Our Therapists
Vanessa Chen
I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist in the Province of Alberta. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I have experience and knowledge of helping clients work through anxiety, depression, burnout, work stress, school stress, self-esteem, ADHD, autism, and relationship concerns.
I use Synergetic Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness. I am currently learning Emotionally Focused Therapy. The combination of different methods allows me to create an individualized therapeutic plan to ensure a holistic approach.
My approach aims to create a warm, non-judgmental environment where we can build a strong therapeutic relationship, and work together as a team to achieve our goals. This entails trust, honesty, and respect.
Fluent in: English, Cantonese, Taishanese
Navi Dhoot
Effectively works with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, addictions, life stressors, self-esteem, trauma, PTSD, and grief and loss.
My approach to the work I do is holistic and eclectic. I believe that different approaches are effective for different people and it is important to recognize individual strengths and values which in turn can guide the therapeutic approach and process. It is important to have a flexible and non-judgmental attitude to helping people work through their presenting struggles and concerns. I appreciate the various theories of psychology and believe they all have their place, personally, I tend to work within a cognitive behavior, mindfulness, and humanistic Rogerian framework.
I have an extensive history working in the field of addictions and mental health with related major life areas. I have also worked in the areas of Corrections and Rehabilitation and am comfortable and competent in working with diverse populations.
I am certified in EMDR therapy and trained in CBT and Mindfulness. I believe my training and experience offer me the ability to help others in need, which is congruent with the feedback I have received. I believe that each of us needs to work on our mental health, just as we work on other aspects of our overall health, and none of us are immune to struggles in life in which we need professional support. Wishing each of you wellness in your life!
navi.greatlifepsychology@gmail.com
Christine Gatzke
I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist in the Province of Alberta, nearing 19+ years of clinical experience, I work with individuals, couples, and families, ranging from 5-80+ years old.
Using a collaborative and eclectic approach with clients, I am trained in approaches, but not limited to: Gestalt Psychotherapy, Attachment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Approaches, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Expressive Arts Therapy, and currently undergoing training in Somatic Experiencing.
Specialize in anxiety, depression, PTSD, abuse/trauma, adoption/foster care, grief & loss (i.e. fertility and infant loss), and life coaching/career/school and learning concerns.
A seasoned workshop and conference speaker, these services can be provided in English and/or French. A motto that she abides by, and assists clients to do so, in achieving their goals, is to: Live, Laugh, and Love.
christine.greatlifepsychology@gmail.com
Justine Jacques
I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist in the Province of Alberta. I use a variety of techniques and therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of my clients as I believe therapy should be individualized to meet the unique needs of each person. I have experience and knowledge of helping adolescents and adults with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, eating disorders, relationship concerns, phobias, stress, and behavioral issues.
Some of the approaches I use include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EMT), and Gestalt Therapy. I am currently working on coursework to practice Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is a psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.
My goal is to help my clients better navigate the challenges, issues, problems, and concerns that continue to trip them up preventing them from truly enjoying their lives. One step at a time, one day at a time, and believing that one small adjustment can make a big difference in how your day may go.
Olamide Omotosho
I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist in the Province of Alberta. I have experience and interest in working with children, youth, and adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, family relationships, addictions, and immigration integration-related challenges from an eclectic approach with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Olamide provides Therapy from a strength-based and multicultural approach by focusing on the uniqueness of each individual to attain self-actualization.
olamide.greatlifepsychology@gmail.com
Patti Fedor
I am a Registered Psychologist with 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents. I work hard to create a safe and caring environment with my warm and nurturing approach to guiding and supporting children and adolescents. I incorporate art, talk, books, and play therapy techniques to help my clients explore and express their thoughts and feelings helping them discover better ways to cope with these emotions.
As an educator and school counselor, I have a wealth of experience supporting children, adolescents and families with social and emotional development, personal issues, special needs education, behavior and learning challenges. I believe in honoring the unique individual with authenticity and positive regard.
My warm and nurturing nature helps me develop excellent rapport with youngsters and creates a safe and caring space to help. I have enjoyed extensive training with the Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute, and incorporate play therapy techniques and creative modalities such as art, play and bibliotherapy in my practice.
patti.greatlifepsychology@gmail.com
Rod Woitas
I am a Registered Provider for Veteran Affairs Canada and the RCMP. Registered providers have met standards set by VAC and the RCMP and have registered with Medavie Blue Cross providing approved benefits and services.
I am a Registered Psychologist in the Province of Alberta and a Registered Clinical Counselor in the Province of British Columbia. My observations as an educator, school counselor, clinical counselor, and psychologist provide a different perspective that may help you gain a better understanding of how to better cope and manage the ups and downs we experience in our lives.
Leaning on the lived experiences of my life and the lived experiences of others I have worked with, provides me with more insight into the struggles we all have, and some of the solutions to the problems that we all hope to find.
I effectively work with anxiety, depression, anger management, school and work-related stress, relationship issues (parent-teen conflicts, couples counseling), self-esteem, and addictions.
I am a warm, caring individual with a good heart for helping others. My commitment is to actively use my training and experience to help meet my clients’ goals. Successful treatment will be a direct result of fostering a positive working relationship built on trust, honesty, and a spirit of collaboration.
I am currently working at our office in Sherwood Park as well as our office in Vancouver.
As a therapist in private practice, my focus has been on helping clients develop coping strategies to deal with anxiety, anger, depression, relationship issues, parent/teen conflict, stress at work, and struggles at school. I also have experience helping couples communicate more effectively and repairing damage from past issues.
Couples Counselling
Over the last 7 years, I have expanded my practice to include couples counseling. This expansion involved additional education, training, and supervision. Couples counseling is an area that I really enjoy. There is nothing better than helping a couple reconnect and find happiness once again.
As a school psychologist, my focus was on identifying the learning needs of children, adolescents, and young adults. We use Psycho-educational Assessments such as the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V), and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV). The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III) is also used to assist with diagnosis, eligibility, placement, and decisions regarding interventions. I now refer my assessments to Patti Fedor.
My book, Life in the Past Lane is a book that focuses on better days ahead. Breaking free from issues, problems, and concerns from our past that we continue to trip over in our day-to-day lives. Learning how to think about things in a different way, being more aware and more willing to make adjustments to make things better for us and our loved ones. Strategies to better cope and manage the stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship dynamics in our lives.
Life in the Past Lane - Learning How to Focus Forward (paperback & ebook version) is now available on Book Baby and Amazon.
Amazon
BookBaby
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Life-In-The-Past-Lane
Email Rod Woitas
greatlifepsychologycentre@gmail.com
Feature videos created by Rod Woitas
To provide additional supports, and potentially reach more people who may require assistance, I have a series of video presentations highlighting many of the strategies I have used with my clients over the years.