Child, Adolescent, Adult, Couples, Family Counselling, Trauma, Traumaplay, Play Therapy, EMDR Therapy in Olds, Alberta and Virtually Across Alberta

You may be here because your child or teen is struggling, and you aren't quite sure what to do anymore. Maybe they are anxious, overwhelmed, angry, withdrawn, or having big emotional reactions that seem difficult to understand. You may notice that they are avoiding school, activities, friends, or things they once enjoyed. Perhaps they are struggling with friendships, bullying, separation or divorce, school stress, fears, or changes at home.

As a parent, watching your child struggle can leave you feeling worried, helpless, and exhausted. You may find yourself constantly trying new strategies, reading parenting advice, changing your approach, or walking on eggshells to prevent the next meltdown. The things that used to work don't seem to work anymore, and you are left wondering what your child needs and whether you are doing enough.

Maybe your child has experienced something difficult or traumatic, and since then, they just haven't seemed like themselves. You may be seeing more anxiety, anger, avoidance, emotional outbursts, trouble sleeping, difficulty separating from you, or challenges at school and with peers. You want to help them, but you don't always know how to reach them.

You may also be feeling the impact on your whole family. When one person is struggling, everyone feels it. Family routines can become stressful, communication can break down, and moments that used to feel easy and enjoyable can become overwhelming. You want your home to feel calmer again. You want to enjoy your child, feel connected to them, and have confidence in how you respond when things get hard.

And if you are here for yourself as a parent, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the demands of parenting. You may be carrying your own stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, or relationship challenges while trying to support your child. You don't need to have all the answers. Sometimes, having someone alongside you who understands both your child and the pressures you are carrying can make all the difference.

Hi, I’m Miranda and I Can Help

I'm a compassionate trauma-informed and resilience focused Mental Health Therapist and Registered Social Worker with 10+ years of experience supporting children, youth, and families in school, community, and clinical settings. Skilled in EMDR, DBT-informed interventions, somatic approaches, play therapy, crisis intervention, and culturally responsive care. Experienced supporting complex trauma, emotional regulation, suicidality, ADHD, anxiety, attachment disruptions, and family systems within Indigenous and rural communities.

I work with children, teens, adults, parents, and families who are navigating anxiety, big emotions, trauma, difficult experiences, relationship challenges, and life transitions.

My first priority is connection and safety. Before we begin diving into the challenges, I want to get to know you or your child as a whole person, your experiences, your goals, your strengths, and the things that make you uniquely you.

Working with me you're going to get someone who builds genuine, trusting relationships. I believe every person carries unique strengths and abilities, and I intentionally lean into those strengths when working together. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities to create an approach that fits you or your child.

My approach involves regular, weekly sessions, designed to provide consistent support and lasting change.

In Child & Youth Therapy

Children don't always have the words to explain what they are experiencing. Sometimes their feelings show up through behaviour, tears, anger, avoidance, fears, trouble at school, difficulty with friends, or big emotional reactions.

Therapy can give children a safe place to understand what is happening inside them and develop new ways of coping. Through play, expressive arts, sandtray, and other developmentally appropriate approaches, children can communicate and explore their inner world in ways that feel natural to them.

Together, we can work toward helping your child feel more confident, regulate their emotions, manage anxiety and fears, develop healthy coping skills, navigate peer relationships, and feel more comfortable participating in the things that matter to them.

I've seen children move from feeling overwhelmed by anxiety to trying new things again. I've seen children learn to express themselves in healthier ways at home and school, develop confidence, stand up for themselves when something doesn't feel right, and build positive relationships with their peers and families.

In Teen Therapy

The teen years can bring intense emotions, changing relationships, questions about identity, and increasing pressure to navigate life independently.

I work with teens experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationship challenges, ADHD, school stress, self-esteem concerns, emotional regulation difficulties, peer conflict, and other difficult experiences.

My goal is to create a space where teens can feel heard rather than judged. Therapy can help them better understand their emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, strengthen their confidence, communicate more effectively, and build relationships that feel safe and supportive.

Over time, I've seen teens begin to recognize their own strengths and resilience. They can learn to manage difficult emotions, develop healthier relationships with family, friends, and partners, return to activities and school with greater confidence, and begin to feel hopeful about their future.

In Parenting & Family Therapy

You may be a parent who feels like you've tried everything.

Your child may be struggling with anxiety, separation, school, friendships, behaviour, or emotional regulation, and the tools that once worked don't seem to be helping anymore. You may feel like you have to walk on eggshells or that every morning, bedtime, transition, or family activity has become a battle.

Parenting support isn't about finding the perfect parenting strategy—because there is no such thing as a perfect parent.

Instead, we will work together to understand what is happening beneath the behaviour, identify what your child may be communicating through their actions, and build practical strategies that fit your family. We will also make space for your own emotions and experiences because supporting a struggling child can be exhausting.

My hope is that, with support, your family can move from simply surviving each day to feeling connected, calm, and playful again.

In Individual Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Stress, Trauma Therapy

When children, teens, or adults experience trauma, attachment wounds, loss, or other difficult experiences, the effects can show up long after the event itself. Anxiety, anger, avoidance, emotional outbursts, relationship difficulties, fear, low confidence, and feeling disconnected can all be ways that the mind and body respond to experiences that have been difficult to process.

I use an integrative approach to trauma therapy based on the needs of each individual. With children and youth, I use TraumaPlay and developmentally appropriate therapeutic approaches. With individuals, my training includes EMDR, DBT, IFS, and somatic approaches.

For anxiety, depression, phobias, stress, and relationship challenges, I draw from approaches including IFS, DBT, CBT, EMDR, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies.

The goal isn't to force you through a particular process. It is to create a safe, compassionate space where we can move at a pace that feels appropriate for you and adapt our approach as your needs change.

You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

Whether your child is having big emotional reactions, your teen is pulling away, your family is feeling overwhelmed, or you are struggling to make sense of your own experiences, reaching out for support can be an important first step.

Therapy is not about changing who you or your child are. It is about understanding what is happening, discovering the strengths that are already there, and developing the skills and support needed to move forward.

I want my clients to leave therapy with a greater understanding of themselves, practical tools they can use in everyday life, and a growing sense of confidence in their ability to handle what comes next.

Most importantly, I want you to know that there is hope. I've witnessed children find their voice, teens rediscover their confidence, parents feel capable again, and families move from stress and disconnection toward calm, connection, and playfulness.

You don't have to navigate it alone.