Helping Older Children and Teens build bulletproof mindsets!
Services available in English and in French I Services disponsibles en Anglais et en Français
1 in 8 TEEN girls between the age of 12-19
suffer from severe depression
I'm a teen looking for some help.
You know those feelings that are tough to tolerate ? The negative, anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, worried ones? The ones that either pop up or play on repeat in the background and interfere with:
If you want to build a bulletproof mindset, even if you've tried different things in the past and ended up with the same thoughts and feelings , come work with me.
- family and friendships
- school
- sports
- work
- sleep
- social life
If you want to build a bulletproof mindset, even if you've tried different things in the past and ended up with the same thoughts and feelings , come work with me.
Imagine you can flip your thoughts and feelings. You can feel better about your connection to others and change your ability to face tough moments and really enjoy the great ones.
I teach teen girls how to:
I am a Psychologist who specializes in working with teens (and their parents). I can meet you in person at my southeast Calgary office, on-line, or outdoors for a walk and talk session.
I teach teen girls how to:
- Transform Negative Self-Talk into Confidence, Clarity and Strength
- Embrace Self-Love and Step into the Spotlight
- Learn Who to let into their squad of BFFs
I am a Psychologist who specializes in working with teens (and their parents). I can meet you in person at my southeast Calgary office, on-line, or outdoors for a walk and talk session.
I'm A Parent Looking for some help.
Your teen is blowing up and locking themselves in their bathroom for hours. You notice their motivation is at 0%, their mood is really low, and they are either telling you about their problems or keeping a tight lid on the struggle.
You are concerned about their body image, self-esteem, friendships, anxiety and negative thoughts.
Are you are noticing behaviours that are freaking you? Know that a lot of it is normal. Normal doesn't mean easy and it doesn't mean it can't change.
If you've taken inventory of the following-
1. Their Current Supports
2. Their Current Stressors
3. How much the problem is disrupting daily functioning
4. Their current coping strategies
5. Are they asking for this kind of help (even if the answer is NO, working with parents can be a supportive option)
And some of these are on shaky ground. Counselling (therapy) can be a great option. I am a psychologist that helps teen girls (and their parents) build bulletproof mindsets so they can weather the seasons of life.
You are concerned about their body image, self-esteem, friendships, anxiety and negative thoughts.
Are you are noticing behaviours that are freaking you? Know that a lot of it is normal. Normal doesn't mean easy and it doesn't mean it can't change.
If you've taken inventory of the following-
1. Their Current Supports
2. Their Current Stressors
3. How much the problem is disrupting daily functioning
4. Their current coping strategies
5. Are they asking for this kind of help (even if the answer is NO, working with parents can be a supportive option)
And some of these are on shaky ground. Counselling (therapy) can be a great option. I am a psychologist that helps teen girls (and their parents) build bulletproof mindsets so they can weather the seasons of life.
A bit about counselling
Counselling (or therapy) is a support that helps people who are facing difficult situations. It's not meant to "fix you" and it does not mean "something is wrong" with you. It's about offering a safe place to try new ideas, resolve problems, make changes, and move towards the life you want to live. Different therapists can help people work towards personal, relationship, athletic, educational, and career hopes and goals.
Counselling is a combination of expressing yourself, being witnessed (listened to), discovering resources, and learning new things. There will be times when you will be sharing about your experiences and your counsellor will listen. There are other times when you will be discovering things that will support you to get through difficult situations. Sometimes your therapist will share information, ideas, and resources with you. |
Counselling options
in person counselling
In person counselling happens in the community of Douglasdale located in southeast Calgary. Thrive's office share Business Centre offers private spaces for your counselling sessions. A warm & inviting reception area welcomes you and during business hours, you will be greeted by a friendly receptionist who can offer you water, tea, or coffee. The Douglasdale location is inviting and accessible, with parking and public transit nearby. Thrive is near Deerfoot and Barlow Trail, with access to restaurants and other businesses close by if you need to run an errand while your family member attends counselling.
walk and talk therapy
“When I'm in turmoil, when I can't think, when I'm exhausted and afraid and feeling very, very alone, I go for walks. It's just one of those things I do. I walk and I walk and sooner or later something comes to me, something to make me feel less like jumping off a building.”
― Jim Butcher, Storm Front
Walking and exercise are known to release endorphins in our body that reduce stress. Endorphins, like serotonin, help with lifting our mood and others endorphins, like dopamine, released in consistent walking and exercise, are connected to our pleasure and reward centres.
Walking and talk counselling provides a unique opportunity to be parallel (side by side) with your counsellor, while moving your body. You get different sensory cues in what you see, hear, smell, and feel as the environment constantly changes. Walk and talk counselling has different choices available to you in terms of pace, distance, taking some time to sit, being still, and well,.... walking. The act of walking can be a literal and metaphorical moving forward or moving through a problem or challenge. |
A few things to consider for walk and talk sessions:
- Walking sessions are weather dependent.
- The pace of the walk is slow to moderate. Finding the rhythm of your pace will be discovered with your counsellor in the first couple of times.
- Walking sessions will be mostly in Fish Creek park, with some availability in Carburn Park and Rylee Park
- Some clients may choose a safe and more quiet route near their school, work, or home.
- Walk and talk sessions will be held during the daytime, when sunlight is available.
- Walking sessions are 50 minutes in length with some flexibility available.
- Information about risks and benefits including privacy of information will be discussed prior to first session.
- Walking sessions are available for adult and teen clients.
online therapy
- Does scheduling a counselling session plus commute time sound challenging?
- Do you live in a remote area in Alberta where access to the right counselling supports are not easy to find?
- Are you restricted by other factors that might prevent you from coming to an office location for counselling?
- Does talking face to face about your current problems seem too intimidating?
Imagine yourself settled in your space, perhaps on your favourite sofa or in your favourite room. Maybe you have your pet nestled on your lap (if you like animals of course!) or perhaps wrapped in a cozy blanket. You access your email using your computer, tablet, or smartphone and click on your encrypted on-line session link. You are now connected to your counsellor via video or chat for your session and you begin immediately, no commute needed: in your space.
Sounds great but how do you know if it's safe? What happens if there is a technology failure? How do you know you are getting the same quality of service? What if you prefer to meet your therapist face to face? These questions and others can be discussed with your counsellor beforehand.
On-line counselling is rapidly growing within our technologically savvy society. Some people prefer on-line options, others prefer face to face options. Some people will blend face to face and on-line options. It can be appropriate for children, teens, and adults.
There are potential risks and benefits to using this approach in counselling. Counsellors should have some training specific to on-line counselling (sometimes called telepsychology, e-counselling, on-line therapy, telemental health, etc.).
If you think on-line counselling might be the way to go for you, read on for more information and schedule a free consultation.
Sounds great but how do you know if it's safe? What happens if there is a technology failure? How do you know you are getting the same quality of service? What if you prefer to meet your therapist face to face? These questions and others can be discussed with your counsellor beforehand.
On-line counselling is rapidly growing within our technologically savvy society. Some people prefer on-line options, others prefer face to face options. Some people will blend face to face and on-line options. It can be appropriate for children, teens, and adults.
There are potential risks and benefits to using this approach in counselling. Counsellors should have some training specific to on-line counselling (sometimes called telepsychology, e-counselling, on-line therapy, telemental health, etc.).
If you think on-line counselling might be the way to go for you, read on for more information and schedule a free consultation.
Possible benefits to online counselling:
|
Expressive arts
“There is a voice that doesn't use words. Listen.”
― Rumi
The expressive arts are for people of all ages.
It is a way of exploring thoughts, feelings, and experiences using curiosity and creativity. This way of exploring problems and challenges taps into different parts of our brain and can give us unique insights and understanding needed to foster change. A session using expressive arts might include visual arts like painting, music, creative writing, creating with clay, or different movements. The expressive arts require no specific skill set in the arts, only an openness and curiosity to the experience. |
Expressive Arts therapy can support people dealing with a wide range of issues, including family and relationship issues, anxiety, depression, social and emotional issues related to loss, trauma, and psychosocial difficulties
Check out some of these sources:
Check out some of these sources:
about US
Hey there. My name is Chantal.
I am a registered psychologist working with teens (and their parents) in Calgary, Alberta. I was born in Ontario and raised here in Alberta. My family is bilingual and I am very grateful that they "forced" us to speak French growing up. I love being this close to the mountains, nature, and in my opinion some of most amazing sunrise and sunset landscapes in the world. One day I might trade in my winter jacket for a bathing suit and a pair of flip flops, but for now Calgary is home. |
I love moving, whether it's walks, weight training, long bike rides, or playing ball hockey with my friends and family. I am most at peace when surrounded by loved ones and outdoors. I love laughter, meditation, meaningful conversations, animals of all kinds, podcasts, and good books.
It has been my privilege to travel to different parts of the world (I look forward to travelling again) and meet fascinating and resilient people all over, including right in my "backyard".
It has been my privilege to travel to different parts of the world (I look forward to travelling again) and meet fascinating and resilient people all over, including right in my "backyard".
Hi. My name is Jessa.
I am a counselling intern completing my masters at Athabasca University. I am passionate about helping people become the best version of themselves, whether that’s overcoming inner struggles with depression and anxiety or taking a critical look at unhealthy thoughts. I believe in working together to find healthier alternatives. My approach is client-centered and focuses on personal values, hopefulness, and authenticity. |
I draw on techniques from a variety of counselling models such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and narrative therapy. At the core, I believe people can change, relationships are essential, and that when therapy is good personal fit it works best.
I love spending time with family and close friends, learning new things, and being outside in nature. I enjoy cooking, trying new recipes, and am interested in art both personally and as a tool in therapy. I have a huge soft spot for animals and am happy to have a dog and cat at home.
I love spending time with family and close friends, learning new things, and being outside in nature. I enjoy cooking, trying new recipes, and am interested in art both personally and as a tool in therapy. I have a huge soft spot for animals and am happy to have a dog and cat at home.
I got into this field to help people.
My counselling philosophy is believing that people can reach their fullest potential and I have seen this over and over again in my amazing clients. All of us, at one time, have questioned our self-worth or doubted our abilities, gifts, and skills. I believe in the uniqueness of each person and finding those gems that make us human. I show up for people with gentle compassion and curiosity to explore new possibilities in our thoughts, understanding, and choices.
I offer more "traditional" styles of counselling like talk therapy, but I also offer counselling using expressive arts, movement in nature, and online counselling. I see my clients as collaborative partners in deciding what their counselling journey will be like.
The majority of my work is with older children, teens, and young adults. I love helping them discover their greatness and grow their love and compassion for their imperfectly perfect selves and their supportive relationships.
I offer more "traditional" styles of counselling like talk therapy, but I also offer counselling using expressive arts, movement in nature, and online counselling. I see my clients as collaborative partners in deciding what their counselling journey will be like.
The majority of my work is with older children, teens, and young adults. I love helping them discover their greatness and grow their love and compassion for their imperfectly perfect selves and their supportive relationships.
why pyramid psychology
Pyramids are structures found across most civilizations. When I imagined something to represent my practice and my worldview of people, the pyramid was it. The shape of the pyramid, triangular, known as the strongest shape, represents resilience and strength. Built block by block, the pyramid symbolizes the experiences, lessons, and events that shape the person we are and are becoming. Each block has an outer and inner surface, which reminds me of the different perspectives and understandings we can hold of various events and experiences. The pyramid can have many layers and may have a pinnacle or may have an entry point to another location, this speaks to growth- that the human experience is dynamic and fluid with possibilities.
"The name reminds me of pyramid scheme"- Yes I had to go there! Perhaps the name will lead you to thinking of this peculiar and illegal business model. When weighing the options of naming the practice Pyramid Psychology for the reasons mentioned above or avoiding the name because of the possibility of the scheme association, the choice became clear to take the risk and pursue this meaningful symbol.
"The name reminds me of pyramid scheme"- Yes I had to go there! Perhaps the name will lead you to thinking of this peculiar and illegal business model. When weighing the options of naming the practice Pyramid Psychology for the reasons mentioned above or avoiding the name because of the possibility of the scheme association, the choice became clear to take the risk and pursue this meaningful symbol.