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Approaches to Therapy in Calgary & Alberta

Finding Your Path to Healing

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CBT, EMDR, EFT, Somatic... the world of therapy is filled with acronyms and approaches that can feel overwhelming. You may be wondering, "Which one is right for me?"

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At Therapy Alberta, we don't believe in a "one-size-fits-all" solution. The reason we have so many approaches is because every person is unique, and so is every therapist.

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You don't need to be an expert in these methods—that's our job. Our team is a diverse group of registered therapists trained in a wide range of evidence-based and trauma-informed modalities. We see our role as a guide: to first understand your unique story, and then to collaborate with you to select the approaches that best fits your needs, personality, and goals.

 

This page is a library to help you understand the compassionate, effective tools we use. Whether you're looking for a structured, skills-based approach like CBT or a mind-body method like Somatic Therapy to heal from trauma, we are here to help you find your way forward.

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While many Albertans are familiar with the excellent public resources available through Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Recovery Alberta, this library explains the specialized, in-depth approaches our private practice offers. We see ourselves as a proud partner in Alberta's wider circle of care, offering a personalized path to healing, without a waitlist. If you need immediate care, please visit our Crisis and Distress Services resource page.

Therapy Alberta Approaches

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Our team draws on the following types of therapy to meet you where you are at and guide your healing:

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Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

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What is ART?

 

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a research-backed therapy designed to help clients find rapid relief from trauma and anxiety. It uses a structured approach, including gentle eye movements and guided imagery, to help your brain safely reprocess and resolve distressing memories, often in just a few sessions.

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The power of ART lies in its ability to quickly separate the painful emotions from the facts of a memory. While the memory itself remains, it loses its charge, so it no longer triggers an automatic distress response in your body. This structured process allows you to find new solutions and feel a profound sense of relief and clarity, helping you move forward from experiences that have kept you stuck. 

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Who is ART for?

 

ART is a trauma-focused approach that is highly effective for single-event traumas (like a car accident), anxieties, phobias, panic attacks, and complicated grief. It can be especially helpful for client who feel "stuck" by high-pressure work burnout and are looking for a focused, efficient way to find relief.

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ART does not require you to talk about the traumatic event in detail. It uses a non-verbal and visual approach, making it a good option for individuals who find it difficult or retraumatizing to talk about their traumatic experiences. 

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Our ART-Trained Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Samantha who has specialized training to guide you through this process safely and effectively:

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Learn More About ART and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate ART and other methods into a holistic, safe, and effective plan, please visit our specialty pages:

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​Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

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What is ACT?

 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based therapy that helps you stop struggling against painful thoughts and feelings. Instead of trying to change or avoid them, ACT teaches you to accept them as a normal part of life while committing to actions that align with your personal values.  

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So much of our suffering comes from fighting with our own minds. We get hooked by painful thoughts (like "I'm not good enough") or feelings (like anxiety) and waste our energy trying to make them go away. ACT helps you unhook by learning to observe your thoughts with curiosity, make space for your feelings, and pivot your focus to what really matters to you—like being a present partner, a creative person, or a compassionate friend.  

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Who is ACT for?

 

ACT is a research-backed approach for clients struggling with anxiety, chronic pain, depression, low self-esteem, and stress. It's especially helpful for those who feel stuck in their own head, are struggling with self-criticism, or feel like they're just surviving on autopilot.

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ACT is a very effective approach for managing the burnout and anxiety that comes from Alberta's high-pressure work environments, as it helps you build a rich, meaningful life alongside the challenges you can't always change. It's less about eliminating symptoms and more about living a full life.

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Our ACT-Trained Therapists

 

Many of our therapists are trained in ACT and integrate its principles to help you connect with your values:

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Learn More About ACT and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate ACT into a personalized, holistic plan, please visit our specialty pages:

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​Affirming Therapy (Affirmative Therapy)

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What is Affirming Therapy?

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Affirming Therapy (or Affirmative Therapy) is not a single technique, but a framework that provides a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space for people of all identities. It is a compassionate framework that actively validates and supports the experiences of individuals from marginalized communities, including 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and neurodiverse clients.

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This approach goes beyond simple acceptance. It means your therapist is knowledgeable about the unique challenges, cultural contexts, and systemic stressors you may face. It is our commitment that you will not have to spend your sessions educating your therapist or justifying your identity. It is a space where all parts of you are welcome, seen, and celebrated, allowing you to explore your authentic self and heal from the stress of a world that may not always understand you.

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Who is Affirming Therapy for?

 

Affirming Therapy is part of our work with all clients, but it is especially vital for individuals navigating identity, self-esteem, relational challenges, and the impacts of systemic oppression or discrimination.

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This framework is crucial for our work members from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, neurodiverse clients, and members of the BIPOC community who are navigating their identity in Alberta. It is essential for healing from the trauma of feeling unsafe, unseen, or othered.

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Our Affirming Therapists

 

We believe that all good therapy must be affirming. This approach is a value held by our entire team, who are all committed to providing anti-oppressive, inclusive, and culturally sensitive care. Some therapists on our team specialize in this work, including

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Learn More About Affirming Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about our commitment to inclusive care, please visit our specialty pages:

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​Attachment-Based Therapy

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What is Attachment-Based Therapy?

 

Attachment-Based Therapy is a compassionate approach that explores how your earliest relationships with caregivers shaped the way you connect to others today. It focuses on your internal map for relationships to help you understand yourself better. The goal is to build a secure, trusting therapeutic relationship where you can safely explore and establish new, healthier patterns.

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Our first bonds create an attachment style, which acts as a blueprint for how we relate to the world, even as adults. If those early bonds were inconsistent or unsafe, our map might tell us that relationships are threatening, that we must be perfect to be loved, or that we must hide our needs to stay safe. This therapy is based on the idea that healing happens relationally, in a secure, non-judgmental connection with your therapist.

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Who is Attachment-Based Therapy for?

 

This approach is useful for clients navigating anxiety, depression, and relational trauma. It's especially helpful for those who feel stuck in painful, repeating relationship patterns—like feeling anxious and unseen, struggling with people-pleasing, or finding it difficult to trust others and be vulnerable.

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In a city where it can be easy to feel disconnected or isolated, this therapy helps you build a secure foundation from the inside out, allowing you to form more satisfying connections with yourself and the people you care about. Attachment-Based Therapy works for individuals and couples or alternative relationships.

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Our Attachment-Based Trained Therapists

 

This approach is a core part of how many many of our therapists work. They integrate attachment theory to help you heal relationally:

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Learn More About Attachment-Based Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we use an attachment lens in our work, please visit our specialty pages:

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​Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

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What is CBT?

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, evidence-based therapy that focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is a structured, skills-based approach that helps you identify, challenge, and reframe unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns to develop healthier ways of responding to life's challenges.

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Many of us get caught in automatic, unhelpful thought traps (like "I always fail" or "Everyone is judging me") that directly fuel feelings of anxiety and depression. CBT is a collaborative process where you and your therapist act like supportive detectives to spot these patterns. You'll learn practical, real-world skills to examine the evidence for your thoughts, find a more balanced perspective, and change the behaviors that keep you stuck.

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Who is CBT for?

 

CBT is one of the most widely researched and effective treatments for ADHD, anger, anxiety, and depression. This approach is ideal for clients who want a structured, goal-oriented, and practical therapy. It's less about digging into the deep past and more about giving you skills to use right now.

 

It provides a concrete toolkit for managing the overwhelming stress and burnout common in Calgary's high-pressure work environments, or for challenging the cyclical thoughts associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during our long Alberta winters.

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Our CBT-Trained Therapists

 

Many of our therapists are skilled in CBT and will integrate its practical tools to support you:​​​

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Learn More About CBT and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate CBT into a personalized, holistic plan, please visit our specialty pages:

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Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)​

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What is CFT?

 

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is a heartfelt, evidence-based approach rooted in helping you cultivate deep and genuine self-compassion. It recognizes that many of us struggle with feelings of shame and self-criticism. CFT helps you develop a kinder, more supportive relationship with yourself, using mindfulness and guided exercises to promote emotional regulation and understanding.

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Many of us have a loud, harsh inner critic that leaves us feeling inadequate or ashamed. This is often a learned survival response, but it can get in the way of healing. CFT is a gentle, supportive process that helps you understand this inner critic. It's not about ignoring your flaws, but about learning to meet your own struggles with the same kindness and warmth you would offer to a good friend.

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Who is CFT for?

 

CFT is a supportive approach for clients struggling with high levels of self-criticism, shame, or feelings of inadequacy. It is a compassionate way to heal from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational trauma, especially when a person's inner dialogue is harsh or unforgiving.  

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It can be especially healing for those navigating the burnout that often comes from perfectionism or high-pressure environments, helping you build a lasting sense of self-acceptance and inner safety.

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Our CFT-Trained Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Jiwon who has specialized training in CFT from the Compassionate Mind Foundation to help you build a kinder relationship with yourself:

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Learn More About CFT and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate CBT into a personalized, holistic plan, please visit our specialty pages:

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Culturally Sensitive Therapy (Multicultural Therapy)​

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What is Culturally Sensitive Therapy?

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Culturally Sensitive Therapy or Multicultural Therapy is a foundational approach that recognizes and respects the critical importance of your cultural background, beliefs, and values. It means your therapist is committed to understanding your unique worldview and the impact of cultural context on your experiences, healing, and relationships.

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This is a central part of our affirming, anti-oppressive approach. It goes beyond just being aware of different cultures. It is an active, ongoing commitment from your therapist to engage in cultural humility—to learn, to listen, and to challenge their own biases. It means you will not be treated as a stereotype. Your therapist will honor your traditions, respect your values, and understand that your identity is a source of strength, even when it may also be a source of stress or discrimination.

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Who is Culturally Sensitive Therapy for?

 

This approach is essential for anyone, but it is especially vital for members of the BIPOC community navigating the impacts of racial trauma, discrimination, or systemic oppression. It is essential for processing intergenerational trauma, identity concerns, or the complex stress of balancing multiple cultural identities.

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We recognize that for many in Alberta's diverse communities, finding a therapist who understands is a major barrier to seeking help. This approach ensures your unique cultural experiences are not just a side note in your therapy, but are central to understanding your story and your path to healing.

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Our Multicultural Therapists

 

Multicultural Therapy is a core value for our entire team. We are all committed to integrating this approach into our work, and you may prefer to work specifically with one of our BIPOC Therapists:

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Learn More About BIPOC Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate CBT into a personalized, holistic plan, please visit our specialty pages:

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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

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What is DBT?

 

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy that helps you manage overwhelming emotions and improve your relationships. It is a practical, skills-based approach that blends cognitive-behavioral tools with mindfulness. It teaches you concrete skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.  

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Many of us feel like we are on an emotional rollercoaster, swinging from one intense feeling to another. DBT is designed to help you build stability. It is based on the dialectic, or the idea of balancing two opposites: acceptance (accepting yourself and your feelings as they are right now) and change (building the skills to change the behaviors that are not working for you). It gives you a real set of tools to use when you feel overwhelmed, so you can navigate conflict and distress without losing yourself.

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Who is DBT for?

 

DBT is a research-backed approach for clients who experience intense, overwhelming emotions. It is highly effective for managing self-harm, chronic suicidal thoughts, emotional dysregulation, and the impacts of complex trauma. It is also very helpful for anxiety and depression.

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This is a very practical, hands-on therapy. It's not just about talking; it's about doing. It's ideal for anyone who feels their emotions are controlling them, and who wants to learn concrete skills to feel more in control and build a life that feels more stable and meaningful.
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Our DBT-Trained Therapists

 

Many of our therapists skilled in DBT are here to help you build your toolkit:

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Learn More About DBT and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate DBT into a personalized, holistic plan, please visit our specialty pages:

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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy

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What is EMDR?

 

EMDR is a powerful, research-backed therapy designed to help the brain heal from distressing memories and negative beliefs. It uses structured bilateral stimulation to engage both sides of the brain (like eye movements or tapping) to help your brain re-process an old memory.

 

This approach is highly effective for trauma because a memory can get stuck in the brain's processing system. This is why a sound, smell, or image can trigger the same intense fear and pain as if the event were happening all over again. EMDR removes the memory's painful emotional charge, and it becomes something you can remember, rather than something you are forced to relive.  

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Who is EMDR for?

 

EMDR Therapy is a primary, evidence-based approach and is highly effective for clients struggling with anxiety or panic attacks, chronic pain, motor vehicle accidents, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or trauma. 

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​EMDR does not require you to talk about the traumatic event in detail. This is often a profound relief for clients who are afraid of being re-traumatized by reliving the story. The process is guided, safe, and always done at a pace you control.

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Our EMDR-Trained Therapists

 

Several of our therapists have specialized training to guide you through this process safely and effectively:

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Learn More About EMDR and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate EMDR and other methods into a holistic, safe, and effective plan, please visit our specialty pages:

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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

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What is EFT?

 

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a well studied approach for couples and individuals that is based on the science of adult attachment. It helps you get beneath surface-level arguments to the real emotional needs and fears. The goal is to repair and strengthen your emotional bond, creating a more secure and loving connection.

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Most relationship conflicts are not really about the dishes, the money, or the in-laws. At their core, they are often a protest against disconnection. Partners are asking primal questions: "Are you there for me?" "Do I matter to you?" When that connection feels threatened, we protest, attack, or shut down in a repeating negative cycle. EFT provides a compassionate map to these raw spots. It's not about learning to fight fair; it's about learning to safely express your vulnerabilities and rebuild a secure, lasting emotional bond.

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Who is EFT for?

 

EFT is a gold standard model for partners who feel disconnected, are stuck in the same repeating arguments, or are trying to heal from an affair, betrayal, loss of trust, or trauma. In a busy life and a busy city where it can be easy to feel isolated, this approach is a meaningful antidote, focusing on strengthening your primary emotional bond.

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It is also specially adapted for individuals and families who want to heal old attachment wounds from childhood or past relationships, helping you build a more secure sense of self and healthier relationships in the future.

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Our EFT-Trained Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Samantha who has advanced, specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy from the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT):

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Learn More About EFT and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we use EFT to help rebuild connection, please visit our specialty pages:

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Existential Therapy

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What is Existential Therapy?

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Existential Therapy is a philosophical approach that helps you explore the big, human questions of existence, like meaning, purpose, freedom, and responsibility. It helps you explore your personal experiences and the choices you make in navigating life's challenges. It's a process of deep self-reflection to find a greater sense of meaning in your life.

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This approach recognizes that anxiety, depression, and feeling lost can often stem from a struggle with these "big givens" of life. It's not about diagnosing you, but about sitting with you as you explore your values and beliefs. Your therapist helps you take personal responsibility, embrace your freedom to choose, and confront the anxieties that stop you from living a full, authentic life. It's a search for what makes your life feel meaningful.

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Who is Existential Therapy for?

 

This is a humanistic approach for clients navigating major life transitions, career changes, or a general feeling of being stuck, empty, or disconnected. It's a humanistic way to explore concerns around anxiety, depression, feelings of meaninglessness, and finding your purpose.

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It can be especially grounding for those feeling lost in the middle of their life, or feeling like they are just surviving on autopilot in a high-pressure environment. This therapy is less about fixing a symptom and more about helping you build an authentic life you have consciously chosen.

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Our Existential Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Shawn who specializes in this philosophical and humanistic approach:

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Learn More About Existential Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we use EFT to help rebuild connection, please visit our specialty pages:

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Expressive & Creative Art Therapy

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What is Expressive & Creative Art Therapy?

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Expressive Art is a creative approach that provides a non-verbal outlet for emotional expression and self-discovery. Using mediums like painting, drawing, or sculpture, it helps you explore and communicate complex emotions that are often challenging to articulate in words.

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Sometimes, talk therapy is not enough, especially when feelings are overwhelming or hard to name. This approach allows you to tap into your creative instincts and bypass the part of your brain that gets stuck in words. It's not about being a good artist—it's about the process of creating. It is a transformative journey that aids in emotional release, self-reflection, and finding new ways to cope.

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Who is Expressive & Creative Art Therapy for?

 

This approach is especially supportive for both youth and adults who feel disconnected from their inner world. It is effective for processing anxiety, grief, and trauma, as it allows for expression beyond words.

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Expressive Art Therapy is a meaningful way to find release and self-discovery, especially when you feel stuck in your head from high-pressure work or daily stress.

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Our Expressive & Creative Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Jennifer who can guide you in using expressive art strategies to heal and discover:

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Learn More About Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we use Expressive Art to help rebuild connection, please visit our specialty pages:

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Family Systems Therapy

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What is Family Systems Therapy?

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Family Systems Therapy is a compassionate approach that sees individuals as deeply interconnected with their family. It views the family as an interconnected unit where each member's behavior, roles, and emotions affect the entire dynamic. The goal is to help you and your loved ones identify and understand these patterns to create healthier, more functional relationships.

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None of us grow up in a vacuum. This approach helps us understand that your individual struggles with anxiety or self-esteem might be connected to a role you learned in your family, like being the 'peacemaker' or the 'responsible one'. By exploring the system, we can address the root of the issue, rather than just focusing on an individual symptom. It helps us see the full picture of how you learned to relate to the world.

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Who is Family Systems Therapy for?

 

This approach is foundational for our work with families navigating conflict, teen or parenting challenges, or major life transitions. It is also incredibly valuable in individual therapy for anyone who feels stuck in repeating patterns in their adult relationships, or who wants to understand how their family-of-origin story is impacting their life today.

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It is a transformative lens for healing intergenerational patterns, processing relational trauma, and helping you build a new, healthier legacy for yourself and your loved ones.

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Our Family Systems Therapists

 

Many of our therapists are trained to see through a Family Systems lens to help you understand the bigger picture:

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Learn More About Family Systems Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we use EFT to help rebuild connection, please visit our specialty pages:

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Feminist Therapy

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What is Feminist Therapy?

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Feminist Therapy is a foundational approach that examines how social, cultural, and political power structures impact your mental health. It is a non-pathologizing, collaborative therapy that views your struggles within the context of systemic inequality, gender roles, and oppression, rather than as a personal failing.

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This approach is rooted in the idea that many personal struggles are not just 'in your head', but are a normal response to an unequal world. We actively challenge traditional power dynamics in the therapy room, so the relationship is collaborative, not hierarchical. It is a space to validate your lived experience, find your voice, and understand how societal pressures have shaped your story and your sense of self.

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Who is Feminist Therapy for?

 

This approach is especially impactful for individuals navigating the impacts of gender-based discrimination, oppression, or relational trauma. It is vital for exploring concerns around identity, body image, self-esteem, and patterns of people-pleasing.

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It provides a crucial lens for understanding the unique pressures faced by women and marginalized individuals in both high-pressure work environments and in their personal lives here in Alberta. This is a space to deconstruct those 'shoulds' and find a way of being that feels authentic to you.

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Our Feminist Therapists

 

This anti-oppressive lens is a personal and professional value for many therapists on our team:

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Learn More About Feminist Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate this empowering lens, please visit our specialty pages:

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Gottman Method Couples Therapy

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What is Gottman Couples Therapy?

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Gottman Method Couples Therapy is a practical, evidence-based approach based on 40 years of data on what makes relationships last. It gives couples a toolbox of specific, evidence-based skills to manage conflict, deepen their friendship, and build a shared sense of meaning in their lives.

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The Gottman Institute's research found that relationship success is not about never fighting—it's about how you fight and, more importantly, how you repair afterward. This therapy teaches you how to soften your approach in arguments, how to build 'love maps' to truly know your partner's inner world, and how to turn towards each other's bids for connection instead of away.

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Who is Gottman Couples Therapy for?

 

This is a highly effective, structured approach for couples who are looking for practical, concrete, and evidence-based tools to improve their communication and manage conflict.

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This method provides a clear roadmap for strengthening your friendship and partnership at home. It is also a fantastic model for premarital counselling, as it helps you build a strong, lasting foundation from the very beginning.

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Our Gottman Couples Therapists

 

Meet our couples therapist Laura who integrates the Gottman Method to help you build a stronger relationship:

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Learn More About Gottman Couples Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate this empowering lens, please visit our specialty pages:

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Hakomi Therapy

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What is Hakomi Therapy?

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Hakomi Therapy is a gentle, mindfulness-based approach that honors the deep connection between your mind and body. It is a body-centered therapy that helps you understand how your past experiences, beliefs, and unconscious patterns are held in your body and nervous system.

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This approach is based on the idea that your body holds deep wisdom about your life. So much of what we do—our automatic reactions, our repeating patterns, and our sense of feeling stuck—often comes from beliefs we formed long ago. Hakomi uses mindfulness in a gentle, non-invasive way to help you safely listen to your body, discover those core beliefs, and transform them at their source. It's a compassionate process of fostering self-awareness to heal old wounds.

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Who is Hakomi Therapy for?

 

Hakomi is a bottom-up (body-first) approach for clients who feel disconnected from themselves or who feel that talk therapy alone isn't enough. It is profoundly effective for healing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational trauma by addressing the root beliefs held in the body.

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This therapy is ideal for anyone who wants to move beyond just talking about their problems and learn to work with their body's wisdom. It is a powerful way to heal from the burnout and high-pressure stress that can leave us feeling numb and disconnected from ourselves.

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Our Hakomi Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Jiwon who has specialized training in the Hakomi method from the Hakomi Institute of Edmonton to help you reconnect with your mind and body:

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Learn More About Hakomi Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate mind-body approaches into a personalized therapy plan, please visit our specialty pages:

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Holistic Therapy

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What is Holistic Therapy?

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Holistic Therapy is a whole-person approach that compassionately considers all parts of you—your mind, body, and spirit. It is an integrative framework that honors the interconnectedness of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, aiming to create balance and harmony rather than focusing on just one isolated symptom.

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This whole-person perspective recognizes that we often feel distress in one area of life, like anxiety, because of an imbalance in another. It's a collaborative process that investigates how all parts of your life—like your sleep, nutrition, body movement, and social connections—are impacting you. The goal is to bridge the gap of the mind-body connection and help you find a deeper sense of well-being.

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Who is Holistic Therapy for?

 

This integrative approach is especially helpful for teen girls and adults who feel disconnected from themselves and are interested in exploring personal growth from a whole-person perspective. It is supportive for navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and trauma.

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It can be a grounding way to heal from the burnout that often comes from high-pressure school and work environments, helping you quiet a busy mind and restore a sense of balance to your whole self.

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Our Holistic Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Laura who specializes in this integrative, whole-person approach:

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Learn More About Holistic Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate a holistic lens into a personalized plan, please visit our specialty pages:

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Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)

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What is IFS Therapy?

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Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a compassionate therapy that views the mind as naturally made of different parts, each with its own unique perspective, role, and good intentions. This approach helps you get to know your inner parts—like your inner critic or your anxious part—and heal them by connecting to your core, compassionate Self.

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This approach is based on the idea that we all have an internal family of parts. You might have a part that is highly critical (a Manager) or a part that distracts you when you're hurt (a Firefighter). Often, these parts are working hard to protect younger, wounded parts of you (Exiles). IFS is a respectful, non-pathologizing process. Instead of fighting with or trying to get rid of these parts, your therapist gently helps you get to know them, listen to them, and understand what they need. This allows your core Self—which is naturally calm, curious, and compassionate—to lead and heal those wounded parts.

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Who is IFS Therapy for?

 

IFS is a transformative approach for clients struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and deep-seated self-criticism. It's especially helpful for anyone who feels at war with themselves, stuck in self-sabotaging patterns, or has a loud inner critic that won't quiet down.

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It's a gentle yet profound way to heal from the burnout that comes from a perfectionistic or "manager" part working overtime, helping you find more internal harmony and self-acceptance.

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Our IFS-Trained Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Laura who integrates the IFS model to help you compassionately understand your inner world:

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Learn More About IFS Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate this approach into holistic therapy, please visit our specialty pages:

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Mindfulness Therapy

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What is Mindfulness Therapy?

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Mindfulness Therapy is a flexible approach that integrates mindfulness practices into the therapeutic process. It's a compassionate way to build a new, non-judgmental relationship with your thoughts and feelings. This therapy teaches you the skills to observe your inner world with curiosity, rather than being controlled by it.

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In our sessions, we don't just talk about being mindful; we practice it. Your therapist will gently guide you through practice of bringing your full attention to the present, and sit with difficult feelings, sensations, or thoughts without judgment. This creates the inner space you need to stop reacting on autopilot, regulate your nervous system, and choose how you want to respond to your life.

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Who is Mindfulness Therapy for?

 

Mindfulness Therapy is highly effective for clients navigating anxiety, depression, stress, and the impacts of trauma. It is also an accessible tool for managing overwhelm, chronic pain, and emotional dysregulation.

 

This approach is a grounding antidote to the high-pressure, always-on stress that can lead to burnout. By practicing mindfulness, you learn to regulate your nervous system and find a sense of calm and clarity, even when life feels overwhelming.  

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Our Mindfulness-Trained Therapists

 

Mindfulness is a foundational skill for many of our therapists. They are ready to help you build this practice:

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Learn More About Mindfulness Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate this approach into holistic therapy, please visit our specialty pages:

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Narrative Therapy

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What is Narrative Therapy?

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Narrative Therapy is a collaborative and respectful approach that views you as the expert in your own life. It is founded on the idea that "the person is not the problem; the problem is the problem." This therapy helps you separate your identity from your struggles and discover new, preferred ways of telling your life story.

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We all have stories we tell about ourselves, and sometimes these stories become dominated by problems, like "I'm not good enough" or "I'm an anxious person." These stories can hide our strengths and make us feel stuck. This therapy helps you externalize the problem—for example, you are not anxiety; you are a person who is being affected by anxiety. This subtle shift creates space. Your therapist collaborates with you to find moments of strength, resilience, and resistance that the old, problem-focused story left out. You get to re-author your life and find a story that fits you better.

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Who is Narrative Therapy for?

 

This is a respectful and humanistic approach for clients struggling with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Narrative Therapy is especially helpful for anyone who feels defined or overwhelmed by a problem story—like self-criticism, failure, or not being good enough.

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This approach is a creative way to resist the high-pressure work or social environments that can try to define you, helping you find and trust your own authentic voice.

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Our Narrative-Trained Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Danielle who is skilled in Narrative Therapy and is ready to help you explore your story:​

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Learn More About Narrative Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate Narrative Therapy into a personalized, holistic plan, please visit our specialty pages:

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Person-Centered Therapy

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What is Person-Centered Therapy?

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Person-Centered Therapy is a humanistic approach where you are seen as the true expert in your own life. It is founded on the core belief that everyone has the innate capacity for growth. Your therapist provides a safe, non-judgmental space built on genuine empathy and unconditional positive regard, empowering you to find your own answers.

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This approach is less about the therapist giving you tools or techniques and more about the healing quality of the therapeutic relationship itself. This collaborative, non-hierarchical process is an active form of respect. Your therapist won't interpret your feelings or lead the agenda; they will listen deeply, reflect back what they hear, and accept you fully, just as you are. This genuine, supportive connection creates the safety you need to explore your feelings, build trust in your own inner wisdom, and move toward a more authentic life.   

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Who is Person-Centered Therapy for?

 

This is a humanistic approach that is at the heart of all good therapy. It's especially supportive for clients navigating life transitions, grief, identity concerns, or low self-esteem.

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It is a vital framework for anyone who has felt unheard, judged, othered, or who feels unseen in our western culture, and is seeking a truly safe, collaborative space to find their footing. Because this approach views you as the expert on your own life, it is a core component of Culturally Sensitive and anti-oppressive therapy. It provides a profoundly safe space for members of the BIPOC community and marginalized individuals to explore their experiences without fear of being pathologized or misunderstood.  

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Our Person-Centered Therapists

 

This client-centered, non-judgmental philosophy is important to our entire team. It is a part of the affirming work of all our therapists, and you may prefer to work specifically with one of our therapists who self-identify with this approach:

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Learn More About Person-Centered Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate this compassionate, client-led approach, please visit our specialty pages:

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Relational Therapy

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What is Relational Therapy?

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Relational Therapy is a foundational approach based on the core idea that healing happens from connection in a relationship. It recognizes that because much of our pain and harm happens in relationships, our deepest healing must also happen in a safe, secure, and supportive relationships.

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This approach is built on the secure, professional relationship you form with your therapist—one that models respect, acceptance, and dignity. This trusting, healthy bond becomes the safe space where you can finally create safety, explore vulnerability, and release old harm. It's not just talk; it's a lived, healing experience of a new, healthier way of relating that you can take back into your life.

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Who is Relational Therapy for?

 

This humanistic approach is at the very heart of all good therapy and is essential for healing from relational trauma. It's for anyone who feels disconnected, struggles to trust others, or feels stuck in repeating, painful patterns in their relationships with partners, family, or friends.

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In a world where it can be easy to feel disconnected or isolated, this approach focuses on our fundamental need for connection and belonging, helping you heal from the inside out.

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Our Relational Therapists

 

This relational, client-centered philosophy forms the basis of therapy for our entire team at Therapy Alberta. We are all committed to building a secure, respectful, and healing relationship with you

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Learn More About Relational Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about our work, please visit our specialty pages and blogs:

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Solution Focused Therapy (SFT)

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What is Solution Focused Therapy?

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Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) is a practical, goal-oriented approach that focuses on your strengths, values, and resources to create positive change. Instead of dwelling on problems, this collaborative therapy helps you envision your preferred future and set achievable goals to get there.

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This approach is based on the idea that you are the expert on your own life and already possess the resources you need to thrive. Your therapist works with you to identify what's already working, amplify your successes, and find solutions to your challenges. It's a very positive, forward-looking process that focuses on possibilities and your capacity for change, rather than on analyzing the past.

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Who is Solution Focused Therapy for?

 

SFT is a respectful, goal-oriented approach for clients who are looking for practical, short-term support. It is highly effective for anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges.

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It is an optimistic approach for anyone who feels stuck in a problem and wants to focus on solutions. It can be especially helpful for managing high-pressure work or life stress, helping you find concrete steps toward a more positive future.

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Our Solution Focused Therapists

 

Our therapists skilled in SFT are here to help you build on your strengths:

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Learn More About Solution Focused Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate SFT into your therapy, please visit our specialty pages:

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Somatic Therapy

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What is Somatic Therapy?

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Somatic Therapy is a gentle, mind-body approach that honors your body's wisdom. It's based on the understanding that stress and trauma can get stuck in the nervous system, showing up as anxiety, pain, or numbness. It is a body-up approach that helps you safely listen to your body and release this stored tension.

 

When you experience something overwhelming, your nervous system's survival responses (like fight, flight, or freeze) can get stuck on. This is why you might still feel on edge, anxious, or numb, even long after the event has passed. Somatic therapy recognizes that these feelings are held in the body. Instead of just talking about your experiences, your therapist gently guides you to notice your body's sensations, helping you regulate your nervous system and finally complete those stuck survival responses. It's a way of befriending your body and learning to trust its signals again.

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Who is Somatic Therapy for?

 

This body-up approach is a core part of trauma therapy. It is transformational for anyone who feels disconnected from their body, feels like "just talking" isn't enough, or has unexplained physical symptoms (like pain or heaviness) linked to their emotional stress.

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It's an essential tool for healing from the burnout and high-pressure stress that can leave us feeling numb and disconnected from ourselves. Because this approach is so gentle, it helps you heal safely without necessarily having to relive or retell the stories of your past.

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Our Somatic Therapists

 

Several of our therapists are trained in somatic approaches to help you heal on a holistic level:

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Learn More About Somatic Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about how we integrate mind-body approaches into somatic therapy, please visit our specialty pages:

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Somatic Attachment Therapy

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What is Somatic Attachment Therapy?

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Somatic Attachment Therapy is a compassionate, body-centered approach that helps you understand and heal chronic overwhelm. It works by integrating gentle, body-based practices with attachment theory to help you restore a sense of safety, both in your body and in your relationships.

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This approach recognizes that feeling constantly stuck in overdrive often has deep roots in our nervous system and early attachment patterns. If our early relationships didn't always feel safe, our nervous system may have learned to stay in survival mode. This therapy is a gentle process of retraining your body to recognize safety and achieve felt safety—that deep, body-level knowing that you are safe, supported, and worthy of care. The goal is to help you shift from chronic overwhelm to a state of calm and connection.

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Who is Somatic Attachment Therapy for?

 

This approach is for anyone who feels like they are in a near-constant state of overwhelm, or finds themselves drowning in responsibilities, emotions, or everyday life demands. It is supportive for healing the anxiety and burnout that comes from a nervous system stuck in a fight-or-flight or shutdown mode.

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It's especially helpful for understanding how this overwhelm connects to our relationships, whether that shows up as avoiding connection and becoming hyper-independent, or as fearing rejection and feeling relationship anxiety.

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Our Somatic Attachment Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Danielle who specializes in this gentle, body-centered approach:​

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Learn More About Somatic Attachment Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about mind-body approaches and somatic therapy, please visit our specialty pages:

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Spiritual Therapy

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What is Spiritual Therapy?

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Spiritual Therapy is an integrative, holistic approach that honors the spiritual dimension of your health—that deep, human need for meaning, purpose, and connection. It is a compassionate space to explore your personal beliefs, values, and sense of connection to something greater than yourself, whatever that may mean to you.

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Spiritual Psychology recognizes that your spiritual health is just as important as your mental and physical health. It is not about religion; it is about your spirit and your 'why'. Your therapist provides a safe, open, and non-judgmental space to explore your personal values, ask life's big questions, or heal from spiritual wounds. It's a way to find a deeper sense of inner peace and alignment with your most authentic self.

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Who is Spiritual Therapy for?

 

This is a supportive, humanistic approach for clients navigating feelings of emptiness, burnout, or a lack of meaning in their lives. It is deeply helpful for those experiencing life transitions, anxiety, grief, or a relationship crisis, helping you to explore and find a renewed sense of purpose.

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This therapy is often integrated into a Holistic Therapy plan, as it honors you as a whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

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Our Spiritual Psychology Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Laura who specializes in this integrative, whole-person approach:

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Learn More About Spiritual Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about mind-body approaches and somatic therapy, please visit our specialty pages:

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Strength-Based Therapy

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What is Strength-Based Therapy?

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Strength-Based Therapy is a collaborative approach that focuses on your inherent strengths, abilities, and resources, rather than on problems or deficits. This humanistic method is built on the belief that you are resilient and already possess unique qualities that can be harnessed for your own growth and healing.

 

So much of life can feel like it's focused on what's wrong. This approach flips the script. We believe that you are not broken; you are resourceful. In our sessions, your therapist will collaborate with you to identify the strengths, skills, and moments of resilience you already have. Instead of just analyzing problems, we explore what's working, what you've survived, and how you can harness those qualities to create the change you want.

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Who is Strength-Based Therapy for?

 

This approach is beneficial for clients navigating anxiety, depression, gender diversity, or the impacts of trauma. It's especially supportive for anyone who feels defined by their problem or diagnosis, or who is tired of feeling like they are a collection of deficits.

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This approach is a core part of an anti-oppressive framework, as it honors your lived experience and resilience as the true source of healing. It's a grounding way to build self-esteem and agency in a high-pressure world that can often make us feel like we're not enough.  

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Our Strength-Based Therapist

 

Meet our therapist Bonnie who specializes in this affirming, strengths-based approach:

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Learn More About Strength-Based Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about mind-body approaches and somatic therapy, please visit our specialty pages:

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Trauma-Sensitive Therapy

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What is Trauma-Sensitive Therapy?

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Trauma-Sensitive Therapy is not a single technique, but a framework that honors your safety, choice, and control at every step. It is a compassionate approach built on the understanding that trauma impacts the whole person. It ensures that the therapy process itself is a safe, non-judgmental, and healing experience.

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This approach recognizes that you can't just "talk your way out of trauma" because it lives in the brain and body. A trauma-sensitive therapist understands that symptoms (like anxiety, anger, or numbness) are often wise adaptations your body learned to survive. The entire process is collaborative. We move at your pace, build stability first, and ensure you are never re-traumatized or forced to do anything you are not ready to.

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Who is Trauma-Sensitive Therapy for?

 

This approach is a non-negotiable foundation for all types of therapy, and especially clients seeking Trauma Therapy. It is also essential for anyone navigating the impacts of anxiety, depression, or grief, as these experiences are often rooted in past overwhelming events.

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Trauma-Sensitive Therapy is for anyone who has felt unsafe, unheard, or blamed in the past and is looking for a space where they will be met with true compassion and respect. It is our practice-wide commitment that you will be treated with dignity, your coping strategies will be seen as adaptations, and your lived experience will be honored as the expert knowledge in the room.

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Our Trauma-Sensitive Therapists

 

This compassionate, anti-oppressive lens is part of our education and training for our entire team at Therapy Alberta. We are all committed to practicing in a trauma-sensitive way to ensure your safety and empowerment.​​

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Learn More About Trauma-Sensitive Therapy and Our Therapy Alberta Approach

 

To learn more about mind-body approaches and somatic therapy, please visit our specialty pages:

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Your Next Step is About Connection, Not Perfection

 

 

 

That was a lot of information!

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If you've scrolled this far, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by all the acronyms and approaches, and that's completely okay. We've shared this library to show you healing isn't a one-size-fits-all process and that our team has a deep, diverse toolkit. But you are not expected to be an expert in any of this. That's our job.

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The most important part of therapy is not the specific technique; it's the relationship you have with your therapist.

 

Your one and only job is to find a person on our team who you feel a sense of connection with—someone you feel you can be safe and open with.

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From there, we do the rest. Your therapist will act as your guide. In your first sessions, we'll simply listen to your story. We'll get to know you. And then, together, we will collaborate to find the exact path that works best for you.  

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You don't have to know how to heal. You just have to be open to the journey.

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The next step is simple and risk-free. We invite you to book a free, 20-minute consultation. It's just a conversation to see if it feels like a good fit. We're here to help you find your way forward. Contact us if you have any questions.

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©2025 by Therapy Alberta

Therapy Alberta is a woman-owned and operated, independent, profit for good, non-government, private therapy clinic based in Calgary, AB, serving individuals, couples, and families across Alberta

Therapy Alberta respectfully acknowledges we are supported by the land of Turtle Island, now called Canada. Turtle Island is the home of the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have travelled, gathered, lived on and cared for these lands for centuries. Calling Canada our home is a privilege and responsibility. Declarations of land are only one component of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.


We are committed to new communities of decolonization. We strive to create safe, affirming, anti-racist and anti-oppressive spaces to welcome and provide free mental health care for people from Indigenous, Black, Color and LGBTQ+ communities and those impacted by trauma. Support our mission today.

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