Cultivate - Calgary, Alberta

Shawn Friesen

I will be honest with you. After looking at your website, I am very hesitant to use your service because I do not feel you offer safe space to everyone. I feel I would have to keep myself reserved and contained and that a good portion of your staff would judge me if any of my 'right wing' ideology ever came out.
Also, you may not be aware, but pronouns make more people feel uncomfortable than you think. For myself it makes it difficult to relate to someone who feels the need to use pronouns. It is also concerning that an organization would force this on their employees to represent themselves as anything other than their name. I'm sure most of your staff are very nice people though.

I will also bring up, it seems you have a problem with quality. As of 8 months ago you are receiving a steady flow of negative reviews. You may want to reflect and look at what has changed within your organization.

Princess Lyla

Perks: pay what you like. Virtual. Some good therapists.

Cons: Pay what you like gets you counsellors with little experience.
Some counselors dont know their work and will misrepresent clients to other therapists.
They will request to record your session qnd will be lax in general administration but if you do the same they will offer zero empathy.
You will get a sense that your problems are being discussed that is minimal sense of Confidentiality.

Conclusion; I would not use them unless you are very desperate. Too sad we pay taxes for social services but cannot we still need to really work on getting sustained, affordable, quality mental health support.

S K

I was referred to here by my doctor, and after swapping from one assessor (who blamed me for her forgetting to put a session in and kind of gaslit me) to a new one, it was a godsend. My assessor was lovely, sweet, personable. My assessment was done as thoroughly and quickly as possible, which was greatly appreciated. Then my assessment finished. I was told I could email to check in, and to see about being sent to an appropriate therapist to help me with my new diagnosis. However, that was the last I ever heard from my assessor. No one has emailed me back, called me back, anything. I've been trying for months to get ahold of ANYONE. messaging the intake, messaging their general email, messaging the clinic director, messaging my assessor, trying to call their line to leave a message, nothing. Not a single person has bothered to email me, or answer me, or even give me my report.

I can respect that it's a non profit but this level of disorganization and non communication is frankly disrespectful to the people they claim they're trying to help.

My friend who I referred to this service has paid for at least two sessions that she had never gotten, and she's been ghosted on sessions only to hours or a day later be contacted by her assessor.

This has ruined my experience and faith in this company. Unbelievably confusing, hurtful, stressful, and disrespectful. I came looking for help and answers and now no one will answer me. If they comment on this, please know that I have tried ALL THE OPTIONS TO CONTACT THEM. MULTIPLE TIMES. So don't tell me to email [email protected], you go to your email and see my emails. You look at the assessors email to see my attempts. You check your intake to see me trying to get an answer there as well, or your clinic directors email. This is ridiculous. I just want my report. I just want an answer.

I love that it's sliding scale, I love that it's trying to make mental healthcare more accessible but confusing and hurting people that come to you is real backwards.

Nicole K.

Pay what you can means you get a student. Even if the first match is not a fit, you are not transferred to a more appropriate therapist. My first match was either misogynistic or had some deep seated resentment towards my condition. The second one had no skills to do the trauma work I sought help for. When we didn't make any progress and I tried to address that, I was essentially told to come back when I have resolved my issues.

Both therapists were not accountable for the issues they brought into the sessions and I can't help but think that the second therapist's job was simply to get rid of me because I couldn't pay the full fee.

This is clearly a business first, and because of that chances are they do more harm than good.

Ariel Pandachuck

I found Cultivate while researching private assessments as the ones provided by the province were rushed and missed a lot of information. Cultivate got me in quite quickly (less than a month after I inquired, which is amazing considering it took a half a year just to see the psychiatrist I was referred to through the province). They do not shame you or make you feel guilty if you cannot afford the full price and they make sure, no matter what, you get the help you need.

I saw Britta for my assessment and she was wonderful! She was non-judgemental, easy to talk to, took the time to explain what each test was for, made sure to clarify things if I was confused in a way that didn’t make me feel dumb, and she was efficient. The time between applying and getting my assessment was fast, but they also took the time to go through the report before they finalized it to make sure nothing was missed, incorrect, and that I understood it whereas during my other assessments this was not done.

Once my report was complete Britta helped me come up with a plan for next steps. As much as I wanted her to be my new therapist and to guide me through my new found neurodivergence she explained due to ethics she could not be, but she helped find me the perfect person to work with, Sacha!

Sacha is very informed on neurodivergence and if she doesn’t know the answer she is willing to find out. She is compassionate and teaches me about my new found diagnoses. I never feel judged and I feel like she genuinely cares and is in my corner. Ever since our first appointment I have felt at ease with Sacha and like I can open to her. She doesn’t make me feel silly or like I’m not trying hard enough. She makes me feel seen and heard. I cannot wait to continue working with Sacha to unravel the mystery of my new found neurodivergence.

If you are hesitant about signing up at Cultivate this is your sign to do it! They are ethical, efficient, thorough, and all the staff I’ve had contact with are wonderful people.

Taylor Solberg

Cultivate is a rare gem that I feel grateful to have found. They are an organization that has a true focus on accessibility, and the work they do is invaluable. I discovered their services when I was looking for a therapist who would be affordable to see long-term. At Cultivate, I found an amazing therapist who I am able to see as often or as little as I need, and with a sliding scale I know it's aways accessible to me. I have done both virtual and in-person appointments, and I love having an option.

Kuechy Kou

Excellent service. I noticed some bad reviews but these seem like the unhappy incels from twitter. The person on twitter & who runs Cultivate doesn't perform therapy on clients but has staff who are psychologists who do. The Cultivate team have been kind, flexible and understanding. They have helped me not only change my life in a positive direction but have empowered me to make hard but tangible changes. They have therapists of color and that has helped me a lot. I hope everyone willing to do the work to improve their lives will seek out places like Cultivate to have the lives you want and support the psychological health and wellness of the next generation.

Danny S.

I have found invaluable counseling and guidance from my time with Karalee at Cultivate. Setting up my first appointment was easy and I found the services affordable and accessible. I feel that this is the first time in my life I feel at peace. I couldn't have done so without Cultivate.