Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.*

Marcella has obtained advanced training in EMDR and she is a member of the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). She offers EMDR therapy for children, youth, and adults.

Find Marcella’s profile on the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) Therapist Directory.

* Source: EMDRIA. Learn more about EMDR therapy on the EMDRIA website.

If you have an emergency situation that cannot wait until your next appointment, please consider calling to schedule an emergency session. We will make every effort to see you at the office as quickly as we are able.

Alternatively, if you need help in an urgent situation or you are in crisis, you can find help at the Emergency department of your nearest hospital or call 911. You can also call or text the 24-hour crisis line at the Distress Centre Calgary at 403.266.4357.

We are pleased to offer you free onsite parking at the time of your session.

• There is free 90-minute visitor parking behind the building. Please register your plate using the QR code on the poster in front of the elevator, inside the building (not the QR codes outside).
• There is also free street parking nearby: one-hour parking on 17th Avenue and two-hour parking on 17th Street.

Please contact us immediately in the event you need to cancel. Cancellations less than 48 hours in advance and 2 business days will be charged at the cost of the full hourly rate.

We accept cash, major credit cards (except Amex), or Interac e-transfer as methods of payment. Interac e-transfers via your bank may be submitted to marcella@nurturepsychology.ca.

Yes, with your written permission we can provide consultation to teachers and educators so that they better understand your child and how to best support them in their school setting.

We can be reached via email through our contact page or via phone at 403.815.0271. We are often in session with clients, but we will get back to you as soon as possible. We will endeavour to get back to you within 48 hours or 2 business days.

If your child wonders why they are coming to meet a counsellor, you may explain to them that it can be useful to have someone who can help them work through any tricky feelings and/or experiences that they are going through. You may choose to name their tricky experiences (e.g., school, family, friends) and explain to them that sometimes life challenges seem too big for just one person or one family to work through alone, so it can be helpful to have another supportive person there for you and the family. Openness and honesty help children build trust in their parents, the counsellor, and the therapeutic process.

You may speak with the counsellor beforehand if you require additional support in how to explain counselling to your child. The counsellor can explain the process to you including what counselling with your child will look like so that you can share the information with your child to reduce their fears, worries, or uncertainties. You may also choose to show your child a virtual tour of Nurture Psychology’s playroom so that they feel familiar and comfortable with the space prior to their meeting with a counsellor.

We are creative in our approach. We engage young children and youth with a variety of methods beyond talk therapy, including play-based techniques, sand tray therapy, expressive arts, therapeutic storytelling, music therapy, drama, and dance.

Usually, the counsellor meets with the child’s caregiver or parents alone first (without the child) to understand their concerns, gather the necessary background information, and establish treatment goals. Your child will not be left out though. In order to be transparent and collaborative, the counsellor will share with the child or youth what was discussed in the first session with the caregiver/parents and respectfully seek the valuable perspective of the child or youth upon their introduction.

Your confidentiality and privacy are important to us. We are happy to discuss our commitment to confidentiality in greater detail with you, as well as any limits and exceptions to confidentiality in our work. Please give us a call at 403.815.0271.

• Adult (individual), child, or parenting sessions are 50 minutes in duration.
• Family and couples counselling sessions may range from 50 to 90 minutes in duration.

Your health and safety are our priority.

COVID-19 Update: June 23, 2022

Per directive from the College of Alberta Psychologists, as of June 24th, 2022, COVID-19 pre-screening is no longer required. Nurture Psychology continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, as these requirements may evolve over time. We will issue updates as needed and will update our websites to reflect any new developments.

Nurture Psychology follows all active public health orders set forth by Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, including mandatory mask requirements.

For in-person sessions, here is what we are doing to help limit the spread of infection and keep you safe during your visit:
• Hand sanitizer is available throughout the clinic
• We continuously encourage all clients and staff members to practice regular handwashing and hand sanitization
• We have increased our daily cleaning and disinfection of common areas and surfaces
• Each therapy room is sanitized every hour after a session takes place
• Clients are pre-screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before scheduling appointments and upon arrival
• Appointments are scheduled considering adequate intervals to reduce contact between clients in the hallways and waiting areas
• Furniture is amply spaced so clients and staff can sit and play at a safe distance during sessions
• We provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when the minimum safe distance cannot be maintained

Please ask about our Telepsychology (videoconferencing or phone) Counselling Sessions.