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.

I am a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists, a Canadian Certified Counsellor in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and a Certified EMDR Therapist. I hold 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 from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. I am also Associate Faculty at City University in Canada and was an Assistant Professor at Providence University College.

I am a compassionate therapist skilled in the area of child, family, and individual therapy, with a focus on attachment, trauma and treating PTSD in children and adults. I have specialized EMDR training to work with children, adolescents and adults. I also use the EMDR Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol (IATP) to strengthen attachment and resolve trauma within families. I am trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Parts/Ego State Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) for fostered and adopted children (with Dr. Daniel Hughes), and Theraplay and the Marschak Interaction Method (MIM). I am also trained in the gold standard assessment tools for identifying and diagnosing Autism (ADOS 2 and the ADI-R).

When I am not at Solasta, I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, yoga, going on walks in nature, and playing Tetris!

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.

I am a Registered Psychologist with over eight years of experience working with diverse individuals experiencing complex trauma, substance abuse, homelessness, poverty, and systemic oppression. I hold a Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle in Canada.

I am deeply committed to helping every person I have the honour of doing counselling with. I believe deeply in people and want to connect each person to their truest self. I practice from a narrative, person-centered, and acceptance and commitment therapy lens.

In my psychoeducational assessments, I am passionate about assessments and appropriate diagnoses and the access to resources, accommodations, and the deeper self-understanding they can provide. I believe that a diagnosis provides a window into how we view ourselves but that a diagnosis should never become a label we box ourselves in with. I hope to help you see yourself on a powerful and intricate level, identifying both strengths and areas of challenge with recommendations to help you thrive!

I spend my time reading, cooking, talking about mental health, listening to inspirational podcasts, playing Dungeons and Dragons with my friends, thinking I should probably be meditating more, watching fun TV, and hanging out with my spouse and cats.

Sydney is an approved partner provider for Minds Over Matter Barrier Free Counselling. Minds Over Matter provides qualifying applicants between 18 and 35 with fully covered counselling. Visit here to apply and asked to be matched with Sydney.

I am a Registered Psychologist who provides counselling and assessment services for youth, adults, and couples. I have over 10 years of experience supporting people experiencing trauma and related mental health concerns. I am passionate about working with people from diverse backgrounds, and I am fluent in English and Urdu/Hindi.

I am a client-centered therapist, who combines different techniques to tailor treatment for each individual. My desire to help others comes from my own journey with mental health, trauma, and illness. I combine my lived experience and professional training to help clients find meaning and purpose in times of adversity. I believe that small steps lead to sustainable change, and I collaborate with clients to create achievable goals in therapy.

When I’m not at Solasta, I usually enjoy spending time with my family and friends or watching funny cat videos. I enjoy outdoor activities and love taking my quirky cat on walks

I know firsthand finding a therapist that feels like the right fit can seem like an overwhelming task. Not only is it vulnerable, but at times 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 therapist 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 perspective when needed, and even crack a joke or two with those who fancy it.

In addition to my areas of work I’ve listed above, I especially find fulfillment in working with traumatic experiences (religious/spiritual/relational), holistic health (recognizing the importance of not just our mind but also our physical and spiritual health in therapy), effective communication, anxiety, and emotion regulation.

While I believe in utilizing the training I’ve received to guide us, I also deeply value your input in our sessions. You are the expert on your life. With 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’d be honoured to chat further. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

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 have obtained a Level 2 DBT accreditation and Level 2 Gottman Couples Therapy accreditation.

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.

I offer a collaborative, creative, compassionate, strengths-based therapeutic approach. I am delighted to work with all of my clients in understanding their core values, identifying goals, and building a genuine therapeutic connection. Using narrative therapy, I work from a biopsychosocial lens, considering biological, psychological, and social factors that may be impacting the current narrative of the client. We then work to look at unique outcomes or alternate narratives from a strengths-based perspective to build resources and capacity toward client goals.

I am trained in basic and parent/child attachment EMDR. I draw from other approaches, including acceptance and commitment therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. I maintain a culturally responsive lens with an openness to incorporating creative expression in a client-centered way. With counselling support, we will work together to illuminate a path through your preferred future.I believe counselling provides new and renewed insight. I work from a holistic approach using the biopsychosocial framework to consider biology, psychology, and social factors that impact health and well-being.

I am passionate about working with clients to explore challenges, strengths, and resources in order to support them to thrive. I have experience in the single-session model of therapy, brief therapy, and longer-term therapy. I draw from Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviourial Therapy, Systemic Therapies and work from a culturally responsive and socially just stance. Find renewed insight from a holistic approach. We work together to co-create a thriving life.​

Twenty-five years of teaching across the span of varied grade levels, school systems, countries, and cultures have privileged me with the knowledge that every single person in their unique diversity shares the commonality of being human and in need of support within a community. Nineteen years of parenting have left me in awe and wonder of how different the needs of each child can be and how humbling it is to journey through the seasons of life attempting to guide and also inevitably struggling at times. The learning has been to keep going and keep growing. Twenty-one years of marriage has brought highs and lows, embracing each moment, knowing that there is refining, maturing, and developing that happens in life together that I wouldn’t otherwise know. Being a child of immigrant parents affords me the lived experience of sacrificial love and the celebration of instilled values and standards of a culture of origin while fusing with the expanse of what a new culture has to offer. Being a person of faith draws me into a reality that is beyond my physical realm, one where uncertainty is okay, as is surrender.

Are daily tasks a struggle? Are you feeling sad or numb? Worried or panicked? Do you often feel overwhelmed or stuck? If so, you are not alone, and I would like to help.​

I work with people who are experiencing a variety of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, adjustment to traumatic brain injury/stroke, and complex trauma.​

As someone who has lived and professional experience in working with ADHD, I am able to provide a combination of ADHD skills coaching and therapy that provides more comprehensive support for the strengths and challenges that often come with having ADHD. I integrate the practical skills development and individualized strategies of ADHD coaching with the emotional and psychological processing of clinical therapy to help you create the life you envision.​

My approach to counselling is a collaborative one. I aim to create an affirming and respectful environment where we can explore your thoughts, values, concerns, and strengths in a genuine way. I honestly believe that everyone can live a meaningful life (including you), regardless of any mental or physical health concerns you may be experiencing.​

I am a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from the University of Calgary. I mainly practice using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, but will often include information and tools from other types of therapy for a more individualized approach. I am deeply committed to lifelong learning and providing the best possible mental health care. ​

If you have any questions, please reach out to me by email or book in a free consult.

Outside of work, you will often see me (or rather not see me) at home reading, engaging with my various hobbies, or snuggling up with my partner and my cats in front of the TV.

Hi, I’m David, a Registered Psychologist with a decade of experience in human services. Before becoming a psychologist, I worked as a teacher, where I developed a deep understanding of the challenges people face during pivotal stages of life. This background, combined with my commitment to compassionate care and evidence-based techniques, allows me to provide meaningful support to individuals seeking to improve their lives and relationships.

Understanding the Weight of Life’s Challenges

I understand that life can be overwhelming. Struggles with shame, trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief, or relationship difficulties can weigh heavily, making even small tasks feel like mountains to climb. Societal pressures and expectations can add to the burden, leaving you feeling stuck, exhausted, or disconnected. My approach is rooted in creating a safe and empathetic space where you feel understood, respected, and supported. Together, we’ll explore your experiences and work toward solutions that bring greater peace, fulfillment, and confidence into your life.​

Tailored Support for Individuals and Couples

My work with adolescents and young adults focuses on helping them navigate the unique pressures of growing up—whether it’s managing school stress, identity exploration, or the transition to adulthood. I am passionate about providing the tools and guidance they need to feel more empowered and capable of handling life’s demands.​

In couples and relationship counselling, I work collaboratively to help partners strengthen their connection, improve communication, and resolve conflicts in a way that fosters growth and mutual understanding. Relationships can be challenging, but with the right tools and insight, they can also become a source of immense strength and joy.

I also have a strong focus on men’s mental health, particularly in addressing societal expectations surrounding masculinity. Many men feel trapped by the need to meet these expectations, which can lead to struggles with shame, vulnerability, and self-expression. I aim to create a nonjudgmental environment where these challenges can be explored openly, helping men develop greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and healthier relationships.​

A Compassionate, Practical Approach

While I draw on evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), my approach is always tailored to your unique needs. I believe that compassionate understanding combined with practical strategies can make a profound difference in how you experience life and navigate challenges. My goal is to help you not just manage the difficulties you face but to build a life that feels more meaningful and aligned with your values.​

Life!

When I’m not at Solasta, I’m recharging by spending time outdoors, listening to music, or playing and watching sports. I also enjoy quiet evenings at home, reflecting and embracing a sense of stillness. Whether I’m hiking, kicking a soccer ball, or relaxing with a favourite playlist, I find balance in the little moments that bring joy and connection.

Life isn’t always easy, but with the right support, it can become more manageable—and even fulfilling. If you’re ready to take that step, I’m here to walk alongside you, helping you navigate challenges, find resilience, and create a more peaceful, balanced, and connected life.

Hi there! I’m a Registered Provisional Psychologist, and I’m all about helping children, teens, young adults—and adults too! Life can throw challenges at us at any stage, and it’s my passion to guide people of all ages through life’s ups and downs with warmth, compassion, and a big dose of encouragement. Whether it’s building confidence, learning to manage emotions, or tackling tricky situations, I’m here to help your child, teen, or even you feel empowered and supported every step of the way.​

With a Bachelor of Science (with a minor in Psychology) from Mount Royal University and a Master’s in Counselling from City University of Seattle, I bring both solid education and heartfelt experience to my practice. Working with young minds is my specialty, and I’m also dedicated to helping adults navigate their own paths to mental well-being.​

Therapy That’s Fun, Engaging, and Personalized

I get it—therapy might sound serious, but I believe it can also be engaging and even fun! When working with kids and teens, I create an environment where they feel relaxed, heard, and maybe even excited to show up. Using tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I tailor each session to the unique needs of my clients. Whether it’s a child learning to manage big emotions, a teen navigating school stress, or an adult working through personal growth, my approach is flexible, evidence-based, and highly personalized. Therapy isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about helping people grow and flourish. My proactive approach equips kids, teens, and adults alike with the tools they need to tackle life’s challenges and build lifelong resilience. We work together to not only address what’s happening now but also lay the groundwork for a happy, fulfilling future.​

A Therapist Who “Gets It”

I know how important it is for people to feel understood, especially kids and teens. That’s why I take the time to connect with each client I work with, creating a safe, welcoming space where they can truly be themselves. I’ve been described as approachable, warm, and someone who “gets” people of all ages—and I wear that badge proudly! From easing anxieties to managing big emotions or making important life changes, I’m here to be a guide, a cheerleader, and a trusted ally. Watching these transformations is the absolute best part of my work!​

Award-Winning

In 2024, I was honored to receive the Psychological Association of Alberta’s Best Poster Award for my research and literature review. This recognition highlights my dedication to exploring new and innovative ways to support mental health, ensuring my clients always benefit from the latest in ethical, compassionate therapy practices.​

Holistic, Fun, and Ready to Help You Thrive

When I’m not working, you’ll find me hiking, reading, or spending quality time with my dog (a great listener, by the way!). I also love exploring creative arts, which inspire my holistic and balanced approach to therapy. I bring these passions into my work, making therapy not only effective but also an enjoyable journey for everyone. Life’s challenges can feel big, but together we can tackle them with curiosity, courage, and maybe even a smile.

If you’re looking for a therapist who connects easily with kids, teens, and adults, brings positivity to every session, and uses proven strategies to help you or your loved one grow, I’d love to meet you! Let’s team up to build confidence, resilience, and the skills needed to shine—now and into the future.

I am a Mental Health Therapist with a Masters of Counselling degree from City University of Seattle in Calgary. I am currently pursuing registration with the College of Alberta Psychologists as a Provisional Psychologist. I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology from Mount Royal University. My commitment to the field is reflected in my previous professional roles I held while working at The Mustard Seed including Recovery Program Supervisor, Wellness Advocate, and Clinic Coordinator.

My work with vulnerable populations at The Mustard Seed has driven my desire to support individuals in need. Through my work, I have gained valuable experience in addressing complex mental health challenges. As well as developing skills in risk assessment, collaboration and mental health advocacy, my approach is anchored in empathy and validation, aiming to create a space where every person’s unique journey is honoured. With a deep commitment to fostering healing and growth, I hope to guide individuals on their path of self-discovery and recognize the importance of embracing one’s individuality. Through compassionate and empathetic support, I strive to empower individuals to navigate challenges, find resilience, and embark on a transformative journey. My dedication lies in providing a safe and inclusive environment where everyone, can thrive and find a sense of belonging.

I enjoy working with children, teens and adults.

Beyond my academic and professional pursuits, I actively engage in extracurricular activities. Inspired by my commitment to mental health advocacy, I balance my time with recreational interests like coaching soccer and playing soccer with my women’s team. In my free time, I enjoy tennis, skiing, walking my dog, playing Nintendo Switch, baking, and nurturing my growing plant collection. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and playing board games. My extracurricular activities reflect my commitment to holistic well-being.

Caitlin is working under the supervision of Dr. Gillian McKirdy and Sydney McKenzie-Hougestol, Registered Psychologists.

Maya has a Certificate in Educational Assistance and a Diploma in Human Services. Maya is currently continuing her higher education journey. She has worked in group care, in the school system and in the non-profit sector. Maya brings her enthusiasm for helping people to Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services and she is here to help you with any questions about availability, booking or billing.