Hello and welcome! I’m a Registered Psychologist (College of Alberta Psychologists) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association), as well as a Certified EMDR Therapist. My academic background includes a Doctor of Psychology from California Southern University, a Master’s of Counselling from City University in Canada, a Master’s of Science in Social Policy, and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. I am also part of the Associate Faculty at City University in Canada, and have previously served as an Assistant Professor at Providence University College.
As a compassionate therapist, I specialize in working with children, families, and individuals, focusing on attachment, trauma, and PTSD in both children and adults. I have advanced training in EMDR, including the EMDR Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol (IATP) to help strengthen family bonds and resolve trauma. My therapeutic approach also draws on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Parts/Ego State Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)—including direct training with Dr. Daniel Hughes—Theraplay, and the Marschak Interaction Method (MIM).
In addition to therapy, I provide evidence-based, neuro-informed assessments for both children and adults, including psychoeducational, ADHD, and autism assessments. I am trained in gold-standard autism diagnostic tools (ADOS-2, ADI-R) as well as the MIGDAS-2, a sensory-based assessment. I have also completed additional training focused on assessing autistic women and understanding the impact of masking.
Outside of my work at Solasta, I love spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga, and exploring nature on walks.
Publications:
- McKirdy, G. C. (2022). The Lived Experiences of Adoptive Parents Experiencing Blocked Care. California Southern University.
- McKirdy, G. C., Roughley, R. A., & McKirdy, S. A. (2019). From Proving Perfection to Seeking Support: The Lived Experiences of Adoptive Parents in Alberta. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 53(3), 276-295.
- McKirdy, G. C., & Roughley, R. (2018, October). The Experience of Adoptive Parents Accessing Support Services in Alberta: Implications for Counselling. Poster session presented at the Canadian Counselling Psychology Conference, Calgary, Alberta.
