Some benefits company plans cover "clinical counsellors", and some do not.

To find out if I am covered, call your provider and ask (some numbers are below). Here are some terms that describe my designation:

• "Counselling/Counsellor"
• "Clinical Counselling/Clinical Counsellor"
• "Certified Counsellor"​​

While you are on the phone, find out:

• How much of each session is covered.
• How much you have allotted for the year.
• If clinical counselling is covered on your health spend plan. Sometimes I am covered for sessions and not the health spend plan, or vice versa.

If you find out that I am not covered:

If you are in need of only a few sessions per year, you can use your benefits and find a psychologist to help you. All benefits companies cover psychologists. Many benefits packages have a limit of $500 per year. That would cover you for about 2.5 sessions at the psychologist rate of $200/hour.

If you would like more support than a few sessions per year, my services will be more affordable in the long run. Since my rate is approximately half of what a psychologist covers, you will catch up to a lower price within four sessions, assuming you have the usual $500/year allotment.

You can also use your benefits to see a psychologist for a few sessions and then come see me for a lower rate for the rest of the year.

PHONE NUMBERS FOR BENEFITS COMPANIES

​Greenshield:

95% of plans I've encountered so far under this extended health benefits provider cover my services. To confirm, call Greenshield at 1.888.711.1119 Monday to Friday 8:30 - 8:30 ET Ask them if service provider 000862031 is covered under your plan. (You can also give my phone number and name: 403-444-6490, Cielia Hatch) Find out the amount per hour that is covered and your maximum for the year I do have the ability to direct bill to them.

Blue Cross:

I am often covered under Blue Cross policies. Call Blue Cross at 1-800-661-6995 or email them here to find out if I am covered on your plan or not. Ask them if "provider # 3747" is eligible for reimbursement, as well as how much your yearly allotment is. A few Blue Cross accounts have a health spend account - ask if a "clinical counsellor" is eligible for coverage. A doctor's referral may work to gain coverage depending on the plan (the smaller the business the greater the chance).

SunLife:

I am often covered under SunLife policies. Call 1-800-361-6212 and ask them if "Cielia Hatch" is under your list of eligible service providers If you have an individual plan instead of a group plan, there is more flexibility and a doctor's referral may work. I may also be covered on a health spend account - ask if a "clinical counsellor" is eligible for coverage.

Manulife:

I am sometimes covered under Manulife policies. You can call 1-800-268-6195 to confirm if I am covered or not. If you have an individual plan instead of a group plan, there is more flexibility and a doctor's referral may work. I may also be covered on a health spend account - ask if a "clinical counsellor" is eligible for coverage.

Dejardins:

I am sometimes covered under Dejardins policies. You can call 1-800-463-7870 8 to 5 ESTto confirm if I am covered or not. If you have an individual plan instead of a group plan, there is more flexibility and a doctor's referral may work. I may also be covered on a health spend account - ask if a "clinical counsellor" is eligible for coverage.

Great West Life:

1-800-957-9777 Not many, but a handful of polices do cover for "clinical counselling" A health spend account only covers "clinical counselling" if it is also covered on the base plan. ​

Canada Life:

I am sometimes covered under Dejardins policies. You can call 1-800-957-9777 8 to 8 ESTto confirm if I am covered or not. If you have an individual plan instead of a group plan, there is more flexibility and a doctor's referral may work. I may also be covered on a health spend account - ask if a "'clinical counsellor'" is eligible for coverage.

This is a partial list - there are many benefits companies out there. If you don't find your company on this list, you can look up the client services number provided to you by your employer, or look them up online. ​

Can I use my receipt in order to receive a deduction on taxes? Unfortunately you cannot claim therapy as a deduction in Alberta, unless the person receiving the benefits has an approved disability tax credit. Please speak with me if this is the case to ensure we follow all the procedures.