Virtual Care

Telepsychology involves the delivery of psychological services through telephone, email, videoconference, or other electronic media. It has the same purpose or intention as psychological sessions conducted in-person. Often, sessions are conducted over secure internet technology, including computers, tablets, or smartphones. Similar to in-person sessions, telepsychology involves arranging an appointment time between the client and psychologist when both parties can interface from their technology devices via the internet or speak over the phone.

Each province has different legislation and policies that govern the practice of psychologists who are registered/licensed in that province. This includes permitting psychologists to only provide services to clients who are physically located in the province where they are registered/licensed. As all of our psychologists are registered to practice in Alberta, you would need to physically be in Alberta for someone on our team to work with you.

You have the right to switch to in-person sessions, should this be an option for both you and your psychologist. Additionally, your psychologist has the right (at any time) to determine if telepsychology sessions are not appropriate for you. For example, clients who are actively at risk of harm to themselves or others may not be suitable for telepsychology services. Should this be determined, your psychologist will provide referral information for other, more suitable, services.

Given increasing efforts to protect client information, you will be required to provide identification or confirm referral-based personal health information to verify your identity. 

You will need a compatible computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone with internet access and audio/ visual capability. You will also need access to a phone in case of internet disconnection or technological interruptions. You and your psychologist may also choose to proceed with your sessions over the phone.

Online services are best experienced on a computer or laptop using Chrome or Opera. Android devices work best with Chrome. If you are using iOS devices (iPhone, iPad), you will need the Jane Online Appointments app, available through the App Store.

You will need an internet connection of 15Mbps or higher. This can be checked at www.fast.com. If your internet connection is not fast enough, you will have the option to shut off the video and do an audio-only session.

Our clinic is using our practice management software, Jane, to provide secure virtual care services. The security of this platform is in keeping with federal and provincial privacy and confidentiality standards. For further information regarding privacy laws, please visit www.priv.gc.ca, or speak with your clinician if you have any questions or concerns.

While telepsychology has the same purpose or intention as psychological sessions conducted in-person, they may be experienced somewhat differently. For example, there may be potential misunderstandings if visual cues are limited or absent in communications; thus, there may be a need to seek clarification when questions of misinterpretation arise. There may also be quality differences compared to in-person services and technology-related complications (e.g. time delays, equipment failure, and poor internet speeds).

Despite best efforts to guarantee high encryption and secure technology, there is always a risk that the transmission of information may be breached and accessed by unauthorized persons. You may also risk being overheard by anyone near you if you do not place yourself in a private environment. The client is responsible for creating a comfortable and safe environment on your end of the transmission. It is the responsibility of the treatment provider to do the same on their end.

You will have access to a unique client portal through our client management system, Jane. There you will be able to manage your appointments, pay for your sessions, download payment receipts, receive links to virtual meetings, and access any files or forms shared with you. 

Certain forms of neuropsychological assessment, cognitive rehabilitation and group programming are not currently offered through virtual care. However, our list of services is continuously evolving.