Solasta Counselling is honoured to be named a finalist for the Air Canada Community Champion Award at the 2026 Calgary Chamber Small Business Awards.
Written by Scott McKirdy and Dr. Gillian McKirdy, Registered Psychologists and Founders of Solasta Counselling.
This recognition means a great deal to us because we believe a local business should contribute to the community around it—not only through the services it provides, but through practical support for the people, organizations, and future professionals who make Calgary the city we are proud to call home.
Through Solasta’s supervised student clinician program, more than 750 free counselling sessions have been delivered to community members. Our senior clinicians have also contributed more than 200 hours of free supervision and mentorship, helping future mental-health professionals build the skills and support they need to serve clients well.
We are also proud to support women and girls in Calgary sport through our sponsorship of Calgary Blizzard FC’s women’s team and Team Melville, a competitive U18 women’s curling team. Beyond these initiatives, our team participates in Calgary’s autism community and works with funded programs and organizations that help reduce financial barriers to counselling and psychological assessment.
Scott and Gillian moved to Calgary after careers in public service in the United Kingdom. We are grateful for the welcome this city gave our family and for the opportunity to build a practice that can contribute to Calgary in return.
Thank you to our clients, community partners, student clinicians, team members, and the wider Calgary community. We are honoured to celebrate alongside fellow local businesses at the Calgary Small Business Awards Gala on October 23, 2026.
To learn more about Solasta’s ongoing Calgary community work – including our free counselling program, clinician training, accessibility partnerships, and support for local sport – please visit our Calgary Community page >>