Fiona Demers

Fiona Demers (she/her) is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (# 10002355) and holds a Masters of Counselling Psychology degree from the University of Calgary.

I believe that we all have within us the innate ability to heal ourselves and that every person is capable of change.  However, that doesn’t mean that healing or change is easy. It can be difficult to navigate the path forward on our own. We may want to change. We know we should. But our brains are wired and habituated to our old ways of being. That’s where I as a counsellor come in—to help people make the changes they want, but are struggling with on their own.

I take a “person-centered” approach to counselling, meaning that I believe in honoring a client’s strengths and incorporating those strengths into the journey toward healthy growth and change.

It is a privilege to witness my clients’ incredible resiliency. I am inspired by their capacity for growth and healing. And I am honoured to be able to walk alongside my clients on their journey toward wellness.

Areas of counselling expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Trauma
  • Addictions
  • Grief/Loss
  • Couples Counselling

 

Therapy modalities Fiona uses in her counselling practice

I take an integrative approach to counselling to ensure our work together is tailored to best support each client’s individual needs.

My theoretical framework includes techniques based on

  • cognitive behavioral therapy,
  • rational emotive behaviour therapy,
  • dialectical behaviour therapy,
  • solution-focused brief therapy,
  • play therapy, and
  • motivational interviewing.

Using a trauma informed approach, I consider all aspects of well being when working with clients including the mind, body, and spirit.

 

Personal qualities/strengths as a counsellor

As long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to people and their stories, I have a genuine curiosity about the human experience. Fun fact: I’m the person in the airport who people are drawn to tell their stories to. They must sense that I’m super approachable and open.

In counselling, my warm and compassionate nature allows me to create a safe and nonjudgmental space for clients. I believe there is a Sacredness to holding space for people’s stories. And I am honoured to do so.

I am passionate about personal growth and healing, not only for my clients but for myself as well. Clients are the experts on their own lives and I am dedicated to helping people make meaningful and lasting changes.

When people awaken to their own power to change their lives, when people believe in themselves, they can make choices to improve their situations.

I am a steward to facilitate the change process. I hold for them the knowledge and belief in their inherent ability to move forward until they can believe it for themselves.

Education and professional development

  • Bachelor of Psychology
  • Masters of Counselling Psychology
  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 2: Assessment, Intervention, and Co-Morbidities, Gottman Institute – 2023
  • Developing Discrepancy, Centre for Collaboration, Motivation and Innovation – 2022
  • Motivational Interviewing Practice-Huddle-Discuss Program, Centre for Collaboration, Motivation and Innovation – 2022
  • Assisting Individuals in Crisis, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. – 2022
  • Group Crisis Intervention, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. – 2022
  • Counselling Supervision: Theory and Practice, University of Lethbridge – 2022
  • Regulation Strategies for Children and Youth in Crisis, Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute – 2021
  • Depression-Practical Intervention Strategies, Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute – 2021
  • Motivational Interviewing Foundations, Centre for Collaboration, Motivation and Innovation – 2021
  • When Love Hurts Facilitation Workshop – 2020
  • Foundations in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate, Infant Mental Health Promotion – 2020
  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1: Bridging the Couple Chasm, Gottman Institute – 2020
  • Certificate in Foundations of Play Therapy, Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute – 2019
  • Nowh Guna Tseh Carrier Competency Training – 2018
  • Advanced Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Workshop, UNBC – 2018
  • Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk: Essential Skills for Clinicians, American Association of Suicidology – 2017
  • Homebuilders® Motivational Interviewing Training – 2017
  • Homebuilders® Relapse Prevention Training – 2017

Fiona Demers, CCC

Email: info@repiphany.com