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Hi, I'm Chelsea

and I'm passionate about helping others

In 2007, I took a life-changing job as a personal care aide. I had just finished my Bachelor of Arts degree and I didn’t know what to do next.  I followed up on an ad in the local paper for a personal caregiver and after a 6-hour “interview”, I knew my life had changed.  I started work the following week and never looked back. 

I have always had a helper’s heart but when I found myself living and breathing the work, I knew it was meant for me. Since then, I have pursued both a Bachelor of Social Work and a Masters of Social Work with a clinical specialization.  My professional experience has included working in home care, sexual health, community cancer care, hospice, acute care, and alongside survivors of sexualized violence.

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For more than 10 years, I have specialized in Women’s Health. My work experience has included both inpatient and outpatient settings and has allowed me to reach women at every stage of the parenthood trajectory, from infertility and pregnancy loss, all the way into the postpartum period and well into the parenting years.  I have served women in inpatient units including labour and delivery unit and the neonatal intensive care unit, as well as in outpatient clinics including general pediatrics and the obstetrics and gynecology clinic.  I have grown passionate about serving women and their partners during the perinatal period, a truly unique time in a young family’s life. After several years working in the hospital, I decided to build this private practice so that women outside of that hospital could access specialized support as well. 

 

My experience in women's health has taught me that each preconception, pregnancy and postpartum experience is different, because, well, each woman and family situation is unique.  

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It is important to know that over the last ten years, I have pursued specialized training in this area, including, a certificate program in Maternal Mental Health offered by Postpartum Support International and the 2020 Mom project. 

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While I am a specialist, it is important to know that I also see lots of women who are not dealing with maternal mental health related issues. If you are a woman looking to find a therapist to support you with whatever life has been throwing at you, don't hesitate to reach out and see if we would be a good fit!

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How I work

In therapy, I am warm, genuine, and non-judgmental. I am a mother too and so I understand how difficult it is. I want you to feel safe to share your worries with me. 

 

My general philosophy in therapy is that each of us are experts in our own lives and often, we just need someone to talk to in order to discover what will work best for us. I want to be your sounding board. 

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I am patient-centered in my approach and will never tell you what is best for you or your family, but it is my goal in therapy to work together to generate solutions.  We will find an approach that will work best for you and your family's unique needs. By drawing primarily on Interpersonal Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness techniques, I will work with you to develop a treatment plan that you feel comfortable and confident with.  

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While there are many benefits to traditional face-to-face therapy, I know as a new mom or a mama-to-be, you are often inundated with appointments, and going to therapy can just be too much, even when you know you really need it. That is why I have pursued specialized training in offering therapy online.  I wanted to be able to broaden access to mental health support.  So, whether you live in a rural community of Alberta or you just don't want to bundle your little one up in the cold winter, you can still reap the benefits of counselling with Village Therapy.   

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In the post covid era online therapy has gained a lot of traction but it is important for you to know that my private practice has always been predominantly online. I was practicing online therapy before online therapy was a thing. So, if this feels new to you, just know, I got you covered. 

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Outside of Work

In addition to being a therapist, I am also a mom. Together with my husband, we are raising two beautiful little boys. Our house is busy and loud, and we are enjoying watching our boys grow and develop their own personalities. Naturally, not all days are filled with sunshine and rainbows but we are finding our footing, one day at a time, and with the support of our village.

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Our parenting journey has included medical issues with our children. This has gifted me a unique perspective and experience that I am able to bring to my work.

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Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, making memories camping at the lake, or having dance parties in the kitchen. I am a lover of books, music and people.

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Credentials

Master of Social Work (Clinical Specialization)​, University of Calgary


Bachelor of Social Work​, University of Victoria


Bachelor of Arts, University of Alberta 


ACSW Registration No. 10345


BCCSW Registration No. 15503

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Currently on the board of directors for the Elk Valley Hospice 

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Completed training in:

 

  • Online Therapy

  • PSI & 2020 mom Maternal Mental Health

  • Polyvagul Theory

  • Wisdom of Trauma with Gabor Mate et al.

  • Anger Free Parenting

  • Children's Mental Health

  • Fertility Care

  • Ongoing Obstetrical Management Seminars

  • TEAM CBT

  • Happily Family series

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

  • Somatic Experiencing 

  • Depression in Pregnancy

  • Perinatal Loss 

  • Dr. Wolfelt Companioning the Bereaved 

  • Grief Support 

  • Pain & Palliative Care 

  • Diversity in death and dying 

  • Determining Capability for Health Care Consent

  • Ethical Medical Decision Making

  • Identifying Abuse & Neglect

  • Living Brave with Brene Brown

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