I try to bring a steady presence to therapy to help anchor wherever you need to go. I specialize in helping with work/life balance struggles, life transitions, parenting, attachment, adoption and fostering (I am an adoptive parent), ADHD, and grief and loss. I see human struggles mostly from an attachment/early-life and developmental process perspective, but I utilize a variety of therapeutic tools and techniques. I enjoy creating a collaborative environment and sharing the path to wellness for individuals and parents and families.
I am a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a Canadian Certified Counsellor in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. I hold a Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle in Canada and a postgraduate diploma in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland.
I have experience in supporting individuals through grief and loss, suicide bereavement, couple relationships, family therapy, parenting support, adoption and fostering, anxiety, and depression. I have held positions at Canadian Mental Health Association, St. Mary’s University, Amaris Adoption and Family Support Services (where I also served as a board member), and Norum Psychological Services. I have also given workshop presentations and mental health talks at Woods Homes, Amaris Adoption and Family Support Services, Adoption Options, SAIT, and The Mustard Seed Calgary.
I am trained in EMDR, EMDR with children, and relationship support. I have extensive experience in facilitating both psychoeducational and counselling support groups. I am also trained in the gold standard assessment tools for identifying and diagnosing Autism (ADOS 2 and the ADI-R).
When not at Solasta (or sometimes when I am!), I enjoy hanging out with my children, searching for the best Chinese food in Calgary, and getting up in the dark early on Saturday mornings to watch Scottish football.
Publications:
- 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.
