Child, Teen, Adult Family & Trauma Therapist in Olds, Alberta and Virtually Across Alberta

You want to make a change in your life or are concerned about your child.

Maybe your child is:

• Having frightening, intrusive thoughts

• Doing repetitive behaviours to decrease intrusive thoughts

• Avoiding school or other public places due to anxiety

• Struggling with memories of a traumatic event

• Experiencing nightmares due to a traumatic event

• Having trouble getting out of bed

• Feeling “on edge” and not knowing why

• Tired of being angry, sad, anxious, exhausted

Or maybe one of these things applies to you.

If so, you have come to the right place.  You’ve taken the first step towards healing. There are many reasons why people decide to go to therapy. Maybe, none of these apply to you but you know something needs to change.

When you have anxiety, or have experienced trauma, it’s so important to feel comfortable with your therapist.

You need to trust your therapist. You need to feel heard, understood, and respected. And you need to know that you have someone on your side, even when you’re the kid or teen who gets in trouble, or the parent who hates that you snap at your kid, or who looks so perfect on the outside when inside you’re feeling low self-esteem and big emotions. Family relationships and intimate partnerships are some of the most meaningful connections we have, but they can also be the most painful when patterns of disconnection, misunderstanding, and conflict get entrenched and you need to know your therapist has skills to help you reconnect.

Hi, I’m Brenda and I am Here to Help You

Hi, I’m Brenda, a therapist passionate about helping children, teens, adults and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion, safety, and support. I specialize in working with children of all ages and adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, addiction, parenting stress or behavioural concerns. Whether it's a child struggling with emotional regulation, a teenager working through complex feelings, or an adult with feelings of despair, hopelessness, symptoms of depression, anxiety that are impacting their participation in life. I provide a safe and affirming space where healing can begin. In my practice, you won’t just get “skills to manage conflict.” You’ll get a deeper understanding of the emotional and relational forces shaping your family and partnership dynamics, and the compassionate support to change them.

What is working with me like

I see my clients weekly, keeping parents informed. My style is warm, practical, and respectful. My counselling is informed by attachment utilizing my training in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy and Circle of Security. I am fully trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) treatment for PTSD reduction, trauma recovery, and anxiety management. I use a variety of creative and visual mediums therapeutic approaches including Sand Tray, Play, and Art. I believe every person is unique, and therapy should honour their individuality. My style is warm, practical, respectful and my ability to build relationships has been the key to therapeutic success.

Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy with Brenda

• In Child & Adolescent Therapy: I will engage with your child to create a warm, safe environment. When I work your child or youth, I 'light up' for them. I create the session around their interests and engage at their level, often on the floor, all while I am trying to create a space for them to share openly.

For the teens I work with at my practice, I recognize that teenagers need privacy to open up. I share patterns, progress, and safety plans with parents. I protect session details unless a safety concern is present.

Parents receive guidance on how to support skills at home without pushing too hard. And if something is concerning, I will tell you clearly and quickly. The goal is a team approach that respects teen autonomy and keeps everyone safe. Parents, you get a partner who keeps you informed about themes and safety, while protecting your teen’s privacy

• In Adult Therapy: You will have the opportunity to talk about your difficult experiences in a safe place to improve your life. Your mood, confidence and resilience will increase and your anxiety will decrease. You will sleep better, improve your communication skills and have stronger, healthier relationships.

• In Family Therapy: You will build healthier communication patterns, with more empathy and understanding, as well as more meaningful, relational change. You will understand the root emotional experiences of you and your family members, identify and soften cycles that keep you stuck. You will communicate, connect and strengthen your attachment bonds.

Brenda specializes in working with children, teens, adults, families, tackling trauma, relationship concerns, and everyday parenting challenges. Whether you're facing lifestyle changes, persistent worries, family challenges, or struggle to overcome trauma, she provides a safe, non-judgmental space for you to share your thoughts.

With a deep understanding of school issues, anxiety, depression, family conflicts, and relational difficulties, Brenda’s background in clinical social work enables her to connect with children, teens, couples, and families.