Insight Psychological Therapists - Izabela Bienko

Izabela Bienko, Registered Psychologist, MA Psych., MA CYC, Clinical Coordinator of Insight's Sexual, Reproductive and Perinatal Wellness Centre (SRPWC) (She/Her)

Izabela practices counselling using various approaches including brief psychodynamic therapy, Solution-focused therapy, family systems therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, sandplay therapy, attachment-based therapy and EMDR. Izabela strives to support individuals in gaining a deeper understanding of themselves in the context of their families, relationships, environments and circumstances. She views psychological services as integral in maintaining healthier, more functional lives at school, the workplace, at home and in the community.

More About Izabela Bienko

Izabela has completed Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alberta, and Child and Youth Care from Grant MacEwan University. Izabela also completed her Master’s in Child and Youth Care Counselling from the University of Victoria, as well as her Masters in Counselling Psychology from CityUniversity of Seattle. She is a member of the Psychological Association of Alberta, The College of Alberta Psychologists, and the Canadian Association for Sandplay Therapy.

Izabela has worked for Alberta Health Services, Edmonton and Calgary School Boards, and various community agencies providing therapeutic and counselling services for children, adolescents and families for over 15 years. She is also a Child and Youth Counsellor who has worked with high risk populations. She has supported school staff, adjunct health care professionals and community support workers, providing supervision, therapeutic groups, consultation and professional education.

Izabela specializes in working with children, adolescents and adults, dealing with trauma, perinatal and family issues, as well as assessment and consultation services. She practices individual, family and group counselling using various approaches. Through the integration of personal and professional experiences, she has prioritized helping others working towards improving their mental, emotional and relational health.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS

What is your favourite quote?

“Prepare your child for the path, instead of the path for your child.” – Tim Elmore

What quick advice do you have for people who are really struggling?

Right now, you might be in the ‘down’. You are not meant to stay there. The point is to struggle through and get to the ‘up’. But you are not meant to stay there either. Move through the ups and downs consciously, the purpose of which is to know when and where you are. When you are struggling, you re-orient yourself back to a felt sense of safety in the here and now, to whatever is going on for you in this moment. “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” – Buddha

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Bachelors and Masters of Child and Youth Care Counselling

Masters in Counselling Psychology

Affiliations

Psychological Association of Alberta

College of Alberta Psychologists

Canadian Association for Sandplay Therapy

Certifications

Certified Child and Youth Care Counsellor (ACTA)

EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Training

Certified Sandplay Therapist (CAST)

Mothers and Babies Facilitator (Northwestern University)

Languages

  • English
  • Polish

My Areas of Focus/Specialty Training:

Anxiety & Depression
  • Anxiety Disorders
Mental Health Disorders
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Postpartum Mental Health
Perinatal Care
  • Postpartum Mental Health
Thrive (Child & Youth)
  • Adolescent and Teen Issues
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children
  • Children's Mental Health
  • Family Issues
Trauma Care
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Trauma

I have experience in:

  • Abuse
  • Adolescent and Teen Issues
  • Anxiety
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Becoming a Parent or the Addition of Children
  • Behavioural Issues
  • Child & Youth Anxiety
  • Child & Youth Depression
  • Child & Youth Self Esteem Issues
  • Child & Youth Stress and Trauma
  • Childhood Development Issues
  • Children & Youth 10 to 12 Years
  • Children 3 to 5 Years
  • Children 6 to 9 Years
  • Children's Mental Health
  • Common Mental Health Disorders
  • Compassion Fatigue
  • Conduct Disorder
  • Cross Cultural Issues
  • Custody Access Issues
  • Depression
  • Divorce or Separation
  • Family Caregiver Stress
  • Family Issues
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • Panic Disorder
  • Parenting Coordination
  • Parenting Issues & Support
  • Parents & Caregivers
  • Phobias
  • Self-Harming
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Teen's Mental Health
  • Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder)
  • Types of Trauma
  • Workplace Stress
  • Youth 13 to 15 Years
  • Youth 16 to 17 Years

My treatment approaches:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
  • Exposure Therapy
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Person Centered Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Sandplay Therapy
  • Solution Focused Therapy
  • Strategic Family Therapy
  • Structural Family Therapy

Assessment services:

  • ADHD Assessments
  • Anxiety Assessment
  • Assessments for Learning Disorders
  • Depression Assessment
  • Mental Health Assessments
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Trauma Assessment
  • Postpartum Depression (PPD) Assessment
  • Psychoeducational Assessment
  • Psychological Functional Capacity Assessment