Registered Provisional Psychologist
Office: Edmonton & Beaumont
jocelyn@familycounsellingcentres.com
I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from The King’s University College in 2012. I completed my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Trinity Western University in 2014. I am Registered Provisional Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists. I have received additional training in sand-tray therapy, sand play therapy, play therapy (levels I,II,& III through the CAPT), art based therapy, Animal Assisted Play Therapy (AAPT), Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), Child Parent Relationship therapy (CPRT), Circle of Security Parenting (COSP), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), level I training in pivotal response therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, and suicide assessment/prevention.
I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and adults. It’s always a privilege to meet with clients and hear their life stories. Each client is unique in the experiences they have had and the journey in which they are seeking support. It is my belief that therapy is both a dialogue and collaborative relationship between the therapist and their clients. I aim to establish a safe, trusting and encouraging environment for my clients; however, I also strive towards building resiliency, raising self-awareness and connecting my clients to a greater sense of community. My therapeutic approach is integrative and largely stems from existential analysis, attachment theory and a relational-cultural framework. I also integrate cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior interventions, emotion-focused therapy, mindfulness based practices, and systemic frameworks. Over the years I have taken training in filial approaches that strengthen the parent-child relationship. This has enabled me to help parents shift or tweak their parenting approach and repairing ruptures that have taken place in their parent-child relationship. Often parents feel overwhelmed by the parenting advice offered online and struggle to understand what approaches to take with the concerns they are hoping to address. I work with parents to help them find an approach that is developmentally appropriate for their child but is grounded in the latest research in neuroscience and attachment. My work with parents is collaborative and fulfilling. Parents often gain an insight into their child’s needs while reflecting on their parenting approach. Parents also benefit from exploring how their own childhood experiences impact their parenting practices.
Many of my clients have often asked deep existential questions that are similar to the four existential fundamental motivations:
I exist-but can I be as a whole person? Do I have the necessary space, protection and support? We experience these when we feel accepted; which supports us in having an accepting attitude towards ourselves.
I am alive- do I like this? Do I experience fulfillment, affection, or an appreciation of values?
I am myself- but do I feel free to be myself?
This motivation examines whether there are experiences of justice, appreciation, esteem, respect, and self-worth. I am here- for what purpose? This motivation examines whether the present is part of a meaningful whole. Moreover, it asks what do you live for? We are not isolated beings and our relationships strongly influence how we develop and how we feel about ourselves.
Areas of Interest:
Self Esteem
Bullying
Self Harm
Bereavement
Grief and Loss
Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Trauma
Domestic Abuse and Violence
Abuse (Verbal, Emotional, Sexual, Physical)
Attachment Issues
Relationship Struggles
Parenting
Divorce and Separation
Emotional Regulation Struggles
Life Transitions
Rachel Chapman
B.CYC, Intern
rachel.c@familycounsellingcentres.com
Office: Leduc
My name is Rachel, I will be providing counselling services as the intern this year at Family Counselling Centres in Leduc. I am a Registered Child and Youth Care Worker and active member in good standing with the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta. I obtained my Bachelor of Child and Youth Care in 2010 from Grant MacEwan University. Following graduation, I worked closely with high-risk youth in residential care who were facing adversity through circumstances such as homelessness, addictions, attachment issues, teen pregnancy, trauma, abuse, mental health issues, LGBTQ2+ issues, and legal issues. I am currently completing my master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.
I have worked for Black Gold School Division as a Family School Liaison Worker/Wellness Coach for the last decade of my career which has been amazing both professionally and personally! In this time, I have worked with numerous students individually, facilitated group sessions, provided universal supports within the classroom, as well as supported the staff and families within the entire school setting. Building capacity for positive mental health within communities and the school setting has been an incredible experience. It is my belief that connection and healthy relationships/attachment is key to wellness and prevention.
My professional background, education, as well as a personal journey of healing and resiliency provides the foundation of the therapeutic approach I deliver. I work from a person-centred, strength-based approach where I walk alongside the client to establish a relationship of non-judgment, safety, and trust. My belief is that every journey is unique. Drawing from personal strengths and resiliency are the greatest factors in moving away from challenges and hardship towards balance, achievement, and healing. It is my hope that every client feels seen, heard, empowered, and validated within our time spent together.
Identifying individual needs and strengths for each client, I draw from several approaches including mindfulness, person-centred, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy cognitive behavioural therapy, and attachment theory.
In the future, my personal goal is to work towards additional training in animal-assisted therapy. I have a huge heart for animals and believe the therapeutic value in loyalty, affection, and gratitude creates space for unique forms of growth and healing.
Tammy Schamuhn Registered Psychologist, & Play Therapist
Not Accepting New Clients
Founder and Executive Director
tammy@familycounsellingcentres.com
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 101
Office: Leduc and Equine Office
I am an passionate, empathetic, and experienced clinician here for my community to help children, teens, and adults heal and grow. I also specialize in the treatment of trauma and anxiety. I aim to have warm, respectful, and productive relationships with the clients I collaborate with, and I enjoy being part of the positive change that families experience.
I am a Registered Psychologist, Play Therapist, and Animal Assisted Therapist. I use several different modalities to help my clients express feelings, explore relationships, learn new problem-solving skills, develop critical thinking, describe their experiences, connect with others, and facilitate self-fulfillment.
I have experience treating children, individuals, couples, families, and groups. I have completed additional training in play therapy, sandplay therapy, EMDR (trauma treatment), dialectical behavioral therapy, animal assisted therapy, and art therapy. I have developed a specific program for animal assisted counselling using horses and dogs as my co-therapists.
In addition to my training as a therapist, I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and I worked as an elementary teacher for three local school districts before attending graduate school. Inclusively, I have over 13 years of experience working with children in a professional capacity.
Agnes Olszewska
Registered Psychologist
agnes@familycounsellingcentres.com
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 109
Office: Leduc
(On Maternity Leave)
I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a member in good standing with the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. I obtained my Master’s in Counselling Psychology from the University of Alberta in 2011. I have worked in a varietyof clinical settings including non-profit organizations, primary care network, University of Alberta counselling centre, and various schools across Alberta.
I offer psychological counselling to children, adolescents, adults, and couples. I utilize an integrative approach to providing psychological treatment and tailor interventions based on specific client issues. In addition to working with a broad range of issues, I have received specialized training in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), and Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy (EMDR), which are evidence based treatments for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Additionally, with children I have experience in providing psychoeducational assessments and have also completed advanced training in play therapy. I utilize creative play-based interventions, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), EMDR, and emotion coaching. I also work in collaboration with parents to address any child parent relationship concerns.
Furthermore, I am also passionate about working with couples. In order to provide the most effective counselling services, I have completed training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and Level II Gottman Method Couple’s Therapy. These approaches have been shown to assist couples in creating long lasting and meaningful connections with one another.
Alternative Languages: Polish
Marie Rahe
Registered Psychologist
marie@familycounsellingcentres.com
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 108
Office: Leduc
I aspire to support each person to find the hope and solutions to empower their lives. I have a Master’s of Arts Degree in Counselling Psychology from City University. I have been working in the field of Addictions and Mental Health for the past decade with children, teens, and adults. I was also previously employed in the non-profit sector working with families and youth.
I am a member in good standing with both The College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA); I have been a Registered Psychologist since 2013.
My therapeutic approach is based on the belief that each person is the expert of their own experience and life. In creating an environment based on trust, honesty, and safety, the client is able to identify their own strengths, resilience, and solutions to their concerns. I am a companion on their journey to growth, healing, and provides gentle and respectful guidance when needed. I have a commitment to ongoing professional and personal development and regularly attends workshops, conferences, and seminars.
Specializations:
Addictions
Couples Therapy
Women’s issues
Therapy with children and adolescents
Trauma/abuse issues in adults
Interpersonal relationships
Communication skills and conflict resolution
Anxiety disorders
Grief and loss
Depression
Self-esteem issues
Anger management
Family of origin issues
Work stress
Trained in the following therapeutic modalities
Level I EMDR training
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Psychological First Aid
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
Registered Provisional Psychologist
breanna@familycounsellingcentres.com
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 104
Office: Leduc and Equine Office
I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a member of the Psychologist’s Association of Alberta. My Master’s degree is in Counselling Psychology and I have completed additional training in play therapy and equine assisted therapy. I have over 10 years experience working with students within the Blackgold School District with a wide range of behavioural, emotional, social, and academic challenges such as autism, ADHD, ODD, FASD, as well as those at risk for school drop out and for developing addictions.
In my practice I have worked with people of all ages, but particularly specialize in working with children (2 years and up), teens, families, groups, as well as individuals with developmental disabilities. My experience includes working with individuals that have experienced trauma, abuse (sexual, physical, emotional), divorce or separation, co-parenting, involvement with child and family services, anxiety, depression, anger management, behavioural issues, grief and loss, relationship issues, and school difficulties. I use a wide range of modalities that include play therapy, sandtray, art, equine-assisted therapy, mindfulness, person centred, and cognitive behavioural therapy.
I am passionate about the work that I do and have the ability to create effective and dynamic social relationships with my clients by creating a collaborative, supportive, safe, and non-judgmental environment that helps to ensure that each client feels heard and understood. I also help caregivers gain insight into underlying areas of difficulty and support them in promoting their child’s resilience and adjustment across home and classroom settings.
Kim Caron
Registered Provisional Psychologist
kim.c@familycounsellingcentres.
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 112
Office: Leduc
I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a member of the Psychologist’s Association of Alberta. I have a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Athabasca.
Over the years I have worked within non-profit organizations and different school settings helping many school-aged children, adolescents, families, and adults. Areas of emphasis include high-risk youth, ADHD, anxiety, depression, attachment issues, self-harm, emotional regulation, self-esteem issues, relationship issues (separation, divorce), anger management, and grief and loss.
My education and professional background provide me with a unique and effective approach to counselling. Utilizing a person-centred and strengths-based approach I believe in providing a safe, supportive, and empowering environment in which clients feel heard and validated.
Personalizing each client’s counselling experience, I draw from a number of approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy, attachment theory, and narrative therapy.
In my practice I have helped to co-facilitate various psychoeducational and therapeutic groups for adults which include anxiety, depression, bipolar, mindfulness and self-compassion. I also have additional training in the Grief Recovery Method and Gottman Therapy Method. In addition, by working together I help couples who are experiencing challenges in their relationship by providing new ways of communicating and building stronger connections within their relationship.
Currently, I am working towards additional training in equine-assisted therapy, play therapy and animal-assisted therapy with my golden doodle Kona.
Registered Provisional Psychologist
kristianna.p@familycounsellingcentres.com
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 103
Office: Leduc
My name is Kristianna and I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist and a Canadian Certified Counsellor.
My primary focus is with children, adolescents, and parents but also enjoy working with individuals of all ages.
Therapy is a journey that I am honored to be a part of with my clients. I take an integrative approach to therapy where I use a variety of therapeutic approaches to customize therapy to suit an individual’s needs. I use a client-centered approach to therapy, which also integrates a wide range of modalities, including but not limited to play therapy, sandtray, cognitive-behavioral therapy, attachment theory, dialectical behaviour therapy, mindfulness, and Theraplay.
In addition to obtaining my Masters of Counselling Psychology degree with a specialization in school and youth from Adler University in 2019, I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Alberta in 2017. I have over five years of experience working with youth that have a wide range of developmental disabilities. I have also volunteered extensively with high-risk youth that are impacted by mental health, as well as individuals with terminal illnesses. Currently I am working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist.
I am both excited and honored to be an integral part of the Family Counselling Centres team!
Registered Provisional Psychologist
shannon.b@familycounsellingcentres.com
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 106
Office: Leduc
I am a compassionate, creative, and caring therapist and my goal is to support my clients on their journeys of growth and healing through relationships built on respect, trust, acceptance, and curiosity.
I am a Provisionally Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a member of the Psychologist’s Association of Alberta. I have a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Athabasca University. I draw on different therapeutic approaches to meet the needs and goals of each client. I am here to collaborate with my clients so that they can develop healthy relationships and connections with others, explore and express their feelings, build life skills, and engage in problem-solving, self-exploration, and processing their experiences.
I have completed training in play therapy, narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I have experience delivering therapy to both individuals and groups. Some of my areas of experience include depression, anixety, trauma, self-esteem, communication and boundaries, emotional regulation, attachment, grief and loss, and identity.
Outside of my training and work as a therapist, I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and English, and I have worked with Children’s Services and in group home and non-profit community organizations supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families.
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Office: Beaumont
chantel@familycounsellingcentres.com
I’m privileged to sit with my clients through their pain and successes, hardships and joys. I love learning about what makes you thrive, and helping you reach your potential – what you truly want to see come to life. Whether it be for yourself or for your relationship, we will work together to set achievable goals. Therapy takes trust, and vulnerability. I create a space for my clients where we can be open, honest, and work towards your goals at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
I believe you are your own best expert. I work from a variety of approaches, including Satir Family Systems, Gottman Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused therapy. I see huge growth and changes when clients stay invested in therapy outside of our sessions, so I’m happy to send handouts, readings, podcast suggestions, or book suggestions to help your continued growth.
Credentials and Training:
I hold an Honours, Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in Psychology from the University of Ottawa, and continued on to complete my Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from Trinity Western University. I am a registered Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (#10004092) and a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists (#3022p).
I’ve pursued additional couples therapy training in Gottman Levels 1 and 2, to help better serve couples working towards a healthier and more fulfilling relationship, as well as in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and individuals. I have the privilege of working with couples of diverse backgrounds, age ranges, and experiencing a wide array of struggles. We can work together on rebuilding your marriage, learning new skills, and healing from past hurts. I am also a Certified Prepare-Enrich Canada Facilitator, and enjoy working with couples preparing for marriage. I offer both 80 minute and 50 minute couples sessions. I also specialize in perinatal mental health, and maternal health. If you’re experiencing pregnancy loss, stillbirth, the loss of an infant, fertility treatments, or postpartum depression, I can help support you. Kenneth Doka defines disenfranchised grief as grief that cannot be openly mourned, publicly acknowledged, or socially supported. Some of you may have loved ones who have no idea what you’ve experienced, and you may feel isolated and alone in your experience. We can navigate this together, and all the complexities of how you feel and how it impacts your relationships.
Registered Psychologist M.C.
dariel@familycounsellingcentres.com
Office: Edmonton
I have been working with individuals, children and families with a variety of educational and mental health needs for the last 10 years. My work experience has allowed me to have diverse opportunities in supporting people achieve growth and healing. I am currently a Registered Psychologist in the Province of Alberta. My work experience opportunities have included working in child protection, not for profit agencies, schools, clinics and hospitals.
I obtained my undergraduate degree with a major in Psychology from the University of Alberta in 2008 at which time I added a year of cooperative work experience to my degree so that I could have practical time working with children and families as a Behavior Interventionist. In between my educational endeavors I had the opportunity to volunteer and work with the Zebra Child Protection Centre where I gained a wealth of experience in child advocacy and court preparation. I went on to complete my Masters of Counselling with City University of Seattle in 2012. For my Master’s level practicum I had the opportunity to work in the Stollery Children’s hospital in Pediatric Oncology providing therapeutic supports and assisting with neuropsychological assessments. Following my graduation and practicum I helped to co-develop a program supported in the Not For Profit Sector assisting children and families with pediatric cancer with reintegrating into the community.
I am passionate about the field of psychology and enjoy supporting clients in many ways. I like to help clients using several modalities including humanistic theoretical foundations, cognitive behavioural strategies, positive psychology influences and mindfulness practices. I am continually interested in learning about new resources and strategies and have completed the Mindfulness Schools Fundamentals Training. Furthermore, I have been trained to use SandPlay Therapy which is based in Jungian psychology and Kalffian theory and has beneficial applications for all ages. I have completed Foundations in Play Therapy training, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy for trauma. I have a specific interest in supporting people with grief and loss across the lifespan and ways to foster resilience. In addition to a thirst for learning; I am always adding to my pile of reading materials or getting outside with friends, family and our dog Maverick
Specializations:
-anxiety and stress reduction for all ages
-coping with chronic illness and stress related to illness management
-grief and loss
-social skills
-emotional coping strategies
-self esteem
-parenting
Professional Affiliations: In good standing with:
-College of Alberta Psychologists
-Psychology Association of Alberta
-Canadian Association of Sandplay Therapy
Registered Psychologist
Office: Beaumont
jennie@familycounsellingcentres.
My Professional Background:
Hello! I have been working with children, youth and families for the past 10 years, with three of those years specifically in counselling. My previous work experience as a Registered Provisional Psychologist has included the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, Edmonton Public Schools and private practice. I received my Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle in 2018. Some of my professional skills include working with clients who have experienced sexual violence/abuse, abuse, trauma, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, substance use/addiction issues, parenting issues, relationship issues, and more.
My Philosophy:
First, let me say that coming to counselling is a huge first step in furthering your self-growth. Sometimes life has not provided us with what we need to grow into the best versions of ourselves and this is where therapy can help. I am truly pleased to have the opportunity to work with individuals like you and I look forward to getting to know which unique qualities each person brings to the world. I am passionate about helping and supporting children, youth, their parents and adults during times of challenge. I feel that there is a great capacity for growth within all of us and sometimes we need some help in figuring out how to get there. I believe people can heal by entering a trusting relationship and gaining insight into their lives. By understanding how we approach ourselves, others and the world around us, we can allow the space to make practical changes in our lives. I am confident that through an honest and open relationship we can create a safe environment where you, and/or your child, will feel open to sharing your/their experiences.
What I Specialize In:
Whether you are looking for a few sessions or are hoping to form a longer-term therapeutic relationship, I believe it can all be helpful. I specialize in working with children, youth and adults who have experienced simple and complex trauma, and supporting parents/caregivers in responding to behaviours associated with such experiences. The majority of individuals I work with have experienced various forms of abuse or adversity or are experiencing various difficulties in their lives (such as experiences of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, suicidal ideation, and self-esteem).
How I Work With Clients:
I practice from a combined approach meaning that I incorporate different theories into therapy. The modalities that I most often utilize are Play Therapy, Sandplay, Theraplay, Eye-Movement Descentization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and somatic interventions for trauma. Theories that I resonate most closely with are Psychodynamic, Attachment, Cognitive-Behavioural, and Client-Centered. I collaborate with my clients in order to find an approach that allows them to express themselves in a way that feels both safe and comfortable.
I welcome clients of all ethnic backgrounds, non-binary folks, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations.
Shannon Williams
Speech-Language Pathologist, M.Sc
shannon@familycounsellingcentres.com
Office: Leduc and Edmonton
CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
I graduated from Minot State University with a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2005 after having completed a Bachelor of Arts Degreee in Psychology from the University of Regina. I have years of experience working with infant/toddler, preschool, school age children and their families in a variety of settings. I have also obtained experience working with adults in a clinic setting.
I feel honored to be a part of my client’s journey and have the utmost respect for families and the demands that are placed on them. I am committed to ensuring every client I work with is engaged and becomes the best possible communicator that he/she can be. I continually particpate in professional development to ensure practices are current. I teach part-time at MacEwan University in the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant program.
I am a certified member of ACSLPA (Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audologists) and belong to SAC (Speech-Langauge Pathology and Audiology Canada). I am certified in many Hanen Programs, including It Takes Two To Talk, Target Word and More Than Words (Autism). I am also trained in the Lidcombe Stuttering Program, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Floortime DIR and Autism Diagostic Observation Scale (ADOS). I have attended both Canadian and American National Conferences, as well as, have attended a wide variety of professional development topics, related to feeding, motor speech and Autism.
Wendy D. Creighton-Lacroix
Registered Psychologist
wendy@familycounsellingcentres.com
Office: Edmonton and Beaumont
I have been working in the area of education since graduating with my B.A. and B.Ed. in 1978 and 1979, as a teacher (teaching and substitute teaching) then as a psychologist for the last 20 years. I have worked in Ontario (teaching) and a number of school districts in Alberta (as teacher and psychologist), both rural and urban. In my role as a psychologist I have provided psychoeducational assessment and consultation in schools (public, Catholic, private, preschools) and privately, mentored graduate psychology students, and worked with multidisciplinary teams providing support for parents in addressing their children’s needs at school and home (service providers who contract to Family Services for Children with Disabilities). I strongly value the collaboration of all parties when working with schools and families.
I believe the assessment of an individual’s strengths and challenges, when there are concerns, can identify and assist in helping the individual, family and school know and understand challenges, how strengths and challenges may impact them and how to address the challenges, and focus on the strengths to ensure growth and success. I have assessed children with range of special needs: learning disabilities, ADHD, giftedness, emotional/behavioral challenges, Autism, and Selective Mutism.
Selective Mutism is an area of great interest to me, starting approximately 15 years ago when I first encountered a little one in kindergarten. I quickly learned these children, like any child with a special need that is first identified, were misunderstood and there was little in the way of support for home or school. Through my work, presentations, and a parent support group I have helped teachers, consultants, and parents develop their awareness and understanding to help children with Selective Mutism reach their potentials.
Mental Health Therapist
Offices: Leduc, Edmonton, Beaumont and Equine
chantalthorlakson@familycounsellingcentres.
Chantal has been working on a Masters of Counselling with City University Seattle, and just completed her internship with FCC. Now, she has come on board as a Mental Health Therapist, for the Edmonton and Beaumont FCC Offices. Chantal will be providing individual counselling with youth and adults, with the assistance of Beau, her Border Collie. Chantal and Beau have provided Animal Assisted Therapy for Youth at YES in 2018 and have been working at Edmonton FCC for eight months.
Chantal was born in Tangent, Alberta on a farm and then was raised in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. As a farm girl and a northerner, Chantal is inspired by nature and animals. After fifteen years of being a horse family and having active involvement in the horse and riding community in Sherwood Park, assisting with Equine Assisted Therapy is a good fit. Chantal is putting her psychotherapy and horse experience to work through assisting with Equine Assisted Therapy Groups at Mystic Meadows outside of Leduc.
Chantal works from an Attachment-Informed Perspective and places emphasis on building safety and security in through relationships with the therapist and the animals. She has also worked as a counsellor at a Women’s Shelter in Sherwood Park for the past four years and has direct experience in working with women fleeing domestic violence. Chantal aims to assist client to heal from traumatized past through focusing on building supportive and nurturing relationships, and she also uses techniques from ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness to assist clients to make positive and meaningful changes in their lives.
Brittany Ratcliffe
Registered Provisional Psychologist
brittany@familycounsellingcentres.com
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 106
Office: Leduc & Beaumont
My name is Brittany and I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist with a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. Prior to pursuing a career in counselling I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a minor in Special Education, gaining experience teaching at both a junior high and senior high level. I have experience working in a variety of settings, including with the school system, in the non-profit sector, on crisis phone lines, and in private practice.
I utilize a client-centered approach to empower children, teens, adults, and families, and I strive to help clients gain personal awareness and work towards positive change. It is my belief that no two people, nor their stories, are the same, and so I favour a dynamic therapeutic approach in order to tailor my approach to the needs of each individual. I place an emphasis on attachment theory, neurobiological research, and on fostering the therapeutic relationship.
I have completed training in addictions treatment, Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) for Children and Youth, Art Therapy, mindfulness practices, Narrative Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and advanced training in Play Therapy.
Chi Q. Le
M.A.(counselling psych.),CCC Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
chi@familycounsellingcentres.com
Philosophy of counselling:
While the hub of human life may revolve around establishing interpersonal bonds, before such bonds can be fruitful it is the relationship that we have with ourselves that will ultimately define the kind of relationship we have with others.
In my counselling practice I believe that the goal of therapy is to deepen self-awareness and inner understanding by helping to cultivate the inner drive towards personal growth.
As a psychotherapist I have come to appreciate that the healing process takes time and that the possibility for change unfolds, as the other would have it. I pride myself in helping my clients come to that “moment” of self-awareness wherein they can take control of their lives, as they move towards achieving a sense of individual wholeness.
The journey of therapy may originate as a search for an end to emotional suffering, but it is also one that may continue to develop towards a sense of self-renewal.
Clinical practice:
I work primarily from A psychodynamic/psychoanalytic framework (i.e., depth/insight-orientated, interpersonal). I also draw upon other depth-orientated therapies and philosophies (such as existential psychotherapy), to facilitate healing and growth.
As an adjunct to traditional ‘talk therapy’, I occasionally use expressive arts, as a therapeutic tool, with clients who may find it initially difficult to express or verbalize their thoughts/feelings, with the goal of enhancing their ability to share and talk about their subjective experiences. Expressive arts may also serve as a facilitative tool for reaching individuals who are non-verbal, emotionally withdrawn, or developmentally delayed.
I work with individuals (adolescents, adults, seniors), couples, and families. My areas of clinical experience and interests include:
– Anxiety
– Depression
– Grief & loss
– Relationship issues
– Discovering meaning in life
– Identity issues
– Life transitions
– Creativity and blocks to creativity
– Personality disorders
– Attachment issues
– Mindfulness
– Addictions
– Anger
– Spirituality
– Parent-teen conflict
– Stress management
– Special needs (adolescents, adults)
More about some of my areas of focus.
Teens:
Adolescence is a time of flux, rebellion and separation that can surface in various forms such as depression, anxiety, or self-harming behaviors. A significant part of my work with adolescents is to help them to form an identity that is chosen by them, rather than one that is imposed. In order to accomplish this, it is crucial that therapy becomes a safe space where a trusting therapeutic relationship between the teen and myself is established. In my many years of experience with adolescents i have also come to understand that the parent-teen relationship can be a challenging one, for during this phase teens are seeking emotional and physical distance from their parents and caregivers. Thus, my goal is also to empower parents and caregivers to trust in themselves to build positive relationships with their teens.
Couples:
A couple’s current relationship issues tend to be fueled by an unconscious re-enactment of old patterns and experiences, which can lead to conflicts in such areas as communication and trust. I serve, as a resource and ally to both partners in helping them to better understand each other’s relationship needs, as well as their own needs. I try to help couples in crisis come to a level of conscious awareness that will make it easier to let go of unwanted behavior patterns and defenses that are making it difficult for them to connect on an emotional and empathetic level. Ultimately I serve to facilitate couples’ capacity to move forward in making sense of their conflicts and learn to manage more effectively their relationship in the present and future.
Grief & Loss:
When we lose someone or something of great value and meaning, the natural tendency is to experience grief. The causes of grief can include many forms of loss, for instance, the death of a loved one, death of a pet, loss of self, loss of friendship, divorce or relationship breakup, and retirement. There is no wrong way to grieve and everyone grieves in their own way based on several factors such as their personality, coping style, faith, or nature of the loss. As your therapist I am here to ‘walk’ with you through your pain, to help you make sense of your loss, and return you to a place of hope.
Professional Qualifications:
Master of Arts
– Counselling Psychology (City University of Seattle) Bachelor of Arts
– Psychology (University of Alberta) Canadian Certified Counsellor (#5112)
– Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Registered Psychologist
kim@familycounsellingcentres.com
It is a privilege for me to be able to work with clients to achieve the goals that they have set for themselves. My desire is to provide a safe place where you can explore the issues that are creating difficulty in your life right now and to help you to find the solution that is right for you.
My Therapeutic Philosophy
Much of my philosophy in therapy stems from the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Play Therapy.
In my work with adults, I believe that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact with one another to create our perception of the situations we experience. Exploring your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to discover problematic/unhelpful patterns or positive patterns can help to change the pathway you are on to set you in a preferred direction.
The meaning that we apply to the situations and experiences we encounter can either help or hinder our life experiences. The therapeutic relationship is a safe place to explore these beliefs and once understood to accept and build on these beliefs or to transform these beliefs to be more helpful.
Each of us needs to find a healthy balance physically, emotionally, cognitively, relationally and spiritually to lead whole and healthy lives. When one of these factors is not in balance it can lead to problems.
In my work with children, I believe that play is the language that children use to express their thought and feels, so I work to use their language in the therapeutic relationship. Working through play allows me to interact with the child in a natural way allowing them to take the lead in the process of change. Common Issues I work with:
Marriage
-development and enhancement
-communication
-infidelity
-separation/divorce
-premarital Family
-parenting
-attachment
-communication Individuals
-depression
-anxiety
-abuse
-grief
-life direction
-drug/alcohol abuse
Children
-divorce issues
-peer difficulties
-school issues
This is not an exhaustive list of issues and there are many reasons that individuals, children, families or couples seek counselling. I am open to exploring whatever issues are most concerning for you. If requested, I am also willing to integrate the Christian faith perspective into the counselling process. “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” C. S. Lewis
Registered Psychologist
Office: Edmonton & Beaumont
amanda@familycounsellingcentres.com
I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, and am trained in the fields of Clinical and Forensic Psychology. I am excited to provide services in the areas of Clinical and Forensic psychology with adults, adolescents and families in both English and French. My main interests and areas of practice include psychotherapy, with an emotion focused approach, with adolescent and adult populations, assessments and consultation. I am also equipped to service those clients with more complex symptomology and/or a more complex presentation.
Regardless of the forum, my ultimate goal is always to provide my clients with the utmost quality help and services by helping individuals and their families navigate through troubling times in their life (including those of a legal nature), in a comfortable and supportive environment. Throughout my 13 years working in the mental health field, 5 of which have been in the role of a Registered Psychologist, I have learned that the process of therapy is as unique as the people who choose to take this brave journey into themselves. Challenges and difficulties are a reality of life, and my role is to guide you toward answering the “now what” question with the goal of obtaining peace and well-being.
Canadian Certified Counselor
hanelle@familycounsellingcentres.com
I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor and am in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. I obtained my Bachelor of Child and Youth Care from Macewan University in 2010. Following graduation I worked with children and youth who were in crisis and residential care who lived through experiences facing various forms of trauma. I completed my Masters of Counselling in 2015 through City University of Seattle. Through my required internship I provided counselling to the inner-city population facing numerous life challenges (i.e. homelessness; addiction; physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; depression; anxiety; attachment issues; LGBTQ+ issues; and legal, employment, and social barriers). Upon completion of my internship in 2014 I began working with children, youth and adults who have experienced sexual abuse/assault at the Be Brave Ranch and Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. I have also worked in private practice since 2014 with individuals who face a variety of concerns and challenges.
I have completed intermediate level training in a trauma focused model called Somatic Experiencing © (SE) and will begin advanced level training in the fall of 2017. SE aims to resolve lasting effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) through increased awareness of somatic/physical body sensations while experiencing activation and regulation of the nervous system.
I work from a client-centered and collaborative approach with all individuals focusing on establishing trust and comfort within the therapeutic relationship. I work at a pace that feels safe for each individual’s needs. I believe that every person has the capacity to heal and move forwards from trauma and life’s challenges but recognize this can sometimes be difficult to do without support. I work alongside my clients to help them identify goals that work for their lives and to move towards this more desired future. I work with each client at a developmentally appropriate level. When working with children and youth I incorporate aspects of play therapy and art therapy to help facilitate emotional expression and processing.
Supporting individuals who have experienced any form of trauma or facing PTSD has been the foundation of my clinical focus and I have gained significant knowledge through my work experience thus far. I am competent and experienced in supporting individuals facing the following issues:
PTSD
Trauma
Various forms of abuse- physical, emotional, sexual, generational, and financial
Domestic violence
Violent attacks
Motor vehicle accidents
Self-esteem and identity issues
Attachment issues
Emotional regulation
Anger management
Family transitions (divorce, separation, remarriage & blended families)
Ending relationships
Bereavement, loss & grief
Depression
Anxiety
LGBTQ+ issues
Registered Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist
krister@familycounsellingcentres.com
Why counselling is important
We are built to be adaptive and flexible, but sometimes we encounter times in our lives when the problems facing us mismatch the particular set of adaptations that have worked well enough for us until then. Psychotherapy is particularly effective exploring alternate ways to make sense of and adapt to our circumstances. Beyond that, it is effective at helping transform the very core of our self towards more flexible and authentic ways of being, to help us with future and present crises.
Every person is distinct and every problem requires individualized approaches unique to the soul of who each of us are. My approach to therapy emphasizes an interweaving of listening to your experience of what you are facing and growth towards a more adaptive and authentic you. This will empower you to face whatever life throws at you with courage and conviction, and with an empathetic heart to accompany you when it gets overwhelming.
My method of therapy
Psychotherapy is foundationally set in the relationship between you and your therapist. This is because we are a relational, social species, and because the function of emotions is embedded in relationship as a means of guiding us towards healthier, more congruent ways of being. My worldview is that everyone is intrinsically valuable, and that everyone’s value is absolute.
I utilize two broad approaches to therapy that come from different schools of thought, and so compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses. My grounding approach is psychodynamic, a view of the human experience that is embedded in the context of how early experiences shape life-long patterns that shape present experience. Interventions focus on unravelling the limited set of lifelong patterns that were “good enough” to adapt to the experiences of childhood but which are maladaptive to current problems. The outcome of psychodynamic therapy includes not only working through the problem that you come into therapy with, but also facilitating wider and deeper changes that are life-long in outcome.
In balance with this approach, I utilize feedback-informed treatment, an approach that highlights and maximizes those elements of therapy most empirically known to produce short-term changes. This approach includes keeping track of changes each session and monitoring the progress of not only the goals you want to work on, but your well-being and its more rapid, short-term rise to a higher quality of life.
The types of counselling I provide
I enjoy working with all age groups, with individuals, couples, and families.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma is what happens when life throws at us an experience that is outside our range of experience, and which challenges our very understanding of not only the world, but of who we are as well. It is a profound experience that most people go through at some point in their lives, and which, unchecked, can lead to maladaptive responses to life that set us up for present and future struggles and unhappiness.
Trauma is also one of the most researched areas of psychotherapy and the type of problem that research shows people can have the most hope of therapy alleviating. There are a small number of approaches to encountering the symptoms of unprocessed trauma that can help you work through it to the other side, and these approaches have success rates that are among the highest in psychotherapy. I am trained in and emphasize a number of these approaches, putting particular emphasis in my practice on trauma-focused therapy.
Play Therapy
Play is a remarkable part of humanity. Unique to mammals, it is inherently biologically tied into relationship, emotion, and adaptation—the cornerstone of what makes us human. It even has its own unique and selected biological circuitry in the brain. There is little in human experience that is more innate and natural than play.
Play is also the language of children. Whereas adults benefit from “talk therapy”, the “talk” of children is play itself, and so the best approach to working with children is through a specialized approach in which the therapist and your child “talk” about the struggles your child is going through. Through this more natural and spontaneous language that is closer to the problem—and the solution—in your child’s mind than “mere words” are, play therapy facilitates foundational changes in children. This is very important to engage in prior to adolescence when maladaptive ways of being can bring greater hurts and become a set pattern of interacting with others.
I am continually amazed by the outcomes of play therapy in helping children work through trauma, changes, and challenges that are new or have been there since the beginning.
Individual Therapy
Everything we can face in life, no matter how awful can be worked through in ways that make us stronger, more authentic people who reach their potential. The journey is sometimes difficult but done together in a relationship with a psychotherapist can be meaningful and transformative. Therapy is not the only way to overcome human suffering, but it has at is centre, the chief ingredient of human change and relief from suffering: relationship with a caring other who is there to accompany you on the path through to the other side. My areas of focus in individual therapy are listed below.
Couple’s Therapy
We know a surprising amount about the science of love and relationship. 69% of relationship arguments are perpetual—meaning they are about topics that will never be solved. This shocking statistic points us towards one of the most foundational rules that makes couples therapy so effective: it’s not about what you’re fighting about, but about how you “fight” about it, that determines the health of a relationship. The interventions and models that help couples through relationship crises and difficulties that are based on this fundamental truth are most successful. I work with couples to help craft a specialized means of communication that alleviates the sore points in the relationship, but also embeds the relationship in a new life of shared meaning and experience that is enriching and encouraging of an always changing love.
Education & Further Training
Master of Counselling (City University of Seattle) Bachelor of Arts with Distinction – Psychology Major (University of Alberta) I have received additional training in:
-Play Therapy
-Registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator
-Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
-Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training
-Somatic Experiencing
-Motivational Interviewing (MI) Level 2
-Existential Analysis
-Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 2
Areas of Interest
-Self Esteem
-Play Therapy
-Trauma Early
-Childhood Grief and Loss
-Dream Work
-Anxiety
-Depression
-Abuse (Verbal, Sexual, Physical)
-Attachment Issues
-Schizophrenic/Dissociative Disorders
-Personality Disorders
-Relationship Struggles
-Parenting Divorce and Separation
-Life Transitions
-Spirituality
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Office: Edmonton & Beaumont
sue@familycounsellingcentres.
My approach to counselling
I believe people are happiest when living in a way that is congruent with their authentic selves. In counselling with children, teens and adults, I will strive to create a relationship and atmosphere where you can safely explore beneath the surface of who you are. I believe people need a place where they feel they can be heard, understood and accepted as they are in order to help them come to a place of self-acceptance. Once someone can accept themselves where they are currently at, they are ready to begin a transformation into their best selves. I am confident you can find the strength to face your emotions and begin on your own personal journey of healing and change.
My particular areas of focus are couples work, trauma, depression and anxiety, grief and loss, sexual health, identity and life transitions. I am grounded in a psychodynamic framework that views the self as shaped by internal dynamics rooted in early attachment experiences, by developmental experiences, and by emotions, instincts, and thoughts that are influenced by our external and internal worlds. I supplement this approach with specific additional training pertaining to my areas of focus (listed below). I view counselling as a collaboration between you and I where treatment and goals are tailored to you specifically.
It is my privilege to journey with you as you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and feel empowered to achieve your personal goals.
The types of counselling I provide
I enjoy working with clients in all stage of life.
Trauma Therapy
Working with clients who have experienced trauma is a strong focus for my work. Traumatic responses can be instigated by many events such as the death of a loved one, a car accident, abuse or any other distressing event that causes one to feel threatened, anxious or scared. You may have post-traumatic stress if you experience flashbacks of the distressing event, feel triggered by or avoid certain places or peoples, experience nightmares, have difficulty sleeping or concentrating, feel jumpy or are easily irritated or angered. If you feel your living is limited due to these or similar symptoms, you may consider beginning trauma work.
My main modality for working with trauma is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This is an empirically supported technique used to help lessen the strength of the triggers that develop or the associations that leave us feeling easily toppled. Using this method in therapy I can help you reprocess traumatic memories and decrease or remove their negative influence in your life. If you don’t feel you have post-traumatic stress disorder but feel triggered or overtaken when you are in a specific situation or think of a specific event, EMDR may also be helpful for you.
Trauma can feel overwhelming, but the truth is that the impacts of trauma are some of the most changeable psychological aspects most receptive to therapeutic work. Together in counselling we can work towards helping you become the self you were meant to be.
Grief & Loss
In working with grieving clients I rely on my background in psychodynamic and existential approaches to help navigate the overwhelming impact of loss through its widespread effects on the psyche. This is from conscious sharing of memories, through exploring alternate meanings of the loss of those we had broken relationships with, through dream work and analysis as our minds attempt in their own unique way to process the loss when we sleep. Hidden emotions we didn’t know we would feel, like anger, are often difficult to acknowledge or express around those sharing our loss, and I offer a place where such nuances can breathe and find a place to be understood and organized as you develop and co-create a new relationship and understanding with who or what was lost.
Identity and Self-Discovery
One of my favorite areas to work in with clients is in the area of creating meaning or in developing one’s own identity. Often, we may “wake up” in our lives to find ourselves questioning how we got to our place in life, wondering if we consciously made decisions to arrive here or whether we just went along with what others expected of us. In a time like this it is valuable to re-assess and to gain an understanding of who we are, what our values and dreams for our lives are and begin to work towards living in a more authentic way. This work may also be important when dealing with major life changes such as loss of job, a loved one dying, graduating high school or a recent divorce or life change.
This work may include gaining an understanding of how your personality was formed in early childhood. Often, with greater insight into the “where did this come from?” clients can then feel more choices for future behaviours or ways of interacting in the world. Often times this work is accompanied by a sense of grief… grief for the person that was or the person that one could have been but wasn’t. Clients who decide to take the journey of self-discovery often express feeling more alive and more present in their life day to day.
Couple’s Therapy
I have specific training in Gottman Method Couples Counselling as well as training in Emotion Focused Therapy to focus on what is going on beneath the surface of your relationship. Rather than focusing on problem-solving, I prefer to focus on changing how couples view and/or solve their problems. In session we will look at how each partner feels, and also how their partner reacts to them having emotions (meta-emotions). I hope to facilitate each person learning more about their partner and gaining a deeper understanding of their personality and the background that has caused them to become the person they are today. I also invite partners to make changes once the partnership becomes a safe and friendly place in which they can become vulnerable.
My style is one that focuses on emotions and words spoken in the present moment. I am unafraid to ask the tough questions but I also value humour in session. Some sessions may feel heavy or difficult and others a little lighter. What is important for me is to tailor therapy to fit your needs as a couple considering how ready each partner is to change and also each person’s personality and comfortability with the counselling process.
Sexual Health & Dysfunction
Sexual difficulties can affect a person outside of the bedroom by increasing feelings of inadequacy, grief, loneliness and anger. As humans are sexual and relational by nature, it is important not to leave sexual difficulties as they are. I work with individuals to explore their personalities and their relationships to determine how their sexual behaviours are enhancing or decreasing fulfillment in their lives.
I believe sexual issues such as pain or erectile dysfunction have physiological roots, but that they can also be affected by psychological reasons as well. My job in dealing with sexual health and dysfunction is to determine what is occurring on a psychological level for a person that may be contributing to their difficulties engaging or enjoying sex with their partner. I work with clients experiencing vaginismus (pain during intercourse), difficulties with orgasm, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low libido, anxiety surrounding sex, polyamory, open relationships and sexual exploration.
Sometimes sexual issues are best addressed with one’s partner in couple’s counselling, and I often see couples to work through these issues.
Degrees and Additional Training
-Master of Counselling degree from City University of Seattle
-Bachelor of Arts Psychology Major from the University of Alberta
-Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training & Recent Traumatic Event Protocol (RTEP)
-Existential Analysis
-Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 2
-Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
-Motivational Interviewing (MI) Level 2
–Play Therapy
-Registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator
Areas of Interest
-Trauma
-Grief & Loss
-Anxiety & Depression
-Chronic Pain & Illness
-Life transition/meaning
-Relationship/Parenting Struggles
-Couple’s work/Sexual health & dysfunction
-Self-image/Self-esteem/Self-worth
CURRENTLY ON LEAVE
Assessment Specialist
Registered Psychologist
hein@familycounsellingcentres.com
Office: Edmonton & Beaumont
I am a Registered Psychologist in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and I travel extensively throughout these two provinces to provide specialized psychological assessment services. This has enabled me to work with individuals in remote communities and urban areas alike. In addition to serving individuals and families, I provide contracted assessment services to school districts, insurance companies, corporations, and government agencies.
I have Masters degrees in Counselling Psychology and Business Administration (with a specialty focus in Consumer Behaviour), and I am currently working towards a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. My doctoral research primarily focuses on the assessment and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as learning disabilities and ADHD. While my primary area of specialty is psychological testing and assessment, I have extensive training and experience in psychotherapy with individuals of all ages. As such, I often work with my clients’ therapists to help develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is based on individual factors identified during the evaluation.
Assessment of Children and Adolescents.
There are many potential reasons why a child might be struggling at school, home, or in the community. Effective intervention often depends on an accurate diagnosis and a circumscribed understanding of a child’s individual strengths and weaknesses. A formal psychological assessment can address these concerns by providing a complete picture of a child’s cognitive functioning, learning style, attention processes, behavioural patterns, social relationships, and emotional functioning. An assessment will result in a comprehensive report that provides specific recommendations for addressing your child’s difficulties at home, school, and in the community. I strive to write reports that are useful, practical, and easy to understand by avoiding unnecessary jargon and psychobabble.
Child and adolescent assessments typically seek to identify factors such as:
– Giftedness
– Intellectual Disabilities
– Autism Spectrum Disorders
– Specific Learning Disorders
– Attention Problems, including ADHD / ADD
– Behaviour Difficulties such as Oppositionality or Defiance
– Emotional Difficulties such as Depression or Anxiety
– Career Interest / Aptitude (for adolescents)
Assessment of Adults
Adults are often in need of assessment services in order to qualify for certain programs, clarify career and employment options, receive a formal psychological diagnosis and comprehensive treatment plan, or to use during certain legal proceedings. Depending on the question that the assessment needs to address, adult evaluations may include cognitive, academic, personality, aptitude, or career interest testing.
Adult assessments typically seek to address areas such as:
– Adult ADHD
– Autism Spectrum Disorders
– Career Interest / Aptitude
– Specific Learning Disorders
– Fitness to Work / Return to Work
– Guardianship / Trusteeship / Personal Directives
– Psychological Diagnosis / Emotional Functioning
Rechell Singh
Mental Health Therapist
rechell@familycounsellingcentres.
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 113
Office: Leduc
I am a mental health therapist with a Masters degree in counselling psychology. My therapeutic approach is both client centered and attachment based. I believe that it is important to understand the client and their personal experiences in order to develop a mutual understanding and the basis of the therapeutic relationship. This in turn promotes healthy development and therefore when working with clients I believe it is important to foster safety and security. While I enjoy working with individuals of all ages, I am passionate about working with children and youth. I am personally intrigued by their unique sense of curiosity and creativity. There is a great deal of knowledge within young children that sometimes we do not always consider and therefore I incorporate various therapeutic interventions in my practice. This allows clients to be able to explore their thoughts and emotions in a safe environment and also allows clients to reflect on their experience. I also enjoy using modalities such as narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, play therapy, sand tray therapy and art-based therapy when working with clients.
As a therapist, I want to support my clients using a genuine, non-judgmental and collaborative approach. My goal when working with clients is to establish a safe, trusting and open environment to facilitate the process of growth and healing. I aim to empower my clients, allowing us to work together in order to overcome challenges they may encounter in their day-to-day lives. I look forward to working with you and your family.
Cierra Chmiliar
Provisional Psychologist
cierra@familycounsellingcentres.com
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 105
Office: Leduc & Equine
My name is Cierra, and I provide counselling services for both the Leduc and Equine offices at Family Counselling Centres. I primarily work with children, teens, and families, specializing in play therapy and equine-assisted counselling, but can also treat teens and adults. I work from a client-centered approach, and believe a non-judgmental relationship between the client and therapist is crucial for change. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them gain awareness and insight, so they can build and draw upon their own internal resources. To this effect, I use a wide range of modalities, including person-centered, play therapy, sandtray, trauma therapy (EMDR), equine-assisted therapy, art, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
In addition to my Masters of Counselling, I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Alberta in 2009. I have experience working within the school system, working primarily with children with developmental disorders and their families. I have also volunteered extensively at organizations working with high-risk youth, and victims of crime. Furthermore, I am an avid horse-person; I have owned horses (and various other animals) for my entire life, and have been a semi-professional show-jumper for over 10 years. In addition to this, I have completed multiple trainings in equine-facilitated wellness, as well as eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
Dr. Amber Gear
Assessment Specialist; Registered Psychologist (PhD)
amber@familycounsellingcentres.com
Phone: 780.612.8577 ext. 107
Office: Leduc
I completed my undergraduate psychology (2000), Master of Education (2002), and Doctor of Philosophy (2007) degrees at the University of Alberta. Both graduate degrees were done in the Department of Educational Psychology and were specialized in the Learning, Development, and Assessment stream. Since completing my Ph.D., I have taught various psychology-related courses both at the undergraduate and graduate level at the University of Alberta, City University, and Taylor University. I became a registered psychologist in 2006.
For the past 11 years a large amount of my time has been spent providing psychological assessment services to a charter high school in downtown Edmonton. I have also provided private and contracted assessment services in various settings throughout Alberta. This experience has led to extensive travel to many small communities and reserves throughout Alberta, as well as some travel to the Northwest Territories. I have worked on contracts in several different school divisions throughout Alberta, and I have extensive experience doing assessments of both children and adults.
Another area I am interested in is neuropsychology. I applied for and was accepted into the Neuropsychology Post-Doctoral Certificate program at Fielding Graduate University in New York City. This program will allow me to specialize in neuropsychology so that I gain a strong skill set in neuropsychological assessment and intervention. Although I have not yet set a date that I will start this program, I am excited to do so.
Assessment of Children and Adolescents Throughout my graduate training and beyond I have specialized in assessment. Many children face academic, emotional, and behavioral challenges in school. Assessment is crucial to identifying and addressing these challenges, and can shed light on many issues, such as your child’s:
Cognitive ability: giftedness, delays, strengths, weaknesses
Learning capacity: achievement levels, delays, disabilities
Emotional functioning: depression, anxiety, social concerns
Behavior: acting-out, anger, inattention, hyperactivity
Throughout this process, consultation and collaboration with students, parents, teachers, and other service providers is essential, as is effective report-writing and communication of assessment results. Recommendations are provided that are practical and specific, and are designed to help guide decisions, access resources, and provide suggestions about the next steps to take.
I have extensive experience creating Individualized Program Plans, which are sometimes required to address a child’s learning needs and to optimize their learning potential. As such, I frequently provide consultation to parents and teachers throughout this process.
Assessment of Adults Assessment is also highly beneficial to adults, as many people have questions regarding their levels of functioning. You may be interested in your cognitive ability, your academic potential, or your emotional health. You may wonder why you are struggling in university or college, whether you are in the right job, or whether you qualify for certain government or community programs. Assessment can help you answer these questions and many more.
I welcome any and all assessment-related questions and I am happy to answer any questions you may have about how the assessment process works.
Registered Psychologist
jenni@familycounsellingcentres.com
Office: Leduc and Edmonton
I believe people are wired for resiliency and personal growth. My job is to support clients in getting there. Taking a strength-based approach, I work with individuals to build on existing resources in order to gain new skills and perspectives. In terms of therapy techniques, my first priority is building a genuine connection with clients. Taking time to understand their unique needs, I can then match the approach to the person. Examples include: Cognitive Behavioral, Solution-Focused and Play therapy. I also have experience working in schools and with addictions, but my focus on digging deep and exploring underline themes works well for a variety of clients. Overall, I work with children, adolescents, adults, families and couples to explore solutions and enact positive change.
My certification is as follows: Provisional Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, member of the Psychologist’s Association of Alberta, Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.
Mental Health Therapist (Masters Intern)
samantha@familycounsellingcentres.com
Office: Leduc
I am a Mental Health Therapist with Family Counselling Centres in Leduc. I work primarily with children and youth at this office, and I have been trained in play therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and mindfulness techniques. In addition, I am also a certified Grief RecoveryTM specialist.
I firmly believe in the idea of balance, both in therapy and in day to day life, but I also believe that the idea of balance will sit differently with everyone. Therefore, therapy must be something that is individualized for every client. The idea of balance also reflects in my relationships with my clients. Both of us have knowledge and skills to offer and both of us will learn as our relationship grows and develops.
Prior to beginning my Master of Counselling Degree, I worked for a Child Advocacy Centre which means I have extensive knowledge of the impacts of trauma and the criminal-judicial system as well as how to navigate and work with both. Because of this, I have also learned the tremendous value of safe and consistent attachments in our lives and I frequently see cases through this lens.
Through creating safety and consistency and balancing skill building with acceptance, I aim to continuously empower my clients to pursue their best versions of themselves and their lives. I am currently accepting new clients and I look forward to meeting you and your family.
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Johanna is a Registered Provisional Psychologist in private practice as a family counsellor in Calgary, Alberta. Johanna is a Certified Simplicity Parenting Coach, with additional training in Waldorf Collaborative Counselling through the Center for Social Sustainability. As a Spacial Dynamics® practitioner, student of mindfulness meditation, and lifelong horse lover, Johanna supplements her office-based practice with Equine Facilitated Wellness, Mindfulness Practice and Somatic Movement Therapy.