Who is Amy?

 
 
 

I am a registered psychologist, but also…

I spent many of my younger years working with people with disabilities in rural communities in Alberta. After my first degree, a Bachelor of Science (major in Psychology; minor in geology because I like rocks!), I worked as a research assistant doing community-based research on mental health and addictions. This is where I realized I need to work with people rather than numbers. My BSc was useful as it focused on brain development, learning, and behavior. I put it to good use when I decided to do an after degree in Education. I taught grades K-12 in some capacity or another and was employed as an Inclusive Education Coordinator over 8 years. During this time I also taught adults how to be great educational assistants in our schools through a community college.

At some point, I remembered that I wanted to be a psychologist, and went back to school to complete my Master’s degree in Psychology, and then, on to the long registration process with the College of Alberta Psychologists. I was able to continue working within schools in rural communities one-on-one with students with mental health concerns and also presenting wellness topics to classes. I also provided support and leadership to teachers and school staff regarding mental wellness. In 2017, I branched out to private practice in Athabasca and have increased my hours to full time, allowing me to leave my job with the school division and just help people in my office.

Everyone that knows me knows that I am a learner and am always learning something new. This is as true to my practice as it is to my private life, including learning handstands, languages, geography, technology, watercolor painting, … really anything!

I am also a mom of a 13-year old boy, a dog-mom, a chicken mom to 7 happy hens and 3 crazy roosters, and have been with my husband for over 20 years. We spend weekends and evenings outside on our acreage or escaping to the mountains for hiking.

I am a member of the Athabasca community, and am strictly confidential with any random meetings in the community. I love the library, church, pool, farmer’s market, and shopping local as much as possible. As a person, I have always been very non-judgmental, and this has only improved as I’ve developed. I recognize that we are all on a journey and that no one is perfect.

 

Methods used:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT)

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Counselling

  • Play-based therapy with children

some concerns I work with:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Trauma

  • Healthy coping strategies

  • ADHD

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Parenting issues

  • Stress management

  • Grief

  • Emotion Regulation including anger management

  • Other mental illnesses