Question 1

What is speech therapy and who can benefit from it?

Accepted Answer

Speech therapy is a specialized treatment provided by a registered Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to help individuals communicate more effectively. At Ruby Therapy Services in St. Albert, our SLPs work with children, teens, and adults experiencing speech sound disorders, language delays, stuttering, voice problems, and communication difficulties. Whether your toddler is a late talker, your teenager struggles with fluency, or you're an adult recovering from stroke, speech-language therapy can help you reach your communication goals.

Question 2

At what age should I take my child to a speech therapist?

Accepted Answer

If your child isn't babbling by 12 months, using single words by 18 months, or combining two words by age 2, it's time to consult a pediatric speech therapist. Early intervention produces the best outcomes for speech and language delays. Our Edmonton-area SLPs assess and treat children as young as 6 months old. Don't wait to see if they grow out of it — an evaluation can determine whether your child needs speech therapy or simply monitoring.

Question 3

What does a pediatric speech-language pathologist treat?

Accepted Answer

A pediatric speech-language pathologist in St. Albert treats a wide range of communication and feeding challenges in children, including speech sound disorders (difficulty pronouncing sounds clearly), language delays (limited vocabulary, trouble forming sentences), stuttering and fluency disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, social communication challenges, feeding and swallowing difficulties, and literacy challenges like reading and spelling problems. Our SLPs create individualized treatment plans using play-based, evidence-informed approaches.

Question 4

Do you offer speech therapy for teenagers in Edmonton?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ruby Therapy provides speech therapy for teens ages 13-18 at our clinic serving Edmonton and St. Albert. Teen speech therapy addresses stuttering and fluency disorders, articulation challenges, social communication skills, voice disorders, and literacy support for reading and writing difficulties. Our SLPs understand the unique needs of adolescents and create a supportive environment where teens feel comfortable working on their communication goals.

Question 5

What adult speech therapy services do you provide?

Accepted Answer

Our adult speech-language pathologists in Edmonton offer therapy for aphasia (language difficulties following stroke or brain injury), stuttering using evidence-based approaches, voice disorders including hoarseness and vocal strain, cognitive-communication disorders affecting memory and attention, and accent modification for professional communication. Adults deserve support too — whether you're recovering abilities after a medical event or addressing lifelong communication challenges, our St. Albert clinic is here to help.

Question 6

How much does a speech therapy assessment cost?

Accepted Answer

A speech and language assessment at Ruby Therapy Services ranges from $300-$740 depending on complexity, billed at our standard SLP rate of $148/hour. Simple articulation assessments may take 2 hours, while comprehensive language evaluations require more time. The assessment includes a detailed written report with diagnosis, recommendations, and treatment plan. Most extended health insurance plans cover speech-language pathology services.

Question 7

Can a speech therapist help my child who is struggling to read?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Speech-Language Pathologists are trained experts in the language foundations of literacy. Reading difficulties often stem from weaknesses in phonological awareness — the ability to identify and manipulate sounds in words. Our Edmonton SLPs provide literacy support for children and teens struggling with reading, spelling, decoding, and reading comprehension using structured literacy approaches proven effective for dyslexia and language-based learning difficulties.

Question 8

What's the difference between speech therapy and language therapy?

Accepted Answer

Speech therapy focuses on how your child produces sounds — articulation, pronunciation, voice quality, and fluency. Language therapy addresses understanding (receptive language) and expression (expressive language) — vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, and social communication. Many children need both. Our St. Albert speech-language pathologists assess and treat the full range of speech and language disorders to help your child communicate clearly and confidently.

Question 9

What does a pediatric occupational therapist do?

Accepted Answer

A pediatric occupational therapist (OT) helps children develop the skills needed for daily life, learning, and play. At Ruby Therapy in Edmonton, our registered OTs work with children and teens on fine motor skills (handwriting, scissors, buttons), sensory processing (over- or under-sensitivity to touch, sound, movement), self-care skills (dressing, feeding, toileting), emotional regulation, visual-motor integration, and executive functioning (organization, planning, attention). OT helps children participate fully in home, school, and community activities.

Question 10

What are signs my child might need occupational therapy?

Accepted Answer

Consider an OT evaluation in St. Albert if your child avoids or struggles with handwriting, coloring, or cutting; has difficulty with buttons, zippers, or shoe-tying; is extremely picky about food textures or clothing tags; overreacts to sounds, touch, or busy environments; struggles to sit still or constantly seeks movement; has frequent meltdowns or difficulty calming down; falls behind peers in self-care skills like dressing; or has poor balance or seems clumsy. Trust your instincts — early occupational therapy intervention makes a significant difference.

Question 11

Do you provide occupational therapy for teenagers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ruby Therapy offers occupational therapy for teens (ages 13-18) at our clinic serving St. Albert and Edmonton. Teen OT addresses handwriting and note-taking challenges, executive functioning skills for school success, sensory processing difficulties, self-regulation strategies, and daily living skills for independence. Our OTs understand adolescent needs and create treatment plans that support your teen's academic performance and personal growth.

Question 12

What is sensory processing therapy?

Accepted Answer

Sensory processing therapy helps children whose brains have difficulty organizing sensory information — touch, sound, movement, taste, smell, and body awareness. Children with sensory processing challenges may be oversensitive (avoiding textures, covering ears) or undersensitive (seeking intense movement, not noticing pain). Our Edmonton occupational therapists use sensory integration therapy to help children respond appropriately to sensory input, improving their ability to focus, regulate emotions, and participate in daily activities.

Question 13

Can occupational therapy help with picky eating and feeding problems?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Pediatric occupational therapists address feeding challenges including extreme picky eating, food texture aversions, oral motor difficulties, and mealtime behavior problems. Our St. Albert OTs evaluate the sensory, motor, and behavioral factors affecting your child's eating and develop individualized treatment plans. Feeding therapy helps expand food acceptance, improve oral motor skills, and reduce mealtime stress for the whole family.

Question 14

How much does occupational therapy cost in Edmonton?

Accepted Answer

Occupational therapy at Ruby Therapy Services is $148/hour (45 minutes direct + 15 minutes indirect time) or $98 for a 40-minute session (30 minutes direct + 10 minutes indirect). OT assessments are billed at the same hourly rate. Most extended health insurance plans cover registered Occupational Therapists, and FSCD funding may be available for eligible children. We provide receipts for insurance reimbursement after each session.

Question 15

What counselling services do you offer at Ruby Therapy?

Accepted Answer

Ruby Therapy Services provides counselling and mental health therapy for children, teens, adults, couples, and families at our St. Albert clinic. Our Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs) help with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, trauma, grief, relationship struggles, parenting challenges, life transitions, and stress management. Whether you need individual therapy, couples counselling, or family support, our counsellors provide compassionate, evidence-based care.

Question 16

What is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)?

Accepted Answer

A Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) is a mental health professional holding a master's degree in counselling with national certification through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. CCCs complete rigorous training and supervised practice in evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Many Edmonton-area insurance plans cover CCC services under psychology or mental health benefits — check your specific policy for coverage details.

Question 17

Do you provide counselling for children and play therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our St. Albert counsellors offer child counselling using play therapy — a developmentally appropriate approach where children express feelings and process experiences through play. Play therapy effectively addresses anxiety, behavioral challenges, trauma, grief, family changes, and social difficulties in children ages 4-12. Our therapists create a safe, supportive environment where children can work through big emotions and develop healthy coping skills.

Question 18

Do you offer teen counselling in Edmonton?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ruby Therapy provides counselling for teenagers at our clinic serving Edmonton and St. Albert. Our therapists specialize in adolescent mental health, helping teens navigate anxiety, depression, academic stress, peer relationships, family conflict, identity exploration, and self-esteem challenges. We adapt evidence-based approaches for teens, respecting their growing need for independence while providing the support they need during these critical years.

Question 19

What can adult counselling help with?

Accepted Answer

Adult counselling at our St. Albert clinic addresses anxiety (generalized worry, panic attacks, social anxiety), depression (persistent sadness, low motivation, hopelessness), stress and burnout, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, life transitions (career changes, parenthood, divorce, retirement), and self-esteem issues. Our Edmonton-area counsellors provide a supportive space to develop insight, build coping strategies, and create meaningful change.

Question 20

Do you offer couples counselling and marriage therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ruby Therapy provides couples counselling for partners wanting to strengthen their relationship or work through challenges. Our St. Albert couples therapists help with communication breakdown, conflict patterns, trust issues, intimacy concerns, and major life transitions. We use evidence-based approaches to help couples understand their patterns, rebuild connection, and create a healthier relationship. Premarital counselling is also available.

Question 21

Do you provide family counselling?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our Edmonton counsellors offer family therapy to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen family relationships. Family counselling helps with parent-child difficulties, blended family challenges, sibling conflict, parenting strategies, and navigating major family transitions. We work with the whole family system to create healthier patterns and a more connected home environment.

Question 22

How much does counselling cost?

Accepted Answer

Counselling at Ruby Therapy Services is $155 per session, which includes 50 minutes of direct client time plus 10 minutes of indirect time for clinical documentation and session preparation. This rate applies to individual therapy, couples counselling, and family sessions. Many extended health plans cover Canadian Certified Counsellors — verify with your insurer that CCC is listed under your mental health benefits.

Question 23

What is a psychoeducational assessment?

Accepted Answer

A psychoeducational assessment evaluates cognitive abilities (IQ), academic skills, and learning processes to identify learning disabilities, ADHD, giftedness, or other factors affecting academic performance. Our Edmonton psychologists provide comprehensive assessments for children, teens, and adults. The detailed report includes diagnosis, school accommodation recommendations, and intervention strategies. Cost: $2,190.

Question 24

Do you offer autism assessments in St. Albert?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ruby Therapy provides comprehensive multidisciplinary autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessments combining evaluation by a registered Psychologist and Speech-Language Pathologist. Both clinicians are trained in the ADOS-2, the gold-standard autism assessment tool. Our St. Albert assessments provide diagnostic clarity, detailed developmental profiles, and actionable recommendations for support. Cost: $2,942.

Question 25

Do I need a doctor's referral for speech therapy, OT, or counselling?

Accepted Answer

No referral is required to access speech therapy, occupational therapy, or counselling services in Alberta. You can contact Ruby Therapy Services directly to book an assessment or begin therapy. Some insurance plans may require a physician's referral for reimbursement — check your specific policy. Our team can help you understand any documentation requirements.

Question 26

Does insurance cover speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counselling?

Accepted Answer

Most extended health insurance plans in Edmonton and St. Albert cover services from registered Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists. Coverage for Canadian Certified Counsellors varies by plan. Common insurers include Alberta Blue Cross, Manulife, Sun Life, and Canada Life. We provide receipts after each session for easy insurance submission. We recommend verifying your coverage limits before beginning services.

Question 27

Do you accept FSCD funding?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ruby Therapy Services is an approved FSCD (Family Support for Children with Disabilities) provider. We offer direct billing to FSCD and work with family-managed contracts. FSCD can cover speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other services for eligible children under 18 with disabilities. Our St. Albert clinic serves FSCD families throughout Edmonton and surrounding areas.

Question 28

What is a Therapy Assistant and why do sessions cost less?

Accepted Answer

Therapy Assistants deliver treatment under the supervision of a registered SLP or OT at a reduced rate of $87/hour. They implement therapy plans designed by the registered clinician, making frequent therapy sessions more affordable for Edmonton and St. Albert families. Therapy Assistants are ideal for practice-intensive goals. Note: most insurance plans don't cover TA services, though Health Spending Accounts often do.

Question 29

Where is Ruby Therapy located?

Accepted Answer

Ruby Therapy Services is located at 7 St Anne Street #104, St. Albert, Alberta T8N 2X4. We serve families throughout St. Albert, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, and surrounding communities. Our clinic offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, counselling, and psychology assessments in a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

Question 30

Can parents attend therapy sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, parent involvement is encouraged and often essential for the best outcomes. For speech therapy and occupational therapy, parents typically observe sessions and learn strategies to support their child at home. For child counselling, therapists meet with parents periodically while maintaining the child's therapeutic space. For teen therapy, parents are involved in intake and progress updates while respecting adolescent confidentiality.

The Team

Speech-Language Pathology

Psychology

Occupational Therapy

Counselling

Therapy Assistants

The Team

Speech-Language Pathology

Paulina Vazquez, M.Sc., RSLP

Kristina Stein, M.Sc., RSLP

Sophie Stadler, M.Sc., RSLP

Erin Dodd, M.Sc., RSLP, SLP (C)

Jordan Neuls, M.Sc., RSLP

Lindsay Madden, M.Sc., RSLP

Hannah Hoffman, M.Sc., RSLP

Mikayla Quinlan, M.Sc., RSLP, SLP (C)

Psychology

Alison Lessard, B.Ed., M.Ed., R. Psych.

Occupational Therapy

Counselling

Erin Scott, B.Ed., M.C., C.C.C.

Karrie Prefontaine, M.Sc., Reg. OT

Emma Tennison M.Sc., Reg. OT

Karen Burgess, CCC

Therapy Assistants

Kristy Peterson, SLPA

Emma Lalonde, TA