Therapists in Fernie, BC

I believe in the inherent healing capacity of all beings. I know and trust that we are connected to one another and a variety of loving supports through our ancestry and the universe as a whole. Life can be suffering and this is the balance to bliss. Our greatest strengths and wisdom are connected to our suffering, when we can find a safe, compassionate space in which to acknowledge and feel our pain we can begin to move through it and discover the gifts that we have gained by our survival. It is an honour to be in connection with you, to hold loving awareness for you and your unique experience. Together, let’s invite some ease.

I am a Registered Psychologist with a private practice in St Albert, Alberta. My experience is with individual, both adults and children, relationship, and family therapy. I am registered under the governing body, College of Alberta Psychologists. I have many years experience in the areas of Mental Health and Addictions. I have been practicing psychotherapy since graduating from Gonzaga University in 1998 with a Masters in Counselling.

Throughout a decade of practice as a therapist, I have developed a unique approach to therapy, which addresses the mind and the body simultaneously, to serve most effectively men and women experiencing symptoms of mental and emotional imbalances. Through techniques drawn from the mindfulness and yoga traditions, I invite the nervous system into a relaxed state, which is conducive to deeper emotional release and healing.

I support individuals and couples to heal relational patterns, resolve trauma and feel deeper embodiment. My expertise is being able to hold big emotions and traumatic experiences that need a professional to regulate and repair the parts that are wounded and suppressed. Trauma happens in relationship and trauma heals in a safe, supportive relationship that we would cultivate through my compassionate, caring, authentic way of relating and supporting. I work with a somatic lens woven with Part's Work to befriend the different parts of who we are and how they show up in the physical body keeping the nervous system regulated.

I am passionate about supporting children, teens and young adults. Over the past decade I have been committed to providing therapeutic counselling services to children, adolescents and their families in the West Kootenays. I have provided art therapy services through a number of local community services centers as well as for school districts.

Kernel of Wisdom has 4 skilled clinicians offering diverse treatment options. We aim to make therapy as accessible as possible with virtual/remote options widely available. Kait Edmonds specializes in women’s issues and especially perinatal/postpartum. Joelle Anderson, specializes in eating disorders, trauma, and complex mental health issues such as DID or OCD and related disorders. Brenda Fernandes (RP, Qualifying) has been working for EHN for the year and works under Joelle, making her a very skilled student practitioner who offers affordable options.

As we collaborate, I offer engaged, competent support to make lasting changes within a reasonable time frame, whether you are in acute distress or simply want to move towards a more rich and fulfilling life. Counselling sessions will be co–created with you and tailored to your needs. I offer you a healing experience that is sensitive to your strengths as well as your pain. Entering into counselling is an act of courage as it takes commitment to create a healthy life and to integrate difficult experiences. I am trained in a variety of modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Somatic Therapies and Hypnotherapy.

I care about your unique lived experience. I work with teenagers, women, men - with all folks of any age experiencing life challenges. I work with acute stress, identity challenges, relational PTSD, C-PTSD, sexual assault, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and challenges with self-esteem. I'm trained in Narrative therapy, person-centred therapy, trauma-informed practices, and hypnotherapy. I also have practices with Jungian psychoanalysis which can help clients wanting to access, experience, and integrate unconscious material into conscious awareness.

My clientele includes men dealing with mid life career challenges, martial stressors, and/or family strife issues. My older clients (and their spouse or partner) often discuss age and health issues. I explore emotional respite especially when clients are caring for a partner with dementia or special needs children. Many clinic based clients are women in mid life and are dealing with issues like stressed marriage/ or negative interactions with their teens and/or pre teen children. I have wide expertise in treatment of Anxiety and Depression as stand alone mood disorders or as collateral to many other problems.

If you are feeling lost, disconnected or uncertain about life, you will find a safe space with me to explore your challenges in life with a supportive, empathic listener. Modern living is inherently stressful, and many resort to using unhealthy coping strategies that can get you stuck; by getting curious about the stuck-ness together, we can work together to untangle the knots and shift back into your natural state of wholeness. If you have lost your centre, feel reactive or unbalanced by the demands of life you will benefit from counselling. I will help you return to your core Self and find passion and purpose in life.

Shelley Ugyan, RRC, is an acclaimed author, speaker and has over 15 years experience in mental and holistic health. Her evidence based tools including Cognitive Behavioural reconditioning as well as psychodynamic, relational and hypnosis approaches set you on a path to direct healing, starting immediately after the first 90 minute session. Her approach is genuine, empowering and powerful. Healing is probable, and happens as a result of conscious daily actions and unconscious dynamics that shift as a result of this process. Shelley loves to work with individuals who are ready and willing to change their thinking to heal for life.

I understand how much courage it can take to ask for support and I recognize the strengths and resiliency of each person I work with. I hold a compassionate and genuine space for you to to show up as you are while we work through life challenges, and explore and shift mental, emotional, somatic and behavioural patterns that no longer serve you. I use a blend of approaches, such as Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness, and nature-based practices to support you to develop a sense of empowerment, self-awareness, self-compassion, and internal safety. Nature-based sessions available!

I have worked in the addiction field for over 25 years and have a great passion for the work. Over many years my clinical work expanded. I see people now for many reasons but have developed a focus on trauma and early attachment as these influence our mental health no matter the diagnosis. I see many who struggle with anxiety and depression, those who have been through significant loss and people attempting to manage their interpersonal relationships more effectively. For more information, please see my web site: www.lmps.ca

I am passionate about working with those who have suffered extensive trauma, including sexual abuse and human trafficking. I integrate my training in clinical counselling, trauma therapy and art therapy to offer support tailored to address individual needs. I provide a relational approach where compassion and connection are central, working on the premise that we are wounded within the context of relationship and we heal within relationship. I believe in empowering people to discover they have within them all they need to heal.

I am a Clinical Counsellor (BCACC) working in person and online helping couples and individuals with: relationship issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, addictions, eating disorders and chronic pain. I have been in practice for 16 years with extensive training and experience in: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Emotionally Focused Therapy, EMDR, Mindfulness and Addictions Recovery. I help people resolve problems with thoughts, emotions, reactions and habits. I am launching a relationship course for couples to work through from home (with live support) to turn things around when difficulty starts before therapy.