More About Michelle Johnston

You feel incredibly stuck and unsatisfied with where you’re at in life. You’re completely overwhelmed by all of the things you should be doing but at the same time you can’t seem to find any motivation to get started. No matter what you try to do, it seems like it’s never good enough. You often find yourself overthinking and fixating on all of the things you’ve done wrong, instead of what you’ve done right. Does this sound familiar?

If you’re ready to start feeling better and living a more meaningful life, you’ve come to the right place. It takes a great deal of courage to reach out for support when life’s challenges become too overwhelming. Together, we will explore factors contributing to your difficult thoughts and feelings, build on your existing strengths, and identify steps to help you move towards the kind of life you want to live and the kind of person you want to be.

Professionally, I have over 6-years of experience helping adolescents, adults, and families address their mental health needs in various work roles. Some of my specialties include: anxiety, depression, stress and burnout, self-esteem issues, developmental disorders (e.g. ADHD, FASD), and adolescent mental health concerns.

I believe that every person is unique and therapy should be designed to meet your individual needs. I draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and mindfulness techniques to help you achieve your goals.

I offer sessions in-person, virtually, or over the phone and I can support clients living in Calgary or anywhere else across Alberta.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS:

Michelle, what is your favourite quote?

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out” – Robert Collier

When did you know you wanted to become a psychologist?

I took my first introductory psychology class in university during my undergrad and I was instantly hooked. My interest in pursuing a career in the counselling profession stems from a passion for helping individuals bounce back from adversities and achieve their version of success. 

Qualifications

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

Bachelor of Arts (Major: Psychology, Minor: Public Administration)

Affiliations

College of Alberta Psychologists

Psychologist’s Association of Alberta

Certifications

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Brain Story Certification

Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) – Certified Tier 1 Training

Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) Certification

Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Certification

EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Training

Languages

• English

I specialize in:

Anxiety & Depression

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Self-Esteem Issues

Grief & Loss Care

• Family Caregiver Stress

Other Areas

• Stress Management

Thrive (Child & Youth)

• Adolescent & Teen Issues
• Child & Youth Anxiety
• Child & Youth Depression
• Parenting Issues & Support
• Teen's Mental Health

I have experience in:

• Adoption Issues
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children
• Behavioural Issues
• Compassion Fatigue
• Couples Counselling
• Emotional Regulation
• Family Issues
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Grief and Loss
• LGBTQ2S+ Issues
• Learning Disorders
• Marriage and Relationship Concerns
• Self-Esteem Issues
• Self-Harming
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Trauma
• Youth 13 to 15 Years
• Youth 16 to 17 Years

My treatment approaches:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Existential Therapy
• Family Systems Therapy
• Gottman Couples Therapy
• Grief Work
• Mindfulness Therapy
• Person Centered Therapy
• Solution Focused Therapy