Shauna Bohnke
MSW, RSW
Mental Health Therapist

I currently hold A Masters of Social Work Degree, and am registered to practice with the Alberta College of Social Workers. Some of the more extensive training I have includes: - Accelerated Resolution therapy (for trauma, depression, anxiety phobias and more) - Many training certificates under the Gottman method including Gottman Couples Therapy (Level 2 trained), certified leader for the Gottman 7 principles of making marriage work workshop, and training for working through infidelity in relationships. - Certified in Effective Practices in Community Supervision (for working with those criminogenic risk factors) - Training in Solution Focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and more! -Rehabilitation services diploma (for working with people with developmental diversities, also many years of experience). - ADHD Certified practitioner. (I also have a child with ADHD, which brings an tremendous amount of lived expereince you can't get in a book). - A member of and trained under CADDRA (Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance). I have done many other small workshops and additional training as well on a variety of topics. If there is an issue you are struggling with that I feel unequipped to provide the right support for, I am always humble enough to refer someone with extensive training for that specific issue.

Please arrive for all appointments 5-10 minutes before your scheduled appointment. When you do arrive, please wait according to instructions for the location and then TEXT me at 780-402-5721. For Grande Prairie: Please text me upon arrival and I will reply telling you when it is time to come in. Please do not come to the door as I may be in session with another client. Once you receive a text, make your way to my entrance, which is a side door on the SOUTH side of the Cairn building (my door is facing 104ave). The Cairn building is located at 10405-102 st (across from the St. Joes Church. Street parking available. There will be a sign in the window that says Reconnect Counselling in it. For Beaverlodge: Please come into the Rec Center and wait in the main lobby area and text me upon arrival. My office is located in the basement, and I will come up the stairs to get you when I am ready. Please do not come down to my office, as I may be finishing up a session with another client.

My fee is $160.00 per individual session. Couples or Family sessions are $180.00. Fees may be covered through employment benefits packages. Ask your private insurance company or workplace benefits provider if they cover the services provided. They may request credentials (Master of Social Work, registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers). Many health insurance plans cover up to a set amount a year. I offer direct billing through Blue Cross and telus eclaims (ask for details on providers). I can provide a receipt if your insurance is through another company, which you can submit for reimbursement. Talk to your provider for more details.

Receiving payment ahead of time allows me to know that the client will indeed attend, and avoids me having to enforce any other type of more restrictive cancelation policies. Please see current cancellation policy here: Cancelation Policy:  This time has been set aside, especially for you. Last minute cancelations and no shows mean a lost opportunity for someone else to book that spot, and a loss of income for me.  Therefore, please provide 24 hours notice for all canceling and/or rebooking of appointments. Cancelations that are 24 hours or more before your appt will be eligible for a full refund/no obligation to pay. However, please note. Providing less than 24 hours notice to cancel will result in a requirement to pay for your appointment (a receipt will be issued).  On a personal note, I have two office locations. The time and gas to travel between offices make it very frustrating when clients don't show up for appointments. Unlike paid employees who are paid regardless of no-shows, when clients don't attend, I get no income for that time. Although I absolutely love my work, it does need to pay my bills :-)

This question often refers to the above one on dependency or a concern over time is money. It is an investment for sure and varies from 6 sessions to several years depending on what you are seeking assistance with. I see myself as your therapist for as long as I am around. What this means is that I am a resource to my clients whenever they are needing a safe and compassionate space to explore the challenges that life throws at them. However, it is typical during the beginning of therapy for people to come more often, once a week or every two weeks. Then people tend to lessen the frequency until they come in as needed.

I get it. The thought of walking into a room with someone you have never met and talking about close and personal aspects of your life, thoughts and feelings, seems like the last thing you want to do. There are some of you that this will be a lot easier to do than others. Here are some things to bear in mind. Just like any relationship it takes time. I certainly do not expect you to talk about vulnerable things as soon as you walk in the door, we can take as much time as you need to find your comfort level and sense of safety. I know time is money but this part is just as much the therapy as working through the emotions of a painful experience. Some would say more important. Some people actually find it easier to talk to someone who is not in their day to day life. Knowing that I am there to give you my full attention, compassion and acceptance can make it easier than talking to people you know. The relationship we form and everything we talk about is confidential. That means no-one will know about it unless you tell them. It stays between you and I. You have a choice about which therapist to see. This is why I offer a free 15 min. phone consultation so we can meet first and you can check out whether you want to work with me before proceeding.

Conversations with the counsellor are kept in strict confidence. This includes the handling of files that contain case notes, records, and psychological test results. If there is a need or desire to disclose information from files with another professional such as a medical doctor, lawyer, pastor, probation officer, or third party billing source, the client will be consulted first and asked to sign a release of information document. Legal Limitations to Confidentiality: Counsellors are required by law to report to the appropriate authorities if there is physical or sexual abuse of a child under the age of 18 or if there is reason to believe a person’s life is in jeopardy. If a judge subpoenas a counsellor to testify in court or to release the contents of a file, the counsellor is required to do so.