LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Canmore, AB
Ron Griffith
Registered Provisional Psychologist, BKin, MC
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Canmore, AB T1W
I specialize in self-esteem, confidence, self-worth, social wellness, life/career transitions, clarifying values/purpose, depression, anger, anxiety, stress, loss/grief, men’s issues, sex/intimacy, non-traditional relationships, sexual orientation, gender identity.
My clients say they feel very comfortable working together and they appreciate my genuine, down-to-earth and direct counselling approach that focuses on clients taking concrete ACTION. My ability to create productive connections with clients is mostly due to my life experiences, especially my own difficult journey to achieving good mental health. I love helping my clients discover and apply new perspectives, new life skills, and new ways of being in the world so they can have more satisfying lives. Life shouldn’t only be about surviving... it should be much more about thriving! Book a free, 25-minute consult with me to learn more.
I specialize in self-esteem, confidence, self-worth, social wellness, life/career transitions, clarifying values/purpose, depression, anger, anxiety, stress, loss/grief, men’s issues, sex/intimacy, non-traditional relationships, sexual orientation, gender identity.
My clients say they feel very comfortable working together and they appreciate my genuine, down-to-earth and direct counselling approach that focuses on clients taking concrete ACTION. My ability to create productive connections with clients is mostly due to my life experiences, especially my own difficult journey to achieving good mental health. I love helping my clients discover and apply new perspectives, new life skills, and new ways of being in the world so they can have more satisfying lives. Life shouldn’t only be about surviving... it should be much more about thriving! Book a free, 25-minute consult with me to learn more.
I see adult and adolescent clients from all sorts of different backgrounds, and who present with a variety of psychological concerns. However, I feel I’m especially well-suited to working with folks who are undergoing significant life change (e.g., job insecurity, divorce, bereavement, diagnosis, etc.), and who are experiencing anger, anxiety, or depression while traversing the flux. I’m also a keen advocate of mental wellbeing within a number of specific communities, including: veterans and first responders, men (cis and trans), LGBTQ+ folks, expatriates/immigrants, entrepreneurs, and people practicing consensual non-monogamy.
I see adult and adolescent clients from all sorts of different backgrounds, and who present with a variety of psychological concerns. However, I feel I’m especially well-suited to working with folks who are undergoing significant life change (e.g., job insecurity, divorce, bereavement, diagnosis, etc.), and who are experiencing anger, anxiety, or depression while traversing the flux. I’m also a keen advocate of mental wellbeing within a number of specific communities, including: veterans and first responders, men (cis and trans), LGBTQ+ folks, expatriates/immigrants, entrepreneurs, and people practicing consensual non-monogamy.
Emily Wasylenko
Psychologist, MA, RPsych, CCC
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Canmore, AB T1W
Waitlist for new clients
I believe that you should walk away from counselling feeling empowered; with a sense of agency to make choices that improve your quality of life within the social contexts and systems you operate in. My role is to provide a nonjudgmental, warm, and accepting environment while accompanying you in discovering the resources you hold within you to move past the difficulties you’re facing.
I believe that you should walk away from counselling feeling empowered; with a sense of agency to make choices that improve your quality of life within the social contexts and systems you operate in. My role is to provide a nonjudgmental, warm, and accepting environment while accompanying you in discovering the resources you hold within you to move past the difficulties you’re facing.
Illana Huckell
Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Canmore, AB T1W (Online Only)
I aim to create an open, respectful, and compassionate therapeutic space for people experiencing a variety of challenges. I specialize in supporting clients who are navigating chronic illness, life changes, grief, caregiving issues, and compassion fatigue.
I aim to create an open, respectful, and compassionate therapeutic space for people experiencing a variety of challenges. I specialize in supporting clients who are navigating chronic illness, life changes, grief, caregiving issues, and compassion fatigue.
It is ok to not have it all figured out. Reaching out for help is the bravest thing you can do. Let me help you create the space so that you can focus on growth and change. I am here to help you "navigate" this new landscape. This is an opportunity for you to gain a better understanding of yourself, learn new skills to navigate everyday challenges, and improve your well-being. Life is too short to hide issues and challenges. Give your feelings space to breathe. Together we can take steps to move you toward your goals so that you can lead a healthier and happier life.
It is ok to not have it all figured out. Reaching out for help is the bravest thing you can do. Let me help you create the space so that you can focus on growth and change. I am here to help you "navigate" this new landscape. This is an opportunity for you to gain a better understanding of yourself, learn new skills to navigate everyday challenges, and improve your well-being. Life is too short to hide issues and challenges. Give your feelings space to breathe. Together we can take steps to move you toward your goals so that you can lead a healthier and happier life.
I offer counselling or coaching during the day or early evening. I'm meeting people face-to-face or through tele-therapy. Whether you're experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, problems communicating in your relationship, addiction, trauma, or other life troubles, I'm here to support you to help you live the life you want! It's super easy to book on my online calendar or by phone or email. Call or email me for a free 15 minute consultation.
I offer counselling or coaching during the day or early evening. I'm meeting people face-to-face or through tele-therapy. Whether you're experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, problems communicating in your relationship, addiction, trauma, or other life troubles, I'm here to support you to help you live the life you want! It's super easy to book on my online calendar or by phone or email. Call or email me for a free 15 minute consultation.
The First Step to Freedom Cognitive Hypnotherapy
DipCHyp, HPD, NLPPrac, EFTPrac, BScPysc
Verified Verified
Canmore, AB T1W
At the First Step to Freedom, we work together to re-wire and re-educate your mind so you can live your best life. Teaching you tools and techniques to help you manage every day events so you have the power and autonomy to feel how you want to feel every day.
At the First Step to Freedom, we work together to re-wire and re-educate your mind so you can live your best life. Teaching you tools and techniques to help you manage every day events so you have the power and autonomy to feel how you want to feel every day.
Are you struggling with daily life, goals, or your relationship with yourself or others? Do fear, anxiety, low self-worth, setting boundaries, or anger hold you back? I offer a collaborative, non-judgmental approach focused on helping you rediscover your self-worth and innate ability to navigate life's challenges. With a background in addiction treatment and a diverse upbringing, I integrate Eastern philosophy and spirituality into my practice. I presently exclusively offer online sessions while working closely with a dedicated team at Strength Counselling Services.
Are you struggling with daily life, goals, or your relationship with yourself or others? Do fear, anxiety, low self-worth, setting boundaries, or anger hold you back? I offer a collaborative, non-judgmental approach focused on helping you rediscover your self-worth and innate ability to navigate life's challenges. With a background in addiction treatment and a diverse upbringing, I integrate Eastern philosophy and spirituality into my practice. I presently exclusively offer online sessions while working closely with a dedicated team at Strength Counselling Services.
Most of how we feel, respond and think is based on unconscious patterning beliefs. I am committed to providing a safe and compassionate space for you to feel welcomed where ever you are at. By shedding light on what is unconscious through the pathway of increased awareness major transformation, healing and new neural connections can occur. The secret to feeling more ease lies in examining the core issues that are causing the distress and look directly into those places that we are avoiding. This approach arises from my experience that lasting change occurs when metal, physical, emotional and spiritual systems are all involved.
Most of how we feel, respond and think is based on unconscious patterning beliefs. I am committed to providing a safe and compassionate space for you to feel welcomed where ever you are at. By shedding light on what is unconscious through the pathway of increased awareness major transformation, healing and new neural connections can occur. The secret to feeling more ease lies in examining the core issues that are causing the distress and look directly into those places that we are avoiding. This approach arises from my experience that lasting change occurs when metal, physical, emotional and spiritual systems are all involved.
The COVID-19 Pandemic, Russian-Ukrainian conflict, runaway inflation, housing/food crisis, rise in violent crime, etc.; what do all of these events have in common? They subconsciously affect everyone's behaviour and thoughts. All of us are part of the same social fabric, and what affects the whole affects its parts, & vice-versa. No one is immune from these external influences; everybody feels the consequences of global, political & economic turmoil. The effects may be subtle, but our mood, energy & health are unequivocally impacted; our perception of ourselves & others may fluctuate wildly and our relationships suffer considerably.
The COVID-19 Pandemic, Russian-Ukrainian conflict, runaway inflation, housing/food crisis, rise in violent crime, etc.; what do all of these events have in common? They subconsciously affect everyone's behaviour and thoughts. All of us are part of the same social fabric, and what affects the whole affects its parts, & vice-versa. No one is immune from these external influences; everybody feels the consequences of global, political & economic turmoil. The effects may be subtle, but our mood, energy & health are unequivocally impacted; our perception of ourselves & others may fluctuate wildly and our relationships suffer considerably.
It Takes Practice Counselling Services
Psychologist, PhD, RPsych
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Canmore, AB T1W
Welcome! Our therapists specialize in individual, family, and couples counselling. Whether you are having relationship issues, feeling the magnitude of stress and overwhelm, or feeling stuck and disheartened, our therapists would be honored to walk with you along your path of healing. At our clinic, we will support you in managing depression, anxiety, developing healthier communication, boundaries, and/or emotional flexibility. With extensive education, training, and life experience, our therapists provide support to explore painful experiences in a safe, non-judgmental space.
Welcome! Our therapists specialize in individual, family, and couples counselling. Whether you are having relationship issues, feeling the magnitude of stress and overwhelm, or feeling stuck and disheartened, our therapists would be honored to walk with you along your path of healing. At our clinic, we will support you in managing depression, anxiety, developing healthier communication, boundaries, and/or emotional flexibility. With extensive education, training, and life experience, our therapists provide support to explore painful experiences in a safe, non-judgmental space.
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Cristina Sherren
Registered Provisional Psychologist, MA
Verified Verified
7 Endorsed
Canmore, AB T1W
What are the unique challenges you face that keep you from living your most vibrant and authentic life? My goal is to help you illuminate these barriers and approach them with a refreshed perspective where you can face them authentically with courage and move through the fear that can get us all stuck at times. I climb mountains because demanding experiences test me, light me up, and ground me simultaneously and I bring this perspective to therapy. I want to help guide you into finding a deep sense of calm amidst your own challenges and make space where you can appreciate just how tenacious you can be and create lasting change.
What are the unique challenges you face that keep you from living your most vibrant and authentic life? My goal is to help you illuminate these barriers and approach them with a refreshed perspective where you can face them authentically with courage and move through the fear that can get us all stuck at times. I climb mountains because demanding experiences test me, light me up, and ground me simultaneously and I bring this perspective to therapy. I want to help guide you into finding a deep sense of calm amidst your own challenges and make space where you can appreciate just how tenacious you can be and create lasting change.
I work from a client centered approach as the basis for our work together. We can then decide on which of the empirically supported approaches (or more likely which combination of approaches) is the best fit for you and your situation. The basis is a non-judgmental stance to what you face and designing a tailored, you-specific, empirically supported approach to help you gain a better understanding of your situation and more adaptive ways of managing or coping. I borrow from various approaches including client-centered, Cognitive-behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment, Mindfulness-based, Emotion focused, and insight oriented.
I work from a client centered approach as the basis for our work together. We can then decide on which of the empirically supported approaches (or more likely which combination of approaches) is the best fit for you and your situation. The basis is a non-judgmental stance to what you face and designing a tailored, you-specific, empirically supported approach to help you gain a better understanding of your situation and more adaptive ways of managing or coping. I borrow from various approaches including client-centered, Cognitive-behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment, Mindfulness-based, Emotion focused, and insight oriented.
CONFIDENTIAL, COMPASSIONATE, SKILLED...My clients are curious, brave and ready to evolve, even if they're not quite sure what that looks like yet. They are looking to access the underlying roots of present day triggers, to live authentically in a world that promotes quick fix solutions and unending busyness. Meaningful growth commands us to slow down, pay attention, inquire within, and be (not do). Individuals that connect with me are ready for something different, something deeper. They are ready to develop a more compassionate relationship to the parts of self that are calling for attention. They are ready to thrive.
CONFIDENTIAL, COMPASSIONATE, SKILLED...My clients are curious, brave and ready to evolve, even if they're not quite sure what that looks like yet. They are looking to access the underlying roots of present day triggers, to live authentically in a world that promotes quick fix solutions and unending busyness. Meaningful growth commands us to slow down, pay attention, inquire within, and be (not do). Individuals that connect with me are ready for something different, something deeper. They are ready to develop a more compassionate relationship to the parts of self that are calling for attention. They are ready to thrive.
Modern life is full of complex pressures—though it doesn’t come with a road map to help us make sense of where we are or where we want to go. Sometimes we get stuck and need some assistance finding direction. Every person has the capacity for growth; yet every person’s story, life experiences, and hurdles are different.
Modern life is full of complex pressures—though it doesn’t come with a road map to help us make sense of where we are or where we want to go. Sometimes we get stuck and need some assistance finding direction. Every person has the capacity for growth; yet every person’s story, life experiences, and hurdles are different.
Areas of Specialization: Goal Setting and Personal Growth Coaching Spiritual Wellness and Emotional Wellness Physical Wellness and Mental Wellness Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Trauma and PTSD, Life Transitions, Grief and Loss.
I have had the privilege of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds through a wide range of challenges, including mindset, communication, boundaries, core beliefs, goal setting, life transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and cultivating mindfulness.
Areas of Specialization: Goal Setting and Personal Growth Coaching Spiritual Wellness and Emotional Wellness Physical Wellness and Mental Wellness Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Trauma and PTSD, Life Transitions, Grief and Loss.
I have had the privilege of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds through a wide range of challenges, including mindset, communication, boundaries, core beliefs, goal setting, life transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and cultivating mindfulness.
Stephanie L Patterson
Registered Social Worker, MSW, BSW, RSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Canmore, AB T1W
Stephanie brings the experience of 17 years as a Registered Social Worker, working with children, youth, adults, and families who have experienced the impact of trauma, interpersonal violence, attachment difficulties, life transitions, grief/ loss, and difficult family dynamics. Helping clients work through these difficulties in a collaborative, safe and respectful manner in a healing relationship is her top priority.
Stephanie brings the experience of 17 years as a Registered Social Worker, working with children, youth, adults, and families who have experienced the impact of trauma, interpersonal violence, attachment difficulties, life transitions, grief/ loss, and difficult family dynamics. Helping clients work through these difficulties in a collaborative, safe and respectful manner in a healing relationship is her top priority.
I provide a nonjudgmental space that encourages clients to be themselves. I encourage and utilize humour within sessions and believe therapy is most effective when clients are involved in the development of goals and treatment approaches for their specific needs. I provide counselling services to teens (12+ with limited availability), adults, seniors, and couples. My areas of experience and interest include: Anxiety, BPD, Couples and Relationships (Monogamous & Alternative Lifestyles, Kink friendly), Depression, LGBTQ2S+, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Sexuality and Gender Identity, Stress Management, Trauma & PTSD.
I provide a nonjudgmental space that encourages clients to be themselves. I encourage and utilize humour within sessions and believe therapy is most effective when clients are involved in the development of goals and treatment approaches for their specific needs. I provide counselling services to teens (12+ with limited availability), adults, seniors, and couples. My areas of experience and interest include: Anxiety, BPD, Couples and Relationships (Monogamous & Alternative Lifestyles, Kink friendly), Depression, LGBTQ2S+, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Sexuality and Gender Identity, Stress Management, Trauma & PTSD.
NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS - My passion for psychology comes from my genuine belief that we have the ability to not only overcome significant challenges, but to transform our lives. As a Registered Psychologist, I work with a wide range of topics including relationship challenges (i.e. intimacy, communication, infidelity, separation/divorce, blended family, etc.), trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief and loss, and wellness. As an AASECT certified Sex Therapist, I am highly trained in working with sexual(ity) concerns, alternative relationship structures (i.e. open relationship, Poly, Kink), and LGBTQ2S+ challenges.
NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS - My passion for psychology comes from my genuine belief that we have the ability to not only overcome significant challenges, but to transform our lives. As a Registered Psychologist, I work with a wide range of topics including relationship challenges (i.e. intimacy, communication, infidelity, separation/divorce, blended family, etc.), trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief and loss, and wellness. As an AASECT certified Sex Therapist, I am highly trained in working with sexual(ity) concerns, alternative relationship structures (i.e. open relationship, Poly, Kink), and LGBTQ2S+ challenges.
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LGBTQ+ Counsellors
Do LGBTQ-affirmative therapists receive special training?
Yes. Many therapists who practice LGBTQ-affirmative therapy have completed specialised training, either during their degree programme or as continuing education, to learn the core principles of affirmative therapy and how to best support their LGBTQ clients; some have received certifications in LGBTQ-affirmative therapy. Prospective clients should inquire as to a clinician’s background and training to ensure a good fit.
Why might I want to see an LGBTQ-affirming or LGBTQ-friendly therapist?
Queer and gender-non-conforming individuals frequently experience bias and marginalisation in day-to-day life. Working with a therapist who understands these unique challenges, as well as accepts and affirms their identity, can help LGBTQ clients feel safe and supported during therapy—allowing them to better navigate their relationships, mental health, and anything else that they wish to explore during therapy. It is important to note that many therapists can be effective in their work with LGBTQ+ individuals, even in the absence of specific training or background knowledge. The most important component in therapy is the alliance between therapist and client, and this alliance can exist between individuals with very different backgrounds.
How can I find an LGBTQ-friendly therapist?
You may wish to inquire about a therapist’s expertise with your specific challenges or concerns—depression, for example, or relationship strife—as well as their past experiences treating LGBTQ+ clients. Prospective clients may also ask whether a therapist has obtained additional training and/or certification in LGBTQ-affirmative techniques.
How can I inquire about a therapist’s experience with LGBTQ issues?
Prospective clients should feel empowered to directly ask therapists whether they have received training or been certified in LGBTQ-affirming therapy; competent therapists will be happy to explain their educational background and preferred approach(es) to help a client find the best match for them. Clients may also wish to ask how a therapist has treated clients with their particular challenges in the past and what they expect treatment to look like.
Are all the therapists listed in the LGBTQ directory themselves members of the LGBTQ community?
While therapists may choose to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity in their profiles, the LGBTQ directory features not only those who have shared this information but also those who assert specialised training or experience in providing support to queer individuals, couples or families.