Therapists in Southwest Calgary, Calgary, AB

Cheryl is a Registered Psychologist who provides individual therapy to adolescents and adults, and is also skilled in family therapy. Her work focuses primarily on issues related to depression, anxiety, and relationships.

Forty five years of experience in a variety of settings including in and out patient psychiatry, children's psychiatry, community mental health and academia in front line, supervisory and director roles. I have certifications in sexual and multiple addictions treatment, EMDR, NLP, Aviation Crisis, IFS. I have training in psychoanalytic and Jungian psychotherapies, hypnosis, Gestalt, trauma and systems therapies. I enjoy a varied practice with couples work, individual work in the areas of trauma, depression, anxiety, life change. I see the connectedness of body, mind and spirit and view crisis as a powerful learning opportunity.

I am committed to helping clients achieve a greater sense of well-being, fulfillment and success through working collaboratively to develop better personal awareness, overcome limitations and implement effective practical strategies so that clients can live more inspired and purposeful lives. My passions include: counselling and coaching people through career, business, sport, and life transitions; effectively managing anxiety and depression; relationship, family, and workplace challenges; and developing communication and leadership skills.

Contextual forces of family, community, historical events, and trauma shape the brain from conception through the lifespan. Less than optimal circumstances can lead to a compromised nervous system and the formation of maladaptive patterns in the brain and body. As a result, you may suffer from symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, poor emotional regulation, difficulty in relationships, addictions, dissociation; and even autoimmune disorders or physical symptoms that cannot be explained medically. If you want to heal stuck patterns, live authentically with more joy and less fear, and have better relationships, I can help!

When it comes to living, life can be full of stressors, disappointments, changes, challenges and losses that can cause a range of emotional, mental and physical responses. In therapy, I take the approach that all experiences, both internal and external, can create opportunity for growth, fulfillment and greater meaning. Counselling services can range from short-term solution focus treatment to longer-term therapy/analysis. The treatment plan will depend on your individual needs, the preferred outcome, your ability/willingness to access services and ultimately, the best course of treatment for your unique situation.

My approach to counselling is specific to each client I work with. I believe the therapeutic process is highly creative and that it relies equally on both spontaneous diversion and meticulous planning. In addition to direct focus on the individual, I also believe deeply in the power of family dynamics, social structure, and the societal pressures that exist in our highly complex modern world.

Over the past 19 years I have had the honor of supporting my clients' journeys of healing and growth. I provide deep listening, respect, and a safe space for clients to reflect and expand self-awareness. We work together to identify and achieve your individualized therapeutic goals. As a result of therapy, my clients have been able to: Improve decision-making, manage difficult emotions with integrity, have loving relationships with family, and let go of old fears and hurt, to enjoy life in the present.

We understand how messy, intimidating, and overwhelming therapy can be. We strive to provide a supportive, non-judgemental space in our virtual sessions where you can enjoy the comforts of your own home. We have therapists who are able to address those pesky negative thoughts and who are able to pick a therapeutic approach based on your needs and goals. We want to encourage continued learning outside the counselling space by giving you the tools you need to do so. Client care and advocacy are important; if we don’t have the right tools you need, we won’t stop searching until we do!

Getting to the point where you feel like you need therapy can feel awful. You have probably tried many ways of getting better and they haven't worked for you or not well enough. Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed, confused, powerless and disconnected from yourself and others? You don't need to feel like you aren't good enough. You don't need to feel stuck in anger, sadness, fear or disgust. You don't need to feel like your past is heavy and weighing you down in the present. You can process your past so you can live in the present moment. You can feel good about yourself and connect to others. You deserve joy now and in the future.

We are an online counselling agency so do not provide services in person. Strength Counselling Services has licensed, experienced therapists who use evidence-based practices, prioritize client needs, and maintain ethical standards. We offer culturally sensitive, affordable services in a supportive environment. We offer a comprehensive goals assessment, regularly assess progress, and collaborate with other professionals. We provide transparency in our fees and for thirteen years now have held a positive reputation of trust, and client success. Lastly, ensuring our clients' privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance to us.

INSIGHT & PRACTICE FOR CHANGE: I believe we all have the inherent ability to live a meaningful, satisfying, and connected life. At some point most people will become aware or begin to feel that they are somehow "off course", that "something needs to change" or that something new is desired. This realization is an opportunity to "adjust course", take stock, and intentionally re-align our lives. Sometimes small shifts can make incredible differences; other times we are called to dig deep. Whether you want to make personal, professional or relationship shifts, by reaching out to me you can trust that the change process has already started.

My ideal client is someone who acknowledges that their life is in need of some changes. Someone who continues to make the same mistakes over due to not having any other coping mechanisms. Someone who is eager to explore their negative habits and life patterns- and someone who is willing to share/reflect on their struggles with me. My ideal client is someone who is looking for healthy coping strategies and is willing to put in the work! It is not easy- but it will be worth it, I promise you that. You are worth it!

Perhaps you’ve had a recent experience that has affected you deeply, experiencing a emotional or mental shift for some time, or have a past that has somehow found its way to affect the present. I create personalized treatment plans for each client that are grounded in science and research, in order to help every person I work with to achieve their goals. If this sounds like something you would benefit from please reach out to see if my approach is the right fit for you.

I work from a client centered approach as the basis for our work together. We can then decide on which of the empirically supported approaches (or more likely which combination of approaches) is the best fit for you and your situation. The basis is a non-judgmental stance to what you face and designing a tailored, you-specific, empirically supported approach to help you gain a better understanding of your situation and more adaptive ways of managing or coping. I borrow from various approaches including client-centered, Cognitive-behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment, Mindfulness-based, Emotion focused, and insight oriented.

Whether you want to transform the core of what's been troubling you throughout your life, a space to process what’s happened, support to adjust to or understand yourself, or to develop more coping tools, and learn to thrive – I would love to support you. For the last seven years, I have worked in hospital, community, agency, and school settings in different cultural contexts, providing therapy and assessment for mild to chronic, complex issues and concerns.

I am a Registered Psychologist with over 15 years of experience in counselling. I specialize in clinical psychology. I work with individuals: adults and adolescents, and with couples. I can help you to feel better, to increase your self-esteem and to heal from past experiences. If you experienced trauma, abuse, if you have been struggling with depression, anxiety for a long time call me to schedule an appointment. I will help you to experience well-being, to learn and implement new skills and to see your life differently. I offer different approaches to therapy such as: ACT, CBT-Mindfilness, Psychodynamic, Gottman, Emotion-Focused.

Why do we make the choices that we do? Life provides unique experiences that affect people in different ways. These experiences contribute positively or negatively to our well-being and guide our life choices and impulses. It is important to honour the good things we have encountered but it is vital to address the challenges that we have faced, especially when they keep us stuck.

Carson integrates evidence-based treatments to help individuals, couples, and families attain a higher quality of life by tackling unhealthy beliefs and behaviours that create barriers to growth, healing, and positive relationships with self and others. As therapy can be a challenging process, Carson takes the time to build a safe, non-judgmental, and trusting environment, getting to know each individual’s unique story, and how their experiences have shaped their beliefs, behaviors, and view of the world. Through a collaborative approach based on a strong therapeutic relationship, Carson empowers clients to make positive change.

Our health, growth and happiness come from meaningful and satisfying connections with ourselves and others. Uncovering what is behind our struggles can help us focus our efforts, feel more empowered and recapture our lost potential.