REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST

SHE/HER/HERS

“We were born to belong and to connect.”

— Sammy Merritt

In my work with couples and families, I hold a systemic lens – meaning, I see relationships as the key area of focus in therapy and where change is most possible. From this lens, I can work with individuals, couples, and families to look at how their relationships are informing their lives and where we can make changes.

I primarily use IPScope (Interpersonal Patterns Scope) and Emotionally Focused Therapy in couple and family therapy, drawing on narrative, play-based, and cognitive-behavioural interventions as needed. These approaches allow us to look at problems as existing between people in relationships – not within individuals. I invite couples and families to look at what is happening between them, particularly in their communication and how they feel in their interactions, to identify and change ways of interacting that are not working well (negative cycles) and build more within those that are working well.

My therapeutic approach can be particularly helpful when couples and family members find themselves disconnected and/or stuck in negative patterns of communication (like having the same argument over and over again). The primary goal together is to disrupt negative patterns and move towards more connection with each other, bringing forth and processing partners’ and family members’ vulnerable emotions. Once partners and family members can learn to be available for, responsive to, and engaged with each other and their feelings through the therapeutic work, they can then face life’s challenges together.

I have experience providing counselling to children, teens, adults, couples, parents, and families. I am passionate about working collaboratively with people of all ages to cultivate lives and relationships that align with their strengths, values, hopes, and goals.

“People are meant to be in relationship with each other, and I want you to have the most connected and fulfilling relationships you can.”

— Sammy Merritt

Join me in exploring what is happening between you as a couple and within your family, to develop ways of communicating that serve you all well in strengthening your relationships.

I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. I am working toward certification as a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist; I am currently an Associate and receiving supervision toward this goal.

My professional memberships include the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) and the Canadian Association for Couple and Family Therapy (CACFT).

Couples Reconnect, a branch of Calgary Reconnect Counselling Group, acknowledges that we are gathered on Treaty 7 territory, the original home of the Blackfoot Confederacy, comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kanai First Nations; the Stoney Nakoda, comprised of the Chiniki, Wesley, and Bearspaw First Nations; and the Tsuut’ina First Nation.  This territory is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Located on this traditional territory, our mission is to spark reconnection and healing within couples, kids, parents, and families. We do this work with respect for these First Nations and in a spirit of humility, kindness, inclusion, and diversity.