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Hi there!
I‘m Cindy Gaffney and I am a fully registered psychologist, and I have been, now, for over a decade. I also have an education degree, which has been useful for my work with some children, as well as some teachers and educational assistants.
NOTE: Cindy is currently accepting new child clients exclusively at the West location.
My approach to therapy tends to allow you, as the person that I work with, to take control of your own session and explore to determine what issues you might be struggling with and how these issues might be impacting your life. I have a lot of success by asking effective questions which helps you, my client, to truly consider what is important to you. We also explore together what might be the best options for you to begin to try to practice with the intention of improving your daily life.
Historically, I have had a great deal of success using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques and I consider one of my specialties to be working with Grief and Loss. I am currently working to complete my Certification in The Grief Recovery Method; once finished, I will be able to consider myself a Grief Recovery Method Specialist. I came to the decision to complete this training once I realized that Grief and Loss was one of the most common issues which occur in therapy. I really like the The Grief Recovery Method definition of Grief: “Grief is the conflicting feelings caused by the end of or change in a familiar pattern of behaviour.”; and by this definition, Grief and Loss occur fairly regularly.
Another one of my favorite techniques I have learned during my time at Insight has been using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I like it because it works quickly, efficiently and thoroughly. I also enjoy it because, as far as I’m concerned, you can see it working.
I also have had training as a Dramatherapist. In the future I hope to develop some group therapy experiences where we could use Dramatherapy to help you, the participant, to deal with any difficulties that you are struggling with in your life. Using Drama as a medium, we can explore different topics and issues, sometimes from a safe distance.
Thank you for your interest in Insight Psychological and thank you for spending the time to learn more about me. Just let me know how I can help you.
What is your favourite quote?
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain!”
What quick advice do you have for people who are really struggling?
Try to connect with your friends because often when people are struggling, they can isolate themselves from others. Also, just getting out and exercising can do wonders for a person’s mood.
Masters of Arts in Creative Arts therapies: Dramatherapy
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Education (BEd)
College of Alberta Psychologists
Psychologists Association of Alberta
Anger Management, Anorexia Nervosa, Depression, Loss of a Loved One, Losing Someone to Suicide, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions and Adjustment Issues, Couples Therapy, Motor Vehicle Accident Trauma, Phobias, Self-Esteem Issues, Stress Management, Family Therapy
Art Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Family Systems Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Virtual Reality Assisted Therapy, Grief Work, Exposure Therapy
Anxiety Assessment, Behavioural Assessment, Career/Occupational Assessments, Depression Assessment, Intellectually Advanced Assessment, Gottman Relationship Checkup, Personality & Behaviour Assessments, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Trauma Assessment, Psycho-Educational Assessment, SAFE Assessment, Mental Health Assessments
Career Changes or Loss of Employment, Changes in Health, Child & Youth Anxiety, Child & Youth Depression, Child & Youth Stress and Trauma, Children's Mental Health, Divorce or Separation, Emotional Abuse, Emotional Regulation, Empty Nest Syndrome, Graduation, Insomnia, Issues Related to Bullying, Loss of a Child, Parenting Coordination, Physical Abuse, Premarital Counselling, Retirement, Self-Harming, Suicidal Thoughts, Weight Management, Workplace Stress, Workplace Trauma, Histrionic Personality Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social Anxiety Disorder, Children & Youth 10 to 12 Years, Youth 13 to 15 Years, Youth 16 to 17 Years, Children 6 to 9 Years, Couples Counselling, Seniors and the Elderly Issues, Teen's Mental Health, 2SLGBTQIA+ Issues, Arts Performance, Indigenous-Informed Counselling
