Frequently asked questions

What are Lesley's Certifications as a Therapist and Counsellor?

Lesley brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice, backed by a diverse range of certifications.

Here are her qualifications:

Counselling Therapist & Registered Psychiatric Nurse: Lesley is an Association of Counselling Therapists of Alberta Certified Counselling Therapist which means she has met ACTA's qualifications to provide therapy in Alberta.

Lesley has been a Registered Psychiatric Nurse for over 30 years, bringing a deep understanding of therapy, mental health, and psychiatric care to her clients. She is licensed to provide therapy through the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta.

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist: This certification equips Lesley with the skills to guide clients into a hypnotic state, facilitating deep relaxation, behaviour change, and therapeutic healing. She is certified through the International Association of Counsellors and Therapists.

What licences or Professional Associations is Lesley accredited by?

Lesley is a Counselling Therapist in Alberta and a member in good standing with the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA). She is also licensed to provide therapy through the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA). In addition, she is a professional member of the International Association of Counselling Therapists (IACT).

These credentials reflect her dedication to providing ethical, professional, and client-centred care.

What is Lesley's Professional Background?

Lesley brings over 35 years of experience as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and Counselling Therapist, working in both the public and private sectors.

Her clinical background includes providing individual counselling in a variety of settings, including private practice, urgent, outpatient, and crisis mental health care.

She now blends traditional therapy with clinical hypnotherapy, offering a well-rounded and client-centred approach.

Lesley is also an International Speaker and Best-Selling Author of "DeFUNK YOURself; Tips to Guide You Out of The Funk You're In" available on Amazon.

Am I covered by Extended Health Benefits for sessions with Lesley?

Coverage for sessions with Lesley largely depends on your specific Alberta extended health benefit plan

As an ACTA registered Counselling Therapist, counselling with Lesley can be covered in Alberta under the following providers:

• GreenShield

• Sun Life

• Blue Cross

• Medavie

• Johnston Group

• Chamber Plan

• Equitable Life Canada

• Manulife

• Telus Health eClaims

If you have an Extended Health Benefit Policy that includes a Health Spending Account, there's a possibility that Lesley's sessions in Alberta may be covered.

We recommend reaching out to your insurance provider directly to confirm coverage details. If your policy covers services provided by a an ACTA Certified Counselling Therapist or Registered Psychiatric Nurse, you may be eligible for reimbursement.

Additionally, after your session with Lesley, we can provide a receipt that is compliant with the Government of Canada's requirements. This may be useful for reimbursement or tax purposes, depending on your individual circumstances.

Always ensure to keep all receipts and documentation related to your therapy sessions for future reference.

Does Lesley provide direct billing?

Yes, Lesley is able to access direct billing for many extended health benefit plans and will make every effort to submit the claim before charging you. However, not all plans offer direct billing coverage for Counselling Therapists.

It's important to check with your provider in advance to confirm whether your plan includes coverage for this designation and allows for direct billing.

What if I can't afford sessions with Lesley?

We understand that financial constraints can be a concern, but we believe that everyone should have access to the healing and insight that Lesley offers. Lesley provides a limited number of sliding scale sessions to accommodate varying financial situations.

If you genuinely feel that working with Lesley would be beneficial for you but are concerned about the cost, please reach out directly to Lesley@riseofthephoenix.org.

We are committed to working with you to find a financial arrangement that makes our services accessible to you. Your well-being is our priority.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis, when mentioned in conversation, creates varied reactions in people. There are many misconceptions about hypnosis.

A simple definition of hypnosis is that it is a state of increased suggestibility and concentration. In this state, the Conscious critical mind becomes an observer, and allows direct communication with the Sub-conscious mind. This allows the Hypnotherapist to assist their clients to make changes at the deep Sub-conscious level needed for permanent change. Hypnosis is empowering.

Please do not expect to go to sleep or to feel as if you don’t know what you are doing. When we use the word “sleep” we are referring to a deep body sleep while the mind remains aware. You won’t do or say anything in hypnosis that you would not normally say or do. You are in control at all times. You will know everything that is going on around you, what your Hypnotherapist is saying and what you are thinking, doing or saying. In fact, some people will think they have not been in hypnosis because they are expecting something odd to be happening to them. Do not expect a lack of consciousness or amnesia. You may feel that you are unaffected by what is being said, but in fact; you will be directly affected because the Sub-conscious mind is listening and making changes at a very deep level.

Hypnosis is about imagination and creation. Together, you and your Hypnotherapist will work together to create new positive feelings, pictures, images, sights, sounds, smells, and emotions to replace specific negative ones that you might have gathered up, unknowingly, over the years. The brain cannot tell the difference between what it has actually seen and what your Hypnotherapist will help you to create for your Sub-conscious. Therefore, you can create and become anything you desire! Your professionally trained Hypnotherapist is your guide, your Facilitator and your partner.

The success of your hypnotherapy session will be enhanced by your willingness to use your imagination and by your desire to allow yourself to go into the deep state of calmness and focus that your Hypnotherapist will assist you to attain. Remember, all intentional trance hypnosis is self-hypnosis and you and your Hypnotherapist are a team- each committing to contribute 100% towards the achievement of your goals.

Will I be under Lesley's control while in hypnosis? Will I be aware of what's going on?

Control during Hypnosis: No, you will not be under the complete control of the hypnotherapist during hypnosis. A common misconception is that being in a hypnotic state means surrendering control, but this is not the case. While you'll be in a deeply relaxed state and more open to suggestions, you cannot be made to do anything against your will or core beliefs. You always have the power to accept or reject any suggestion given during the session.

Awareness During Hypnosis: Yes, you will be aware of what's happening during the session. Hypnosis is not a state of unconsciousness or sleep. Instead, it's an altered state of focused attention. Most people remember everything that occurred during their session, and they can hear and understand everything the hypnotherapist says. Some individuals may feel so relaxed that they drift in and out of a dream-like state, but they remain aware of the therapist's voice and instructions.

In essence, while hypnosis enhances your receptivity to positive suggestions, you remain in control and aware throughout the process. It's a collaborative effort between you and the hypnotherapist to achieve your desired goals

Can hypnotherapy be done and effectively online or virtually?

Yes, even hypnotherapy!

Remote hypnotherapy sessions via secure online platforms have become increasingly popular and are considered effective by many professionals. Lesley ensures that the virtual environment is as conducive to hypnosis as an in-person setting.

Before the session, you'll receive guidance on how to set up your space to ensure comfort and minimize distractions. The process of induction, deepening, therapeutic intervention, and emergence remains largely the same, with adjustments made for the virtual format.

It's essential to have a stable internet connection, a comfortable place to sit or lie down, headphones for better audio quality, and a device with a camera and microphone.

While some people might be skeptical about remote hypnotherapy initially, many find it just as effective and sometimes even more comfortable since they're in their own familiar environment.

How does therapy work if I'm not in the same city as Lesley?

No worries! If you're not in the same city or unable to attend in-person sessions, Lesley offers virtual sessions via Telehealth This allows you to receive therapy from the comfort of your own home or any private space of your choosing

Virtual sessions are conducted with the same level of professionalism, confidentiality, and effectiveness as in-person sessions. All you need is a stable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a quiet space where you can talk freely. This flexibility ensures that distance or location doesn't hinder your therapeutic journey with Lesley.

Where can I see Lesley for In-Person Sessions?

Lesley offers a limited number of in-person sessions at Bloom Narratives Therapy and Wellness in Airdrie, Alberta. Click here to book.

Availability is limited, so please reach out to confirm openings or to be added to the waitlist for in-person appointments.

Why does it cost more for In-Person Sessions?

In-person session rates are set by Bloom Narratives Therapy and Wellness, where Lesley offers limited in-person appointments as a contract therapist.

Because the fees are determined by the clinic, they may differ from Lesley’s virtual session rates. If you have any questions about rates or coverage, feel free to reach out for more information.