Find a Therapist in Forest Lawn, Alberta.

Are my personal and emotional struggles, anxiety, and depression just “all in the mind” or is there a biological basis to it? Most psychotherapy theories only focus on the “mind” and often fail to address the biological causes and treatment of mental illness. As a psychopharmacologist, Dr Mervin is uniquely equipped to counsel people with mental disorders concerning all their antidepressant and medication-related issues. His integrative approach recognizes the importance of biological (medical & pharmacological), psychological (emotions, cognition's and behavior), social (family and community), and spiritual (faith and religion) factors.

Psychotherapy can be effective for a wide range of concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief/loss, relationships, addictions, spirituality etc. By creating a safe place for you to explore concerns and express feelings, we will be able identify unhealthy patterns and replace these with more functional ways of being in the world. The overall aim is to increase the quality of your life and assist you in using your strengths in order to find solutions to life's difficulties. I provide a non-judgemental sounding board for you and offer suggestions in order to help you successfully navigate life's many hurdles.

Struggling with anxiety, anger, addiction, or trauma? You’re not alone. Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or hopeless is tough, but it doesn't have to be permanent. I'm here to help. With specialized techniques and a compassionate approach, we can work together to find relief, gain control, and rediscover joy. Imagine a life where you feel calm, empowered, and in control. Book your free 15-minute consultation today to take the first step towards healing. Let’s turn your pain into strength and reclaim the life you deserve. Schedule now and start your journey to a better tomorrow.

Patterns of self-sabotaging behavioural, disorganized thinking and overwhelming emotion make life very difficult. How can we move forward when our bodies seem to betray us and we just need a break from the buzzing anxiety or the numbing of depression? What you may not know is all these symptoms are the imprint of our unfinished business, stuck in the body and just begging to be seen, cared for and accepted. Working with me means looking with curiosity, compassion and an educated-eye at how old wounds of betrayal, abandonment and rejection show up to block living your best life. You are not alone and there is hope.

Psychotherapy offers a safe and supportive space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at a deeper level. My approach is grounded in trauma-informed care, recognizing that past and present experiences can shape how we see ourselves and navigate the world. I draw from person-centered, somatic, and evidence-based methods to meet you where you are, honoring your pace and unique needs. Together, we’ll uncover patterns, heal emotional wounds, and develop tools to navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, resilience, and self-compassion. My goal is to help you feel more connected to yourself, your relationships, and a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.

My approach is integrative, person-centred, and grounded in compassion. I believe that therapy is most effective when it’s collaborative and tailored to your unique needs, goals, and values. I draw from evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and mindfulness-based practices. Together, we’ll explore the patterns, beliefs, and emotions that may be keeping you stuck and work to develop practical tools for change. I aim to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can build self-awareness, strengthen emotional resilience, and foster self-compassion.

In my practice as a psychotherapist I assist individuals to understand forces within that cause suffering & confusion. My approach is engaging, compassionate and expansive. I have over 25 years of experience with many types of people from different cultures & backgrounds. I believe most people have a mixture of complex emotions & complicated life experiences. But most everyone is trying to live a better life. People often have ‘scripts’ of who they are & why they came to be living the way they are. I help people develop ways of reflecting on what has been, what is, and what might be. This opens the possibilities for more choices in life. Your life can be different if you want it to be.

Contrary to popular psychology, believing that just the right psychological theory, intervention and technique will act like a health-care “magic pill” that can make one’s worries suddenly disappear is mistaken. Most of the therapeutic change that happens during psychotherapy is due to the therapeutic alliance: rapport, relationship and resources. Rapport is about the connection the client and therapist feel for each other. Relationship is about the constructive cognitive/emotional exchanges and trust that a client and therapist build up over time. Resources are about how the therapist helps the client activate their existing emotions, thoughts and behaviours in service to healthy change.

Often we know what we need to do differently, it's not that we don't have the wisdom, it's that it can be hard to apply! Doing Psychotherapy with me is a gentle and compassionate process of uncovering and tending to the old wounds and patterns that can be steering our behaviour and leading us astray. This frees up the space to live in the present with mindfulness, and create the future that we dream of!

Psychotherapy is a broad term to refer to counselling or talk therapy approaches to address any area of pain in our lives. Psychotherapy can include focusing on a specific stressor, like workplace issues or coping with loss, dealing with specific relationships such as couples counselling or learning how to set boundaries with your family of origin, or focus more on enhancing your life if things are feeling not quite right. You can expect to have conversations that include learning new skills and strategies, opportunity to try new skills in the session, and action items to practice in between sessions to support you towards your goals.

Psychotherapy offers a deeper, more intentional space to explore patterns, experiences, and emotions that may be shaping your life in ways you don’t fully understand yet. Renee provides thoughtful, trauma-informed psychotherapy grounded in safety, collaboration, and respect. Her approach is steady and compassionate, creating an environment where clients feel supported to explore both present challenges and past experiences at a pace that feels manageable.

Most of us don’t need another person telling us what to do. We need someone who gets it. Someone who can hold space without flinching. Someone we can trust with the messy, unfiltered, “please-don’t-judge-me” parts. We don’t believe in “fixing” people. We believe in helping you understand why you feel the way you do—and how to move through it with care.

Shift’s original psychotherapy for individuals for ages 11 and up. It’s results-driven, structured, and proactive. It is delivered by specially trained psychologists and counsellors, who have invested additional time in becoming exceptional clinicians, despite already having stellar credentials. Non-nurturing element identification Creation of a master psychotherapy progress checklist A “why” session which demonstrates the motivation for all dysfunctional behaviour, emotions, and thoughts Identification of the most active Limiting Beliefs through the creation of a visual neural tree.