Victoria's Story
Registered Psychologist | Owner
I woke up on November 15, 2014 to a world that I knew changed suddenly by the loss of my mother from a brain tumour. While I anticipated her death after receiving her prognosis years earlier, I felt overwhelmed and alone. It was my journey through grief and loss that led me into working with others who have experienced losses, providing trauma-informed and evidence-based treatments in my practice.
I created Heartland Psychology in 2019 with the vision of increasing access to trauma-informed psychological services locally within Fort Saskatchewan. When I'm not with clients at our practice, I also enjoy teaching, consulting, and spending time with my two kiddos.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Areas of Practice
Populations
Adults
Adolescents
Presenting Concerns
Grief and Loss
Trauma
Childhood abuse (physical, emotional, neglect, sexual, spiritual)
First responders: VAC and EPS provider
Sexual Violence
Anxiety and Depression
Post-Secondary Teaching Experience
Victoria is a Faculty Member at City University of Seattle, Edmonton campus. She instructs the following courses for the Master of Counselling program:
- CPC 510: Professional Ethics and Law in Counselling
- CPC 501: Introduction to Counselling Psychology Practice
- CPC 523: Psychology of Sexuality and Human Development
- CPC 511: Psychology of Grief and Loss
Education and Credentials
Professional Membership
Victoria is a member in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists and the Psychologists' Association of Alberta since 2019.
Master of Counselling
Victoria graduated from City University of Seattle in 2019 with a Master of Counselling degree. Her capstone research focused on somatic (body-based) interventions for the treatment of adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse.
During this time of conducting her capstone research, Victoria was a counselling intern at Saffron Centre, supporting adolescents and adults who have experienced sexual violence.
Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies
Victoria graduated from the University of Calgary in 2011. Furthermore, she obtained a diploma as a Therapy Assistant in 2009, providing physical and occupational assistance at the University of Alberta Hospital.
Post-Graduate Training
Victoria is trained in Eye-movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is a neurological and body-oriented therapy used for the treatment of trauma and other mental health concerns.
With advanced training in the Early Trauma Protocol for EMDR, Victoria utilizes this intervention to support clients who have experienced preverbal trauma and early childhood experiences.
Addition Training:
First Responders to Sexual Violence
Preverbal Trauma Protocol- EMDR
Somatic Experiencing- Beginner 1 and 2
Eye-movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Introduction to Hakomi Therapy
Yin Yoga and Mindful Meditation Teacher Training
Grief and Loss
Consciousness-based Psychotherapy
ASIST Suicide Intervention
Indigenous Helping the Helpers Training
Mental Health Experience
With over 13 years in the mental health field, Victoria is passionate about bringing awareness to the importance of mental health and working locally in her community of Fort Saskatchewan.
Teaching Assistant Experience
Victoria's teaching assistant experience includes both undergraduate and graduate program courses. Victoria provided teaching assistance for the Master of Counselling program at City University of Seattle in 2018. In addition, Victoria sat as a panelist for the Master of Counselling Comprehensive Examination for students in 2020.
In 2010 and 2011, Victoria provided instructional assistance to the Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies program at the University of Calgary.
Professional Experience
Since 2007, Victoria has worked extensively with individuals impacted by trauma-related disorders in the field of forensic psychiatry (outreach for individuals found not criminally responsible due to mental illness (NCR), neurodegenerative disorders (dementia, long-term care, and palliative care units), at the sexual assault centre, and in private practice.
From 2016 to 2019, Victoria also provided volunteer counselling support to individuals impacted by human trafficking through the Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network hotline.