KARIN KLASSEN, MSC
Registered Psychologist
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 has provided the field with new neurological information that has 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. I now work on helping people manage life's bumps, understanding oneself at a higher level, and decreasing 'in the moment' impulses that usually make things worse.
I am a Registered Psychologist, at the dissertation stage of a PhD in Health Psychology.
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 skills, this is an achievable goal.
~ Karin
THERAPY 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 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprogramming), Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, Clinical Hypnosis (CHyp), and Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT). As a former journalist, I also use a narrative technique called Guided Autobiography, which is a process that helps you 'connect the dots' by writing your own story.
And I teach groups , because sometimes this is a more effective way to learn new skills. I teach DBT skills to anyone with high emotional dysregulation, especially people who have been diagnosed with BPD, OCD, PMDD, or anyone who would like to just develop better coping and resiliency skills overall. DBT skills are practical tools that can also help families and couples who find that their dynamics can sometimes clash. I also teach an ACT group (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) for chronic pain patients.
*FEES/ SERVICES OFFERED
Individual 50 minute sessions:
$200 online via Zoom
DBT Group Skills
$600 for 8 weeks/ 90 min
ACT Group Skills for Chronic Pain
$600/ 8 weeks/ 90 min
INDIVIDUAL
CONSULTATION
CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to change dysfunctional thinking patterns.
DBT: Dialectical Behavioural Therapy to identify and manage dysfunctional emotional behaviours.
EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing to help heal from trauma.
Clinical Hypnosis: Creating space for change, forgiveness, and mediation to increase peace of mind.
DBT or ACT
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).
8-week groups are ongoing. These are held online and have monthly start dates. Please note that one individual session is required before group to assess for suitability and readiness to participate.
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 bi-monthly start date. Please note that one individual session is required before group to assess for suitability and readiness to participate.
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.