Brenda Petrie's Experience in Alberta
My studies in the field of helping started at Red Deer College in 1986 and I graduated with a Certificate in Early Childhood. After being employed as the director of a not-for-profit child care center I returned to post-secondary studies. In 1994 I graduated from the University of Alberta with an Elementary Education degree with special education as a focus area.
After teaching for more than a decade I returned to post-secondary studies again. In 2010 I graduated from Walden University with a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counselling with marriage and family therapy as my area of focus.
I worked for Wild Rose Public Schools as an elementary school counsellor for two years and then joined Schoepp & Associates Psychological Services during my time as a provisional psychologist. In 2014 I decided to enter private practice as a sole practitioner.
My clinical work is based on cognitive behavioural, solution focused and person-centered therapy. I believe that each person has the capacity and the desire for personal growth and change. Through empathy and unconditional positive regard I seek to establish a trusting relationship between myself and the client. Within this relationship I am able to offer support, education, and guidance so that the client can discover personalized solutions within themselves. Helping clients understand the link between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours is frequently utilized.
For brief therapy, solution-focused therapy may be used. Techniques include coping questions, miracle questions, and/or scaling questions. Solution-focused therapy is goal-orientated and seeks to identify and target the desired outcome of therapy.
I’m also certified in EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.
My work also includes formal psycho-educational assessments for children. This includes academic achievement assessment, intelligence/cognitive assessment, and behaviour assessments.
I currently provide behaviour consultation to schools in Northern Gateway Public Schools. I have level two training in the field of Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA). I am available for crisis intervention, trauma, and risk assessment situations.
Please phone or email if you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation.