Dr. Gillian McKirdy, Psy.D.
Registered Psychologist
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Certified EMDR Therapist
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587 844 0535
Gillian currently has a wait list for new clients. If you are a new client please contact admin@solastacounselling.ca or 587 844 0535 and ask to be included on the list. Alternatively, please consider one of our other wonderful team members
Areas of expertise:
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Trauma and PTSD
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Anxiety and Depression
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Adoption and Kinship Support
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Abuse
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Attachment and Developmental Trauma
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EMDR
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Parenting, Including Children with Special Needs and ADHD
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Living Well with Chronic Disease / Disability
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Psychological Services Offered:
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Child Therapy
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Adolescent Therapy
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Adult Therapy
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Family Therapy / Parenting Support
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Psychoeducational Assessments (Child and Adult)
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ADHD Assessments (Child and Adult)
Therapeutic Modalities:
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy for Children and Adolescents (including sandtray)
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Theraplay
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Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)
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Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
I am 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. I hold a Doctor of Psychology from California Southern University, a Master’s of Counselling from City University in Canada, a Master’s of Science in Social Policy from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. I am also Associate Faculty at City University in Canada and was an Assistant Professor at Providence University College & Theological Seminary.
I am a compassionate therapist skilled in the area of child, family, and individual therapy, with a focus on attachment, trauma and treating PTSD in children and adults. I have specialized EMDR training to work with children, adolescents and adults. I also use the EMDR Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol (IATP) to strengthen attachment and resolve trauma within families. I am 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).
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When I am not at Solasta, I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, yoga, going on walks in nature, and playing Tetris!
Publications:
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McKirdy, G. C. (2022). The Lived Experiences of Adoptive Parents Experiencing Blocked Care. California Southern University.
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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.
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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.