SHELLEY LIU (North/Online)

SHELLEY LIU
M.Sc, Registered Provisional Psychologist

*** Shelley is accepting new clients ***

My clients often describe me as patient, caring, and non-judgmental. In our sessions, I approach each session with curiosity and strive to create an environment where you can discover your own answers, sometimes for the very first time. I wholeheartedly believe that over time, each person is capable of finding the growth and healing they are looking for. My goal is to provide a space where you feel heard, understood, and safe to express yourself freely and help you work through some of life's toughest pieces

While my foundation is in psychodynamic theory and existential philosophy, my therapy approach is client-centered and integrative. This means my focus is on understanding your experiences and feelings from your perspective, and I draw from various therapeutic methods, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), to tailor our sessions to your specific needs. In addition, our sessions won’t follow a rigid agenda but instead will be guided by the purpose, goals, and tasks of therapy that we come up with together. In my experience, this flexibility allows us to prioritize the more important and relevant items while working towards your long-term goals, making our work together effective and meaningful.

I work with individual adults and youths aged 16 and up, helping with issues like anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief and loss, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges. My aim is to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, live more authentically, and build honest, genuine relationships with yourself and others. I also offer parent coaching for those wanting to improve their relationships with their children.

In our work together, you can expect to focus on:

1. ​Gaining insight: Developing a deeper understanding of your behaviours and motives through awareness and articulation of emotional experiences.
2. Identifying patterns: Recognizing how you usually deal with stress and breaking free from painful, self-defeating patterns.
3. Exploring relationship dynamics: Understanding communication patterns that hinder the development of deeper, more meaningful relationships.
4. Clarifying life values: Exploring your identity and what you want out of life.

I took a somewhat unconventional path to becoming a Psychologist. My journey began when I was working as a mechanical engineer and volunteering overseas to assist refugees and locally as a distress centre volunteer. These experiences sparked a passion for mental health and a deep admiration for the strength of those I encountered. Embracing this new calling, I went back to school and received my M.Sc. in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary. I’ve called Calgary home for 23 years, and as a Chinese-Canadian, I can appreciate how culture influences how we view the world, our relationships, and in turn ourselves.

When I'm not at Refresh you will often find me in the mountains hiking or learning new tricks on my snowboard, playing an exciting boardgame with friends and family, or tending to my veggie garden.

I'm excited and honored you took the time to get to know me.  I know for some the Journey to healing and growth can be a long and winding road - but know that I will be on the Journey with you.  I can't wait to meet you to start your Journey of growth together.