Gillian is a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists, a Canadian Certified Counsellor in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and a Certified EMDR Therapist. She has a Doctorate of Psychology from California Southern University, a Master’s of Counselling from City University of Seattle in Canada and a Master’s of Science in Social Policy from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.  Gillian is also an Assistant Professor at Providence University College & Theological Seminary. 

Gillian is a compassionate and skilled therapist in the area of child, family, and individual therapy, with a focus on attachment, trauma and treating PTSD. Gillian has specialized EMDR training to work with children, adolescents and adults.  She also uses the EMDR Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol (IATP) to strengthen attachment and resolve trauma within families. Gillian is also trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Parts/Ego State Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) for fostered and adopted children (with Dr. Daniel Hughes), and Theraplay and the Marschak Interaction Method (MIM).

 

Scott is a Registered Provisional Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a Canadian Certified Counsellor in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.  Scott holds a Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle in Canada and a postgraduate diploma in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland.  

 

Scott has experience in supporting individuals through grief and loss, suicide bereavement, couple relationships, family therapy, parenting support, adoption and fostering family counselling, and anxiety and depression. He has held positions at Canadian Mental Health Association, St. Mary's University, and Amaris Adoption and Family Support Services.

 

He is trained in EMDR, EMDR with children, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Scott also has extensive experience in facilitating both psychoeducational and counselling support groups.

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Gillian and Scott are partners in life, in parenting and as therapists! Becoming proud adoptive parents ignited our passion for understanding early childhood trauma, attachment and how families can be best supported throughout their unique parenting journeys.   Our research focused on the support needs of adoptive families, the experiences of adoptive fathers and the lived experiences of adoptive parents in Alberta accessing and receiving post-adoption services.  Our practice is informed and guided by the latest interventions grounded in attachment and trauma theory, our experience as therapists working with traumatized children and adults, our research and our training.

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Publications

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• McKirdy, G. C., Roughley, R. A., & McKirdy, S. A. (2019). From Proving Perfection to Seeking Support: The Lived Experiences of Adoptive Parents in Alberta. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 53(3), 276-295. 

• McKirdy, G. C., & Roughley, R. (2018, October). The Experience of Adoptive Parents Accessing Support Services in Alberta: Implications for Counselling. Poster session presented at the Canadian Counselling Psychology Conference, Calgary, Alberta.

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Sydney is a Registered Provisional Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Sydney holds a Master of Counselling from City University of Seattle in Canada.

 

Sydney is passionate about helping people and has training in both counselling and assessments. She has experience in supporting individuals with complex trauma, addictions, and a myriad of concerns including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Autism, and Intellectual Disability.  She has held positions working with individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, and/or systemic oppression for six years.

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