LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Calgary, AB

Are you a gay man who is overwhelmed by the intensity of your feelings? Do certain situations feel triggering or remind you of a past trauma? It can feel unbearable when you’re just trying to keep it together, and hoping nobody notices when you start breathing rapidly, sweating, or shaking. Even between intense moments, there can be a low-level anxiety that feels like it’s always lurking, ready to take over at any time. Not to mention the shame about not feeling in control of your responses. The good news is that there are specific skills that can be learned to listen to your emotions and think about your past in a whole new way.

Nice to meet you. I see and honour all the layers of identity you bring forth. Do you feel lost or disconnected from yourself? Would you like to take steps to live a more authentic life? Do you want others to get to know the real you? Maybe you are wanting out of the closet, out of the shadows, or to have a space to explore your identity, sexuality or relationships. You might also be looking for a gender affirming therapist to support your journey as you begin or continue your transition. I take a holistic and anti-oppressive approach to mental health, and believe we all have the potential to grow, rewire our brains and heal.

I believe each person is the expert in their own life but sometimes along our journey the lens through which we see the world and ourselves becomes a bit muddied and this impacts the way we behave and react to new experiences. My role in your journey is to help you see clearly again through that lens so you can get back to living more true to your authentic self. I work primarily from an attachment lens and have a gentle, yet direct approach to therapy. I work best with clients who aren't afraid to bring a little humor into sessions when appropriate and safe to do so.

My clients say they feel extremely comfortable working together and they appreciate my genuine, down-to-earth and direct counselling style that focuses on clients taking ACTION. My ability to create productive connections with clients is mostly due to my life experiences, especially my own difficult journey to achieving good mental health. I love helping my clients discover new perspectives, new life skills, and new ways of being in the world so they are able to have more satisfying lives. Life shouldn’t only be about surviving... it should be much more about thriving! Book a free, 25 minute consult with me to learn more.

Are you looking for an online therapist who is relatable and down-to-earth while also grounded in evidence-based approaches to therapy? Whether you're dealing with depression, anxiety, addiction or another mental health concern, I'm hopeful I can help. Mental health issues are at an all time high due to the unexpected new pressures that Covid-19 has brought into our lives. However, it is much easier to overcome these obstacles when we are nurtured, supported and challenged in the context of a therapeutic relationship. Perhaps this is a good time to seek online psychotherapy from a caring and compassionate mental health professional.

I am passionate about working with clients focusing on healing from abuse, Trauma and PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Body neutrality/acceptance, and Gender and Sexuality. I am an LGBTQIA + friendly, sex-work friendly, sex positive, kink-aware and poly-aware therapist. I offer individual counselling and relationship counselling. I am able to see anyone living in Alberta online, but only offer in person in the Calgary area.

I believe that our ability to create meaningful connections with ourselves and those around us is central to our wellbeing. I look forward to connecting with you to support you in further embedding wellbeing in your life. I aim to provide a safer environment where you can explore yourself and your struggles and am here to support you in creating the life that you want. As a Registered Provisional Psychologist, I am committed to ongoing training, using the latest research, and creating the meaningful therapeutic relationship necessary to support you in navigating your way toward the life you deserve.

I approach counselling from a lens that is grounded in the continued practice of anti-racism, disability justice, queer theory, sex positivity, and that recognizes the systemic violence that has, and continues to, harm us and impact our experiences in the world, and inside ourselves. The main niche of folks that I have had the honour of working with over the years have been queer and trans folks, sex workers, disabled folks, non-traditional relationship networks, kink and bdsm communities, BIPOC folks, folks navigating complex trauma, and those living at the intersections of many of these identities.

You're here because you're feeling overwhelmed and stuck and you're ready for things to be different. Don't keep struggling alone, I'm here to support you. A warm and compassionate space will help you feel safe to share your challenges. Together we'll explore how your past is impacting your present, find patterns that aren't helpful anymore, and how change is possible. You'll get ideas on how to apply your strengths, learn practical skills and new strategies to try, and non-judgemental perspectives to consider. The feedback you share will personalize your journey as we join together to find your new way forward.

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.

Hey, thanks for visiting my profile! My name is Hadley & I've been working in the mental health field for over 10 years. I do online sessions for people residing across AB as well as in person sessions at our small & personable practice of five therapists located in SW Calgary (free parking). I strongly believe that people come to therapy to find out what they don't know or confirm what they may already know. I love helping clients gain new insight & understanding about themselves, their relationships, & how they see the world. I am a goal oriented therapist who supports clients to get to a better place & make meaningful changes.

Relationships are key to our existence as humans. We thrive on connection. Often from our earliest connections, we learn patterns and coping mechanisms for survival that can get in the way of presence with ourselves and with others. We have fears or blockages that get in the way of intimacy and expressing ourselves fully in this world. I would be honoured to walk along side you to help illuminate your path to inner growth and transformation, as you find your voice in relationships and freedom in sexual expression.

As the founder of Intrinsic Psychology, I strive to help clients realize their value and their purpose. Identifying who we are, learning to trust our intrinsic self, and developing the courage to stand in our truth, I believe, are all at the core of living an authentically fulfilling life. No matter what concern, struggle, or trauma an individual is experiencing, or has experiences, we all long to be seen, heard, and understood exactly as we are. Counsellors at Intrinsic Psychology focus on helping individuals remove anything that lies in the way of their greatness and in identifying and nurturing who they have been all along.

In relationships when great sex (or any intimacy at all) is a distant memory, communication becomes stuck, and a feeling of closeness is longed for again, these become signs that a different approach is needed to end the frustration and renew aliveness. The desire for intimacy, to feel connected, and to matter are key aspects of who we are as human beings.

Life is not without its challenges. Especially during a pandemic, day-to-day life can be even more overwhelming. The good news is that I am here to help. Whether you are experiencing low mood, anxiety, relationship problems, or trauma, my goal is to assist you in working towards the future you desire. I believe all individuals have the capacity to grow from their current circumstances. My priority is ensuring that my clients feel safe, valued, and heard, while also providing exceptional clinical support. I strive to create an atmosphere that is welcoming for all individuals from diverse backgrounds, and I am LGBTQ + affirming.

***My services are available via Zoom/webcam, in-person at my office, telephone, or location of your choosing*** I specialize in PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, borderline personality, OCD, and relationships within couples and families. I also work with Veterans, RCMP, and First Responders. For those with financial challenges I offer interest-free payment plans. I am LGBTQ friendly, accepting, and an ally.

Throughout life we all come up against problems that get in the way of how we want to live. These problems can come in the form of loss, overwhelming emotions, challenges in relationships, isolation and erasure of identity. I take a narrative approach to counselling and draw on ideas and dignifying practices like the writing of therapeutic documents. It is likely committed to uncovering the responses people have been using to get by, and in some cases survive, despite difficult problems. We all have the right to our own experiences and to feel legitimate no matter how big or small, permanent or temporary a problem may be.

Therapy offers us the opportunity to have the support we need to examine those areas of our lives we find painful, confusing, and challenging. My goal is to help you through any difficulties you are experiencing so that you can have better relationships and feel better about yourself. Topics of interest include depression and anxiety, relationship problems, addiction, self-harming behaviour, trauma and PTSD, life transitions, as well as pet loss.

OFFERING EVENING AND WEEKEND SESSIONS! I am a registered psychologist who has been working in the helping field for over twenty years. While much of this work has focused on supporting at risk youth and adults experiencing or engaging in intimate partner violence, in recent years I have built a clinical practice that includes counselling adults, teenagers, and families with various combinations of mental health, behavioural, addiction, trauma and relational issues. Along with adults, I especially enjoy working with teens, families, and people who don't like counsellors.

I am a Registered Psychologist and I can help you create lasting change in your life and relationships. I offer counselling services to individuals, couples, and families residing in Calgary and the surrounding area. My practice is conveniently located in Kensington and is easily accessed via bike, vehicle, or public transit. Online and telehealth services are available upon request. My approach to treatment is tailored to meet your needs and is trauma informed, meaning psychological symptoms and emotional distress can be a result of negative life experiences that have not been fully healed.