Individual Counselling
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Family Relationship Counselling
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Child/Youth Counselling
Exploring your thoughts with a professional, non-judgmental person can make you feel less alone and capable of sorting out your thoughts in a productive way. Counselling helps to develop a greater degree of self-awareness and a better understanding of yourself and others.
This growth often improves self-esteem and is reflected in your life through healthier thought patterns, healthier personal relationships and healthier communication with those around you. Counselling can help you process difficult or painful feelings and experiences in a safe, supportive environment.
EAST PLAINS COUNSELLING & ASSESSMENT
Providing services to Children, Youth, Couples & Families- children
- youth
- adults
- couples
- and families.
We work with each client using a variety of strategies and approaches to develop an individualized plan and move forward in a positive direction.
We help clients to set goals, make changes, and break out of negative or destructive patterns.
FACE TO FACE
COUNSELLING
COUNSELLING
OVER THE PHONE
SECURE VIDEO PLATFORM SESSIONS with TELEHEALTH
Telehealth Appointments
Telehealth requires no special software or technical skills. All you need is a computer (with an integrated camera). It’s as simple as that.
You can also book a telehealth appointment online as the option now exists within the booking site.
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Why are we offering this new service?
- COVID-19 virus. We are living in unprecedented times that require all of us to do everything we can to social distance from one another. Telehealth offers a safe distance but still allows a visual therapeutic experience for therapists and clients.
- Telehealth minimizes the inconvenience of travel time and associated costs. We wanted to ease the stress that clients often experience just travelling to my office for treatment. Things like snow, rain, traffic, getting childcare, finding parking, etc. make travelling even short distances annoying. Telehealth appointments minimize the inconvenience of travel time and associated costs.
- The benefits of Telehealth are supported by research. Research has found that video therapy is as effective as in-person therapy.
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING
We provide one-on-one counselling to clients of all ages.
Clients work with a clinician to come up with a plan and set goals in a safe, confidential, and caring environment.
We work on examining thought and behavior patterns, setting goals and processing difficult feelings. We believe that there is no single or “cookie cutter” path.
We work as partners alongside our clients to come up with an individual plan for each person.
FAMILY RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING
Family counselling helps family members to understand each other, support each other, and work through difficult situations in a safe space. Family members can expect to learn the skills to improve communication, resolve conflict, and move forward in a positive direction.
We offer counselling for all family relationships including parent/teen; couples; and extended family relationships.
CHILD / YOUTH COUNSELLING
Our clinicians use a variety of techniques, activities, and approaches to help children learn to manage emotions needed to be happy, healthy and successful.
Examples of some client favorite methods are:
- Mindfulness & Relaxation exercises
- Stories & role play
- Art & Self-expression activities
- Interactive Games
- “App” and technology based exercises and record keeping
A key to successful work with children is parental involvement and support. We alternate time during sessions between parent(s) and child so that parents develop the knowledge and understanding to support the skills their child is learning.
Please note: We require an initial parent-only session prior to working with children. Please do not bring your child to the first session as this time is used to gather background and discuss concerns.
In addition, we require consent from both parents in order to proceed with seeing a child except in cases where sole custody is documented.
Child/Youth Issues
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Bullying
- Conflict Resolution
- Depression
- Divorce / Separation
- Emotion Regulation
- Gender Identity/LGBTQ + issues
- Grief
- Healthy Communication
- Healthy Relationships
- Parenting Support
- Peer Relationships
- Self-Esteem/Body Image
- Separation/Divorce
- Sleep Issues
- Suicidal Ideation
- Trauma
Teen Issues
- Peer Influences/Friendship issues
- Decision Making
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Study/test habits
- Suicidal Ideation
- Parent/teen relationships
- trauma/abuse
- Cyber-safety/issues
- Bullying
- Parent/teen conflict
- Emotion Regulation
- Substance Abuse issues
- Separation/Divorce
- Conflict Resolution
- Healthy Relationships
- Self-Esteem/Body Image
- Grief
- Trauma
- Gender Identity/LGBTQ+ issues
Assessments
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Mood Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Learning Disabilities
- Cognitive Abilities (strengths & weaknesses)
- Behavioral Issues
Depression/Mood Disorders
Symptoms of a depression and mood disorder include:
- Extreme sadness
- feelings of hopelessness and helplessness,
- Feeling empty
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Poor appetite or eating too much
- Poor concentration
- Low energy
- Low self-esteem
- Irritability or anger
- Inconsistent mood (roller coaster)
- Decreased pain tolerance
- Periods of depression alternating with being excessively happy (mania).
Mood disorders are more than just a feeling. They are product of your brain chemistry and have a wide range of physical symptoms. Many people with mood related issues visit a medical doctor about physical symptoms before they recognize that their symptoms are related to a mood disorder.
While visiting a doctor is an important step in ruling out medical conditions, it is important for clients to continue seeking help to deal with psychological symptoms. This is where counselling comes in. A counsellor can help you learn to manage and decrease the symptoms you are experiencing.
There are many physical symptoms of depression. These symptoms are not “all in your head”. Depression is brain based and can cause real changes in your body. Because these symptoms happen with many conditions, many people don’t realize that their physical symptoms may be caused by a mood disorder.
Physical symptoms may include:
- Back pain and aching muscles
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Nausea
- Change in appetite or weight
- Stomach pain
- Digestive/bowel problems
Anxiety
Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Counselling can help you to sort out your feelings of anxiety and minimize the impact it has on your life. Since anxiety disorders are a group of related symptoms rather than a single disorder, symptoms vary from person to person. One person may suffer from intense anxiety attacks, another person may struggle with a fear, and another may live in a constant state of tension. Symptoms vary from person to person so anxiety can be difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms of anxiety include
- Feeling nervous
- Feeling restless
- Feeling tense
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom;
- Feeling weak or tired;
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry;
- Trouble sleeping;
- Gastro (stomach) problems;
- Difficulty controlling worry;
- Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety;
- Sudden feelings of intense anxiety and panic;
- Irritability
Some common anxiety disorders include Generalized anxiety disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), social anxiety, panic disorder, specific phobias.
Anxiety is more than just a feeling. As a product of your body’s response system, anxiety also involves a wide range of physical symptoms. Many people with anxiety visit a medical doctor about physical symptoms before they recognize that their symptoms are anxiety based. While visiting a doctor is an important step in ruling out medical conditions, it is important for clients to continue seeking help to deal with psychological symptoms. This is where counselling comes in.
Physical Symptoms
Through a variety of techniques and exercises counselling can help you deal with and possibly eliminate physical symptoms of anxiety such as:
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Appetite increase or decrease
- Pounding heart
- Fast breathing
- Sweating
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Frequent urination or diarhea
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle tension or twitching
- Shaking or trembling
- Muscle aches
Because of these physical symptoms, anxiety sufferers often mistake their disorder for a medical illness. They may visit doctors or even make trips to the hospital before their anxiety is finally diagnosed. While dealing with anxiety can be disabling, preventing you from living the life you want, it is important to know that you are not alone.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue-and are highly treatable. Once you understand your anxiety, there are steps you can take to reduce symptoms and regain control of your thoughts.
Family Issues
- Impact of a mental illness on family
- Parenting support
- Co-parenting support and planning
- Extended family relationships
- Marital/Relationship Issues
- Step-parenting/Blended family issues
- Healthy Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Divorce/Separation
- Grief (link?)
- Gender Identity/LGBTQ+ Issues
- Work/Life Balance
- Stress management
- Return to work planning & Support
- Health and lifetyle issues
Marital/Relationship Issues
- Divorce/separation
- Work/life balance
- Healthy communication
- Conflict resolution
- Intimacy issues
- Issues with extended family relationships
- Co-parenting (planning & Support)
- Parenting support
- Grief
Grief
Grief is a normal response to loss. It is the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone is taken away from you. It can be a very strong, and sometimes overwhelming emotion. Individual experiences with grief vary and are influenced by the nature of the loss.
You may associate grieving with the death of a loved one-which is often the cause of the most intense type of grief-but any loss can cause grief including:
- Loss of a loved one
- Divorce and relationship break up
- Loss of health
- Loss of job
- Loss of financial stability
- Retirement
- Loss of pet
- Loss of a cherished dream
- A loved one’s serious illness
- Loss of safety after trauma
- Selling the family home
- Loss experienced after a move
- Prenatal/Perinatal loss
- Pregnancy loss/miscarriage
- Loss due to Illness/Injury
- Loss of independence due to disability
- Loss through theft or natural disaster
- Terminal diagnosis (self or loved one)
- LGBTQ+ related grief
There are varying stages of grief and no two people grieve the same. The pain of grief can also disrupt your physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or even think straight.
Even subtle losses in life can trigger grief. Whatever the cause of your grief, there are healthy ways to cope with the pain, ease sadness, and help you come to terms with your loss. Outside help, such as counselling, can benefit people trying to recover and adjust to a loss.
Trauma
Trauma can arise from one-time events or ongoing events. There is no cure for trauma nor any quick fix for the suffering associated with trauma. A wide range of effective therapies exist and a counsellor can work with you to find an approach that is a good fit for your situation. Response to a traumatic event varies among people, but there are some basic, common symptoms:
Emotional signs include:
- Sadness
- Anger
- Denial
- Fear
- Shame
These may lead to:
- Nightmares
- Insomnia
- Difficulty with relationships
- Emotional outbursts
Common physical symptoms of trauma include
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Altered sleep patterns
- Changes in appetite
- Heachaches
- Stomach problems
Transgender, LGBTQ & Gender Diversity issues
Krista Smith is a Registered Psychologist that specializes in working with and empowering LGBTQ+ clients and their families. Krista has worked with clients as young as 5 and those into their 60’s. She has experience working to support clients individually, vocationally, and educationally. She also has an understanding of the complex nature of family relationships and an ability to help clients navigate gender issues in a family counselling context.
If you are struggling with your sexual or gender identity and are having difficulty coming out, or if you have come out and are feeling isolated or shame, you might want to consider counselling. If you are struggling with the sexuality or gender identity of a loved one you may want to consider seeking support.
Krista Smith can offer support with issues such as:
- Support throughout medical transitions
- Education for clients and their families
- Sadness, grief and isolation
- Depression, motivation and anger
- Body image & Self esteerm
- Relationships and communication
- Relationship/couples counselling
- Gender transition support
- Gender dysphoria
- Sexual identity issues
- Support changing legal name and sex designation
PSYCHOLOGIST SERVICES
How much does it cost to go to counselling?Registered Psychologist
- $180 per hour session
- $110 for 1/2 hour session
Master’s Level Counsellor
- $140 per hour session
- $90 for 1/2 hour session
*Payment is due at the time of service.
- We can direct bill some insurance plans. Please come prepared to pay for your first session and we will discuss the direct bill option at that time.
- In some cases, your first session can be direct billed when pre-arranged contracts are in place.
Many insurance companies and employee benefit plans cover services. Please contact your insurance company to discuss your coverage.
Insurance plans vary on the type of clinician they cover and the amount covered. East Plains Counselling & Assessment is not responsible for sessions booked that are later found not to be covered by a plan.
We accept debit and credit. Some clinicians accept e-transfer. A receipt is provided upon payment.
Regina & Area Psychologist and Counsellor
Looking for counselling services?Our Clinicians
Many clients have questions about what a title means in the counselling world.
For your information, the difference between a psychologist, counsellors and psychiatrist is outlined below.
A Psychologist …
… is a professional trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health issues. Psychologists in Saskatchewan are regulated by the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists. As regulated health professionals, psychologists are required by law to provide services in a competent and professional manner.
Psychologists have the option of obtaining their APE at the time of registration. This stands for Authorized Practice Endorsement, which allows psychologists to provide a formal diagnosis. All of the registered psychologists at East Plains Counselling & Assessment have their APE. Only registered psychologists can use the term “psychologist” in the province of Saskatchewan.
A Counsellor …
…is a professional trained in the area of psychology and counselling who provides assessment, support and treatment for anyone who is dealing with issues that affect their mental health and well being. Counsellors use a range of psychological concepts and techniques in their treatment approach.
Counsellors can be registered with a variety of professional bodies that ensure services are delivered in an ethical, competent, and professional manner. They also guarantee that counsellors have continuous, relevant, and up to date training in the area of counselling.
Counsellors are not able to provide a formal diagnosis. However, at East Plains Counselling & Assessment, our counsellors work closely with a registered psychologist who can provide a diagnosis if that is appropriate.
The difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is as follows
Psychiatrists are trained medical doctors, they can prescribe medications and they spend much of their time with patients on medication management as a course of treatment. If you are looking to see a psychiatrist you would speak to your family doctor about making a referral to the appropriate agency.
Psychologists focus extensively on psychotherapy and treating emotional and mental symptoms in patients. They can make a formal diagnosis. They cannot prescribe medication.
Krista Smith, M.Ed
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST #781
Krista completed her M. Ed. at the University of Regina.
She is registered with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists with Authorized Practice Endorsement (APE), which allows her to diagnose psychological disorders.
Krista is also a member of the Canadian Psychological Association and CPATH (Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health).
Before opening East Plains Counselling & Assessment in October 2016, Krista worked in Regina in a clinical private practice setting for 9 years. Krista resides locally and is the mom of four children, including one child with special needs.
Krista has a broad range of experience. She provides individual, couple, and family-based intervention, treatment, diagnosis, counselling and support. She has worked with preschool-aged children, school-aged children, teens, adults, families and couples.
Krista has experience working with a culturally diverse population. In addition, she specializes in offering counselling and support to transgender and gender diverse populations. Krista provides individual and family-based counselling to those struggling with LGBTQ+ issues. Krista also provides consultation to those looking to better understand LGBTQ+ issues.
Krista has experience using a variety of empirically (research) based diagnostic, assessment, intervention, and treatment strategies in many areas including anxiety, depression, parenting, family relationships, self-harm, work/life balance, stress, life transitions (marriage, death, divorce, blended families, and adapting to life with a disability/diagnosis), child behaviour difficulties, adolescent issues.
Krista is passionate about working with clients to come up with a unique and individualized plan. She bases this plan on a client’s unique values, beliefs, and strengths and works alongside clients to set goals and implement plans to achieve those goals.
Dale Mitchall, B.Ed., BSW, RSW, M.Ed.
Master’s Level Professional Counsellor
Dale holds a Master of Educational Psychology degree and is registered with the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers.
She has over 19 years of counselling experience in clinical, agency, health and school settings. She spent 10 years working as a school counsellor as well as 6 years working as a medical social worker in a number of different medical units within the hospital.
She supports individuals and families using solution-focused, strengths-based approaches, and believes that all people have the capacity to create and sustain positive change within themselves. Her therapeutic approach is always holistic, compassionate and client centered, always meeting people where they are at.
She strives to help her clients regain a positive quality of life, as well as rebuilding their strength and resiliency to face life’s challenges and stressors.
Dale has worked with a culturally diverse population of all ages, including children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. She has worked extensively with stress, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related conditions.
Her interest in working with anxiety has led her to complete a program through the Institute of Certified Anxiety Treatment Professionals, leading to certification in Clinical Anxiety Treatment (CCATP-CA). In addition, she has completed several hours of training in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy as well as holding certification in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
In her work with individuals and families, Dale utilizes a number of evidence-based modalities of counselling such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Techniques
- Motivational Therapy.
She works with children, adolescents and adults who are dealing with issues related to trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, divorce/separation, co-parenting, behavioral issues, emotional regulation, parenting issues, relationship issues, among other challenges.
OUR POLICIES
Appointments, Cancellations and ArrivalsCancellations
We require 24 hours notice to cancel an appointment. Clients are responsible for the cost of sessions cancelled less than 24 hours prior to their scheduled time.
Missed Appointments
Clients are responsible for full payment of missed or forgotten appointments. Email and text reminders are available to all clients. Missed appointments must be paid in full before a new appointment can be scheduled.
We understand that life can bring illness, unexpected obligations and/or emergencies.
Prior to your appointment please ensure that you have filled out all electronic forms.
Please arrive on time to your appointment and have a seat in the waiting area. Sessions are typically 50 minutes.
We understand that first visits can be overwhelming and scary. During the first session we will discuss background and present concerns. You will only be asked to discuss topics that you are comfortable discussing. We see you as the expert on yourself and work hard to create a plan that meets your needs and fits with your beliefs, values and personality. All sessions are confidential.
Late Arrivals
If you arrive late, you will receive the remaining time allocated to your scheduled appointment. You will be billed for the full amount of the appointment duration you had reserved. Your clinician may leave the building if you have not arrived within 20 minutes of your scheduled time.
NOTICE: Cancellation policies are presently being waved in light of COVID-19 pandemic.
We value the health and wellbeing of our clients.
In order to protect everybody and follow current Federal and Provincial recommendations, we will not be offering face to face sessions.
We are happy to offer telephone or video sessions at this time.
FIND A PSYCHOLOGIST NEAR ME
Family Psychologist | Child & Youth Psychologist | Couple PsychologistContact East Plains Counselling & Assessment
Regina & area Psychologists
Our Address:
East Plains Counselling & Assessment
#6-320 Great Plains Road
Emerald Park, SK S4L 0B8
Our Number: 306 781 9337
Book an Appointment
Our Registered Psychologists and Counsellors provide service to:
- individuals
- couples
- and families.
Please review our full list of counselling and assessment services.
Contact Us
Book an appointment with East Plains Counselling & Assessment.
