Meet the Experts
Joel Pukalo
Registered Psychologist
Joel’s approach is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as he believes that learning to process and journey through difficult thoughts, feelings, and emotions, enables us to move towards integration and acceptance of ourselves and our journeys.
Andrea Pukalo
Registered Psychologist
Andrea’s approach is eclectic in nature utilizing person centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. Andrea’s clinical qualities include holding a compassionate, safe place to hold your story, unconditional positive regard, empathy and presence.
Dr. Janet Lourens (Kaldas)
Registered Psychologist
I take an integrative approach to psychotherapy. My first priority is in building a safe and trusting relationship with you, and getting to know you; from there, I incorporate strategies from different theories to best adapt therapy to you.
Chantal Seymour
Registered Psychologist
Chantal has been working with the Fort McMurray Catholic School Board for 3 years. In this role her primary focus is family counselling, with a mix of school counselling at the elementary level.
Her core foundation starts with attachment based and trauma-informed psychotherapy. She believes that the therapeutic relationship is one of the most powerful elements of counselling. As human beings we are all born with an innate need to connect and this is a key foundation of her work.
Geordy Murphy
Registered Psychologist
My passion for helping others started with working in homeless shelters. This experience instilled a passion to hear people’s stories and recognize each person as unique and valuable. Geordy like a combination of Solution Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, and the use of EMDR to help people to overcome self limiting beliefs and experience wholeness. Overall, he believes that genuineness and being real are super important to therapy, and he is looking forward to giving people the ability to have a safe place to heal and grow.
Katie Bossmann
Registered Provisional Psychologist
I have a specific interest in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), but believe in an integrative approach, as each client is unique. I believe that in spite of difficult thoughts, feelings, and emotions, people deserve to and can live a full and meaningful life.
Harmony Nimchuk
Registered Provisional Psychologist
I am passionate about being able to provide a safe, inclusive and non-judgemental space for clients to have their stories heard and therapeutic journey supported in order to become their authentic selves. The opportunity to walk alongside client’s journeys is a true privilege and I view life and counselling with the perspective that many events, thoughts, feelings and behaviours contribute to who we are and how we interact within the world. By providing clients with unconditional positive regard, empathy, trust and warmth, we can form a therapeutic alliance and collaboratively work together to explore challenges that may arise, rediscover strengths, release potential and work towards positive change and growth.
Christine Davage
Registered Provisional Psychologist
I love working with clients to find solutions which allow them to thrive, and I do so through a trauma-informed approach, which emphasizes non-judgmental support and strengths-based approaches. I believe that we all have a unique story, and that meeting our inherent need to be heard and accepted is an important step in finding peace.
Elizabeth Groat
Registered Provisional Psychologist
The nature of human existence is that no matter how hard one endeavours to avoid difficulties, everyone will experience challenging times, thoughts, feelings, emotions and pain. Through this reality, I feel that people can embrace their inner wisdom and cultivate the life they hope to live despite the broad range of human emotions we must all navigate. By identifying one’s inner strengths to engage in life meaningfully, people can experience a more intentional and richer existence, fulfilling their innate desire to live their best life even when they face hardships.
Alex Sieben
Mental Health Therapist
I acknowledge both the courage and fear it takes to share ourselves with another person, and I am always honoured to walk alongside my brave clients in this journey. By creating a safe environment and using compassion, curiosity, and a little bit of trust in the process, we can work together to explore and integrate new ways of looking at and engaging with the world as we journey through your highs and lows together. We all hold unique experiences that deserve to be honoured and all deserve a life that is fulfilling and meaningful.
Brittany Zabolotniuk
Mental Health Therapist
I am passionate about supporting others towards a path of healing, recovery, and completeness. I value the therapeutic presence coming from a place of compassion so individuals can share their stories. In my previous careers, I have worked with children and families towards a path of reunification and preservation.
Raina Beugelink
Registered Dietitian
I am passionate about helping people simplify their nutrition goals and create lasting change. Restoring our relationship with food is one of the most powerful things we can do in regards to our diet. I love working with my clients to view food as a positive part of our life, not as something to be feared or controlled. Being a shift working family, I am especially passionate about helping shift workers and their families increase their energy and improve their health through practical-evidence based strategies.
Shawn Labrosse
Registered Massage Therapist
Having practiced Massage therapy since 2016, I’ve learned that everyone can use some relief. In order to get this breathing room, I believe a healthy body houses a healthy mind. Working with a variety of cases, I’ve fallen in love with helping people get back to themselves. Communication is always paramount as we work together to solve your concerns. I’ve worked in clinics and chiropractic offices over the years, expanding my skills and knowledge of the human body.
Our Core Values
In Family Life Psychology & Wellness, individuals and families will find high quality, evidence-based, and integrated health care services.
Authenticity
To be authentic, we must cultivate the courage to be imperfect and vulnerable. We have to believe that we are fundamentally worthy of love and acceptance, just as we are.
Compassion
We will actively listen to fully understand and genuinely empathize with people’s experiences. Responding in service and advocacy for each individual, each group or community, and for society as a whole.
Client-Centered
Through unconditional positive regard, empathetic understanding, and congruence we relate with and encourage our clients without casting judgment. We will show our confidence in our client’s ability to make decisions and choices.
Reliable & Recommended
The word reliable comes from the French word relier, which means “to link” or “attach.” We see reliability as being an organization you can lean on and trust.
Understanding Anxiety
Facts & Statistics
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety
Specific Phobias
Stress
Obssesive-Compulsive
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% of affected adults receive treatment.
Facts
- Overly concerned about money
- Concerned about health, family, work, or other issues.
- May experience anxiety even when there is no apparent cause.
Panic Disorder
PD affects 6 million adults or 2.7% of the U.S. population. Women are twice as likely to be affected by it as men.
Facts
- Symptoms can include unexplained panic attacks.
- About 2-3% of the population experience panic disorder in a given year.
- Panic disorder usually begins in adulthood (after 20 years of age).
- People can also experience worrying more than they should.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety affects 15 million adults or 6.8% of the population. Social anxiety is equally common among men and women, it typically begins around age 13. According to a 2007 ADAA survey, 36% of people with social anxiety report experiencing symptoms for 10 or more years before seeking help.
Facts
- Symptoms include intense anxiety and fear of being judged or rejected.
- Worrying about appearing visibly anxious.
- Feeling powerless against the anxiety.
Specific Phobias
Specific phobias affect 8.7% of the population. Women are twice as likely to be affected as men. The average age of onset is 7 years old. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are related to anxiety, which some may experience alongside.
Facts
Facts
- Will do whatever they can to avoid the uncomfortable and often terrifying feelings of phobic anxiety.
- Most phobias seem to arise unexpectedly
- Specific phobias commonly focus on animals, insects, germs, heights, thunder, driving, public transportation, illness, flying, dental, medical procedures, and elevators.
Stress
Everyone experiences stress and anxiety at one time or another. The difference between them is that stress is a response to a threatening situation. Anxiety is a reaction to being stressed.
Facts
Facts
- Chronic stress can affect your health.
- Symptoms include headaches, high blood pressure, and chest pain.
- Stress can cause skin rashes, loss of sleep, and even heart palpitations.
- Physical activity has been proven to reduce stress.
Obssesive-Compulsive
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects millions of people from all walks of life. According to the NIMH, OCD affected 1.2% of adults and 1 in 100 children. People with OCD experience obsession and compulsion.
Facts
Facts
- Common obsessions include concerns about contamination, cleanliness, aggressive impulses, or the need for symmetry.
- Common compulsions include checking, washing/cleaning, and arranging.
- There isn’t always a logical connection between obsessions and compulsions.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD affects 7.7 million adults. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Rape is the most likely trigger of PTSD: 63% of men, and 45.9% of women who are raped will develop the disorder. Childhood sexual abuse is a strong predictor of the likelihood of developing PTSD.
Facts
Facts
- There are currently about 8 million people in Canada living with PTSD.
- Women are twice as likely to develop PTSD as men.
- Children can develop it as well.
- PTSD often occurs with depression, substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders.
Major Depressive Disorder
The leading cause of disability for ages 15 to 44. MDD affects 6.7% of the population ages 18 and older in a given year. While the major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32.5 years old. It is more prevalent in women than in men.
Facts
Facts
- Depression occurs more often in women than in men.
- In men, it manifests often as tiredness, irritability, and anger.
- In women, it manifests as sadness, worthlessness, and guilt.
- In younger children, it manifests as school refusal, anxiety when separated from parents, and worrying about parents dying.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent depressive disorder is a form of depression that usually continues for at least 2 years. It affects approximately 1.5% of the population aged 18 years or older in a given year. Only 61.7% of adults with the persistent depressive disorder receive treatment. The average age of onset is 31 years old.
Facts
Facts
- One of the main symptoms includes a low, dark, or sad mood.
- Symptoms also include Poor appetite or overeating, insomnia or hypersomnia, low energy or fatigue, low self-esteem, poor concentration, difficulty making decisions, feelings of hoplessness
Welcome to Family Life Psychology & Wellness
Get to know Family Life Psychology & Wellness, come inside, and have a look at our welcoming space.
Expertise, Compassion, and Excellence.
Contact us to see how we can help you grow your health. We have many hand-picked professionals to help you make your health a priority.
(780) 963-7451
info@familylifewellness.ca
Website: www.familylifewellness.ca
(780) 963-7451
info@familylifewellness.ca
Website: www.familylifewellness.ca
