Hi, I am Ali Chacalias, I am so glad that you are here!
I have a Master’s Degree in Counselling and am a Registered Psychologist based in Calgary, Alberta. I provide individual in-person and virtual therapy and wellness services to adults who reside in Calgary and Area and virtual services to individuals across Alberta.
My passion is to help you heal and grow, to restore a sense of wellness and balance in your life. I welcome you exactly as you are, as this will be the starting point for the healing and change that we create for you.
We all experience difficulties in life, and we all have to start somewhere. Therapy is about creating new strengths, as well as helping you rediscover the ones that already exist within you. You will be invited to expand your self-awareness, connect with yourself with compassion, and learn to better manage the symptoms causing you daily distress.
Therapy will invite you to dig deep by exploring how your lived experiences affect current patterns in your life that may keep you feeling stuck and imbalanced. Through a deeper exploration that gets to the root of unhelpful behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and relationships, we can create long-lasting, meaningful healing and change so that you can build healthy connections and habits to move through life’s challenges.
I am open to working with you if it is within my competence. All are welcome in my therapy space. I strive to be an ally for individuals from various cultural backgrounds and expressions of identity and sexuality.
I Can Help You Navigate
My Therapeutic Approach
My approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and focused on YOU.
I use evidence-based therapeutic approaches that are tailored to meet my client’s needs. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment Theory, Somatic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR.
I am also a Registered Yoga Teacher and bring yoga and mindfulness principles into my work as a way to help clients tune into their emotions, foster self-compassion, and reconnect with their sense of self.
Professional Development & Qualifications
Somatic Attachment Therapy Certificate (2022)
Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training (2022)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training (2021)
Advanced Master Training in the Treatment of Trauma (2021)
EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy Basic Training (2020)
In Progress – EMDR Certification (requires 20 hours of advanced consultation) through EMDR Canada/EMDRIA
NeurOptimal Neurofeedback Training (2020)
Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM) ® Training (2020)
Ego State Interventions Workshop (2020)
Basic Training in Narrative Therapy (2018)
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (2018)
Basic Training in Borderline Personality Disorder (2016)
Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists
Master’s Degree in Counselling from City University of Seattle
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Victoria
Registered Yoga Teacher Certification (200 hour)
Outside of being a therapist…
I am committed to doing my own healing, growing, and learning. I try my best to embody the balance and wellness that I support my clients in discovering for themselves. We are all human here.
Outside of being a therapist, I spend lots of time relaxing and reconnecting with nature, good friends and loved ones, and good books. I love to travel, listen to live music, hike, do yoga, and walk my dog – who I wish could be a therapy dog but unfortunately can hike 10km and still act like she hasn’t been walked in days.
In our work together, I can help you navigate:
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Feeling overwhelmed
Overthinking
Panic
Phobias
Social and generalized anxiety
OCD tendencies
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Complex trauma
Childhood / developmental / attachment trauma
Single-incident traumas
Veterans / Combat experiences
First responders
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Emotional, Psychological, Sexual, and / or Physical abuse
Dissociation / Dissociative symptoms
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Boundaries
Communication strategies
Insecure attachment patterns
Co-dependency
People-pleasing
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Self-esteem/Confidence
Shame
Self-compassion
Inner Criticism
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Low mood, loss of pleasure, loss of interest, low motivation, and low energy
Suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors
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Loss
Divorce/Break-ups
Career changes/job loss
Burnout and stress
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
- Carl Rogers
FAQ
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Sessions are offered both in-person and virtually (via video or phone) for those individuals in Calgary and area. Virtual services are offered for individuals across Alberta.
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Sessions are $220/60 minutes.
The final 10 minutes of each session is reserved for re-booking, payment, and completion of therapist session notes.
Fees are based on the recommended fee schedule determined by the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. If you have private health coverage for psychological services or therapy/counseling, then you may be able to get reimbursed for all or part of your session. Please contact your insurance provider to verify coverage.
Payment types include credit card, visa debit, e-transfer, or cash.
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I offer direct billing to Medavie Blue Cross, Alberta Blue Cross, and NIHB. For all other insurance companies, an invoice will be provided after payment for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Please contact your insurance provider to verify coverage for psychological services.
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Yes. Your therapy session is a time reserved for you. Should you need to cancel or reschedule, 24-hours notice is required or a $200 cancellation fee will be charged.
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Healing takes time. This is unique to each individual client. More guidance can be provided during a phone consultation or once you begin your therapy journey.
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You will learn and discover healthier ways of coping and living. You will dig deep to explore and heal unhelpful patterns. You will improve your relationship with yourself and others. Your hopes for therapy will guide what we focus on during sessions.
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You can book a free initial phone consultation if you have any questions or concerns or want to get to know me more before our initial meeting.
Once you book in, the client portal (Jane App) will send you the intake paperwork to complete prior to the first session. Completing this paperwork ahead of the session helps give me the information needed to support you and also saves us time in the session.
It can be helpful to begin to think about what you would like to address in therapy - there is no need to put too much thought into this since I will help you explore your reasons for accessing therapy and your hopes for change.
When arriving at your session, remember that my office is located within the Riverwest Therapy Collective, so follow the signs for Riverwest. When you arrive at Riverwest, you will enter a welcoming waiting area where you can help yourself to tea, water, or snacks. I will come and get you at the time of your session.
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I am available to book in for sessions Monday to Friday. Evening sessions are available on Mondays and Wednesdays.
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Downtown Calgary inside the Riverwest Therapy Collective.
Riverwest Therapy Collective is a collective of therapists who share office space but operate as their own independent Psychology practices.
The address is Unit 840, 700 4 Ave SW, Calgary AB. The building is called McFarlane Tower.
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Pay street parking is available to clients.
ACPW is located on a nice quiet (non-busy parking-wise) corner of downtown (4 Ave and 6th Street), with pay-parking available out front or along the side of the building.
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You can book using the online booking page, where you can view my availability and select a time that works best for you, or you can also contact me directly via phone or email.
Note it can take about 1-3 business days to respond to emails and phone calls.
Remember, you can choose to book a free phone consultation or go ahead with an initial session if you feel all your questions have been answered.
Still have questions? Feel free to send me an email at info@alicpsychology.com or book a free consultation call using the button below.