Meet Scarlett

Hi! Welcome!

My pronouns are she/her and I’m a local born Albertan. I have one rescue cat who brings fuss, joy and chaos to my life. I’m an animal lover, foodie, concert goer, avid reader and learner for life. I’m also a world traveller. Despite my travels and learning some words and phrases in different languages, I’m still only fluent in English. I enjoy culture, food, traditions and ceremony. Share with me one of your favourite family traditions! I often find in sharing these with others, leads to some very interesting conversations! 

A brief personal journey:

Reaching out for help can be a trying or terrifying experience. I recall experiencing several traumatic events before the age 21. I am a processor, I needed to know “why” those events happened and “why” to me. This led to pre-occupied thoughts. My mind would not shut off. I felt emotions I didn’t know I had or could feel. They were scary. I stuffed them instead of sharing them, leading to continuous throat and cold infections for years. I had severe stomach and digestive issues. It wasn’t until University when the stress of school was becoming unmanageable that I went to see a counsellor. I made it to three sessions, and stopped going. I wasn’t ready. I was embarrassed and ashamed. I’m an avid reader. I began to read and educate myself, studying psychology also helped. Being away from home was the best break from a chaotic environment. I was able to focus on me. I was able to return to counselling to work through those events. 

I value mental health immensely. Understanding the continuous journey of wellness, finding the right person, resource or support is important. It was when I met a solution focused therapist that my life significantly changed. She asked me (what is called the miracle question) when I went to bed that night and woke up in the morning, what would be different for me?  Long story short, she helped me create goals to achieve exactly those things. This formed my approach to therapy -healing in the now, the present. Sometimes we just need our current symptoms to be alleviated to function in the now. When the time is right, “digging” into the past can be beneficial too. 

My approach:

My approach to therapy is client centered using a multicultural approach. What are your needs now? How can I assist with now. You tell me what you would like to address or work on and together we will develop a plan of action (e.g treatment goals). I’m an advocate for education. I love teaching about mental health and why you will see workshops and education sessions on the site. It’s not uncommon for me to recommend books, videos, etc. to clients. Knowledge helps with seeking understanding and connecting the ideas and thoughts you have or desire to have. Therapy doesn’t have to be a decade long process either. You are not obligated to attend further sessions after your first one, although individuals report positive benefits in as few as 1-6 sessions (depending on your concerns and the intervention). Therapy doesn’t have to dig or focus on the past, you have the right to focus on the now and/or future. But we can also address the past too. I use evidence-based interventions in our sessions and will always discuss and explain what the intervention means; you always have a choice to say no. 

My counselling experience:

I have 17+ years of counselling experience in the field of Mental Health and Addictions. I have worked in both private clinics and provincial government positions providing counselling services to youth, young adults and older adults and first responder populations. I have worked in the areas of outpatient clinics, group homes, safe houses/shelters, correctional centers, inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, rural communities and indigenous reserves in Alberta and the Northwest Territories. 

My areas of specialities and interests include: addictions, loss & grief, trauma and stressor related concerns, depression, and anxiety. I also love running groups and workshops on various mental health topics.

I hold a diploma in Aboriginal Mental Health (2003) and have worked with First Nations in Alberta and the Northwest Territories. I’ve had the honour to be able to work with different nations and personally experience the culture and ceremonies in a healing context. I am continuously learning about our diverse communities of Alberta and counsel from a multicultural lens. 

I completed my Bachelor of Health Sciences degree at Lethbridge University, Alberta (2007) with a focus on substance and process addictions. I worked as an Addiction counsellor for 10 years in day treatment programs, outpatient settings, and correctional facilities. Working with individuals who have addictions and concurrent mental health concerns is very rewarding and one of my special interests.

I completed my Masters Of Arts – Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University, New Brunswick (2014) and registered as a Psychologist in 2015.

Clients I work with:

I work with adults (18+), couples and group counselling. I offer both in-person and virtual sessions. 

Registration:

I am registered psychologist and a member in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). At this time, I am only able work with residents who live in Alberta.