New patients are now being accepted at Morinville’s first private psychology practice: Psychsupport Services.
Thomas Holmes, a registered psychologist with the Sturgeon School Division and a sessional counselling instructor at the University of Alberta, will be providing psychological services by appointment on evenings, weekends and holidays.
“Previously there may have been psychologists from Edmonton or St. Albert that would have travelled up here, so this is the first private practice in Morinville,” said Holmes.
The three main focuses of Psychsupport are counselling, assessment and consultation.
Having worked as a teacher and school counsellor, Holmes specializes in child and youth mental health. Services include counselling for emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, stress and anger management.
He explained that, for kids struggling in school, there are lots of assessment options for both academic and behavioural challenges they may be facing.
“Often school jurisdictions will provide some assessment services but sometimes students don’t always make those lists. There is only so much time and money,” said Holmes, adding that private psychological services are another option for families in the area.
Holmes uses a psychotherapeutic approach called cognitive behavioural therapy that looks at cognition (thoughts) and behavioural techniques, the things people can do to help achieve positive change.
Within that type of therapy, Holmes said he also comes at the problems from a solutions-focused approach.
“Each psychologist will have a different theoretical orientation that they use in helping people initiate change,” he explained.
“Sometimes when we have issues and concerns we can dwell in the negative on what is happening that’s wrong. Solutions focused really looks at turning that corner quite quickly and what we can do to come to some solutions.”
Holmes said counselling is about trying to harness the potential in people to change.
“My personal philosophy and belief (is) that people have the capacity within themselves to change, learn and grow.”
Psychsupport Services also offers services for adults – family counselling and consultation on child behaviour issues – and depending on the demand, Holmes said the practice may expand to include a second registered psychologist and registered social worker.
Organizational health and wellness consultations and speaking engagements are also available.
For more information on Psychsupport Services visit http://psychsupport.ca.
