I am passionate about helping people simplify their nutrition goals and create lasting change. Restoring our relationship with food is one of the most powerful things we can do in regards to our diet. I love working with my clients to view food as a positive part of our life, not as something to be feared or controlled. Being a shift working family, I am especially passionate about helping shift workers and their families increase their energy and improve their health through practical-evidence based strategies.

I am passionate about helping people simplify their nutrition goals and create lasting change. Re... Read More

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“People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering” – St. Augustine

I welcome the opportunity and privilege to walk with people through their journey of healing and growth. I believe that there is a time in our life where reaching out is the hardest but bravest step. In building a safe and trusting relationship with my clients, it allows them to take this step with confidence.

I am currently a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. I have a specific interest in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), but believe in an integrative approach, as each client is unique. I believe that in spite of difficult thoughts, feelings, and emotions, people deserve to and can live a full and meaningful life.

“People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long co... Read More

Please note: Melissa not currently accepting new clients.

Melissa is a Registered Provisional Psychologist who has always been fascinated by the field of behavioural sciences. From a very young age, her dream has been to work in mental health, wanting to help others through their struggles.

Melissa believes that creating change does not have to fit into a one-size fits all approach. Instead, she believes that change is created when each individual and their personal experiences are at the heart of the therapeutic process.

Using a trauma focused lens, Melissa facilitates sessions with compassion, optimism, humour, and honesty. She believes that by exploring attachment, behavioural patterns and parts of self, a person can begin to understand themselves on a deeper level, allowing for healing to begin at the roots.

Melissa works primarily with adults and youth (ages 10 and up) who struggle with processing difficult life experiences, present with depressive or anxious symptoms, or who struggle to overcome past traumas. She has additional training in many modalities including TF-CBT, EMDR, Hypnotherapy, and many other interventions.

Melissa peut aussi offrir des services en français!

Please note: Melissa not currently accepting new clients. Melissa is a Registered Provisional Ps... Read More

I moved to Alberta with my family from the United Kingdom in 2016 and retrained as a psychologist after many years of home educating 3 children. I love working with clients to find solutions which allow them to thrive, and I do so through a trauma-informed approach, which emphasizes non-judgmental support and strengths-based approaches. I believe that we all have a unique story, and that meeting our inherent need to be heard and accepted is an important step in finding peace.

I specifically love working with neurodiverse clients and their families, and I believe wholeheartedly that when we prioritize a deeper understanding of one another, we can create a safe place for growth in emotional regulation skills which extend beyond the family.

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The nature of human existence is that no matter how hard one endeavours to avoid difficulties, everyone will experience challenging times, thoughts, feelings, emotions and pain. Through this reality, I feel that people can embrace their inner wisdom and cultivate the life they hope to live despite the broad range of human emotions we must all navigate. By identifying one’s inner strengths to engage in life meaningfully, people can experience a more intentional and richer existence, fulfilling their innate desire to live their best life even when they face hardships.

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I am excited to join the Family Life Psychology assessment team! I have been completing psychoeducational assessments for over 10 years, both in schools and in private practice, and with individuals of all ages. I love using standardized assessment tools to learn more about each individual’s learning and emotional/behavioural profile, and getting to know each client in our assessment sessions. I believe in making evidence-based recommendations to support each individual’s learning needs, but I am also focused on practical strategies to make everyday life a little easier.

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I am passionate about being able to provide a safe, inclusive and non-judgemental space for clients to have their stories heard and therapeutic journey supported in order to become their authentic selves. The opportunity to walk alongside client’s journeys is a true privilege and I view life and counselling with the perspective that many events, thoughts, feelings and behaviours contribute to who we are and how we interact within the world. By providing clients with unconditional positive regard, empathy, trust and warmth, we can form a therapeutic alliance and collaboratively work together to explore challenges that may arise, rediscover strengths, release potential and work towards positive change and growth. I look forward to meeting you and learning more about your unique story! I have experience working with children and adolescence with complex mental health needs and developmental disabilities for several years within educational and community settings. Additionally, I have experience facilitating social skills groups for children, adolescents and whole classrooms. Furthermore, I also have experience conducting psychoeducational assessments.

I believe in an integrative approach to counselling as each client is unique. My first priority in session is creating a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship with each client and getting to know them and their unique journey. From there, in practice, I am client-centered and collaborative, utilizing a variety of techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy and Mindfulness in order to best meet the needs of my clients. It is inevitable that difficult situations, thoughts and emotions may arise in life, however, when we learn to process and accept these parts of our stories, we can live a full and meaningful life. I am a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist and I have also received additional training in CBT, Play Therapy techniques, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Level 1 and 2, Somatic Approach to trauma and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI).

I am passionate about being able to provide a safe, inclusive and non-judgemental space for clien... Read More

Please note, Joel Pukalo is not currently accepting new clients.

Joel and his wife Andrea are registered psychologists and founders of Family Life Psychology. Joel has experience working in schools and in private practice supporting families, children, and teens with their social, emotional, behavioral, and educational needs.

Joel’s passion is to help families (couples, families, and children) develop the skills and strategies to grow more connected and resilient. His approach to counseling is collaborative, strength-based, and connection focused. As a parent of two beautiful girls, Joel believes the goal of a cohesive family is to empower each family member with the tools and strategies to regulate emotions, solve problems, prioritize the needs of others, think from multiple perspectives, and manage conflict in ways that develop deeper relational connections. Whether a family is seeking support for emotional/behaviors difficulties, strategies for managing ADHD or other medical diagnoses, or interpersonal conflict between siblings, parent-sibling, or parent-parent, Joel’s approach provides families with practical strategies that empower family members to work collaboratively with each other to address day-to-day issues in a way that maximizes relationship and challenges each individual to grow into a self-governing responsible decision-maker.

Please note, Joel Pukalo is not currently accepting new clients. Joel and his wife Andrea are re... Read More

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