Hello and welcome! I’m a Registered Psychologist with specialized training in Mindfulness and as a Mindful Self-Compassion teacher. Over the past decade, I’ve had the honour of providing one-on-one support in counselling agencies and a sexual assault center, working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Through this experience, I’ve seen how challenging self-kindness and present-moment awareness can be, and how transformative developing these skills can be.
Cathy Underhill
Areas of Practice SpiritualityAbuseAddictionsADHDAnxietyDepressionGrief/LossLife Adjustment/TransitionOCDParentingPersonal Development/GrowthPre-Marital CounselingPTSDRelationship ProblemsSelf-Esteem/Self-CompassionSeparation and DivorceStress/BurnoutTraumaHealth/Medical ConcernsWomen's Health Counseling
|Career/Vocation|Communication|Infidelity|Loneliness/Isolation|Pain Management|Panic Attacks|Personality Issues|Phobias|Pre-Marital Counselling|School / Academic|Self-Injury|Sleep problems|
Approach
My primary focus is to create a caring, supportive environment where you feel accepted and respected. I believe that each person’s journey is unique, and there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution. My goal is to ensure that you feel heard and valued throughout our work together. You are the expert in your own life, and I’m here to support and facilitate your path toward healing and growth.
I work with individuals aged 18 and older, as well as couples, to address a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress management, grief, emotion regulation, relationship challenges, and personal growth. My training also includes trauma-informed approaches, such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Somatic Experiencing. Depending on your unique needs, I may incorporate techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), along with the Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
Cathy’s approach integrates:
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
EMDR
Gottman Method
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Somatic Experiencing
Trauma-Informed
Please feel free to reach out — I’d love to connect!
Background
Cathy holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of New Brunswick, a Master of Education in Educational Counselling from the University of Ottawa, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from the University of New Brunswick. She also holds a Certificate in Addiction Studies from Mount Royal University.
She is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and a member of the Psychology Association of Alberta and the Association of Counselling Therapists of Alberta.
Her trauma-informed training includes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Level I & II, Somatic Experiencing (Advanced), Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT) & Trauma Levels I & II, and Gottman Method I & II, along with training in Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness, the Hakomi Method, and EFT for Families.
Cathy’s career has spanned counselling agencies, a sexual assault program, and executive leadership of a non-profit counselling and EAP agency, alongside group facilitation on mindfulness and women’s healing. Prior to her counselling career, she worked as a project manager and research analyst at Statistics Canada.
Favorite Quote
“You don’t have to be positive all the time. It’s perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared and anxious. Having feelings doesn’t make you a negative person. It makes you human.”
— Lori Deschene
Wellness Matters Videos
See Cathy’s talks below to get to know her and an area she often works with in therapy
How Cathy works with…
Couples
Building strong relationships takes dedication. Maintaining a lasting bond isn't easy; it requires effort and intention. However, this hard work can lead to joy, fulfillment, intimacy, and fun. I am trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a counselling approach rooted in attachment science. It works with individuals, couples, and families to foster transformative emotional experiences that reshape how clients view themselves and their relationships. I also utilize the Gottman Method, which focuses on helping couples enhance their relationships in three key areas: friendship, conflict resolution, and shared meaning. Couples learn to shift negative patterns into positive interactions, heal past wounds, and foster closeness and intimacy to support their shared goals.Trauma/PTSD
Traumatic experiences can profoundly affect a person's life and relationships, leading to challenges in work, school, and social situations. Trauma therapy can enhance your quality of life. While confronting these difficult events may be tough, supportive psychotherapy can help reduce symptoms over time. I am trained in trauma-specific approaches, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Somatic Experiencing, and Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness.Pre-Marriage Counselling
Participating in premarital counselling can effectively prepare you and your partner for married life. It helps identify core beliefs, set realistic expectations, plan for the future, and navigate how your lives will merge. Pre-marriage counselling fosters a deeper understanding of your partner's beliefs, values, motivations, and daily routines. It also provides a space to discuss key aspects of marriage, ensuring both partners have a clear understanding of what to expect, while also recognizing each other's strengths and areas for growth. Just as you’d consult a wedding planner for your big day, pre-marriage counselling can help you design a strong foundation for your life together.
We’ll help you find the right fit.
Our client care team works with each new client to ensure they are matched to the right therapist.
It’s essential to find a therapist who aligns with your unique needs and preferences. If you’re unsure where to begin, you don’t have to figure it out alone.