Is it possible to get an online consultation with a psychologist?

Mental health is an integral part of a person’s overall well-being, especially when facing emigration, adapting to a new society, or coping with the aftermath of war. Edmonton, as one of the largest cities in the province of Alberta, offers a fairly wide range of mental health services, and most of them are now available online. The question is not whether such access exists, but what it entails, who provides it, how much it costs, and how to access it—particularly for Ukrainian-speaking residents.

Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the number of Ukrainians in Alberta has grown significantly. Along with needs related to housing, language, and employment, this wave of displaced people brought with it a significant demand for psychological support—support that is difficult to obtain in a foreign country, in a foreign language, with uncertain insurance status. That is why understanding which online resources are actually available in Edmonton takes on particular importance.

The Public System: What AHCIP and AHS Cover

Alberta’s healthcare system operates under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)—the province’s mandatory health insurance plan. It is important to understand: AHCIP covers medically necessary medical and hospital services, but services provided by private psychologists are not funded under AHCIP. This means that a standard session with a registered psychologist in private practice is paid for entirely out of the client’s pocket or through private insurance.

At the same time, Alberta Health Services (AHS) provides a range of free mental health services. First and foremost is the Alberta Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642, which operates 24/7, including weekends, and offers translation services, including in Ukrainian. By calling this number, a person can receive an initial consultation, discuss their condition, and get a referral for further assistance. Another important resource is Health Link 811—a telephone service for health consultations, which also offers interpreters.

It is also worth noting the EaseCare platform (easecare.ca), which provides online consultations with psychiatrists and family doctors in the field of mental health, fully covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). Through EaseCare, you can receive an initial assessment, a referral to a psychiatrist, and a treatment plan—all remotely, from home. Hello Mental Health (hellomentalhealth.ca) works in a similar way: it is a telemedicine service, 100% covered by AHCIP, that specializes exclusively in mental health. A referral from a family doctor is required to book an appointment.

Counselling Alberta Platform: Affordable and No Wait

One of the most valuable resources for Edmonton residents is Counselling Alberta (counsellingalberta.com) — a provincial initiative offering affordable online counselling with no wait for all Alberta residents. The service is available both online throughout the province and in person—specifically through Edmonton-based organizations The Family Centre and Momentum Counselling. Fees are calculated on a sliding scale based on income level, meaning financial status is not a barrier. You can book an appointment online or by phone at 1-833-827-4230.

Free Resources for Newcomers

A range of free psychological services is available for immigrants and refugees, including Ukrainians, who have recently arrived in Edmonton.

United Cultures of Canada Association (UCCA) provides free psychological support to newcomers of all ages—children, youth, adults, and seniors—both online and in person. The organization offers services in more than 10 languages, including Ukrainian and Russian, and charges no fees. Contact number: 780-756-3979.

Rapid Access Counselling (RAC) is a free provincial program offering one-time or multiple counseling sessions via video or phone, designed for parents and children under 18. Appointments can be made through the website rac.janeapp.com or by calling 1-877-244-2360. The service is confidential and does not require a doctor’s referral.

Togetherall is a platform launched by AHS in 2020 in partnership with the Government of Alberta, with an investment of over $53 million in mental health support for residents. Togetherall is a free, anonymous online peer support community moderated by clinical professionals 24/7. Available to all Alberta residents aged 16 and older. The platform offers group courses, journals, tools for goal-setting and self-assessment of mental health—and if necessary, moderators can refer users to more specialized resources.

Private Psychologists in Edmonton Who Speak Ukrainian

For those who need individual sessions with a qualified professional and wish to communicate in their native language, there are several options in Edmonton.

Dr. Oxana Evans — a registered psychologist (RPsych) with a PsyD degree and 13 years of experience. She specializes in depression, stress, burnout, trauma, grief, and family issues. She speaks English, Ukrainian, and Russian. Her clinic is located in Edmonton, T6G area; tel. 825-786-4768. The clinic also employs psychologists, assessment specialists, and a psychiatrist.

Sasha Simcisin — a registered psychologist (MC) with experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Speaks Ukrainian, as well as Russian, Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian. Offers both in-person and online sessions. Session fee: $180–$235; tel. 587-406-6039.

Petro Palykhata — a registered psychologist (RPsych) with an MA. He is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian. He offers both online and in-person therapy and works with adults, adolescents, couples, and families. He specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues. Phone: 587-317-6211.

Hanna Brechka — a registered social worker (MSW, RSW). She has experience working with the effects of domestic violence, addictions, anxiety, and depression. Phone: 587-816-4126.

Violeta Pidgorna — a therapist at the private clinic Solace Psych, with direct experience working with Ukrainian refugees. She offers counseling to children, adolescents, adults, and couples.

Additionally, the Innerlouge Therapy & Psychology clinic in Edmonton explicitly states that it provides therapy in Ukrainian, along with services in French, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese. Contact: 587-847-4010.

On the Psychology Today Canada platform (psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/ab/edmonton), you can find several more Ukrainian-speaking specialists in Edmonton and Alberta in general, including Hanna Zavrazhyna, Elena Kuzmina, Olga Yakovlyeva, and others.

Online Clinics and Telepsychology: Modern Infrastructure

In addition to individual practitioners, Edmonton and the rest of Alberta have a well-developed network of online psychology clinics.

Edgar Psychological is an Edmonton-based psychology clinic that offers online therapy via secure video calls to any Alberta resident without the need to visit in person. The clinic emphasizes that 80% of communication is conveyed through nonverbal cues, and the video format provides a quality experience close to an in-person meeting. The clinic offers EMDR therapy—one of the most effective methods for treating PTSD and trauma.

Insight Psychological is a clinic with offices in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, and Calgary, offering online counseling to residents of Alberta and Yukon. Online booking is available on the website; office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Mendable Psychology is an Edmonton-based clinic that conducts online sessions via the Jane App—a secure and encrypted video service for Canadian healthcare providers.

Wholesome Psychology (Edmonton and St. Albert) offers flexible online consultations via secure video platforms that meet Canadian privacy standards. The clinic particularly emphasizes the importance of working with local psychologists who understand the Alberta context and culture.

The Mental Health Clinic offers online counseling for teens, adults, couples, and families in any city in Alberta, including Edmonton. The psychologists have 15–25 years of experience; sessions are insurance-eligible and do not require a doctor’s referral.

International Platforms: BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Others

In addition to Canadian resources, Edmonton residents have access to major international online platforms for mental health support.

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy platform, with a network of over 30,000 licensed therapists. Canadians can use BetterHelp regardless of their province of residence. Sessions are conducted via video, phone, or text chat. The platform does not accept insurance payments directly, but many extended health plans reimburse the cost of sessions.

Talkspace is also available to Canadians and provides access to a wider range of specialists in both Canada and the U.S. The service model is similar to BetterHelp—a subscription with weekly sessions and the ability to message your therapist between appointments.

MindBeacon is a Canadian platform that provides online therapy based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) through licensed psychologists. Alberta Blue Cross members can access MindBeacon through their insurance plan. Online CBT is also available here—a structured program for treating depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, and stress.

Insurance Coverage and Session Costs

The cost of a session with a psychologist in Edmonton varies significantly depending on the specialist’s qualifications. According to the Alberta Psychological Association’s Recommended Fee Schedule, as of January 1, 2025, the standard rate for a registered psychologist is $235 for a 50-minute session . Provisional psychologists typically charge $229, Canadian Certified Counsellors charge around $160, and therapists with master’s degrees charge from $144 per session.

Across Canada, sessions with psychologists cost between $200 and $403 CAD, and with social workers between $90 and $219 CAD. Online therapy is generally slightly more affordable than in-person sessions due to the absence of rental costs.

AHCIP, the provincial health insurance plan, does not cover services provided by private psychologists. However, Alberta Blue Cross and other private insurance plans often reimburse costs for psychologists and social workers—depending on the specific plan. It is important to check with your insurer in advance to see which services are covered, as terms vary significantly between plans.

Some clinics offer a sliding scale for clients with lower incomes, allowing them to access affordable care even without insurance.

Special Resources for Ukrainians and Displaced Persons from Ukraine

Since 2022, a number of special resources for psychological support for Ukrainians have emerged in Edmonton and across Canada.

Hope4Ukraine / Text4Hope is a free mental health text support service based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The program is available in four languages: to receive daily supportive messages in Ukrainian, simply text “Ukraine” to 1-855-450-2266. The project is led by Dr. Vincent Agyapong, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Alberta.

UCSS (Ukrainian Canadian Social Services Edmonton) is a non-profit organization located at 11717 97 Street, Edmonton, T5G 1Y3. In addition to translation services and general support for displaced persons, UCSS can help arrange translation for psychological consultations at public and private institutions. Tel. 780-471-4477.

Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) provides free translation services through its language bank, including for psychological consultations at public institutions. This means that even if the session is conducted in English, the client can request an interpreter at no cost.

Social and Psychological Support for Ukrainians in Canada — a Facebook community with regular online meetings and webinars. For example, in March 2026, the group held free sessions every Wednesday at 6:00 PM Edmonton time.

CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) has published a collection of evidence-based resources for people experiencing stress and anxiety due to the war in Ukraine. These resources are available online to all Canadians and include materials from Anxiety Canada in Ukrainian.

Support from Alberta Supports and Government Programs

The Province of Alberta has implemented several special programs for Ukrainian evacuees. Alberta Supports provides counseling and referrals in Ukrainian Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. By calling 1-877-644-9992, you can get information about health benefits, financial assistance, and available mental health support resources.

It is important to note that different categories of refugees have different rights to health insurance in Alberta. Permanent residents and Canadian citizens are eligible for full AHCIP coverage, while those with temporary status may only have limited or temporary access to medical services. This is why free and subsidized programs such as UCCA, Counselling Alberta, and Togetherall are particularly important for recent arrivals.

The 211 Alberta hotline is another important resource: by dialing 2-1-1, you can get a real-time list of local mental health services tailored to your specific needs. The service operates in over 250 languages, including Ukrainian.

How online therapy works

Online therapy sessions in Edmonton are mostly conducted via secure video platforms—for example, Jane App, which meets Canadian standards for privacy and encryption. Clients receive a link to the session via email and join at the scheduled time without needing to install additional software.

Some providers also offer phone consultations—for those who don’t have a stable internet connection or prefer a voice-based format. Important to know: to receive online therapy from an Alberta psychologist, you must be physically located in Alberta during the session—this requirement applies to most provincially licensed professionals.

Before the first session, a free 15–30-minute phone consultation is usually offered, during which you can discuss your needs and ensure that the specialist is a good fit. This practice lowers the psychological barrier and helps avoid financial inconvenience if the specialist turns out to be unsuitable.

Comparison Table of Key Resources

Practical recommendations: where to start

For those who don’t know where to start, there are several logical steps depending on the situation.

If a person is in crisis or needs immediate help, the first step is to call the Alberta Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642—it is available 24/7 and offers Ukrainian language support. In a life-threatening situation — 911 or the crisis text line: text CONNECT to 741741.

If you need regular therapy but resources are limited, consider UCCA—free for newcomers, with support in Ukrainian—or Counselling Alberta with a sliding scale. The Togetherall platform is a good additional resource for anonymous group support between individual sessions.

For those with insurance coverage through an employer or Alberta Blue Cross, check your plan for coverage of psychologists and CBT. If coverage is available, you can contact any registered psychologist in Edmonton who offers an online format and receive partial or full reimbursement.

For those who wish to communicate in their native language, we recommend contacting Dr. Oxana Evans, Sasha Simcisin, or Petro Palykhata—all three offer online sessions and speak Ukrainian. Searching on the Psychology Today Canada platform with the Ukrainian filter will provide an up-to-date list of additional specialists.

Finally, for those looking at large international platforms, BetterHelp and Talkspace are available in Canada and can offer a much wider selection of specialists and more flexible scheduling—though they require self-payment or partial reimbursement through extended insurance.

Conclusion

Access to online counseling with psychologists in Edmonton is both feasible and diverse. The city and the province of Alberta have an extensive network of services—ranging from 24/7 crisis hotlines and free programs for newcomers to private psychologists offering Ukrainian-language services and major international platforms. The key difference lies in financial accessibility: most private psychological services are not covered by AHCIP and require either out-of-pocket payment, private insurance, or eligibility for subsidized programs. For new residents of Edmonton—especially those who have experienced the stress of emigration or the aftermath of war—it is advisable to start with free resources (UCCA, Counselling Alberta, Text4Hope, Togetherall), and then develop a longer-term support plan based on personal needs and financial capabilities.