Adoption Therapists in Sylvan Lake, AB
Are you experiencing distressing memories, images, thoughts, and perceptions of your traumatic experience? Maybe you are encountering nightmares and flashbacks and reliving the events as if they were still happening increasing irritability, difficulty sleeping, hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startle responses, and detachment from those around you. Your experience may have triggered your inner alarm system keeping you in a place where you think you can’t escape your feelings and feel out of control.
Are you experiencing distressing memories, images, thoughts, and perceptions of your traumatic experience? Maybe you are encountering nightmares and flashbacks and reliving the events as if they were still happening increasing irritability, difficulty sleeping, hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startle responses, and detachment from those around you. Your experience may have triggered your inner alarm system keeping you in a place where you think you can’t escape your feelings and feel out of control.
Renyou Psychology specializes in Developmental Clinical Psychology in children aged 2-12 years. We also see adolescents with developmental disabilities and offer Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment for adults.
Renyou Psychology specializes in Developmental Clinical Psychology in children aged 2-12 years. We also see adolescents with developmental disabilities and offer Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment for adults.
Hopscotch Counselling
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, BSW, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Sylvan Lake, AB T4S
Issues of concern can arise for all families as children grow though various stages. With experience working with children and families in various capacities, issues such as parent teen conflict, grief and loss, divorce, depression, anxiety, attachment, and inattention can be addressed.
Issues of concern can arise for all families as children grow though various stages. With experience working with children and families in various capacities, issues such as parent teen conflict, grief and loss, divorce, depression, anxiety, attachment, and inattention can be addressed.
Kim Appel
Counsellor, CCC, MACP, BEd, BSc
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Sylvan Lake, AB T4S (Online Only)
Online Therapists
I also have experience working with families of various configurations, including non-traditional, foster and adoption/kinship.
I am passionate about supporting and empowering children, adolescents, parents and families in overcoming obstacles and discovering their full potential. I work from a collaborative framework, and believe that counselling works best when client and therapist are working together to address concerns and reach goals. I have built my practice around strengths-based, integrative modalities including Synergetic Play Therapy, Theraplay, expressive arts, sandplay, Polyvagal theory, CBT, somatic and mindfulness based practices.
I also have experience working with families of various configurations, including non-traditional, foster and adoption/kinship.
I am passionate about supporting and empowering children, adolescents, parents and families in overcoming obstacles and discovering their full potential. I work from a collaborative framework, and believe that counselling works best when client and therapist are working together to address concerns and reach goals. I have built my practice around strengths-based, integrative modalities including Synergetic Play Therapy, Theraplay, expressive arts, sandplay, Polyvagal theory, CBT, somatic and mindfulness based practices.
With specialized knowledge in adoption, family relationships, and grief/loss, I can help you work through your difficulties.
Your needs are important, and I am here to help you feel supported and validated, whether you are seeking support for yourself, with your partner or as a family. You will always feel listened to in my counselling room. A counselling approach that uses emotion to change emotion is powerful and offers so much hope. It is effective with couples and individuals alike. Meeting your unique needs is what matters most, so I am flexible and incorporate a range of interventions that will help you reach your goals. Counselling is not "one size fits all"; it is a creative process of working together to help you feel in control of your life.
With specialized knowledge in adoption, family relationships, and grief/loss, I can help you work through your difficulties.
Your needs are important, and I am here to help you feel supported and validated, whether you are seeking support for yourself, with your partner or as a family. You will always feel listened to in my counselling room. A counselling approach that uses emotion to change emotion is powerful and offers so much hope. It is effective with couples and individuals alike. Meeting your unique needs is what matters most, so I am flexible and incorporate a range of interventions that will help you reach your goals. Counselling is not "one size fits all"; it is a creative process of working together to help you feel in control of your life.
Hi! I am a Registered Psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with individuals and families. I am passionate about helping women navigate through life transitions, parenting/mothering issues and relationships. I focus on women’s mental health around fertility, pregnancy, maternal/postpartum depression/anxiety, mothering issues, couples/relationship issues, adoption and step-parenting. I practice from an integrative approach and adjust my therapeutic method based on each individual’s unique needs and experiences, and am committed to making counselling a collaborative, comfortable, and positive experience.
Hi! I am a Registered Psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with individuals and families. I am passionate about helping women navigate through life transitions, parenting/mothering issues and relationships. I focus on women’s mental health around fertility, pregnancy, maternal/postpartum depression/anxiety, mothering issues, couples/relationship issues, adoption and step-parenting. I practice from an integrative approach and adjust my therapeutic method based on each individual’s unique needs and experiences, and am committed to making counselling a collaborative, comfortable, and positive experience.
Karlynn Wakulchyk
Registered Provisional Psychologist, MC
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Calgary, AB T2X
I have experience with trauma work, parenting, adoption, attachment, ADHD in children, grief, loss, anxiety and depression.
Now accepting new clients. In light of current global circumstances, you may find you are thinking more about your mental health. Perhaps there is more anxiety, depression or stress in your life. Old trauma may be surfacing and you find yourself struggling to not feel overwhelmed. Perhaps your child or adolescent is now struggling more than before with anxiety, depression, or other behaviours that concern you. You may want to reconnect back to your old joyful self or see that in your child or children. You do not need to walk the road alone. I am here to walk alongside you or your child.
I have experience with trauma work, parenting, adoption, attachment, ADHD in children, grief, loss, anxiety and depression.
Now accepting new clients. In light of current global circumstances, you may find you are thinking more about your mental health. Perhaps there is more anxiety, depression or stress in your life. Old trauma may be surfacing and you find yourself struggling to not feel overwhelmed. Perhaps your child or adolescent is now struggling more than before with anxiety, depression, or other behaviours that concern you. You may want to reconnect back to your old joyful self or see that in your child or children. You do not need to walk the road alone. I am here to walk alongside you or your child.
I work with individuals, parents, children, teens and families looking for support for a wide range of issues. I specialize in issues relating to trauma for adults and children, PTSD, adoption (I am an adoptive parent), parenting, attachment, ADHD, trauma, loss, accepting a diagnosis for you or your child, and living well with chronic disease. I also provide psychoeducational assessments.
I work with individuals, parents, children, teens and families looking for support for a wide range of issues. I specialize in issues relating to trauma for adults and children, PTSD, adoption (I am an adoptive parent), parenting, attachment, ADHD, trauma, loss, accepting a diagnosis for you or your child, and living well with chronic disease. I also provide psychoeducational assessments.
I have a special interest in post-secondary concerns, parenting, adoption, ADHD, procrastination, sleep and insomnia, trauma, grief, mindfulness, burnout, and chronic pain & illness.
Everyone has times in their life when they can benefit from some additional support. Seeing a counsellor shouldn’t be an intimidating experience. My goal is to help you discover new ways of looking at your life and learn skills that will help you move forward. You are the expert in what you are going through, but I will support and guide you as you set goals and make the changes you want to make.
I have a special interest in post-secondary concerns, parenting, adoption, ADHD, procrastination, sleep and insomnia, trauma, grief, mindfulness, burnout, and chronic pain & illness.
Everyone has times in their life when they can benefit from some additional support. Seeing a counsellor shouldn’t be an intimidating experience. My goal is to help you discover new ways of looking at your life and learn skills that will help you move forward. You are the expert in what you are going through, but I will support and guide you as you set goals and make the changes you want to make.
Amy Paris
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, BA, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
Edmonton, AB T6W (Online Only)
My areas of specialization include anxiety, trauma, stress, relationship issues, grief and loss, fertility complications, child abuse, attachment and adoption to name a few.
I am a Registered Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work with a Clinical specialization. I’m originally from a small town in New Brunswick and completed my studies in several Provinces across Canada. I also resided abroad for over a year and gained further experience in the field. I bring knowledge from multiple settings in the field with significant experience from children and families who have experienced child abuse or navigated through the Child and Family Services system, adoption and post adoption supports.
My areas of specialization include anxiety, trauma, stress, relationship issues, grief and loss, fertility complications, child abuse, attachment and adoption to name a few.
I am a Registered Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work with a Clinical specialization. I’m originally from a small town in New Brunswick and completed my studies in several Provinces across Canada. I also resided abroad for over a year and gained further experience in the field. I bring knowledge from multiple settings in the field with significant experience from children and families who have experienced child abuse or navigated through the Child and Family Services system, adoption and post adoption supports.
I am a clinical psychologist who provides specialized services when individuals have concerns related to relationships, behavior, adjustment (separation, medical diagnosis), family change and hardship (infertility, adoption, separation), and mood. These services often include individual therapy (children, youth, adults), couples counselling, and family therapy. With nearly 20 years of experience in the areas of child/family interventions and attachment theory, I provide tailored and compassionate psychological services that reflect my clients’ concerns and goals, current research, and my professional knowledge.
I am a clinical psychologist who provides specialized services when individuals have concerns related to relationships, behavior, adjustment (separation, medical diagnosis), family change and hardship (infertility, adoption, separation), and mood. These services often include individual therapy (children, youth, adults), couples counselling, and family therapy. With nearly 20 years of experience in the areas of child/family interventions and attachment theory, I provide tailored and compassionate psychological services that reflect my clients’ concerns and goals, current research, and my professional knowledge.
Parenting requires so much from us and it can bring up many emotions when our children struggle. I specialize in parent counselling & coaching. I support and empower parents to feel more confident, attuned and skilled in their parenting journey. Parent counselling can help with issues such as anxiety, temper tantrums, aggression, defiance, sibling issues, adoption, conflict, power struggles and many more issues. We will work together to understand your child's emotional world, how to support your child in successfully regulating their emotions, enhance your connection with your child and implement evidence based strategies.
Parenting requires so much from us and it can bring up many emotions when our children struggle. I specialize in parent counselling & coaching. I support and empower parents to feel more confident, attuned and skilled in their parenting journey. Parent counselling can help with issues such as anxiety, temper tantrums, aggression, defiance, sibling issues, adoption, conflict, power struggles and many more issues. We will work together to understand your child's emotional world, how to support your child in successfully regulating their emotions, enhance your connection with your child and implement evidence based strategies.
In SMART therapy clients are directed to REGULATE through MOVEMENT and as a result START TALKING so problem solving and healing can happen. Therapy is provided in a specially designed room with specialized equipment, such as arial swings, spinning, weighted blankets, balance beams, fitness balls, person sized pea-pod, body socks, dolphin pillows, and safe cubby holes, and tents. Movement, rest and safety is used to support natural ways of regulating bodies and emotions, facilitate parent-child attachment-building and allow for embodied processing of hurtful and traumatic experiences. It is not at all like traditional play therapy.
In SMART therapy clients are directed to REGULATE through MOVEMENT and as a result START TALKING so problem solving and healing can happen. Therapy is provided in a specially designed room with specialized equipment, such as arial swings, spinning, weighted blankets, balance beams, fitness balls, person sized pea-pod, body socks, dolphin pillows, and safe cubby holes, and tents. Movement, rest and safety is used to support natural ways of regulating bodies and emotions, facilitate parent-child attachment-building and allow for embodied processing of hurtful and traumatic experiences. It is not at all like traditional play therapy.
Chelsea Smyth
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Calgary, AB T3H (Online Only)
My name is Chelsea Smyth and I am the founder of Village Therapy. The pressure and expectations on mothers are at an all-time high, yet the traditional support system of the village no longer exists. I founded Village Therapy to help women navigate motherhood and to help them in building their village, so that they can shift from surviving to thriving. Whether you are pregnant, postpartum, or have experienced infertility or pregnancy loss, I want to help you on your journey to feeling well again. Village Therapy makes accessing counselling easy, by offering all of our sessions by telephone or live video chat.
My name is Chelsea Smyth and I am the founder of Village Therapy. The pressure and expectations on mothers are at an all-time high, yet the traditional support system of the village no longer exists. I founded Village Therapy to help women navigate motherhood and to help them in building their village, so that they can shift from surviving to thriving. Whether you are pregnant, postpartum, or have experienced infertility or pregnancy loss, I want to help you on your journey to feeling well again. Village Therapy makes accessing counselling easy, by offering all of our sessions by telephone or live video chat.
Jennifer McIntee-Leinweber
Psychologist, BEd, MA, RPsych
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Airdrie, AB T4B
Hello! I'm a Registered Psychologist who is passionate about helping children, adolescents, adults and couples be their best selves. If you are experiencing problematic trauma symptoms such as PTSD or C-PTSD, problematic substance use, relationship issues, or struggle with meeting the needs of daily life, therapy may be able to help! Together, we will develop customized goals that meet your needs, develop useful coping strategies, and create some forward momentum to help improve your quality of life.
Hello! I'm a Registered Psychologist who is passionate about helping children, adolescents, adults and couples be their best selves. If you are experiencing problematic trauma symptoms such as PTSD or C-PTSD, problematic substance use, relationship issues, or struggle with meeting the needs of daily life, therapy may be able to help! Together, we will develop customized goals that meet your needs, develop useful coping strategies, and create some forward momentum to help improve your quality of life.
Life is not a straightforward path, nor is it an easy one. It is filled with many twists and turns and ups and downs. These moments are essential to our growth. At each point, whether it is one that has us rising or falling, there are changes to navigate and opportunities to harness our own personal strengths and power, to help us excel and live our best and most authentic lives possible.
Life is not a straightforward path, nor is it an easy one. It is filled with many twists and turns and ups and downs. These moments are essential to our growth. At each point, whether it is one that has us rising or falling, there are changes to navigate and opportunities to harness our own personal strengths and power, to help us excel and live our best and most authentic lives possible.
*I am currently accepting new clients, both in person and online.* My passion is working with individuals and couples who are experiencing relationship issues. I believe that many of our current challenges are rooted in our past and that by uncovering and working through our past relationship difficulties, including attachment and abandonment injuries, we can begin to heal. I love working with clients who are wanting to make changes in their lives by digging deep and working to address whatever issues they are facing.
*I am currently accepting new clients, both in person and online.* My passion is working with individuals and couples who are experiencing relationship issues. I believe that many of our current challenges are rooted in our past and that by uncovering and working through our past relationship difficulties, including attachment and abandonment injuries, we can begin to heal. I love working with clients who are wanting to make changes in their lives by digging deep and working to address whatever issues they are facing.
Resilience at Play Psychology
Psychologist, RPsych, MAPsych
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Calgary, AB T2M
As a psychologist I often hear "no one can help because no one understands!". Sometimes people feel overwhelmed and alone in the pain, fear and uncertainty. When chaos and crises are your daily reality, how do you manage? When you keep thinking about the horrible things that did or could happen, how do you stop? When you don't want to get up in the morning, how do you face the day? Honestly, I don't have all the answers but I have personally seen people find joy despite ongoing sorrow and I have seen tears and smiles coexist. I believe that with the right support, all people can explore how to find a sense of calm within the storm.
As a psychologist I often hear "no one can help because no one understands!". Sometimes people feel overwhelmed and alone in the pain, fear and uncertainty. When chaos and crises are your daily reality, how do you manage? When you keep thinking about the horrible things that did or could happen, how do you stop? When you don't want to get up in the morning, how do you face the day? Honestly, I don't have all the answers but I have personally seen people find joy despite ongoing sorrow and I have seen tears and smiles coexist. I believe that with the right support, all people can explore how to find a sense of calm within the storm.
I am a registered Psychologist offering individual, couples, & family counselling. I am also trained to provide psychological assessments for adults. I love getting to the roots of issues you are facing, and I desire to foster hope in your life. I work collaboratively to address difficulties you may be facing and we can make goals together for counselling. My counselling approach is focused on looking for holistic, long lasting change in your life. I don't want you to need to come see me forever - I want to work through things with you and help you with skills so you can manage on your own.
I am a registered Psychologist offering individual, couples, & family counselling. I am also trained to provide psychological assessments for adults. I love getting to the roots of issues you are facing, and I desire to foster hope in your life. I work collaboratively to address difficulties you may be facing and we can make goals together for counselling. My counselling approach is focused on looking for holistic, long lasting change in your life. I don't want you to need to come see me forever - I want to work through things with you and help you with skills so you can manage on your own.
See more therapy options for Sylvan Lake
Adoption Counsellors
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioural or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioural, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.