Greetings! My name is Sheila Gothjelpsen (pronounced God-help-sen) and I am a registered psychologist.  I completed my BA in Psychology, M.Ed in Counselling Psychology, and Ph.D in Counselling Psychology (CPA accredited) all from the University of Alberta.  I also completed a CPA accredited pre-doctoral internship through Millard Health.

 

I have been providing psychological services for the past 18 years and have gained clinical experience in a variety of settings, including psychiatric hospitals, community mental health programs, crisis centres, counseling centres, family violence teams, rehabilitation facilities and primary health care.  I have received extensive training in the assessment and treatment of a range of mental health concerns, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, chronic health conditions, work-related stress, loss and grief, relationship difficulties, and sleep disorders

 

As a registered psychologist in Alberta, I have met rigorous standards of practice and am required by law to deliver professional services competently and ethically. I am accountable for my professional activities through my provincial regulatory body, the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). My practice is guided by the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (Canadian Psychological Association) and Standards of Practice (CAP). I also hold membership with the Psychologists Association of Alberta. I currently sit on the Registration Approvals Sub-Committee and the Complaints Review & Hearing Tribunal for the College of Alberta Psychologists.

 

At this time, I only work with individuals ages 18 years and older.  I am currently accepting new clients. No referral is necessary.

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Therapeutic Approach

 

It takes a lot of courage to seek out help and support.  I deeply respect a person willingness to engage in the process of therapy for healing and self-improvement. 

 

I recognize that people have unique issues and needs, and as such, I take a collaborative approach with my clients.  We decide together what issues will be addressed in therapy and how problems will be approached.  It is very important that a person feels safe with their therapist and trusts that they will be understood without judgment.  I strive to facilitate a positive therapeutic relationship with my clients. 

 

I integrate a number of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (for PTSD), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Client-Centred Therapy (Humanistic), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential and Hope/Solution Focused Therapy. 

 

When treating PTSD, I typically use a combination of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

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I also offer Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), which is a highly effective, non-invasive, non-drug, treatment for sleep problems

Typical Issues Addressed

Individual therapy is available for those aged 18 years and older.  Some types of issues addressed include, but are not limited to:

 

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - civilians, RCMP, military, Trauma Exposed Professionals (Individuals who, through their regular work duties, are regularly and chronically exposed to traumatic events, including, Firefighters, EMS, corrections, healthcare workers, etc.)

• Depression

• Anxiety

  • Fears and worries

  • Phobias

  • Panic

• Stress

• Complex Trauma (e.g. childhood abuse)

• Health Related Issues

  • Primary Care Psychology - Integrative Behavioural Health

  • Chronic Disease Management

  • Health Behaviour Change

  • Chronic Pain

  • Weight and Lifestyle Change

    • Obesity

    • Weight Management

    • Emotional Eating

    • Binge Eating

• Sleep Management (CBT for insomnia is available)

• Adult ADHD/ADD

• Personality disorders

• Perfectionism

• Anger Management

• Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour

• Relationship Issues

• Grief, Loss, Bereavement

• Life transitions

• Family issues