, we'll help you explore which psychologist may be a good match. If the fit doesn't feel right after getting started, we can discuss other options.
How do I know if my child needs to see a psychologist?
Children experience emotional and behavioural
challenges as they grow, but additional support
may be helpful when difficulties persist,
become more intense, or begin affecting
everyday life. Changes in mood, sleep,
friendships, school participation, confidence,
or family relationships can all be reasons
to consider speaking with a child psychologist.
You don't need to wait for a crisis or have a diagnosis before seeking help. Sometimes a parent consultation is a useful first step toward understanding what's happening and deciding what support might help.
You don't need to wait for a crisis or have a diagnosis before seeking help. Sometimes a parent consultation is a useful first step toward understanding what's happening and deciding what support might help.
What happens at the first appointment?
Child therapy often begins with a parent-only
intake appointment. This gives you time to
share your child's developmental history,
current concerns, strengths, and therapy goals
without needing to discuss sensitive details
in front of your child.
When your child begins attending, their psychologist focuses on building trust and helping them feel comfortable. Depending on their age and needs, sessions may include play, art, conversation, or other developmentally appropriate activities. The process is tailored to your family rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
When your child begins attending, their psychologist focuses on building trust and helping them feel comfortable. Depending on their age and needs, sessions may include play, art, conversation, or other developmentally appropriate activities. The process is tailored to your family rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
What if my child doesn't want to go to therapy?
It's common for children and teens to feel
nervous or reluctant about starting therapy,
especially when they don't know what to expect.
Some worry they're in trouble or that something
is wrong with them. Our psychologists take time
to build trust, respect each child's pace,
and create an environment where they feel
safe and understood.
If your child is hesitant, let us know before booking. We can help you think about how to introduce therapy without adding unnecessary pressure. Parent counselling may also be a helpful starting point.
If your child is hesitant, let us know before booking. We can help you think about how to introduce therapy without adding unnecessary pressure. Parent counselling may also be a helpful starting point.
Do you offer online child therapy across Alberta?
Yes. Creative Sky Psychology offers in-person
therapy at our Calgary clinic and secure
virtual appointments for families throughout
Alberta, when appropriate for the child's
needs and therapeutic goals.
Online therapy can work well for older children, teens, and parent counselling. Younger children and those benefiting from play-based therapy may be better supported in person. Our team can help you decide which format is most suitable. You can also explore the areas we serve.
Online therapy can work well for older children, teens, and parent counselling. Younger children and those benefiting from play-based therapy may be better supported in person. Our team can help you decide which format is most suitable. You can also explore the areas we serve.
Fees, Insurance & Coverage.
How much does child therapy cost in Calgary?
Child therapy at Creative Sky Psychology costs $235 per 60-minute session with a Registered or Provisionally Registered Psychologist. Our fees are consistent with the recommended rates of the Psychologists' Association of Alberta. Appointment lengths and fees for other psychological services may vary. We'll explain the cost of your child's care before getting started, so you know what to expect.
Is child therapy covered by insurance or benefits?
Many extended health insurance plans in Alberta cover some or all of the cost of child psychology services. Coverage depends on your individual benefits plan, including annual limits, reimbursement percentages, and any restrictions on psychologist credentials. We recommend confirming your coverage with your insurance provider before your first appointment. Eligible out-of-pocket psychological expenses may also qualify as medical expenses for Canadian income tax purposes.
Do you offer direct billing?
Creative Sky Psychology does not offer direct billing to insurance providers. Payment is arranged through our online booking system, and you'll receive an invoice that you can submit to your extended health benefits provider for reimbursement. If you have questions about the information required for an insurance claim, our office is happy to help.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept major credit cards and require a credit card on file before beginning services. If you prefer to pay by e-transfer, please contact our office in advance at info@creativeskypsychology.com to arrange payment. Our team can explain the payment process when you book your first appointment.
How much does a psychoeducational or ADHD assessment cost?
The cost of a psychological assessment depends on your child's needs and the type of testing required. A comprehensive psychoeducational assessment typically involves several hours of testing, scoring, interpretation, and report writing, while a focused ADHD assessment may follow a different process. We'll explain the recommended assessment, estimated hours, and total cost before proceeding. Some extended health benefit plans provide coverage for psychological assessments, so it's worth checking your policy.
What is your cancellation policy?
Creative Sky Psychology requires at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice are subject to the full session fee. This policy helps us make appointment times available to other families seeking support. If you need to make a change, please contact your psychologist or email info@creativeskypsychology.com. You can also call our Calgary office at (587) 331-4464 ext. 1. We appreciate as much advance notice as possible.
Therapy for Children & Teens.
What ages do you work with?
Creative Sky Psychology provides therapy for children and teenagers at different stages of development, from preschool-aged children through adolescence. Our Calgary psychologists adapt their approach to each child's age, abilities, and individual needs. We offer preschool therapy for younger children, child therapy for school-aged children, and teen therapy for adolescents. Whether your child is struggling with big emotions, anxiety, friendships, or life changes, we'll help you find age-appropriate support.
What is play therapy, and how does it help?
Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate approach to child psychology that uses play to help children express emotions, explore experiences, and develop coping skills. Because younger children may not yet have the language to explain what they're feeling, toys, games, stories, and imaginative play can provide another way to communicate. Our Calgary child psychologists use play-based approaches to support emotional regulation, anxiety, behavioural challenges, and relationship difficulties, while helping children build confidence and feel understood.
Do you offer therapy and counselling for teenagers?
Yes. Creative Sky Psychology offers teen therapy and counselling in Calgary for adolescents navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, school stress, friendships, self-esteem, identity, and family relationships. Our psychologists provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where teenagers can explore their experiences and develop practical strategies for managing challenges. We respect each teen's growing independence while involving parents appropriately, helping families strengthen communication and support progress outside the therapy room.
What is art therapy for children?
Art therapy uses creative activities such as drawing, painting, and working with different materials to support emotional expression and psychological well-being. For children who find it difficult to describe their thoughts or feelings, art can provide a comfortable way to explore experiences and communicate emotions. Sessions focus on the therapeutic process rather than artistic ability, so no creative experience is needed. Art-based approaches can be particularly helpful when supporting children with anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, or difficult life experiences.
Will I be involved in my child's therapy?
Yes. Parent involvement is an important part of our collaborative approach to child therapy. Depending on your child's age and needs, your psychologist may include parent consultations, feedback sessions, and practical strategies you can use at home. With younger children, parents often play a more active role in supporting therapeutic progress. For teenagers, we balance family involvement with their growing need for privacy and independence. We also offer dedicated parent counselling to help caregivers better understand their child's behaviour, strengthen relationships, and respond to challenges with confidence.
How long will my child need therapy?
The length of child therapy depends on your child's concerns, goals, and response to treatment. Some children benefit from a shorter period of focused support, while others may need ongoing sessions to work through more complex or persistent challenges. Your psychologist will collaborate with your family to establish goals, review progress, and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Our focus is on helping children develop skills, build resilience, and feel more confident managing challenges in everyday life, rather than continuing therapy longer than necessary.
Assessments & Diagnoses.
Do you do ADHD assessments and testing for children?
Yes. Creative Sky Psychology provides comprehensive ADHD assessments for children and teens in Calgary. Our psychologists evaluate attention, impulsivity, executive functioning, and how these difficulties affect everyday life. The assessment may include parent and teacher questionnaires, clinical interviews, developmental history, and standardized testing when appropriate. We also consider other factors that can affect attention, such as anxiety and learning difficulties. When the findings support an ADHD diagnosis, your psychologist will explain the results and provide recommendations for home and school.
Do you assess and diagnose autism in children?
Yes. We offer autism assessments for children and teens in Calgary, using a comprehensive, neurodiversity-affirming approach. Our psychologists consider your child's developmental history, communication, social experiences, sensory differences, and patterns of behaviour. We recognize that autism can present differently from one child to another, including children who mask their difficulties in social or school settings. If the assessment findings support an autism diagnosis, we'll explain what that means and provide individualized recommendations to help your family understand your child's strengths and support needs.
What is a psychoeducational assessment?
A psychoeducational assessment explores how your child learns, processes information, and performs academically. It typically includes standardized measures of cognitive abilities and academic skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, alongside relevant developmental and educational history. These assessments can help identify learning disabilities, intellectual strengths, giftedness, and factors contributing to school difficulties. Families receive a detailed report explaining the findings, with practical recommendations for learning strategies, classroom accommodations, and support at home.
Can you test for learning disabilities like dyslexia?
Yes. Our learning disability assessments in Calgary evaluate difficulties with reading, written expression, and mathematics, including concerns commonly described as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Through standardized testing and a review of your child's learning history, our psychologists can determine whether the findings meet the criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder. The resulting report identifies areas of strength and difficulty and provides recommendations that parents and educators can use to support learning.
Can you assess whether my child is gifted?
Yes. Creative Sky Psychology offers gifted assessments for children in Calgary using standardized cognitive testing to explore intellectual abilities and areas of exceptional strength. An assessment can help families better understand their child's learning profile and may provide documentation for gifted education programs, depending on the school's admission criteria. We also consider twice-exceptionality, where a child demonstrates gifted abilities alongside ADHD, a learning disability, or another developmental difference. Our goal is to provide a fuller understanding of your child's abilities and educational needs.
How long is the wait for an assessment?
Wait times for psychological assessments at Creative Sky Psychology depend on the type of assessment, psychologist availability, and your family's scheduling needs. Private assessments may offer an alternative for families who are waiting for school-based or publicly funded testing. When you contact us, our team can explain current availability, the assessment process, and the expected timeline for testing, feedback, and the final report. Explore our psychological assessment services to learn more about the options available.
Will my child's school accept your assessment report?
Psychological assessment reports completed by qualified registered psychologists are commonly used by schools in Calgary and throughout Alberta to better understand a student's learning needs. Our reports include assessment findings, diagnostic conclusions where appropriate, and recommendations that can help inform classroom accommodations, learning plans, and educational supports. However, individual schools and school divisions determine their own documentation requirements and eligibility criteria for specific programs. If your child's school has requested an assessment, we recommend confirming any particular requirements before testing begins.
Anxiety, OCD & Common Concerns.
Do you treat childhood anxiety?
Yes. Creative Sky Psychology provides child anxiety therapy in Calgary for children and teens experiencing excessive worry, separation anxiety, social anxiety, panic, phobias, and other anxiety-related difficulties. Our psychologists use evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to help children understand their anxiety, develop coping strategies, and gradually build confidence in situations that feel overwhelming. Parent involvement is often an important part of treatment, helping families respond to anxiety in ways that support their child's growing independence.
Do you treat OCD in children and teens?
Yes. Our psychologists provide specialized OCD therapy for children and teens experiencing intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviours, and distressing rituals. Treatment may include Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), an evidence-based form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy that helps children gradually face feared situations while reducing compulsive responses. ERP is carefully planned and collaborative, with activities adapted to your child's developmental needs and readiness. We also help parents understand OCD and learn how to support progress without unintentionally reinforcing the cycle of anxiety and compulsions.
Can you help with school refusal or school anxiety?
Yes. Our school refusal therapy in Calgary helps children and teens who experience significant distress about attending school. School avoidance can be connected to anxiety, bullying, learning difficulties, sensory overwhelm, social challenges, or other concerns. Rather than focusing only on attendance, our psychologists work to understand what's making school difficult for your child. Treatment may involve emotional regulation strategies, gradual school re-engagement, parent guidance, and collaboration with educators when appropriate. The goal is to help children feel safer, more capable, and better supported in their learning environment.
Do you help with anger, meltdowns, and big emotions?
Yes. Creative Sky Psychology supports children who struggle with emotional regulation, frequent meltdowns, frustration, anger, and challenging behaviours. Our psychologists look beyond the behaviour to understand contributing factors such as stress, unmet needs, developmental differences, or difficulties communicating emotions. Through developmentally appropriate therapy and parent coaching, we help children build emotional awareness, practise regulation skills, and develop more effective ways to express their needs. Our child behaviour therapy focuses on understanding the child while giving families practical strategies for everyday challenges.
Can therapy help with low self-esteem and confidence?
Yes. Therapy can help children and teens who struggle with self-doubt, perfectionism, negative self-talk, social comparison, or feeling that they aren't good enough. Our psychologists use strengths-based approaches to help young people recognize their abilities, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and develop a more balanced sense of self. Approaches such as narrative therapy can help children separate their identity from the difficulties they're experiencing and explore more empowering ways of understanding themselves. Building confidence takes time, but small changes in how children see themselves can make a meaningful difference in everyday life.
Do you support children through divorce, grief, or big changes?
Yes. Children can experience a wide range of emotions when navigating parental separation, divorce, grief, loss, moving homes, or changes within the family. Some express their feelings openly, while others may become withdrawn, anxious, irritable, or more dependent on caregivers. Our psychologists provide a supportive space where children can process their experiences, make sense of change, and develop healthy ways of coping. We also offer guidance for parents who want to support their child through difficult transitions. When appropriate, family therapy can help strengthen communication and relationships as everyone adjusts.
Our Approach & Practical Questions.
Is your therapy evidence-based?
Yes. Our Calgary child psychologists use evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each child's developmental stage, strengths, and individual needs. Depending on the concern, treatment may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), parent-focused interventions, and developmentally appropriate play-based or creative techniques. We consider current psychological research, clinical expertise, and your family's goals when developing a treatment plan. Learn more about our evidence-based approach and our overall philosophy.
Is what my child shares in therapy confidential?
Confidentiality is an important part of building trust in child and teen therapy. Our psychologists explain privacy, consent, and the limits of confidentiality at the beginning of treatment, including how information may be shared with parents or guardians. We aim to keep caregivers informed about treatment goals and ways to support their child while respecting the privacy appropriate to the child's age, maturity, and circumstances. Confidentiality is not absolute, and information may need to be disclosed when required by law or when there are significant safety concerns. Your psychologist will explain how these responsibilities apply to your family.
What is your approach to therapy?
At Creative Sky Psychology, our approach to child and teen therapy is strengths-based, collaborative, and developmentally sensitive. We believe that understanding a child's experiences, relationships, and underlying needs is essential to supporting meaningful change. Rather than focusing only on difficult behaviours, our psychologists explore what may be contributing to those challenges and help children develop practical skills for emotional regulation, communication, confidence, and resilience. Parents are valued partners in the process, and treatment is individualized to each family's goals. Discover more about our approach to child psychology.
Where is your clinic located?
Creative Sky Psychology is located at #5, 2005 37 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3E 3A5, in the Killarney neighbourhood of southwest Calgary. Our child-friendly offices welcome families from communities throughout Calgary, including West Springs, Aspen Woods, Cougar Ridge, Glenbrook, Glendale, and surrounding areas. We also offer virtual psychological services across Alberta when clinically appropriate. Visit our areas we serve page to learn more about accessing therapy from your community.
Do you support teens and adults too?
Yes. Creative Sky Psychology specializes in psychological services for children, teenagers, and parents, including teen counselling, parent consultations, and family-focused support. For adults seeking individual therapy or couples counselling, our sister clinic, NU Psychology, provides dedicated mental health services in Calgary. NU Psychology supports adults and teens experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, trauma, relationship difficulties, and other concerns. Our teams can help you explore which clinic may be the best fit for your needs.
What should I do if my child is in crisis?
If your child is in immediate danger, has seriously harmed themselves, or may harm someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For urgent mental health support in Alberta, you can contact the Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642. If your child is experiencing suicidal thoughts or you're concerned about suicide risk, call or text 988 for crisis support in Canada. Creative Sky Psychology is not an emergency or crisis response service, so please do not wait for a therapy appointment when immediate help is needed. For non-emergency concerns, our team can help you explore appropriate psychological support.
Still Have Questions?
We're Happy to Help.
Every family's questions are different, and we're here to help you find the answers you need. Whether you're exploring child therapy, considering a psychological assessment, or ready to book your first appointment, our Calgary team is happy to guide you. Reach out whenever you're ready, and we'll help you take the next step with confidence.