The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta has made some changes to what used to be our Practice Advisor Program. 

Members and non-members now have access to consultation with PAA’s Professional Guidance Director. These consultations cost $110 for up to a 45-minute consultation and $110 for up to a 30-minute consultation with non-members. Provisionally registered psychologists who are members of the PAA now also have access to consultation for $60 for 45 minutes. 

Additionally registered psychologists who are members/non-members can opt for a brief 15 minutes phone consultation with the Director.

There is no longer a limitation to the number of times a registered psychologist can access or receive consultation. 

The PAA Professional Guidance Program offers 1.0 hour Continuing Education Credit for any member or non-member who receives a paid 30/45 minute consultation with the Professional Guidance Director.

First, find the category that best fits your area of concern or inquisition. Please read or access all materials associated with this category before proceeding. 

If these materials and/or resources do not assist in answering your inquiry, please complete the Professional Guidance Submission Form above. 

The Professional Guidance Officer will then triage your request: 

1. The Professional Guidance Officer may provide you additional resources/materials that may be relevant to your inquiry. 
2. The Professional Guidance Officer will provide you with an appointment date/time to meet with the Professional Guidance Director and payment will be processed. 
3. If your request is deemed to be a very specialized case you may be referred to a Practice Advisor at no charge. 

For registered psychologists who are members, a consultation with the Professional Guidance Director costs $110 for up to 45 minutes.

For registered psychologists who are non-members, the cost is $110 for up to 30 minutes.

Provisionally registered psychologists who are members of the PAA can consult for up to 45 minutes at a cost of $60. 

Registered Psychologists who are members/non-members can opt for a brief 15 minute phone consultation with the Director at a cost of $65.

Provisionally registered psychologists who are not members of the PAA do not have access to this program.

PAA has completed an extensive review of options for the Professional Guidance Program and will be conducting a yearlong pilot review to examine its efficacy.

In order to keep membership costs low and since not all members require access to this program, the Professional Guidance Program will be a pay by appointment service for those meeting with the Professional Guidance Director.

The goal of this program is to offer unlimited access and remain sustainable for years to come to continue offering this program. Any profits that are made are rolled directly into creating more resources and programs to support our members and to enhance the profession of psychology.

Yes. Costs associated with consultation are deductible for those in private practice. If you do not have a private practice, check with your employer. 

Contact PAA when you need collegial, confidential advice regarding professional practice issues.

Note:

• PAA does not provide regulatory advice.

• Please ensure you fully understand the regulatory information prior to contacting the practice/clinical advising program.

Those wanting access to the service will receive a response within 2 business days of their inquiry. If a full consultation is required with the Professional Guidance Director, one will be confirmed within 5 business days of the request. If a brief consultation is required with the Professional Guidance Director, one will be confirmed within 2 business day of the request. 

Practice Advisors let PAA know within 2 business days if they can respond directly to the request, or if PAA should refer to another practice advisor. If you have not heard from your matched Practice Advisor within this time frame, please contact us so we can follow up.

The Professional Guidance Officer in conjunction with the Professional Guidance Director will decide if a inquiry requires a Practice Advisor. 

The program does not allow psychologists to directly contact the Professional Guidance Director without making an appointment. 

The Professional Guidance program does not have a limit on how many inquiries a registered psychologist or PAA member provisional psychologist can submit. 

Practice Advisors are exemplar senior psychologists with diverse areas of expertise and have at least 25-years’ experience. Practice Advisors are ratified by the PAA Board, are not under order of discipline with the College of Alberta Psychologists and are protected from liability through the PAA’s professional liability insurance.

The program does not allow psychologists to choose their own advisors and directly connect with them. To access this program, the Professional Guidance Submission Form must be completed. The Professional Guidance Officer and the Professional Guidance Director will link you to the best suited advisor.

Advisors do not take requests directly and this service is not for routine peer consultation or for supervisors. Advisors may deal with a request from the same member more than once but not more than twice yearly.

To become a practice advisor, you need at least 25 years of experience and need to be a member of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. For more information contact us at paa@paa-ab.ca

We encourage you to submit only one form as we experience a high volume of queries and submitting multiple forms might delay the process.

Professional Practice Resources for Alberta Psychologists