Individual Therapy Edmonton
In-person and online therapy tailored for your individual needs.
Loving Choices has curated individual therapy services to meet the day-to-day needs of our patients at affordable rates. Whether you’re suffering from depression, anxiety, or the effects of trauma, our team of dedicated psychologists and therapists are here to help you live your best, most fulfilling life. No matter the cause, Loving Choices’ commitment to fostering patient-first care will lead to healthy healing and recovery. Our Registered Provisional Psychologists are able to offer rates of $180 per hour, compared to the rate of $220 per hour for a Registered Psychologist.
Individual Therapy Edmonton
In-person and online therapy tailored for your individual needs.
Loving Choices has curated individual therapy services to meet the day-to-day needs of our patients. Whether you’re suffering from depression, anxiety, or the effects of trauma, our team of dedicated psychologists and therapists are here to help you live your best, most fulfilling life. No matter the cause, Loving Choices’ commitment to fostering patient-first care will lead to healthy healing and recovery.
What is Psychology Therapy?
Psychological therapy, psychotherapy, or “talk therapy” is the use of psychology methods to help you change your thoughts, beliefs and behaviours to overcome life’s problems. Psychotherapy seeks to improve your mental health and well-being, resolve behaviours, beliefs, compulsions, thoughts and emotions, and improve your relationships.
What Is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a popular approach to therapy designed to reduce “maladaptive cognitions,” which are misleading beliefs about the world, self, and future that impair one’s ability to deal with problems in daily life. By changing these beliefs, CBT therapy addresses the emotional distress and hurtful cognitive behaviours that can arise from them.
How Does Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Work?
According to the Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addictions, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) teaches behaviours, coping mechanisms, and skills that help you deal with events and be aware of your thinking patterns.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health explains that by monitoring thoughts during upsetting situations, you can recognize how your thought patterns may lead to emotional issues. To reduce these problems, CBT therapy teaches you how to:
- Identify distortions in thinking.
- Recognize thoughts as ideas about a situation, as opposed to facts.
- Consider situations from different viewpoints.
Ultimately, CBT addresses the relationship between behaviours and the three levels of thoughts
- Conscious Thoughts: Rational thoughts and choices made with full awareness.
- Automatic Thoughts: Rapid thoughts you may not be aware of, meaning you might not be able to determine their accuracy or logic—especially for people with mental illness.
- Schemas: Core beliefs and personal rules for processing information that are shaped by childhood and life experiences.
CBT helps you recognize automatic negative thoughts and the triggers that cause them. As a result, you can better manage your future reactions and feelings.
What Are The Scientific Benefits of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?
The National Association of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapists (NACBT) notes that cognitive behaviour therapy has clearly defined goals and techniques. These strict guidelines mean that CBT can be easily examined using science and evidence-based research.
The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies lists a wide range of conditions where CBT therapy has proven to be an effective treatment, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Bipolar Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Gambling
- Marital Discord
- Anger
- Sexual Health Concerns
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Infertility
- Chronic Pain
- Sleep Disorders
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety
Anxiety is a common condition that impacts your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It may be a signal of fear that demands attention, but it can also be distorted by past trauma and experiences that make it difficult to know what to do with the signal.
The journal for Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience details how the strategies and skills you will learn in your CBT therapy depend on the kind of anxiety disorder you have, such as:
- Panic Disorder: Focuses on your body’s panic response and behavioural therapy techniques for properly interpreting feelings of panic.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Includes cognitive therapy to address worries, relaxation to address tension, and preventing overly cautious behaviours.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Instructs you to identify and challenge beliefs about your social competence and your own judgement.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Emphasizes learning about the nature of fear and PTSD, controlled exposure to images related to trauma, and challenging damaging beliefs.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Involves gradual exposure, response prevention, and cognitive interventions.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Depression
Depression is more than feeling sad—it is a distorted way of thinking that affects how you see yourself and others.
According to the Journal of Clinical Case Reports, CBT is well-documented as an effective treatment for depression. In fact, recent findings suggest that CBT for depression could be as effective as medication in moderate to severe cases.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America details how CBT therapy corrects the way that people with depression think by modifying dysfunctional thinking about the world, self, and future.
To accomplish this change in thinking, there are several core elements that behavioural therapy uses in treating depression, such as:
- Psychoeducation: Cognitive therapy typically involves providing information, education materials, and advice on depression.
- Behavioural Activation: With this aspect of CBT, we help you plan enjoyable (and often social) activities and improve your problem-solving skills. Behavioural activation helps draw the link between behaviour and emotions.
- Cognitive Restructuring: This step is about identifying and correcting inaccurate negative thoughts that can lead to depression.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Trauma
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is proven to be an effective treatment with both short-term and long-term benefits for people with a wide range of traumatic experiences.
The American Psychological Association explains how several theories inform behavioural therapy’s approach to trauma:
- Emotional Processing Theory: This theory suggests that people with trauma develop associations with objectively safe reminders of the event, meaning, and responses. Therefore, CBT therapy focuses on changing these associations that lead to unhealthy functioning.
- Social Cognitive Theory: This theory asserts that people who try to make sense of their traumatic experience through their existing beliefs often end up with hurtful understandings about the world, self, and others. As a result, some steps of cognitive therapy are designed to unravel these ideas.
While there are many different methods used in CBT for trauma, two primary steps have been repeatedly found to result in symptom reduction:
- Exposure Therapy: This intervention helps you to face and control fear by exposing you to traumatic memories in a safe environment. Over time, exposures make you less sensitive to triggers.
- Cognitive Restructuring: This method helps you to make sense of bad memories. Many people do not remember their trauma correctly, or experience guilt for aspects of their trauma which were not their fault. By looking at what happened, cognitive restructuring helps to develop a realistic perspective on the trauma.
Meet Your Therapists
Emily Ouellette
Emily joins Loving Choices as a Registered Provisional Psychologist and has always been drawn to people’s life stories. From these storytelling moments, Emily has connected with her clients on a deeper level to help them approach the challenges of the human condition. Emily believes the results of these experiences with the human condition have prepared her in her practice to understand, collaborate and help her patients during difficult times. Emily believes in creating an open, non-judgmental and collaborative therapeutic environment. As a sex-positive therapist, she works with diverse sexual interests, diverse sexualities, gender identities and various relationship types/forms.
Emily works with clients who struggle with but are not limited to: anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues (peer, familial and romantic), domestic violence, domestic abuse, sexuality, sexual behaviours, coping skills, self-esteem and the development of boundaries.
Emily holds a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. She has received additional training in Gottman Level 1, and is currently completing training to become a Certified Sex Therapist.
Luke Suelzle
Luke is a Registered Provisional Psychologist whose fascination with connections has helped shape the lives of his patients. Practicing in areas surrounding intimacy, sex and gender, and addiction treatment, Luke’s philosophy of a collaborative environment, respect, and self-reflection creates his foundation for providing therapeutic care. Uplifting LGBTQIA+, trans, and non-monogamous relationships for individuals and couples, Luke endeavours to strengthen understanding, healing, and growth in each facet of relationships and personal well-being.
Luke welcomes new patients to Loving Choices with inclusive pricing for his services.
Luke holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from MacEwan University. He has received recognition for his Gottman Couples Counselling Level 1 and 2 training, integrative Sex and Couples training, Sex Work Bias Prevention and Addiction Counselling. Luke is currently completing training to become a Certified Sex Therapist.
Karen Kirkpatrick
Karen is a Registered Psychologist who began her career as a teacher but found her passion in supporting mental and emotional well-being. Specializing in areas of counselling such as body image concerns, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and trauma, Karen brings a compassionate and inclusive approach to her work. She uses humour when appropriate and practices from a Health at Every Size perspective. As an LGBTQIA, trans, sex-positive, and poly-friendly therapist, she is committed to creating a safe and welcoming space for all her clients.
Karen holds a Master of Counselling Psychology from Athabasca University and has extensive training in EMDR, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Gottman Couples Therapy, and Sex Therapy. She is currently pursuing certification as a Sex Therapist.
Dr. Jason Jones
Jason is a dedicated counselling psychologist with a passion for helping couples build stronger, healthier relationships. With a passion for understanding relationships, his work focuses on human sexuality, family dynamics, and body acceptance in relationships. Jason empowers individuals and couples to navigate challenges and grow together with a strong belief in the power of communication, empathy, and mutual understanding.
Jason holds a PhD in Psychology from NorthCentral University, a Master of Counselling from the University of Calgary, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta. He is a Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor with AASECT and has additional training in family and couples therapy.
Individual Therapy is Covered by Insurance
Individual psychotherapy is a valuable and beneficial resource that many can access through insurance coverage, with the convenience of direct billing to Alberta Blue Cross. This means that our clients do not have to handle the payment process themselves, as the clinic submits claims directly to Alberta Blue Cross for reimbursement. This accessibility ensures that our patients can focus on individualized therapy sessions without financial concerns, allowing them to receive the support they need to strengthen their mental health and well-being.
Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, or trauma, individual psychotherapy provides a structured and supportive environment for those looking to explore and address their concerns effectively.
A Note from Loving Choices: At this time, Emily Ouellette and Luke Suelzle can only direct bill to Alberta Blue Cross and Green Shield. If your health insurance provider is not Alberta Blue Cross or Green Shield, you must submit your claim to your current provider for reimbursement. Our Registered Psychologists are able to direct bill to most insurance companies, excluding Sun Life.
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IN-PERSON AND ONLINE SUPPORT
We are here to support you and your family during these challenging times by offering secure online therapy and counselling options in Edmonton. Our telehealth feature uses secure infrastructure where all data is encrypted and fully compliant with the College of Alberta Psychologists’ Practice Guidelines.
Start Your Healing Today
Your individual healing journey begins with understanding that you don’t have to accept anxiety, stress, or emotional pain as permanent parts of your life. At Loving Choices, our team of skilled psychologists and mental health practitioners, including the compassionate and experienced Emily Ouellette, are here to support you every step of the way. Using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), we help you address challenges, develop healthier coping strategies, and foster personal growth. Whether you’re seeking clarity, balance, or greater well-being, we’re here to guide you in creating a brighter, more fulfilling future.