Life is made up of diverse experiences. As humans, we inevitably face challenges, hardships, and rejections — along with successes and joyous moments. When we are struggling to manage the curve balls life can throw at us, I believe in the healing power of simply opening up about our struggles in a safe and supportive place. Counselling is a collaborative effort between the therapist and the client, which helps individuals learn more about themselves and the perceptions of the world around them. In learning more about how we cope with different life experiences, we create space for self-compassion and acceptance. I recognize the courage it requires to take the first step forward in one’s therapeutic journey, and I feel truly honored to hold space for all clients and to foster their paths towards healing and growth.
Emily Collins
Approach
I believe in the importance of a person-centered approach, tailoring the therapeutic process to each client. By recognizing the vast uniqueness of each person, I work to understand all parts that make up an individual. I strive to help clients feel comfortable in therapy by cultivating a judgment-free, safe, compassionate, and collaborative space. My approach to counselling is eclectic, drawing from various therapeutic modalities.
Emily’s approach integrates:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Play Therapy
Background
Emily is a Registered Provisional Psychologist. She holds a Master’s degree from City University of Seattle (Edmonton campus) and a Bachelor of Science with Distinction from the University of Alberta, majoring in Biological Sciences with a Psychology minor, and completed a semester abroad at the University of Queensland in Australia.
Favorite Quote
“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.”
Brene Brown
Wellness Matters Videos
See Emily’s talks below to get to know her and an area she often works with in therapy
How Emily works with…
Children
Prior to completing a Masters in Counselling, I worked with children and adolescents for over ten years in various settings from early childhood education to creative learning environments. Navigating the world as a child/adolescent can often be difficult and confusing. The minds of youth are extremely active as they are forced to absorb knowledge and skills to exist in this world. I truly enjoy helping youth to understand and articulate these difficult feelings while fostering their sense of self. I like to draw upon the special outlooks youth have on life while tapping into their innate wisdom of themselves. Identifying what is happening on the “inside” is an important step in recognizing and understanding how a youth shows up on the “outside”.Trauma/PTSD
In order to understand a person, we must understand their life experiences. Traumatic experiences can be especially prevalent to the people we become as they live not only in our minds, but in our nervous systems as well. Furthermore, in order to cope with trauma, humans often adapt skewed ways of thinking about themselves, others, or the world around them in an attempt to “make sense” of their trauma. I believe trauma counselling can help individuals recognize and unlearn misleading/unproductive thought patterns they may adhere to. Working from an empowerment lens, I enjoy helping people heal from trauma by exploring one’s sense of choice in life and claiming one’s ability to grow and evolve.LGBTQ+ and Gender Identity
If you are exploring your gender or sexual identity, I am committed to providing a safe and judgment free space for you. I understand that this exploration can often pose challenges, whether it be stigma, fear of judgment, or disapproval from others. I work to affirm those on this journey by creating space for self-acceptance. Beyond this, I encourage clients to embark on any exploration or curiosity with a sense of self-love and pride. I promise to actively learn about the unique journey of each client’s self-expression in order to create meaningful outcomes in the counselling setting.Grief
There is no one way to describe grief. Beyond the passing of a loved one, grief can encompass many different losses and even life transitions. Grief often feels like riding a roller coaster where some days are slow and quiet, while others feel overwhelming and unbearable. Grief follows no distinct timeline, duration, path, or intervention, and each person experiences grief in vastly different ways. It is my privilege to sit with clients who are experiencing any type of grief or loss and hold space to explore any aspect of their experience.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.