The decision to seek therapy is an important and deeply personal step; I’m so glad you’re here.

As a therapist, I’m honoured to hear your unique story and walk alongside you through life’s peaks and valleys. My hope is to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and understood. With compassion and curiosity, I strive to support you in a way that validates your experiences and empowers your journey toward healing, growth, and wellness.

I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, both in good standing. I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling from Providence Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of General Studies in Education from Simon Fraser University.

I work with youth and adults navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, and relational struggles. I am passionate about supporting individuals who feel disconnected within themselves, whether due to past wounds, attachment issues, or difficulties in expressing their emotions. In my work with couples, I help partners navigate emotional disconnection, fostering deeper trust and intimacy in their relationships. I seek to provide a warm, nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their emotions and develop practical skills to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and resilience.

Outside of work, you might find me traveling, watching movies, or playing badminton. I also love spending time outdoors and connecting with friends, my husband, and my dog.

The decision to seek therapy is an important and deeply personal step; I’m so glad you’re here. ... Read More

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I am a Mental Health Therapist with a Masters of Counselling degree from City University of Seattle in Calgary. I am currently pursuing registration with the College of Alberta Psychologists as a Provisional Psychologist. I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology from Mount Royal University. My commitment to the field is reflected in my previous professional roles I held while working at The Mustard Seed including Recovery Program Supervisor, Wellness Advocate, and Clinic Coordinator.

My work with vulnerable populations at The Mustard Seed has driven my desire to support individuals in need. Through my work, I have gained valuable experience in addressing complex mental health challenges. As well as developing skills in risk assessment, collaboration and mental health advocacy, my approach is anchored in empathy and validation, aiming to create a space where every person’s unique journey is honoured. With a deep commitment to fostering healing and growth, I hope to guide individuals on their path of self-discovery and recognize the importance of embracing one’s individuality. Through compassionate and empathetic support, I strive to empower individuals to navigate challenges, find resilience, and embark on a transformative journey. My dedication lies in providing a safe and inclusive environment where everyone, can thrive and find a sense of belonging.

​I enjoy working with children, teens and adults.

Beyond my academic and professional pursuits, I actively engage in extracurricular activities. Inspired by my commitment to mental health advocacy, I balance my time with recreational interests like coaching soccer and playing soccer with my women’s team. In my free time, I enjoy tennis, skiing, walking my dog, playing Nintendo Switch, baking, and nurturing my growing plant collection. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and playing board games. My extracurricular activities reflect my commitment to holistic well-being.

Caitlin is working under the supervision of Dr. Gillian McKirdy and Sydney McKenzie-Hougestol, Registered Psychologists.

I am a Mental Health Therapist with a Masters of Counselling degree from City University of Seatt... Read More

I am a registered social worker in good standing with the Alberta College of Social Workers. I hold a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Social Work with a clinical specialization in Adult Addiction and Mental Health, both from the University of Calgary. My experience includes working in the community and as part of a multi-disciplinary team in addiction, mental health, and trauma settings. I have had the honour of working alongside individuals with complex histories, and I look forward to continuing this work.

I am compassionate and dedicated to creating a non-judgmental and safe space to explore your emotions, collaborate, and identify meaningful therapeutic goals. I am excited about helping every person I work with through practical and real strategies so that they can experience lasting change in their life. Working from a lens of self-compassion allows me to help people become their best selves and overcome the challenges of life. Due to my background in high-level athletics, I am passionate about supporting athletes coping with injury or transitioning out of sport. My approach to therapy is eclectic, combining techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, somatic-based interventions, and a trauma-informed approach to ensure I tailor treatment to fit each individual’s specific needs.

In my spare time, I can be found exploring the province on my bike, enjoying the freedom and adventure of discovering new places while staying active. I also enjoy spending quality time with my friends and family. Playing football throughout my university years has led me to be committed to promoting mental wellness in athletics, recognizing the importance of mental health in enhancing both performance and overall well-being. By encouraging open conversations and supporting athletes in balancing their physical and mental health, I aim to make a positive impact within the athletic community.

If you are ready to take the next step in your therapy journey and it sounds like I may be the right fit for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation.

I am a registered social worker in good standing with the Alberta College of Social Workers. I ho... Read More

Hi, I’m Sarah, a registered provisional psychologist with over two years of experience in mental health and more than a decade as a health professional.

I provide a caring, non-judgmental space to explore challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, cultural identity, grief, career and school stress, and more. I believe in the inherent wisdom and strength within each person and strive to bring these qualities to the surface to help you meet your unique needs.

I recognize how past experiences—especially in childhood—can shape current struggles, while also considering the impact of biological, systemic, societal, and cultural factors. While these challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming, I work collaboratively to create a path forward, fostering self-compassion, self-reflection, and practical strategies for growth.

My expertise includes working with trauma, particularly through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. I primarily draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you understand your relationship with your thoughts and emotions, particularly those contributing to anxiety, depression, and other concerns. Depending on your needs, I may also integrate approaches such as Existential Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to provide personalized support.

In addition to my work as a psychologist, I have extensive experience as a pharmacist in community, hospital, and humanitarian settings, including my time with Doctors Without Borders. This background gives me a unique perspective on the medical system and the challenges posed by chronic illness and medication use. I am also listed on the Doctors Without Borders referral list for those preparing to go on mission.

As a child of immigrants, I understand the complexities of belonging—within family, community, and society. I also recognize the impact of microaggressions and racism on mental well-being. I am passionate about helping individuals navigate their cultural identities, whether balancing individualist and collectivist values or addressing the unique challenges faced by immigrants and refugees.

When I am not counseling, you might find me hanging out at a local cafe or restaurant, at the boxing gym or at the dance studio. I also enjoy time outdoors doing activities such as hiking, skiing and paddle boarding. I love to catch up with my friends, family and spend quality time with my partner.

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Sydney is a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Sydney holds a Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle in Canada. Sydney is deeply committed to helping every person she has the honour of doing counselling with. She believes deeply in people and wants to connect each person to their truest self. In her psychoeducational assessments, Sydney is passionate about assessments and appropriate diagnoses and the access to resources, accommodations, and the deeper self-understanding they can provide.

Sydney is a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists. S... Read More

I know that life can be a struggle. But being supported and understood can make it feel a little easier. I try to offer a balance between compassionate understanding, helpful insight, and practical strategies to help my clients get the most out of their lives and relationships while navigating the challenges life brings. Shame, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, the pressures and expectations can wear us all down. I hope to offer the understanding and tools you might need to carry that weight with more ease, peace and contentment.

I specialize in depression, anxiety, adolescent mental health, young adult mental health, couples and relationship counselling, trauma, self-esteem, shame, grief, and masculinity/men’s counselling.

When I’m not at Solasta I enjoy the outdoors, music and either playing or watching sports. That said, a quiet night at home is often at the top of my list of activities.

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There are seasons in life where gleaning perspective and insight are necessary to navigate diverse circumstances, pivot in the midst of challenges, or find a safe space to process. It is my belief that all are worthy of support to facilitate the change they desire with acceptance, non-judgment, and genuine care. These exceptional times have heightened awareness of the benefits of pursuing holistic wellness. I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist under the supervision of Dr. Gina Ko, Registered Psychologist at Ko Psychology. My counselling experience has predominantly been with children and youth within the school system, supporting them within their family and school contexts. I have worked with adults of varied ages as well. Challenges related to anxiety, grief, depression, neurodiversity, personal growth, stress management, parenting, emotion regulation, conflict management, communication, and goal setting are some of the areas I have provided support to clients. I invite you to pause and acknowledge that you are worthy to take this time on your journey towards holistic wellness and envisioning new possibilities.

I offer a collaborative, creative, compassionate, strengths-based therapeutic approach. I am delighted to work with all of my clients in understanding their core values, identifying goals, and building a genuine therapeutic connection. Using narrative therapy, I work from a biopsychosocial lens, considering biological, psychological, and social factors that may be impacting the current narrative of the client. We then work to look at unique outcomes or alternate narratives from a strengths-based perspective to build resources and capacity toward client goals. I am trained in basic and parent/child attachment EMDR. I draw from other approaches, including acceptance and commitment therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. I maintain a culturally responsive lens with an openness to incorporating creative expression in a client-centered way. With counselling support, we will work together to illuminate a path through your preferred future. I believe counselling provides new and renewed insight. I work from a holistic approach using the biopsychosocial framework to consider biology, psychology, and social factors that impact health and well-being. I am passionate about working with clients to explore challenges, strengths, and resources in order to support them to thrive. I have experience in the single-session model of therapy, brief therapy, and longer-term therapy. I draw from Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systemic Therapies and work from a culturally responsive and socially just stance. Find renewed insight from a holistic approach. We work together to co-create a thriving life.

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Scott brings a steady presence to therapy to help anchor wherever you need to go. He specializes in helping with work/life balance struggles, life transitions, parenting, attachment, adoption and fostering (He is an adoptive parent), ADHD, and grief and loss. He sees human struggles mostly from an attachment/early-life and developmental process perspective, but utilizes a variety of therapeutic tools and techniques. He enjoys creating a collaborative environment and sharing the path to wellness for individuals and parents and families

Scott is a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a Canadian Certified Counsellor in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Scott holds a Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle in Canada and a postgraduate diploma in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Scott has experience in supporting individuals through grief and loss, suicide bereavement, couple relationships, family therapy, parenting support, adoption and fostering family counselling, anxiety, and depression. He has held positions at Canadian Mental Health Association, St. Mary’s University, Amaris Adoption and Family Support Services (where he also served as a board member), and Norum Psychological Services. Scott has given workshop presentations at Woods Homes, Amaris Adoption and Family Support Services, Adoption Options, and The Mustard Seed Calgary.

He is trained in EMDR, EMDR with children, and relationship support. Scott also has extensive experience in facilitating both psychoeducational and counselling support groups.​

When not at Solasta (or sometimes when he is!), Scott enjoys hanging out with his children, searching for the best Chinese food in Calgary, and getting up in the dark early on Saturday mornings to watch Scottish football.

Scott brings a steady presence to therapy to help anchor wherever you need to go. He specializes ... Read More

Current and prior clients only. New clients - please email gillian@solastacounselling.ca to enquire.

Current and prior clients only. New clients - please email gillian@solastacounselling.ca to enqui... Read More