Rising Sun Psychological Services Reviews Analysis: Is This Calgary Clinic Right for You?
Rod Mitchell, MSc, MC, Registered Psychologist
What Do Clients Say About Rising Sun Psychological Services?
Choosing a counselling clinic in Calgary is stressful. You read reviews, but they don't answer your real questions: How much does it cost? How long is the wait? Will this person actually help with my problem?
We analyzed 50+ Google reviews for Rising Sun Psychological Services (current as of September 2025) to help you understand what working with this clinic actually looks like.
Why we wrote this: Emotions Therapy Calgary specializes in treating anger, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. We created this counselling Calgary reviews analysis as a resource for clients comparing therapy options - whether you choose Rising Sun Psychological Services, our clinic, or someone else entirely.
If you'd like help figuring out what you need, we offer free 20-minute consultations with no pressure to book.
For those still exploring options, you may also find our companion articles helpful:
Table of Contents Hide
Which Counselors Do Clients Mention Most?
Based on Google reviews, here's what clients say about counselors at Rising Sun Psychological Services.
| If You're Looking For Help With... | Clients Recommend | What Reviewers Say |
|---|---|---|
| Work/career stress | Aaron | "Great for busy professionals." Flexible scheduling mentioned repeatedly. |
| Past trauma | Michelle | Helps identify patterns from past experiences. Uses reflective questioning. |
| Ongoing mental health challenges | Melina | Gentle approach. Focuses on practical coping skills. |
| Family/parenting challenges | Aaron | Several parents mention improved family dynamics. |
Therapist Availability
Aaron: 9 reviews. Aaron has the most reviews, which may indicate high demand. Many clients stay 2+ years.
Michelle: 4 detailed reviews. Known for dedication and insight-focused work.
Melina: 2 reviews. Emphasizes empathy and skill-building.
Note: Reviews don't specify which conditions therapists won't treat, their credentials, or therapy methods used.
What Changes Do Clients Report?
Every review we found was positive. Here's what actually changed for people at Rising Sun Psychological Services.
How Long Until You Feel Better?
| Timeline | What People Experience |
|---|---|
| First few months | "After just a few months, I felt seen and supported" - Bailey |
| Around 6 sessions | Having real tools to manage anxiety symptoms |
| After 2 years | "My PTSD no longer controls me" - Michael |
Life Changes People Report
"I tried other psychologists for 6 years. Nothing worked. After 2 years with Aaron, I'm finally the husband and parent my family deserves."
- Michael
Better relationships: Multiple people mention becoming better partners and parents
Understanding yourself: Finally knowing why you act and think certain ways
Daily mood: "I walk out with a smile and positive outlook" appears in several reviews
Actually having tools: Not just talking, but getting strategies that work
Worth noting: Seven people mention staying with the same therapist for 2+ years and still seeing progress. This isn't quick-fix therapy.
Location, Atmosphere, and First Impressions
Rising Sun Psychological Services is located on the second floor of a renovated building in Bridgeland. Here's what clients say about visiting.
The Atmosphere
"From the moment you walk through the door, you feel welcomed and truly cared for."
- Veronica
First impression: "Cozy and comforting as soon as you walk in" mentioned by multiple reviewers
The space: Recently renovated, described as calming and professional
Reception experience: Brenden (front desk) mentioned by name as "welcoming and making every visit seamless"
What "Safe Space" Means Here
Four reviewers specifically mention feeling safe. They describe:
No judgment: "People listen without judgment and help you build yourself again"
Privacy respected: Multiple mentions of feeling comfortable sharing difficult topics
Consistent support: Same welcoming feeling from all staff, not just your therapist
Practical Information
What reviews tell us:
Located in Bridgeland (second floor of older building)
Scheduling described as flexible for working professionals
Both students and senior psychologists on staff
What reviews don't mention:
Parking availability or cost
Accessibility features (elevator, wheelchair access)
Waiting room privacy
Virtual appointment options
Consider calling ahead to ask about these practical details if they're important to you.
Reviews from First-Time Clients
Starting therapy feels scary. Three reviewers specifically mention overcoming fear or bad experiences with previous therapists.
If You've Had Bad Therapy Experiences Before
"I had always had trouble trusting psychologists as I had a bad experience with one, but as soon as I met Aaron I felt as though I was truly in a safe space."
- Brooke
Multiple reviewers emphasize what felt different at Rising Sun after negative experiences elsewhere:
Immediate comfort: "As soon as I met" the therapist, trust was established
Genuine care: 12 reviews mention feeling the therapist "truly cares" vs going through motions
No pressure: Reviews describe conversations feeling natural, not forced or clinical
First-Time Therapy Anxiety
Two reviewers explicitly discuss being nervous about starting therapy:
Initial hesitation: "I was hesitant walking in for the first time" but found expectations exceeded
Erasing doubts: Michelle "erased any doubts I had about seeking psychological help"
Comfort level: The space and people make you "feel at ease" even if you're anxious
"I'll be honest, I was hesitant walking in for the first time. That said, everyone I've interacted with that is part of Rising Sun has exceeded my expectations."
- Jacob
Signs You'll Be Comfortable
| Your Concern | What Reviews Say |
|---|---|
| "I don't want to feel judged" | "People listen to you without judgement" specifically mentioned |
| "I need someone who gets it" | Multiple mentions of feeling "seen," "heard," and "understood" |
| "I hate fake sympathy" | Reviewers emphasize therapists "actually care" and show "genuine" concern |
| "I just want to chat, not be analyzed" | Described as "a comforting space to talk to someone" |
Important pattern: No reviews mention feeling pushed, rushed, or uncomfortable. Even the initially hesitant reviewers don't describe any negative moments.
Remember: These are all positive reviews. People who didn't connect with their therapist may not have left reviews.
What Reviews Don't Tell Us
Every review of Rising Sun Psychological Services is 5 stars. Here's the practical information that's missing.
| Critical Information Missing | Why It Matters | What to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Wait times | Aaron appears most-requested | "How soon can I get a first appointment?" |
| Therapy methods | Different approaches work for different issues | "What therapy approach do you use for [my issue]?" |
| Conditions treated | Heavy focus on PTSD/trauma in reviews | "Do you treat [eating disorders/OCD/etc.]?" |
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Based on these gaps, here's what to ask during your first contact:
Availability: "How soon can I get a first appointment? Do you have evening or weekend times?"
Specialization: "Do you have experience treating [your specific condition]?"
Method: "What therapy approach do you use for [your issue]?"
Credentials: "Are you a registered psychologist? How long have you been practicing?"
Good therapists expect these questions. If someone gets defensive about basics like cost or credentials, that's useful information.
Why All Positive Reviews?
Not one negative review exists in this dataset. Two things explain this: happy clients leave reviews while unhappy clients leave quietly, and the clinic likely provides genuinely good care. Both are probably true.
The complete absence of criticism means you're not getting the full picture. Use reviews as a starting point to know who to call. Your phone conversation and first appointment tell you if it's the right fit.
Conclusion
Based on 50+ Google reviews, Rising Sun Psychological Services shows strong, consistent results - particularly for PTSD, trauma, and anxiety. Multiple clients report 2-3+ year relationships with therapists, suggesting sustained quality care. The clinic appears best suited for people dealing with trauma or anxiety who want long-term therapeutic relationships.
Rising Sun is likely a good fit if you:
Have PTSD, trauma, or anxiety
Had negative therapy experiences before
Want a long-term therapist relationship
Are a working professional needing flexibility
And if you're still exploring options, we're here too. At Emotions Therapy Calgary, we specialize in anger, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues - with free 20-minute consultations to help you find the right fit.
