Trauma-Informed Providers

Maureen is a Certified Canadian Counsellor residing in Central Alberta, calling Red Deer home her whole life. Maureen has 23 years experience with the maternal child population, with her first degree in nursing, Maureen brings a unique perspective incorporating medical knowledge into her assessments. As a nurse, Maureen worked in Public Health, then Post-Partum, Labor and Delivery, NICU, and pediatrics as a Lactation Consultant. This difficult and specialized area highlighted stressors and the need for mental health supports. The decision to complete her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology stemmed from a passionate interest in helping families in very vulnerable times.

After two pregnancy losses Maureen was initiated into an unknown existence that seemed unfair and confusing, where life just kept on going when it seemed the world should stop. Shortly after the losses, a life altering car accident had Maureen in intensive care with a broken back and neck, in Halo traction. The perspective on everything shifted, and 19 years later, Halo Healing and Wellness would be created, supporting people in some of the most difficult times of their life. Maureen takes being chosen to be on this therapy journey with you as an honored role, and yes, she does think of you between sessions.

Maureen leans into CBT, or cognitive behavioural therapy, as the basis treatment, which means a follow up email for clarity and session points to gain traction between sessions. Maureen holds training and special interest in intrusive thoughts and OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the ERP, or exposure response prevention, treatment approach. In congruence with an interest in brain functioning, Maureen provides EMDR for an experiential approach to therapeutic interventions. Advanced perinatal training combined with nursing experience Maureen supports loss, infertility, perinatal mental health, breastfeeding distress, and birth/medical trauma. Perimenopause and menopause support is a lacking area of woman’s health that can be addressed through therapy with informed training, an understanding of medications and physiology, in congruence with therapeutic approaches.

Maureen believes reaching out for support is the hardest part, from here you are not alone.