Great-West Life Therapists in Calgary, AB

Note: Welcome! I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist passionate about helping people heal and be well. I aim to provide a comforting environment for individuals to share their concerns and connect more deeply with themselves and others. I have experience working with both adults and youth (10+) and we often have conversations about stress, anxiety, relationships and dealing with change. I also help people navigate divorce abuse, coercive control and other traumas.

While the journey of life can offer so much to be grateful for, we all face adversity and challenges that can impact our mental health. The right supports can make a world of difference in navigating the complexities of our emotional well-being. Whether it's a place to reflect and process, to make sense, or to heal, a collaborative and supportive therapeutic relationship can be a key component to understanding our experiences and therefore ourselves more fully. Gaining insight and self-awareness often leads to clarity and direction, with the possibility of aligning to our most authentic selves.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to help others, especially those that seemed to have slipped through the cracks. I started my journey as an in-home aide where I taught life skills to children with special needs and supported their families to learn strategies to make everyday life easier for the whole family. I understand this is an uncomfortable and awkward spot you're in. I am here to ease your mind in this process and make you as comfortable as possible. My clients have told me I have a calm and confident presence. I have a deep passion for my work and I hope to project this when we meet.

Parenting can be the most stressful role you will ever have and I am here to support you and your family to become stronger and overcome life's hurdles together. I am experienced in working with children, adolescents, and their families. I have comprehensive training in play therapy and I understand that building strong, supportive relationships will mean less time in therapy. Whether it is trauma, anxiety, depression, school refusal, anger issues, self-esteem issues, a learning or behavioral diagnosis, or many other presenting concerns, I can achieve results because children look forward to coming to their sessions.

You have had substantial challenges and they have changed the way you feel about yourself and the world. You have tried all the things that you can. You always work hard, and you want see it pay off. You want to change the way you see yourself, or perhaps, the way that you have been working in relationship to yourself and others. You are really ready to build a life that you consider worth living.

I am a mature adult with a variety of life experiences, and am a Registered Art Therapist with the Canadian Art Therapy Association, and a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. I have over 10 years of experience in art and play based therapy, specifically for children, and particularly with traumatized children who have been physically, emotionally, mentally and sexually abused. I also have experience working with women and children who have left domestic abuse. In addition I work with adults who are still suffering the effects of childhood abuse. This includes forms of dissociative disorder. I also work with clients who are experiencing depression and anxiety.

If you feel like you no longer take pleasure in usual activities, your interpersonal relationships are suffering, you find your mood sad, angry and you experience sleep disturbances...you are not alone! Mental health is a continuum and everyone at times feels overwhelmed, out of balance and confused by life’s curve-balls. As a Registered Psychologist, I've successfully worked with clients with various issues such as relationship concerns-couples/marital issues, trauma, PTSD, OCD, grief/loss, self-esteem, co-dependency, depression, anxiety, phobia, and occupational stress.

Specializing in advanced psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, and unexplained somatic symptoms, I offer highly individualized treatment within an honest and collaborative working relationship. A thorough initial consultation is used to clarify and tailor treatment objectives based on individual need and response to intervention. Immediate efforts are aimed at mobilizing agency, self-understanding, and other healing resources in order to accelerate treatment progress. A premium is placed on resolving core issues driving people’s difficulties so they are freed up to move forward in life.

During times of heightened stress symptoms related to anxiety, panic, and depression worsen and it can be very hard to maintain hope and positivity during this global crisis. Self-isolating, social distancing, and quarantine are helpful to keep everyone as safe as possible during COVID19, but this also puts added pressure on individuals residing alone, on relationships, and on families. I am passionate about mental and emotional health, and I am available to help you and your loved ones throughout this pandemic and beyond.

I believe therapy is built on trust, safety, and mutual respect, and so I bring my real self to the therapeutic relationship in order to meet and discover the ‘self’ you want to become. Together we will explore the physical, emotional, and environmental factors creating friction in your life, and work towards sustainable and meaningful change. This may include learning new skills, processing emotions, and finding meaning in your past and present experiences. Life is full of challenges, and I will accompany you in learning to build resilience in the face of those challenges, without becoming overwhelmed

Working with children and families for over 24 years, it has been my life’s work to help others find peace, healing, and joy in their lives. It takes courage for individuals and families to reach out for support and I am honored to be a part of your healing experience.

I provide remote therapy and assessment in Alberta and Ontario. Are you looking to make a change? I primarily work with OCD, anxiety, eating disorders (including weight management/binge eating), and conduct psychological testing/evaluation. I also often work with traumatic stress disorders, substance use concerns (what are often referred to as addictions or dependencies), ADHD, and anger issues. I use a compassionate, non-judgmental and confidential approach. I provide services across the lifespan, but focus most of my time working with adults and youth.

I believe that people seek out therapy when they have used all of their personal resources to confront a challenge. Sometimes that challenge is internal, such as depression or anxiety; sometimes it is external, such as life transitions or financial strain; sometimes it is interpersonal, such as couple or family problems. Each person has a different skill set that they have used in their life and therapy is useful when they want to add to that toolbox. It can also help to build reserves before a stressor occurs, such as when couples are deciding to move into together, or before an employee enters a stressful period at work.

Are you a parent? Does your child/youth struggle with anxiety, managing big feelings, managing their busy bodies? Do you feel like they are closing off? Do you feel like there is a meltdown every other day? Have the effects of COVID-19 taken a toll on your family? You may find yourself wondering how best to support your kid when half the time you don’t even know what’s going on. You are not alone. Many parents feel at a loss with their kids from time to time. And I don’t blame you! There’s no instruction manual to parenting. Counselling provides a safe space for kids to explore, express, and understand.

It's tough just getting through the week sometimes. Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or burnt out? Maybe you're experiencing intrusive thoughts, worry, or negative self talk. Are you losing sleep or dreading work, school, or home? We know you want to feel better, in control, and able to move forward. At Therapy Alberta, we offer online therapy and counselling where you can find safety, acceptance, and success no matter where you are in Alberta. Our therapists can help you release guilt, shame, and tension from your body and mind. You can feel better, enjoy life, and relate better with others.

Children experience the world differently. Adults can talk; children prefer to play. Play therapy allows freedom and growth. The play experience takes children's focus off negative self-talk and promotes positive self-awareness. Play therapy helps to explore emotions, work through challenges, and nurtures mastery and resilience. As a Registered Play Therapist with advanced training in play therapy, I can help you find a way to connect with your child. A fully equipped playroom with special toys allows children to fully express their feelings, and supports their growth and changes.