Collaborating to integrate knowledge with experience
About My Approach
It is my belief that my client's are the experts in their lives, and my role is to aid my client's in building upon their own existing, foundational strengths so they may move forward in their lives feeling empowered and capable of tackling the challenges that may come up along the way. Not only do I want to see my client's succeed in their mental health goals, but it is also my hope that the clients who work with me get to come away from therapy with a positive experience. Given how intimidating it can be to come to therapy for the very first time, I want to make sure your first experience with a therapist is a good one!
Working in rural, community settings has allowed me the opportunity to work with clients from every walk of life, often experiencing very challenging circumstances with limited resources or supports. It has also really highlighted the value of having access to practical tools to draw from when we feel overwhelmed or out of our depth. My clients include children, teens, and adults across the many stages of adulthood, and I have experience working with individuals and families. I am happy supporting clients in both short- and long-term styles of therapy.
My therapeutic modality would be described as integrated or eclectic, but ultimately my work is grounded in a humanistic, person-centred approach. In integrating multiple, evidence-based therapeutic practices, therapy does not have to be limited to any one theory or method in approaching a problem that might need to be solved. I work with my clients to identify their goals, and in attending to their unique qualities, we can explore methods that will support an effective treatment plan to reach those goals. By continuing to collaborate with my clients throughout the therapeutic process, should we find one approach isn't working, we can change track, and roll with life changes as they happen whenever need be.
Some of the therapeutic modalities I draw from include, but are not limited to:
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
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Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Motivational Interviewing (MI)
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Narrative Therapy
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Solution-focused Therapy
Professional Affiliations:
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College of Alberta Psychologists (#7072)
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Psychologist's Association of Alberta
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Canadian Psychological Association
Academic Background:
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Master of Science in Psychology (Applied Psychology) - Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB
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Graduated with Great Distinction
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What if this isn't the right fit for me?
At the end of the day, I know that not every therapist is going to be the right fit for every person! It is hard enough taking the steps to talk with someone in therapy, and it may feel even more stressful if we aren't sure the therapist is the right one for us. If we have been working together and you feel that the approach we are taking isn't the right one for you, or you dislike the modality or want to tweak the treatment plan-- please let me know! I am more than happy to collaborate and we can adjust the treatment to suit what works best for you.
It is important to me that all people feel supported regardless of whether they decide to work with me as their therapist or not, and ideally if we can avoid people feeling like they have to start the hunt for the right therapist all over again, we will aim for that direction. So if you come through my door and it doesn't feel as though this is the right practice for you, I will happily do my best to help you find the right therapist for the job!