Cognitive goals.
Behavioral strategies.
Effective therapy solutions to create a life worth living well.
ABOUT ME
The complexities of stress are fascinating; this I learned first-hand as a journalist in my earlier life, experiencing high levels of it every day (and usually not effectively).
Later I returned to school to study stress in an academic context; fMRI data provides the field of psychology with a new understanding of neurological processes that have quite changed how we think of the 'fight or flight' (stress) response. This provides new ways of thinking about and managing thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
As a Registered Psychologist I now work on helping people manage life's bumps, understanding our thoughts and feelings at at a higher level, and decreasing 'in the moment' impulses that usually make things worse.
Life will throw all sorts of stressors our way, and how we accept, forgive, reframe and re-calibrate can increase our quality of life, whatever our circumstances.
We all deserve to live our best life and, with some well-honed skills, this is an achievable goal.
~ Karin
We all deserve to live our best life and, with some well-honed skills, this is an achievable goal.
MY APPROACH
Creating a peaceful, meaningful, productive life worth living...
Integrating empirically-tested therapy approaches can effectively and efficiently pull all the pieces together, helping clients achieve their goals. But one size does not fit all, and sometimes a combination of therapies works best. We will work together to determine the most appropriate and efficient treatment plan for you.
I am trained in several different therapies:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the gold standard for challenging and changing thinking patterns, and is helpful for diagnoses of depression and anxiety .
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
(DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy may be a better fit for anyone experiencing high emotional dysregulation, and is especially effective with diagnoses of with BPD, OCD, PMDD, Anger Management, Addictions, or anyone who would like to just develop better in-the-moment coping and resiliency skills overall.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been show to be an effective therapy for people suffering with chronic pain.
EMDR
(Eye Movement Desensitization Reprogramming)
EMDR is a trauma therapy effective at treating deep seated issues, often involving long standing issues buried in our
subconscious.
Clinical Hypnosis
(CHyp)
Clinical Hypnosis works well with specific tasks such as smoking cessation, or other deeply meditative applications such as forgiveness.
Internal Family Systems
(IFS)
Internal Family Systems is a relatively new process but based on concepts that go as far back as Freud. By identifying and reuniting pieces of ourselves that have been chipped away, we can again become whole.
Guided Autobiography
(GAB)
Guided Autobiography is a process that helps you 'connect the dots' by writing your own story...including the happily ever after. GAB can be a helpful process for people who want to view their life in the context of an ongoing story, and who aren't afraid to take their journaling to the next level.
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
Please note that due to COVID, I am currently working online via health-care approved Zoom, Jane-App or Doxy.
Individual 50 minute sessions:
$200 online
I counsel one-on-one in all therapies listed above and offer group sessions detailed below.
GROUP SESSIONS - DBT / ACT / GAB
DBT, ACT and GAB skills are also taught online in groups to augment individual sessions, or as stand-alone , because sometimes this is just a more effective, cost efficient way to learn new techniques.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Group Skills
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy helps guide you in coping and resiliency; distress tolerance; and effective communication for emotional dysregulation of all types. This includes instruction in mindfulness for stress reduction, emotional self awareness and behavioural intervention (before you make things worse).
12-week groups are ongoing. These are held online and have quarterly start dates. Please note that one individual session is required before group to assess for suitability and readiness to participate.
$900 / 12 weeks / 90 mins
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group Skills
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps guide you in how to increase psychological flexibility so you can accept things that are not in your control, stay in the present moment and out of past negative experiences, and create and commit to goals that move you forward. Especially effective in the management of chronic pain.
Eight-week groups have a quarterly start dates. Please note that one individual session is required before group to assess for suitability and readiness to participate.
For all groups, materials are included and recordings of missed sessions can be arranged if you can't make it every week. Price includes a 15 minute personal check in each week to be sure you're on track.
For graduates of DBT Skills Group, a once monthly $50 drop-in graduate group is available to prevent 'drift' from skills.
$600 / 8 weeks / 90 mins
CONTACT
Therapy works when the client feels safe and comfortable with their therapist, and when the therapist has the expertise you need.
Please contact me for a free 1/2 hr session to discuss whether we're a fit.
Please note that I am registered in Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia (and may see people online in all Atlantic provinces).
Registered receipts are available and may be reimbursed depending on your coverage: please check your plan for assurance.
(403)-619-1503 Alberta
(Reg. #5198)
(902)-809-7792 Nova Scotia & Atlantic Provinces
(Reg. # R0959)
(416)-805-4452 Ontario
(Reg. # 50005851)