Therapists in Calgary, AB

Are you feeling disconnected and misunderstood in your relationship? Do you feel like your partner does not "get you," and your needs and values are not being met? I believe that we all need help from time to time to see ourselves and our relationships more clearly, and to develop new ways of living fuller, healthier lives. I am an expert in relationships and have over 17 years of experience as a psychologist. I work from a psychobiological and attachment perspective and I help my clients understand themselves and each other on deeper level. I work with couples and individuals interested in creating happier, more fulfilled lives.

I aim to be an unusual therapist. I harness imagination, energy, enthusiasm, poetry, and humour in my effort to understand your story and elevate your voice. Whether you are considering the past, the present, or the future, I believe that therapeutic conversations can expand the options, responses, and actions we have available to us and help us to recognize our opportunity to be active agents in our own lives- or the protagonist of our own story! I get excited about this and do not hold back this excitement as you move closer to your goals.

We all deserve to experience life to the fullest and to enjoy rewarding relationships and happiness. Sometimes, our past or current experiences interfere with this and it can be very helpful to speak with a professional to help you overcome obstacles and enhance your well-being. My work with you will be one of empowerment, helping you to master your own individual healing and personal development. I will support you in healing your past, coping with the present, and envisioning a desirable and rewarding future in all aspects of your life.

I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist in Alberta. I completed my Masters degree in Counselling at City University Seattle and my internship supporting children and adolescents with a range of mental health needs in their school setting. Influenced by my life, volunteer, and previous career, I am also passionate about supporting adults in navigating life stressors and life transitions.

You want Positive Results and waking up every day and dealing with the challenges of life can be tough enough, let alone if your dealing with the challenging issues of past/current trauma, depression, relational struggles, separation, thoughts of divorce, dealing with grief and loss or just plain feeling stuck in life and not being able to move forward. Any one of those issues in life can prevent you from attaining your personal hopes and dreams. You, as an individual, or couple, living in Calgary, Cochrane, or Airdrie deserve the fighting chance to make changes in your personal life or marriage that will allow you walk in NEW LIFE.

I am a Registered Psychologist and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families. I am committed to implementing evidence based treatment and staying current with best practices through attending national and international conferences, as well as keeping up-to-date with the latest research in the field. I believe that positive, meaningful relationships form the foundation of our well-being and the resolution of conflict can improve these relationships for the benefit of the couples, children and families involved.

Therapy is a unique individual journey that requires trust, honesty, and authenticity at its core from day one. I strive for all these qualities with clients and to use my clinical skills to foster successful healing and growth that addresses current mental health challenges and in the pursuit of long-term sustainable mental health and wellness. My clinical practice is grounded in an anti-oppressive, anti-racism, and social justice foundation, and I specialize in individual therapy with adolescents (ages 12-19) and adults of all ages.

I am accepting new clients! I'm Lara - my approach to therapy is focused on collaborating with you and empowering you to build mental & emotional strength and resilience. I work primarily with individuals 16+ and enjoy incorporating a creative edge to counselling sessions, as a safer way for you to express what you are experiencing. Resources and information are also offered to help better understand what you are going through. And skills practice assignments are given between session to encourage and promote habits of change. I look forward to walking beside you in this journey!

Looking within ourselves is a powerful tool for change. If you are looking for a safe place to explore different ways of dealing with stressors in your life and improve your mental health, we are here for you. Our individualized approach will ensure that counselling is tailored to your needs to ensure you can meet your goals.

Welcome! My approach to therapy is collaborative and is inspired by the unique challenges, strengths and stories you bring into each session. I can support you with understanding and managing your emotions, moving from self-criticism to self-compassion, exploring values and how to live by them, and processing difficult events. My areas of interest include self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression, life transitions, expatriation/repatriation, body image concerns, disordered eating, and cultural and spiritual exploration.

I work primarily with adults who face challenges associated with traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety. My warm demeanor and gentle repose enhances clients’ abilities to tune into their natural healing capacities. Twenty years of formal meditation training has shaped my therapeutic viewpoints, and I align with relational frame theory (RFT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): third wave mindfulness-based behavioural therapies. I also work from a somatic, brain-body perspective, using Brainspotting (BSP) to help clients release deeper held traumas. Principles of hypnotherapy also inform my practice.

People are often at a point in life where they realize that change needs to occur in order to promote psychological well being. I work with clients to identify their unique skills and facilitate change at their own pace. I offer services to children, teens, adults, and the elderly. The statement that drives my life view is: "Life is colourful and constantly changing." Nature appears to attest to this philosophy as well with the four seasons of colors and changes. With every season, life (and death) ebbs and flows, always towards what is to come...whatever that may be.

Being human is complex and at times, confusing. I am here to help you see beyond your challenges, understand your mind & how it works, learn to tackle the tough stuff effectively, & meet your own needs while staying aligned with your values. Together we will identify the patterns that hold you back & learn to develop the mindset needed to feel stronger, more compassionate, and more accepting towards yourself & others. This includes things like perfectionism, people-pleasing, poor boundaries, & self-criticism. The longest relationship you will have is the one with yourself. You deserve for it to be a good one.

In my general practice in psychology, I offer individual and couple therapy for both women and men. My clients deal with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, managing emotions, stress management, self-esteem issues, relationship concerns and communication skills. I take a collaborative approach to therapy, encouraging clients to be actively involved in setting and working toward their goals. I help clients to identify their strengths and resources, to address barriers that may be getting in their way and to examine their issues in context.

I work from a holistic, Mindfulness based approach to mental health and wellness. Whether you are seeking to reduce anxiety, manage stress, strengthen your sense of self, be more patient in your relationships, or more focused and present in your own life, Mindfulness can be a valuable daily practice and meaningful path forward.

Located in SW Calgary. It is a difficult time, and challenges happen, my hope is to be able to work with you and draw on your strengths while offering a new perspective to help improve how things are going for you. One of the most challenging parts of counselling is the first step - reaching out. I am so happy to connect, answer questions, offer a no charge initial consultation, and to get started.

I strive to offer an accepting, non-judgmental, and safe environment for all my clients. I believe that my clients are the experts in their own lives, therefore, I work with a collaborative approach.

Many of us are unaware of how our family influences and past traumas and experiences continue to create conflict in our existing relationships. The resulting behaviours are often self-defeating, painful, and unfavourably impact others. My own lived experiences and the validation of the approaches I use creates an empathetic, compassionate, and non-judgmental environment that allows you to experience a new positive sense of self and others.