Find a Therapist in Forest Lawn, Alberta.

Therapy using a variety of methods can help you experience relief from distressing symptoms and resolve, or learn to deal with, problems of life. In an accepting relationship I facilitate healing by listening to your unique story and by sensitively helping you work through deeply personal, and often highly uncomfortable, topics. Even though the tendency is to resist anything that is painful, when you feel what you have been trying to avoid and discover insight about what has been causing your personal and/or relationship difficulties, you are better able to make the changes you want.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. I have been a psychologist since 1986. I have expertise in several approaches. My main approaches include cognitive behaviour therapy, psychodynamic therapy, person-centred therapy, and existential therapy. If you want to see someone with extensive training and experience in psychotherapy, book a time by visiting https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

When you're battling intense emotions like anger, anxiety, and stress, your days are filled with turmoil and uncertainty. If you're feeling overwhelmed by your emotions, know that psychotherapy provides a transformative path forward. During your sessions with me, we'll confront these challenges directly, employing proven techniques that go beyond mere management to mastering your emotions. By constructively channeling your feelings, we'll transform them into a source of strength. The result? A life where you're in control, your emotions serving as a foundation for resilience, understanding, and deep, lasting fulfillment.

I have the benefit of various clinical methods that can offer a variety of methods specifically designed to best meet the needs of people who come in. I have a great deal of confidence in the inner resourcefulness of people, thus counselling focuses on fostering another's internal wisdom to support wellness. Diverse training in a number of therapy methods such as, Mindfulness-based, Acceptance & Commitment (ACT), Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), Play, Expressive Arts, Attachment, Emotion-focused, Family Systems and Gottman therapies means there is enough versatility to ensure almost everyone can benefit from their psychotherapy experience.

By using an integrated approach, I have access to many different theoretical orientations that allow me to be prepared for whatever client may come through my door. Through a holistic lens, I take into consideration variables from many different areas, and by doing so, I learn about my clients as wonderfully complex and layered individuals who have their own unique needs. Through collaboration and feedback I work together with my clients to ensure that they are getting what they need during their time in counselling.

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.

Do you feel depressed, anxious or stressed? I work hard to make sure that clients change for better, in one way or another---after seeing me. In psychotherapy, I respect each individual, couple, or family regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, culture, belief or religion. My clients would benefit from me because they would feel respected and valued in my therapy sessions; my approach involves clients to engage actively in the therapy process and yet I'm gentle and respectful. I remain objective and professional in my work but personable. I use various models of therapy including client-centered approach, cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic approach, and relational approach.

Tamara's counselling practice is client centered. She seeks to help her clients feel validated and understood. She takes a genuine interest in how you see yourself and your story. Tamara uses an integrative approach as needed and at all times she seeks your feedback in the counselling process. She often begins her relationship with you by ensuring that you understand that your constructive feedback is always welcome. Relationship is key in therapy with children, adults and couples.

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!

I specialize in psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and providing overall wellness support. Psychotherapy is meant to meet you where you are at, and to discuss specific problems and how your internal dialogue may be affecting your mood. I go at the pace my client sets, as it is important I walk alongside them on the therapeutic journey, not in front of them trying to lead. This will benefit you in allowing you to openly talk about what is going on for you, how it impacts you, and allows an opportunity to voice your truth.

My psychotherapeutic approach utilizes an integrative method in order to help guide client's toward their goal while also addressing the underlying issues. By addressing underlying issues, such as motivation and emotional experiences, the client will have further lasting change and growth. Client's will benefit from this use of both short and long term methods by experiencing immediate benefit and long term help.