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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 
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COUNSELLING
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How can we help? Sometimes the challenges we face in our daily lives become too difficult to manage alone. We may need someone to talk to who can help us find solutions. Calgary Family Services is a not for profit health and social service agency, which offers a variety of counselling programs to help people cope with the challenges of: - Parenting and family problems - Aging and caring for an aging family member - Living in a new culture - Forming a new family after divorce or separation - Accessing community resources - Living with a limited income - Fitting in at school or work |
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Are Services available to everyone? Our services are available to everyone living or working in Calgary, regardless of age, cultural background, race, or sexual orientation. In order to serve this large and diverse population, we offer service in numerous languages and all of our locations are wheelchair accessible. Calgary Family Services is strongly committed to fair practices for all our clients, volunteers, and staff. |
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What can I expect from my counselling? At Calgary Family Services, we offer an encouraging and supportive environment. Most of our skilled professional counsellors are Registered Social Workers or psychologists and are bound by their professional code of ethics. They will help you explore and understand your problem and assist you to develop solutions. Your counsellor will also tell you what to expect, including: - An estimate of how much time it will take - What it will involve - The kind of changes you may experience |
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How can I get the most out of my counselling? Counselling can be a very positive experience, but it takes hard work and dedication. That is why it is important to attend all of your scheduled sessions and to be open to new ways of looking at yourself. It is also really important to be an active participant and to tell us what you find to be helpful or unhelpful throughout the counselling process. |
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How do I book an appointment to see a counsellor? If you think you would like to talk to a counsellor, please call 269-9888 during business hours Monday to Friday. Our trained Intake Coordinator will be happy to take you through the application process and book an appointment with a counsellor in either our downtown location or in one of our area offices. |
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What if I must miss an appointment? If you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours before your session. This way we can offer your time to another client. If you do not give us at least 24 hours advance notice, we will ask you to pay for the session. |
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What if I want a different counsellor? We understand how important it is for you to feel comfortable with your counsellor and this can take time. That is why we encourage you to get to know your counsellor before deciding whether his/her style is right for you. If you still think you will have trouble working together, discuss this with your counsellor and if you wish we will find a 'better fit' for you. You may also discuss your concern with your counsellor's manager by calling 269-9888. Together we can find a solution. |
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What if I cannot pay my fees? In order to make our services as affordable as possible, our fees are based on a sliding scale. We will adjust your fees to fit your financial circumstances. Funding from the United Way and the City of Calgary allows us to set fees according to income. You will be asked to pay your fee at the time of the interview. If your financial situation changes at any time, please let us know right away. Ask an Access Coordinator or your counsellor for our fee schedule. If you cannot afford our lowest fee, we can arrange for you to pay when your circumstances improve. |
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What if I need to speak to someone outside of your regular business hours? All our counsellors work one evening a week, so you can book an appointment with them. However, there may be times when your counsellor is unavailable and you are facing a crisis or emergency. Our counsellors will discuss with you the options open to you. |
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How can you help us? To provide the best service possible, Calgary Family Services seeks feedback from our clients about the service received. You may be contacted, either through a questionnaire or by phone to answer some questions regarding our service. You are not obligated to reply, but your cooperation is appreciated, as this helps in maintaining and improving the quality of our services. |
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