More About Claudia McLean

At Insight, it’s my goal to offer compassion, empathy, and a dose of humour. It’s a gift to have the ability to empower clients by helping them recognize their strengths and interrupting their limiting beliefs and negative thought patterns. I approach my therapy with a person-centred, strengths-based approach and integrate several modalities including Narrative Therapy, DBT, and Play Therapy when appropriate.

I bring empathy, active listening, and a non-judgmental approach to my therapy sessions- think of me as a cozy couch with a degree. My main goal is to create a safe space where clients can express themselves openly, and if we can sprinkle in some humour alone the way, even better!

Some specific goals might include helping clients understand their emotions and thought patterns, developing coping strategies, and improving their boundaries and relationships. Whether it’s tackling anxiety, figuring out why their cat seems to judge them, or simply learning to enjoy their own company, I’m here to help navigate those challenges. Ultimately, I want to empower clients to achieve their personal goals, even if it’s just to leave the session feeling a little lighter.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS

Have you, or anyone close to you, had to overcome any trauma, or mental health challenge?

I have been through the therapeutic journey myself (truly life changing !). As well, I have dealt with grief and loss, parental addiction issues, racism, poverty, toxic relationships, and anxiety/depression.

What is your favourite quote?

“I hope there are days when your coffee tastes like magic, your playlist makes you dance, strangers make you smile, and the night sky touches your soul. I hope there are days when you fall in love with being alive.” ― Brooke Hampton.

This quote makes me smile as I feel that it showcases how small things can be triumphs and make us happy. It is so important to know that a small win is just as important as a big win.

Qualifications

Master of Counselling, City University of Seattle

Bachelor of Arts, Criminology Major and Psychology Minor, MacEwan University

Affiliations

College of Alberta Psychologists

Psychologists Association of Alberta

Certifications

EMDR – EMDR Institute (2024)

Grief Therapy Advanced Certification Course: The Latest in Neuroscience, Somatics, Unresolved Grief, and Identity Reclamation (2024)

Personality Disorders Certification Training: Advanced Diagnosis, Treatment & Management (2024)

ADHD Certification Course: What’s New & What’s Next in Supporting Neurodiverse Clients (2024)

Janina Fisher’s Trauma Treatment Certification Training (CCTP): The Latest Advances and Proven Techniques to Resolve Deeply Held Trauma (2024)

Certified Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Professional (C-DBT) Training: An Advanced Online Skills Training for Adapting Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Everyday Clinical Needs (2024)

2-Day Conference: Play Therapy: Engaging Powerful Techniques for the Treatment of Disruptive Behavior Disorders and Trauma (2024)

Intensive Trauma Treatment Certification Workshop: EMDR, CBT and Somatic-Based Interventions to Move Clients from Surviving to Thriving (2023)

TCPS-2 Ethics Certificate (2020)

Languages

• English

My areas of focus:

Anxiety & Depression

• Anxiety

Thrive (Child & Youth)

• Adolescent and Teen Issues
• Children & Youth 10 to 12 Years
• Children 3 to 5 Years
• Children 6 to 9 Years
• Children's Mental Health
• Youth 13 to 15 Years
• Youth 16 to 17 Years

Trauma Care

• Sexual Assault and Abuse

I have experience in:

• Abuse
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children
• Bipolar Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Child & Youth Anxiety
• Child & Youth Depression
• Child & Youth Self Esteem Issues
• Child & Youth Stress and Trauma
• Childhood Development Issues
• Common Mental Health Disorders
• Dealing with Infidelity
• Depression
• Difficult People
• Divorce or Separation
• Family Issues
• Family Violence
• Female Sexual Issues
• First Responders Trauma or PTSD
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Grief and Loss
• Insomnia
• Issues Related to Bullying
• LGBTQ2S+ Issues
• Learning Disorders
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Phobias
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Preparing Children for Therapy
• Self-Esteem Issues
• Self-Harming
• Sexuality and Intimacy Issues
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Stress Management
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Teen's Mental Health
• Trauma
• Types of Trauma

My treatment approaches:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Family Systems Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Person Centered Therapy
• Play Therapy
• Sandplay Therapy
• Solution Focused Therapy

Assessment services:

• ADHD Assessments
• Anxiety Assessment
• Assessments for Learning Disorders
• Depression Assessment
• Mental Health Assessments
• Psychoeducational Assessment