Our Therapists
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 new 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.
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.
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 behaviour, 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 offers me the ability to help others in need, which is congruent with the feedback I have received. I believe that each of us need 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!
Melissa gates
My name is Melissa and I have been a Registered Psychologist in the province of Alberta for over 12 years. During that time, my practice has been focused on helping people just like you to escape the hold that mental and physical health problems have over their lives. When you first come to see me, you will find a therapist who is warm, caring, and compassionate. Although I tend to pull techniques from various modalities to tailor therapy to each individual’s unique needs, I am a person-centered therapist, first and foremost. That means that I will always work diligently to build a strong and lasting client-therapist relationship with you, free of judgement and full of empathy and support, so that you will feel safe to begin to open and share your problems and feelings with me.
Some of the problems that I can help you work through in therapy include Depression, Anxiety, OCD, stress and burnout, parenting struggles, grief and loss, and relationship problems. Additionally, my areas of specialization include Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Chronic Pain, PTSD & Trauma. Since graduating with my master’s degree in 2007, I have taken a myriad of trainings and course work in these areas to learn how to solve the problems that you are facing right now, but none have captured my interest and affection as much as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I often use EMDR in my therapy sessions because I find it to be one of the most useful tools, I have at my disposal to help client’s that are struggling with physical and emotional pain to feel better and live happy and fulfilling lives again. I have even done EMDR in my own therapy and I truly believe in the power it has to help us heal from trauma, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
In addition to EMDR, I also use interventions from several other therapeutic approaches to help clients who are suffering. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Somatic interventions, attachment-based approaches, Psychodynamic therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused therapy, psychoeducation, and Ego state interventions.
Over the past 12 years I have worked with thousands of clients from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. I have also welcomed and continue to welcome clients from the LGBTIQ+ community into my practice. I can handle anything you have to share with me, and I won’t judge. So please contact me today or book an appointment online because I know what you are going through, I have been there, I understand.
Olamide Omotosho
Olamide has experience and interest in working with children, youth and adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, family relationships, addictions, 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.
Patti Fedor
I am a registered psychologist with 15 years 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 counsellor, I have a wealth of experience supporting children, adolescents and families with social and emotional development, personal issues, special needs education, behaviour and learning challenges. I believe in honouring 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.
Nicole Graziano
My name is Nicole Graziano and I am a Master of Counselling Psychology graduate looking to establish my presence as a Provisional Registered Psychologist. I have over 5 years of work experience in children and adolescent mental health, along with clinical experience as a Mental Health Therapist in my two master-level practicum placements. There, I learned how to provide solution-focused single-session walk-in counseling to youth aged 5 - 17 and their guardians. I also counseled university students through a variety of therapeutic modalities, my favorite being Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
I believe our lived experience informs how we view ourselves, others, and the world around us. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation for success, providing a secure base for the client to grow into resiliency.