Who We Are
We are your Registered Psychologists in Calgary, your Social Workers and your Calgary Counsellors.
We're here for you... but on this page you'll learn who we are.
Calgary Registered Psychologists & more...
Get Support from our Diverse Team
We are a "one stop shop" for mental health counselling and support. Our experienced team of certified counsellors, registered social workers and registered psychologists in Calgary are able to provide a diverse level of support to you.
You are not limited to only 1 counsellor at our practice. We offer the option of co-counselling, which allows you the option of working with 2 counsellors in a session, sometimes at no additional cost. Our counselling team also meets regularly to discuss how you are being cared for and share insights, and we do this with the utmost regard for confidentiality and personal safety.
Get multi-discipline support from our counsellors, social workers and registered psychologists in Calgary.
“There's much that you can't change, but there is something important that you can change: you.”
- Rick Warren
Our Psychologists’ Approach
How We Work With You
The counsellors, social workers and registered psychologists at our Calgary office have different backgrounds and experiences, but we all practice a client-centered, trauma informed approach.
We believe that you are the expert in what you require, as far as your counselling experience, but we provide wrap-around support, expert guidance, encouragement, and offer informed suggestions to lead you towards where you need to be.
In a trauma informed approach, we view you from a holistic perspective looking at past trauma and how that may have impacted you throughout your life. We’ll explore resulting behaviors with you, and coping mechanisms that you may rely on. Goal-setting is important and we will let you set your own goals, while providing much needed support to get you there.
Our Psychologists, Counsellors and Staff
Carly Brown
Co-Owner
BA, MC
Registered Psychologist
Adults, couples, families, assessments
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Vanessa Fahie
Co-Owner
BA, MC, CCC
Certified Canadian Counsellor
Adults, couples, families
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Wade Belt
BA, MC, CCC
Certified Canadian Counsellor
Adult individual counselling
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- Eclectic approach
- Client centered approach
- Narrative therapy
- Trauma-informed
- Mindfulness & grounding
- Psycho-educational assessments
- CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
- SFT (solution-focused therapy)
- Educational psychology
- Youth, adults, couples, families
Carly Brown
BA, MC
Registered Psychologist
Carly is caring, compassionate and has a positive energy and outlook. Her approach to counselling is based on a foundation of acceptance, honesty and mutual respect. Drawing largely from Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Response Based and Narrative approaches, Carly collaborates with clients to implement valuable, personalized solutions. Carly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Calgary and a Masters of Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle. She is also a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists.
Carly has nine years of experience providing one-on-one educational interventions to children, adolescents and adults with mild to severe learning disorders. She also has experience addressing concerns regarding self-esteem, anxiety management, emotional regulation, daily living skills, social skills, peer and family relationships, and life transitions.
Carly is a trauma informed counsellor and is up-to-date with current counselling approaches. As part of her desire to remain informed on current and effective practices, Carly has completed her Gottman's Certification in the 10 Core Principels of Effective Couples Therapy, has trained in administering psycho-educational assessments, and has attended workshops on learning difficulties. She has completed intensive ethics training to help ensure the practice, case noting, and counselling support remains ethical. She continues to engage in a variety of training to ensure she is up to date when working with different stressors.
Note: Carly is away on maternity leave until November 1, 2023
- Response-based approach
- Mind-body connection
- Power of vulnerability
- Trauma-informed
- Mindfulness & grounding
- Eclectic approach
- Client centered approach
- Adults, couples, families
Vanessa Fahie
BA, MC, CCC
Certified Canadian Counsellor
Vanessa is passionate about people and strives to create a safe, supportive and healing environment for clients by providing support during their time of need. Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from the University of Lethbridge and a Masters of Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle. She is also a Professional Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, a nation-wide accredited body that works to enhance mental health services to Canadians and The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta, a provincial accredited body that works to enhance mental health services for Albertans.
Vanessa’s diverse experience in the counselling field has allowed her to develop and refine her skills as a counsellor in a variety of ways and has provided experience to work with a variety of clients facing an array of issues. She has learned how to integrate counselling skills into each session and how to match appropriate clinical interventions with the needs of each client. Vanessa has eight years’ experience providing one-on-one interventions to children, families, couples, groups, and adults as a crisis counsellor, counsellor, and cognitive coach.
Vanessa is dedicated to creating a practice that supports total body wellness and mental well-being. She approaches all sessions from the stance of being transparent, open, honest, and collaborative with her clients. Her education and experience in counselling has allowed her to develop tools and interventions to help people move from distress to wellness. Vanessa draws largely from response based, solution focused, narrative, mind-body, and multimodal approaches. She has a warm and empathetic approach to working with clients of all ages. Vanessa has experience addressing mental health concerns, parent/child conflict, schooling difficulties, maintaining healthy relationships, domestic violence, substance abuse, life stresses, family stress, relationship issues, risk issues, transition issues, grief and loss, trauma, and sexual health concerns. She also has knowledge regarding sex and desire and their importance for couples, as she has researched and wrote a published paper on the subject. Vanessa aspires to assist clients in processing and understanding their own circumstances in the hopes of aiding them in developing and implementing strategies to improve their quality of life.
Vanessa is up-to-date with current counselling approaches, which she allows to inform her practice, such as receiving her Gottman's Certification in the 10 Core Principles of Effective Couples Therapy. As part of her desire to remain informed of current and effective practices, Vanessa is a Trauma Informed counsellor, a response based counsellor, and a DBT informed counsellor. Vanessa also continues to engage in a variety of training to ensure she is up to date when working with different stressors, and has completed intensive ethics training to ensure the practice, case noting, and her counselling support remains ethical.
- Eclectic approach
- Client centered approach
- EFT (emotion-focused therapy
- Narrative therapy
- Domestic violence
- Metaphors to encourage healing
- Adults, couples
Wade Belt
BA, MC, CCC
Certified Canadian Counsellor
I work from an integrated approach focusing not just on the client’s problems in their life, but on the system in which those problems exist. At the center of my work is looking at the relationships in the person’s life and how those connections are made and maintained. I believe that at the center of these relationships, emotions play a key role, and with that belief I help clients understand, explore, and express emotions.
Put simply, I help people create coherency between their internal world and their external world.
I draw from theoretical approaches such as Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Existential Therapy, and the work of Peter Levin and Bessel van der Kolk. I've completed an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy externship and received my Gottman's Certification in the 10 Core Principles of Effective Couples Therapy. Through intensive ethics training I ensure my case noting and my counselling support remains ethical.
Feedback that clients have provided is that I do a great job allowing them to express their stories and make sense of them. I have also been told that I help connect all the pieces of a client’s story. I have practiced and honed these skills in the field of family violence for many years, working both with people who have experienced violence and with those who have perpetrated violence on others.
I spent a good part of my 20’s traveling and have spent time in Hawaii, the Middle East, the South Pacific (Fiji and Vanuatu), India, Bangladesh, Thailand and others. My wife and I have one amazing son.
Before I did my Masters of Counseling, I was a carpenter and worked both framing and finishing.
My hobbies include:
Fly fishing, golfing, surfing (whenever I am close to an ocean), hiking, drinking good coffee, and listening to podcasts such as 99% Invisible, Cautionary Tales, and Revisionist History
Some quotes I like:
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” – Vicktor Frankl
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou
“What is a poet? An unhappy man who hides deep anguish in his heart, but whose lips are so formed that when the sigh and cry pass through them, it sounds like lovely music.... And people flock around the poet and say: 'Sing again soon' - that is, 'May new sufferings torment your soul but your lips be fashioned as before, for the cry would only frighten us, but the music, that is blissful.” - Soren Kierkegaard
“The propensity to make strong emotional bonds to particular individuals [is] a basic component of human nature.” – John Bowlby
Books and authors I like:
George Orwell, Sue Johnson, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van Der Kolk, Malcom Gladwell, Brené Brown, Daniel Siegel, and When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
- Eclectic approach
- Client-centered
- Solution-focused brief therapy
- CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
- Narrative play therapy
- Youth, adults, couples, families
Jasminder (Jassi) Randhawa Punj
BA, MC
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Jassi is passionate about working with people, is a strong listener, understanding, and strives to create a warm, safe, and non-judgmental environment. Jassi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Mount Royal University and a Master’s of Counselling Psychology degree from Athabasca University. She is a provisional psychologist, registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists.
Jassi has diverse experience in providing emotional/mental health support and crisis intervention for children, youth, adults with or without the presence of chronic and persistent mental illness, as well as families. Jassi has provided services through various modalities such as phone, text, chat, email, and face to face contact. Jassi operates from a client centered approach in that she will match intervention strategies based on the individual needs of the client, and through intensive ethics training she ensures the practice, her case noting, and her counselling support remains ethical.
Her goal of psychotherapy is to provide a warm therapeutic environment that assists individuals to move towards a state of a self-actualization, to recognize their full potential, and elicit motivation for personal growth. Jassi continues her relationship with learning and being up to date with intervention strategies that will lead to desired change, and has also completed her Gottman's Certification in the 10 Core Principles of Effective Couples Therapy.
“It is the client who knows what hurts, what direction to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried.”
– Carl Rogers
- Client-centered approach
- SFT (solution-focused therapy)
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Trauma informed
- Children, adolescents, adults
Rayan Zaza
BA, MC
Registered Provisional Psychologist, Counsellor
Rayan is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists with experience in helping individuals and couples to overcome life’s challenges. Rayan has obtained extensive education and training in the field of psychology and provides psychotherapy to clients with a variety of concerns. She specializes in treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with trauma, dissociation, personality and mood disorders, relationship conflicts, as well as many other mental health concerns.
Rayan uses an integrative approach to psychotherapy that draws from solution-focused therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and trauma-informed practice. She believes that progress is hindered by inadequate environments and communicative limitations. As such, she strives to offer a safe and supportive environment that will allow for clarity in establishing roots for growth and autonomy. Rayan believes that in facing our suppressed emotions, thoughts, and inner processes, we are able to gain a better understanding of our needs. This aids in the development of the skills, strategies, and habits that can foster a healthy momentum for growth and stability.
Rayan believes that her role as a therapist is to hold space for you while you work through your concerns together in an empathetic and non-judgemental manner. She believes that through examining different patterns of behaviour that no longer serve you, that you can begin to create a reality that is in line with your goals and values. Rayan strongly believes in the alliance that is formed between client and therapist, that can further embody the change we wish to see in ourselves. Rayan’s intention with each client is to work alongside them as they explore their most authentic selves.
With the goal of always improving her ability to care for her clients, Rayan has completed training for EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), completed her Gottman's Certification in the 10 Core Principles of Effective Couples Therapy, and has undergone intensive ethics training to ensure the practice, case noting, and her counselling support remains ethical.
- Client-centered
- Trauma-informed
- Attachment-informed
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1 trained)
- Adolescents, adults, couples, families
Erin Cape
BA, MC
Registered Provisional Psychologist, Counsellor
Erin is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and holds a Masters of Counselling from City University. Erin has been working with youth and families for the last 6 years in family homes, residential treatment programs, and schools.
Erin has a passion for connecting with adolescents experiencing complex mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship problems, behavioural and emotional regulation, and trauma. Drawing from Solution-Focused and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approaches for individuals, Erin will work with you to build your capacity to sit through difficult thoughts and emotions so that you can live a life with meaning and in alignment with your values and goals.
Erin also works from a family systems approach that recognizes the individual strengths and successes of each member to improve the family unit as a whole. Erin is trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1) to provide support to couples of all orientations, and she has completed intensive ethics training to ensure the practice, her case noting and her counselling support remains ethical.
Erin holds space for clients using compassion, non-judgement, creativity, humour, and sensitivity to all needs and backgrounds. Erin meets clients and families where they are at, puts you in the drivers seat of your treatment, and will journey alongside you in finding mental wellness.
Students
We believe in providing training opportunities for counsellors of the future. In the spirit of supporting others in their development, Building Bridges Counselling Services has welcomed these students to our practice. We are excited to have the benefit of fresh perspectives and additional up-to-date knowledge on counselling techniques, to help serve you better.
- Eclectic approach
- Client centered approach
- Trauma-informed
- Mindfulness
- Youth, adults, couples
- CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT
Amy McMillan
BA, MC Student
Student Counsellor
Amy is enthusiastic about watching people grow in their personal lives and carries a warm, kind, and compassionate approach to health and healing.
She has earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a concentration in Psychology from St. Mary’s University in Calgary and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Counselling Psychology program through Yorkville University.
During her studies, she has also completed Trauma Informed Care through Alberta Health Services and she holds nearly 10 years of experience providing behavioural therapy to children with Autism and other developmental and mental health needs. Amy is eager to expand her knowledge in additional counselling theories, and looks forward to taking that journey alongside her clients!
Born and raised in Calgary, Amy loves to take her senior dog swimming, get lost in a good book, crochet, and spend time with family.
- SFT (solution-focused therapy)
- CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
- Eclectic approach
- Adults, adolescents, youth (12+)
Madison Graves
BA, MC Student
Student Counsellor
Madison is a practicum student with a strong academic background in psychology. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Concordia University of Edmonton and is currently working towards her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.
Madison grew up in Edmonton but recently moved to Calgary to complete her practicum. She is passionate about helping people and strives to create a warm, safe, and supportive environment for her clients. Her experience volunteering at a sexual assault centre provided her with a solid foundation in therapeutic skills and exposed her to a diverse clientele.
Madison approaches therapy with a trauma-informed and client-centred approach. She believes that her clients are the experts on their own experiences and tailors her approach to meet their unique needs. As a result, she takes an eclectic approach to therapy, drawing on various therapeutic modalities to help her clients work through their emotions.
In her work, Madison’s goal is to create a space where her clients feel comfortable expressing themselves and working through their challenges. She does this by offering compassion, empathy, and non-judgmental support. Additionally, Madison has found that using humour can be an effective way to connect with clients and create a sense of comfort in the therapy session.
Overall, Madison is a skilled and compassionate practicum student committed to helping her clients achieve their goals and work through life’s challenges.
Our Administrative Staff
Emily Sexton
Director of Client Experience
Emily was born and raised in northern BC for 19 years before moving to southern Ontario in July 2012. While living in Ontario Emily attended Niagara College and graduated from the Executive Office Administration program in 2016. Emily transitioned from student to employee at Niagara College in 2016 working as an Administrative Assistant in the Health, Wellness & Accessibility Service office.
After being in Ontario for nine years Emily decided it was time for a change and made the decision to move across the country for a second time landing in Calgary, Alberta in July 2021.
Emily is passionate about her position and assisting all parts of the practice including the clients and the staff. She is dedicated to always providing the best service she can.
Fun Fact: Emily has 4 brothers and they are all 1 year apart in age.
This complimentary, no obligation meeting will let you see if we’re a good fit for you.
No waiting for a reply! Book online, directly into our calendar, or call 587-318-0018
We offer multiple ways to meet, for sessions or Coffee & Chat introduction meetings. Meet us in person (at our Calgary office in Bowness), by phone, or through video chat (Zoom / Skype / Google Meet / FaceTime). Learn more about our COVID-19 Policies.