About Julia
“ Together, we can make a plan to help manage the symptoms, stresses and difficulties that get in the way of you living the life you want to live, while honoring the strengths you already possess. ”
I believe that people do as well as they can with the tools and resources, they possess. We are all a work in progress and we are all in that together.
I believe my job is to meet you where you are, honour the strengths you possess, and provide support, skills and information to support the next step in your journey. You are coming to my office with expertise in your own story and needs. The most important thing to me is that you leave my office feeling seen, heard, respected, and supported. My approach is eclectic, in that I pull from several evidence based treatments and techniques and do my best to be flexible in how I pass this information on to you. No two people have the exact same story or perspective, and treatment should be flexible to honour that. My office is a safe and inclusive space for everyone.
The story of my life is full of plot twists that have challenged my resilience. Pain and suffering is something that all of us go through, and the only real choice we get is to decide who we want to be on the other side of it. I believe that our minds are powerful tools and we are all capable of learning new ways to understand and express our inner world, cope with distress and challenge, connect with others and improve our future self. We are all a work in progress, and there is something beautiful and inspiring to embrace this stance.
When I am not at work, I am working on Julia as a mom, daughter, wife, friend, colleague, and human. I love the opportunity to slow down and create, either through play with my kids, art, baking, gardening, or completing various projects around my house.
Credentials & Experience
Professional Therapist Credentials
I am a Registered Psychologist, regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists. I am also a member of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. I have completed graduate studies and registration hours in the areas of clinical and counselling psychology. As a psychologist, I believe it is my responsibility to stay up to date on clinical knowledge and expertise. After graduate studies, I have continued to pursue additional training and maintain competencies within both psychological assessment and treatment.
In my early career, I worked as an educational aide and respite support to children with developmental disabilities and their families. I also worked directly with young children in a group home to stabilize them after apprehension though Children’s Services. During graduate school, I worked within a multidisciplinary team at the Alberta Children’s Hospital with mental health concerns of young children and their families who were hospitalized due to severe diagnoses, and challenges. Throughout my training, I was trained in psychological assessments working with individuals across the lifespan. After my training, I have worked privately with individuals across the lifespan, on inpatient mental health units in hospital, in community mental health clinics (specialized and general) and providing outreach counselling to women and children starting over after surviving domestic violence.
Currently, I am offering assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (Ages 18+), ADHD Assessments (ages 6+), Psychoeducational Assessments (all ages), Giftedness Assessments (all ages) and will be offering other areas as scheduling and resources allow in the future. Within my treatment practice, I work with individuals over the age of 7 to help understand and support a variety of challenges and stressors (i.e. anxiety, depression, trauma, emotion regulation, communication, social skills, distress tolerance, executive functioning, etc.).
The toughest part is reaching out. After that, we can figure out the next steps together. I welcome questions and conversations to help you feel safe and informed at any point in your journey. I would be honoured at the opportunity to meet with you!
Educational Background:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of Calgary
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (hon) – University of Calgary
Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology – Yorkville University
Post Graduate Training:
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Mindfulness Intensive Training
Solution Focussed Training
Heartmath Certification
Trauma treatment and intervention
Ongoing Psychoeducational Assessment and Diagnostic Clarity Assessment training
Additional Professional Development completed in the areas of: anxiety and depression management, self-compassion, suicide and self-harm intervention, behavioural and early interventions, addictions, mental health legislation, child protection and abuse, disordered eating, psychosis management, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder treatment, domestic violence and human trafficking, psychiatric medication, somatic and sensory symptoms, and neurodevelopmental diagnoses.
Feel free to use my confidential on-line booking feature on this website to schedule your first appointment or call 825-509-5455.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Julia Denyer, M.A.