Calgary Institute of Counselling Reviews: Everything You Need to Know Before Booking
Rod Mitchell, MSc, MC, Registered Psychologist
What Reviews Reveal About the Calgary Institute of Counselling
Talented counselors achieving life-changing results - working within an organization with documented workplace concerns. That's the pattern we discovered when analyzing 25+ Google reviews and 5 employee Glassdoor reviews of the Calgary Institute of Counselling.
This independent analysis by Emotions Therapy Calgary reflects patterns found in publicly available reviews as of September, 2025, and is part of our series examining Calgary counselling clinics through the lens of actual client experiences. We believe transparent information helps you make the best choice for your mental health support.
For those still exploring counselling options in Calgary, you may also find our companion articles helpful:
Table of Contents Hide
The Counselors: Individual Excellence
Reviews consistently praise specific counselors by name, with eight therapists receiving detailed positive feedback from clients.
| Counselor | Best For (per reviews) | What Clients Say |
|---|---|---|
| Irina | Anger management, parenting | "She gave me the right tools... The trust my family had in me to remain calm gradually came back" |
| Natalie | First-time therapy | "I was absolutely blown away by my first session... no one has ever been able to connect and advise me as well" |
| Sheryl | Anxiety about therapy | "Therapy always seemed scary but with Sheryl it's been such a wonderful experience" |
| Keegan | Life changes | "This team has changed my life... Keegan YOU COME IN CLUTCH EVERY TIME!" |
| Cherub | Long-term support | "Three months... kind, professional, and compassionate in every interaction" |
| Jenn | Direct, honest approach | "Brings wisdom and compassion... speaks honestly and openly about the root of the issue" |
Other highly-rated counselors include Kyla (offers sliding scale fees) and Brenton ("incredibly passionate and genuine").
Three clients specifically mentioned breakthrough first sessions. Multiple reviews use phrases like "changed my life," "absolutely blown away," and "God send."
Bottom line: When clients connect with the right counselor here, they get exceptional results.
The Experience: Booking, Environment & First Impressions
Multiple reviews highlight practical aspects that make visiting easier, especially important when you're already dealing with stress or anxiety.
Online System & Scheduling
Two clients specifically praised the website: "super easy to book, view upcoming appointments, and reschedule" with a "very user friendly" payment system. No phone calls required.
Physical Space & Atmosphere
Four separate reviews specifically mention the comfortable, welcoming environment:
| What Clients Notice | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Reception experience "Beautiful, smiling receptionist each visit" |
Reduces anxiety before sessions |
| Room atmosphere "Rooms are cozy and comfortable" |
Creates safe space for opening up |
| Overall feeling "Warm and inviting... warm and comfortable" |
Contradicts clinical/sterile therapy stereotypes |
Location & Parking
Free, accessible parking gets multiple mentions. One reviewer notes: "in a city like this, having free, accessible parking is also a big deal."
The clinic has Southeast and North Calgary locations, with several reviewers mentioning they drive across the city specifically for this clinic.
Bottom line: The clinic removes common therapy barriers - difficult scheduling, parking stress, and intimidating environments.
Treatment Outcomes: Success Stories and Specializations
Reviews provide specific examples of problems solved, not just vague "great experience" comments. Here's what actually improved for clients.
Reported Results by Problem Type
| Problem Treated | Actual Results Reported | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Anger/Family Conflict | "The trust my family had in me to remain calm in frustrating situations gradually came back" | Not specified |
| Work/Business Stress | "I was feeling like I was on an island... wouldn't be where I am now or feeling as good" | Within 2 months |
| Life Direction/Purpose | "This team has changed my life! I truly had no idea that I even needed this" | 2-3 months |
| Fear of Therapy Itself | "Therapy always seemed scary but with Sheryl it's been such a wonderful experience" | First session |
One client now uses therapy preventively: "I book sessions ahead of time... no different than scheduling regular physical check ups."
What Didn't Work: Couples Counseling
Not all outcomes were positive. One couple reported their counselor "watched us fight for 50 minutes and offered little insight." They left the session angrier at each other than when they arrived.
The same couple had a positive experience with their first counselor but was forced to switch when she left the clinic.
Bottom line: Individual therapy shows strong results within 2-3 months. Couples counseling results appear mixed.
Red Flags: Turnover, Continuity & Billing Issues
While individual counselors excel, three serious organizational concerns appear repeatedly in reviews.
1. Counselors Leave Mid-Treatment
One detailed review describes the full impact:
Started couples counseling with Marizabel - "one session that went well"
One week before second appointment: "Marizabel reached out letting us know she would be departing"
Forced to start over: "fill out another intake form... another introduction session"
New counselor was inadequate, leaving them angrier after the session
Management's response to the review blamed the counselor for "not following protocol" and giving only two weeks notice.
2. Refund & Billing Complications
The same client reported billing problems when requesting a refund:
Paid $220 for the poor session
Only received $44 refund because "we can't refund a benefit claim - it would be insurance fraud"
Lost $180 total despite the clinic's service failures
3. Management Response to Complaints
The clinic's public and private responses to complaints show a pattern:
| Client Complaint | Management Response |
|---|---|
| Counselor left after one session | Blamed the departing counselor for "not following protocol" |
| Poor couples counseling session | "Some couples come angry and it is hard to stop that anger" |
| Negative review posted | Reviewer states: "I was called and asked to remove it as it is damaging to the company" |
Bottom line: Multiple reviews document counselor departures affecting treatment continuity, complications with insurance-related refunds, and management responses.
Behind the Scenes: What Employees Say
Five former employees posted Glassdoor reviews. Every single one rated the clinic 1 out of 5 stars.
Why this matters: High staff turnover and workplace stress can affect the consistency and quality of your care.
Common Themes in Employee Reviews
| Issue Reported | Frequency | Direct Quotes |
|---|---|---|
| Money-focused management | 4 of 5 reviews | "Money oriented" "Money-driven management" |
| Sudden terminations | 3 of 5 reviews | "Fires people on the spot" "She hires and fires easily" |
| Ethics concerns | 2 of 5 reviews | "Forces staff into unethical situations" "Instability puts clients at risk" |
| Treatment of provisional psychologists | 3 of 5 reviews | "Thinks of prov psychs as machines to make them money" |
Management Patterns
Four employees independently described similar experiences:
"Sweet during the hiring process, but this quickly changes once you're onboard"
"Undermining their expertise and independence"
"Favoritism" and "micromanagement" mentioned in multiple reviews
Positive Comments from Employees
Despite criticisms of management, all reviews praised fellow staff members:
"Other psychologists are all very supportive"
"Staff are hardworking but in difficult situation"
"Co workers are friendly and empathetic"
Bottom line: Employee reviews describe consistent patterns of workplace instability, while unanimously praising the counseling staff themselves. This aligns with client reviews showing excellent individual counselors but documented workplace concerns.
The Pattern: What Reviews Reveal
The reviews analyzed show a consistent pattern: highly-praised individual counselors working within an organization with documented workplace concerns.
Summary of Review Findings
| Positive Patterns | Negative Patterns |
|---|---|
| 8+ counselors received specific praise by name | Multiple reports of counselors leaving suddenly |
| Easy online booking and comfortable space mentioned repeatedly | One documented case of counselor departing after 1 session |
| "Life-changing" results reported by multiple clients | Billing/refund complications reported |
| All employees praised their fellow counselors | 5 of 5 employee reviews cite management problems |
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Based on issues raised in reviews, potential clients might consider asking:
How long has this specific counselor worked at the clinic?
What is the policy if a counselor leaves during treatment?
How are insurance benefit refunds handled?
Can I pay per session rather than in packages?
These questions can help you assess whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks for your specific situation.
Conclusion
8+ counselors at the Calgary Institute of Counselling earned glowing reviews for life-changing results. However, 5 of 5 employee reviews and several client experiences document significant concerns.
This unique pattern - excellent individuals within an organization with documented workplace concerns - is important to understand before booking. Most positive reviews mention specific counselors by name, suggesting that your experience may depend heavily on which counselor you see and whether they remain at the clinic.
Whatever path forward feels right for you, we hope this analysis helps you make an informed choice.
At Emotions Therapy Calgary, we prioritize stable therapeutic relationships and offer free 20-minute consultations to help you explore what approach might work best. Whether you choose the Calgary Institute of Counselling, our clinic, or another option entirely, taking the step to seek support is what truly matters.
