Marissa Whalley Calgary Psychologist
I know firsthand that finding a therapist who feels like the right fit can seem like an overwhelming task. Not only is it vulnerable, but at times it can be difficult to get a sense of who this person is or how they might be able to help. I will do my best to be transparent here about who I am and what therapy might be like with me.
First and foremost, I show up to therapy not just as a psychologist, but more importantly as a human being. I will listen to you with genuine care and curiosity, do my best to ensure you feel heard and valued, provide encouragement, offer new perspectives when needed, and even crack a joke or two with those who fancy it. Clients often describe me as warm, approachable, and real — qualities I see as essential in building a safe therapeutic relationship.
Marissa Whalley Calgary Psychologist
In addition to the areas of work I’ve listed above, I especially find fulfillment in supporting people through traumatic experiences (religious, spiritual, or relational), holistic health (recognizing the importance of not just our mind but also our physical and spiritual wellbeing in therapy), effective communication, anxiety, and emotion regulation. For many clients, therapy is not only about reducing symptoms but also about reconnecting with themselves, their values, and the people who matter most to them.
When we work together, I believe in blending evidence-based practices with compassion and flexibility. While I value the training I’ve received to guide us, I also deeply value your input in our sessions. You are the expert on your life, and I see therapy as a collaborative process. With our combined wisdom, I am hopeful we can make some of the emotionally heavy stuff feel a little less heavy.
If this resonates with you, I would be honoured to chat further. Reaching out to a counsellor can be intimidating, but it’s also a brave and hopeful first step. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable showing up as yourself and where we can work together toward clarity, healing, and growth.
I am a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists. I hold a Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle in Canada, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Mount Royal University, and a Certificate of Integrative Health Coaching from Mount Royal University. I have several years of experience working directly with teens, adults, and couples, especially in the areas of emotion regulation and communication. I am trained in EMDR and have obtained Level 2 training in both DBT and Gottman Couples Therapy. These approaches allow me to integrate skills-based strategies with deeper processing work, depending on your needs.
As a psychologist based in Calgary, I am passionate about making counselling accessible and meaningful for people at different stages of life. Whether you are navigating anxiety, working through past trauma, exploring identity, or seeking to strengthen your relationships, I aim to provide therapy that is both supportive and practical.
In my free time, you may find me snuggling my 100-pound Golden Mountain dog named Bear, playing volleyball, skiing, singing off my Bluetooth karaoke microphone, aimlessly seeking a new spot in nature to explore, or pretending not to doze off on the couch while watching Netflix with my partner.
