Finding a therapist that you feel connected to can be a daunting task, so I want to start by commending you for taking that first step in looking at my profile. While it is impossible to know a person through a few paragraphs, I hope in reading a bit about me you feel less overwhelmed about starting your therapeutic journey.

When a client arrives to my office, I think what so many are searching for is hope. Hope that things can get better, hope that things won’t be like this forever. I am here to tell you with confidence that change is possible. I pride myself on being an authentic, straightforward therapist that balances essential qualities such as compassion and mutual respect. I often incorporate humour, sarcasm and levity into sessions, and I seek to limit the formality of the therapeutic process. As your therapist I promise to never sugar coat painful truths to make them more tolerable, nor will I force you to “look on the bright side” when things feel incredibly dark. I will however do my absolute best to be a beacon of light in that darkness and help you connect to hope. My goals for every client are to create a place where you can express yourself fully, without judgment or shame, provide genuine care for your emotions and perhaps have some fun and enjoyment along the way.

I draw primarily from Somatic Experiencing, Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and self-compassion. Ultimately, I am of the belief that in order to reach deeper levels of healing and growth, we must go beyond the surface of cognition and begin to access underlying thoughts, feelings and sensations that often live in the body and are rooted in our past experiences and relationships. In working with me, you will learn how to connect to your nervous system and emotional inner world, develop deeper knowledge and awareness of yourself and gain valuable skills to tolerate and regulate symptoms of distress so that you can live a more grounded, fulfilled life.

I work with teens aged 15+ and adults and can provide support for a variety of challenges, including trauma, marital issues, work stress, burn out, school challenges, self-harm & suicidality, grief & loss, emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety, ADHD, parenting stress, gender & sexuality exploration and more. An area of deep passion for me is supporting individuals to heal from dysfunctional family dynamics and attachment traumas. Patterns in our upbringing can have a dramatic impact on our current functioning in ways that we may be unaware of and are associated with low self-esteem, nervous system dysregulation and relationship turmoil. It is incredibly meaningful for me to help my clients shift how they communicate, self-regulate and experience relationships so that they are more satisfying and secure.

A little bit about me outside of my work as a therapist:

• My favorite hobbies are yoga and golf.
• If I could, I would love to be a travelling nomad jumping from place to place and experiencing the incredible beauty this world has to offer.
• I drive a bright pink car that I have had since I was 20!

As a Registered Provisional Psychologist, I am driven by the belief that every action we take holds the potential to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. In my therapeutic practice, I embody this ethos by approaching each session with unwavering dedication and intentionality. I understand the profound impact that our interactions can have on the well-being of clients, and I strive to create a space where they feel valued, heard, and empowered to recognize their potential for growth and positive change.

My approach to counseling is rooted in empathy and understanding, with a firm belief in the power of the client-therapist relationship. I operate from a client-centered perspective, recognizing each individual’s unique experiences and strengths. In my practice, I integrate various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). By tailoring my approach to meet the specific needs of each client, I strive to empower them to overcome obstacles, enhance self-awareness, and foster personal growth. Together, we can navigate challenges with courage, knowing that every step forward is meaningful.

I am deeply committed to providing a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My ultimate goal is to assist clients in achieving greater well-being and fulfillment in their lives. I am excited to embark on this journey with you, and I look forward to supporting you on your path towards positive change and personal development!

Three fun facts about me:

• I love to travel, explore new countries, and immerse myself in different cultures.
• I’m super competitive, especially when it comes to playing board games with friends.
• In my free time I like to watch hockey, try new cafes/restaurants and watch shows like Friends on repeat.

Hi there!

Welcome to my bio. My approach as a therapist is quite simple – meet you where you are at. Deciding to come to therapy isn’t the easiest and often pops up during challenging moments in life. It can be difficult to share your troubles and inner experiences with someone you don’t know, so providing you with a safe space where you can feel like your authentic self while engaging in the process of change is essential. I place great emphasis on building a strong therapeutic relationship, and prioritize collaboration, trust, empathy and understanding. My role is to help you navigate your journey of processing and healing, and to teach you healthy coping skills that you can use outside of the therapy room.

I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach and will work hard to tailor therapy to what you are looking for. I tend to draw upon techniques from Attachment Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Relational-Cultural Therapy.

Random tidbits about me:

• My favourite genre of music is Nu metal and I have made my first battle vest.
• I love adventure and trying new things – just tell me where to go and what to wear and I will be there.
• I’m an entrepreneur at heart and have built and sold my first business.
• How I self-care: snuggle my puppy, spend time with my family, being in nature and taking naps.

Each person comes to therapy for their own reasons, with their own experiences and goals. One of the things I value most as a psychologist is the uniqueness each person brings. Clients have authorship in their growth, and I consider my role as a psychologist to be a collaborator in that process. I try to cultivate respect, honesty, humor, and supportive conversation.

I have been practicing as a psychologist for the past 33 years, in South Africa and in Canada. My theoretical approach to psychotherapy is rooted in Narrative therapy, however, I don’t believe there is one particular approach that is the panacea to all concerns. With Narrative therapy as a foundation, I follow an integrative approach including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT); Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT); Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET for trauma). It is important to me to respond to the needs of each client, and I believe in developing a treatment plan that is tailored to each person. My expertise is in the area of mood disorders, including depression and generalized anxiety, panic attacks, trauma (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)), anger issues, loss and bereavement, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), behavioral problems and relationship challenges. I have extensive experience in both individual and family therapy.

On the personal side, I am a proud father and live with my wife and two cats. I value spirituality and experiencing life to the fullest. Happy times to me are visiting and laughing with family and friends, making music, camping, kayaking, hiking in the mountains, motorcycling with friends, playing with dogs, and having moments of awe in nature and places in the world.

I welcome and look forward to meeting and working with prospective adolescent and adult clients and families.

I have completed my internship at Reframed Psychological and I am currently a Mental Health Counsellor.

I use client-centered and trauma informed approaches and aim to work collaboratively with clients to create goal and achieve goals. I believe in the importance of collaboration, authenticity and see the value of compassion in the counselling environment.

I have had the privilege of working with a diverse group of populations and have several years of experience working with children of all ages. I have also supported families (both children and parents) struggling with various behavioural, social, and developmental difficulties.

I believe in the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship, and bring a non – judgemental, accepting, and empathetic approach. I aim to integrate various therapeutic approaches when supporting clients with their healing and personal growth. I use strategies from Narrative therapy which seeks to empower clients to create their own narratives and work towards achieving the life they want. I also appreciate interventions from Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) which is designed to help you manage difficult emotions with acceptance and self-regulating strategies.

My goal is to create a safe space where everyone feels welcome, heard, and seen. I want to acknowledge your bravery for entering counselling and focus on your strengths, not weaknesses.

A bit about me:

• In my free time I love to spend time with friends, family and my two dogs, ideally outside (in the summer).
• I love to cook and bake, and am always keen to learn and try new recipes.
• I am originally from Edmonton, but spent seven years living and working in Asia which fueled my curiosity and appreciation for different cultures. I love traveling and exploring new countries and appreciate diverse cultures.

I’m Kristy, and I am a registered provisional psychologist. I grew up in the Northwest Territories and spent most of my career working in community mental health programs in the north. Over the past decade, I have worked with individuals of all ages and walks of life and those from big cities to small communities.

These experiences shaped my way of seeing the complexity found in life. Rarely are things simple or black-and-white. In that complexity, we find both challenges and beauty that can facilitate change and growth.

I am passionate about what I do and about the mental health field. I believe that all people have strengths and skills that allow them to change and grow. As a therapist, I like to see myself as part guide, and part supporter, who helps clients navigate through life’s challenges, triumphs, and everything in between. I like to focus on building manageable steps towards long-term change.

As for my approach, I emphasize the individuality of each person I work with and that there is no one-size-fits-all therapy. I come primarily from a person-centered approach that focuses on non-judgement, empathy, safety, trust, and building a relationship between clients and therapist. I also utilize techniques from attachment perceptive, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I am also trained in (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) EMDR. I take a health at every size (HAES) perspective and am a sex-positive, trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming therapist.

I work with individuals of all ages, including children, teens, adults, and seniors. I work with clients experiencing a variety of concerns including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, boundary issues, and ADHD.

Starting therapy can be hard, and I am here to support you through the process and join you in your mental health journey.

A little something about me:

•  I love playing video games.
• I love podcasts! Rarely a day goes by without at least a few episodes of my favorite shows.
• I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, camping, swimming, and white-water rafting
• I love animals, especially dogs, and would love to see photos of your pets!

I am a registered provisional psychologist and a PhD student at the University of Alberta in the School and Clinical Child Psychology (SCCP) program, and I completed my Master’s of Education (MEd) in the same program. Recently, I completed my pre-doctoral internship at the Regina Area Clinical Psychology Doctoral Residency Program with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

My training and employment to date has allowed me to build a strong skillset and develop a deep appreciation for intervention, assessment, and consultation working with children, adolescents, and families with multifaceted needs. I work towards practicing ethically, diligently, and compassionately in all my work.

I am particularly passionate about psychological and psychoeducational assessments. My strong interest in assessment was foundational in pursuing a graduate program which would allow me to actively engage in both research and training opportunities to build a strong skillset in this area.

I take a strengths-based, collaborative approach to assessment to empower clients and their families and support them in navigating pathways forward to healthy outcomes. I especially enjoy working with clients to identify their strengths and integrate them into recommendations and intervention planning!

A little bit about me:

• I am originally from Nova Scotia and miss the ocean, but I have fallen in love with the mountains!
• I love dogs, especially my three huskies
• You can usually find me camping during the summer months

I am a dedicated Registered Provisional Psychologist who takes a client-centered approach, tailoring therapeutic interventions to meet each individual’s unique needs and goals. My utmost commitment is to create a safe and non-judgmental space where clients feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported.

With a deep passion for supporting individuals on their journey to healing and self-discovery, I have had the privilege of working with many diverse groups. From youth and children to those in treatment settings and members of marginalized communities, I have witnessed the resilience and strength of individuals from all walks of life. I recognize that humans are complex beings with strengths and difficulties, and it is a gift to empower my clients by acknowledging their strengths and helping them make sense of their context and current ways of existing.

I integrate various therapeutic approaches to facilitate healing and personal growth in my practice. Drawing from Psychodynamic Theory and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), I support clients in uncovering maladaptive coping mechanisms and dysfunctional relational patterns while addressing their root causes. DBT, with its emphasis on acceptance and change, incorporates mindfulness and distress tolerance skills to strike a balance. I also include evidence-based approaches like Gottman and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). Gottman Therapy enhances relationships through effective communication and conflict resolution, nurturing healthy dynamics. On the other hand, EFT emphasizes understanding and working with emotions to promote healing, empowering clients to develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.

As a committed Registered Provisional Psychologist, my goal is to make a positive impact in the lives of others. I am passionate about providing a safe and supportive space where clients can explore their emotions, gain insight into their thoughts and behaviours, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Together, we can navigate life’s challenges, build resilience, and explore your inner strengths.

A bit about me:

• I’m a novice potter who finds joy in crafting unique mugs and bowls on the pottery wheel during my spare time.
• Rainy days are my absolute favourite, providing the perfect opportunity to indulge in baking, cuddling with my pups, reading historical novels, or challenging myself with complex puzzles.
• Being born in South Africa instilled a deep curiosity and appreciation for different cultures. I eagerly seize every opportunity to travel and explore new countries, constantly seeking to broaden my understanding of the world and its diverse people.