Marissa Whalley, Registered Psychologist, EMDR and Gottman trained at Solasta Counselling in Calgary

Marissa Whalley

MC, R.Psych
Registered Psychologist, Early Career Development Lead
EMDR Therapist
Accepting New Clients

Works with adults and couples on relational trauma, emotion regulation, communication, people-pleasing, boundaries and perfectionism, using EMDR, Gottman and DBT. In person in NW Calgary or online.

FEE

$235

individual or couples session

INSURANCE

Direct Billing

Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife and more

WHERE

In person & online

NW Calgary · online anywhere in Alberta

LANGUAGES

English

HOURS

Days & evenings

In person or online

Outside Alberta? Marissa can also offer online counselling to clients in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

About Marissa

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. I aim to be warm, approachable, and real, qualities I see as essential in building a safe therapeutic relationship.

In addition to the areas of work I’ve listed above, I especially find fulfillment in supporting people through traumatic experiences (relational, religious, or spiritual), effective communication, anxiety, and emotion regulation. I also bring a holistic lens, shaped by my training in integrative health coaching, that recognizes the importance of not just our mind but also our physical and spiritual wellbeing in therapy. 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.

I have several years of experience working directly with 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.

I also serve as Solasta’s Early Career Development Lead, overseeing how our student counselling interns and early-career clinicians are trained, onboarded, and supported as they grow, including through our free student counselling program. Supporting the next generation of Calgary therapists keeps me grounded in the basics of good therapy: curiosity, humility, and always continuing to learn.

As a psychologist 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.

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.

Who I work with

AdultsCouplesYoung Adults

Communities:

Adults and couples, including people working through relationship patterns, people-pleasing, identity questions and faith-related experiences.

What I can help with

Relational Trauma ›EMDR ›Couples & Relationships ›Emotion RegulationPeople-PleasingBoundaries & AssertivenessAnxiety ›Perfectionism

Also:

religious and spiritual trauma, spiritual and existential concerns, depression, self-esteem, grief and loss, ADHD, anger, burnout, identity and life transitions, and holistic wellbeing.

How I work

EMDR

A structured approach that helps the brain reprocess painful memories and beliefs, so relational and other past trauma carries less charge in the present.

Gottman Method couples therapy

Level 2 trained. Practical tools to understand conflict patterns, communicate more effectively and rebuild connection and trust.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Level 2 trained. Skills for regulating emotions, tolerating distress and expressing needs and boundaries with others.

Also:

ACT, CBT, client-centred therapy, and a holistic lens from her integrative health coaching training.

A bit more about me

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.

Fees and insurance

Session fee: $235.
We direct bill most major insurers, including Alberta Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, GreenShield and Canada Life. Coverage varies by plan, so check your benefits with your insurer.

How to get started

Book a free 20-minute consultation to see if it feels like a good fit. If it does, book your first session online or by phone, in person or online.

Prefer to talk first? Call (587) 487-7015.

Credentials and training

REGISTRATION

Registered Psychologist, College of Alberta Psychologists #6845

EDUCATION

Master of Counselling, City University of Seattle (2022) · BA in Psychology, Mount Royal University · Integrative Health Coaching Certificate, Mount Royal University

EXPERIENCE

Early Career Development Lead, Solasta Counselling · Counselling since 2022 · Previously Living Well Counselling Services and Insight Counselling and Therapy Centre

KEY TRAINING

EMDR Basic Training Levels 1 & 2 (2024) · Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 2 (2023) · DBT Level 2 · safeTALK · Crisis Prevention Institute Levels 1 & 2

Questions about seeing Marissa

Does Marissa offer EMDR therapy?

Yes. Marissa is trained in EMDR (Basic Levels 1 & 2) and uses it with adults working through relational trauma and other painful experiences, alongside skills-based approaches like DBT.
Yes. Marissa has Level 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and helps couples with communication, recurring conflict, emotional disconnection and rebuilding connection. Couples sessions are $235.
Yes. Marissa often works with people-pleasing, boundaries, assertiveness and perfectionism, using DBT, ACT and self-compassion-based approaches to help you express your needs with confidence.
Marissa oversees how Solasta’s student counselling interns and early-career clinicians are trained, onboarded and supported, including through our free student counselling program.
Marissa sees adults (18+) and couples during the day and in the evening, in person at our NW Calgary office or online. She can also see clients online in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Not sure if Marissa is the right fit?

A free 20-minute call is the easiest way to find out. There’s no commitment.
Profile last updated October 2026
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