More About Kim Phua

I sincerely believe that taking the first steps in seeking help and support is incredibly challenging and takes courage. My commitment to my clients is to provide a safe, meaningful, and non-judgmental space where you can explore and understand your thoughts, feelings, strengths, vulnerabilities, beliefs, values, and goals, in whatever life circumstances, experiences, and challenges you have faced or are facing.

I am in the process of completing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. I have professional experience working with issues such as trauma, substance dependency, and in Drug Treatment Court, working with clients who are faced with challenging life circumstances and experiences such as trauma, substance dependency, legal problems, a variety of mental health concerns, biopsychosocial issues, crises, grief, stigmatization, intimate partner/family violence, relationship difficulties, family dysfunction, cultural disconnection, and more.

My approach to therapy is holistic and integrative, drawing from a variety of different approaches including person/client-centred, narrative therapy, cultural-relativism, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), family systems therapy, mindfulness techniques, and more. My hope is to find an approach which best fits your needs in order for you to progress towards your goals. I am also deeply committed to learning new ways and acquiring different techniques to best support my clients.

I am grateful to have an opportunity to be on this journey with you; I look forward to getting to know you, hearing your stories, and learning about your experiences!

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS:

What is your favourite quote?

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

What do you think the world needs more of?

A little sparkle, even in the darkest or hardest of times.

Qualifications

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Affiliations

Psychologist Association of Alberta (Student Membership)

Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (Student Membership)

Certifications

Standard First Aid and CPR

Mental Health First Aid

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention

Family Violence Intervention

Cultural Consciousness and Awareness Training

Indigenous Awareness Training

Dare to Lead Trained

Motivational Interviewing Basic Techniques

Understanding ADHD Workshop

Understanding Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphia Workshop

Understanding Borderline Personality Workshop

Children from Substance Abusing Families Workshop

Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton – Trained Volunteer

Languages

• English

My areas of focus:

Anxiety & Depression

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Self-Esteem Issues
• Workplace Stress

Couples

• Cross Cultural Issues

Grief & Loss Care

• Compassion Fatigue
• Life Transitions and Adjustment Issues

Other Areas

• Anger Management
• Cross Cultural Issues
• Emotional Regulation
• Relationship Dependence
• Stress Management

Thrive (Child & Youth)

• Family Issues

Trauma Care

• Abuse
• Trauma
• Workplace Trauma

I have experience in:

• Aging Parents
• Alternative Sex Behaviours
• Anorexia Nervosa
• Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults
• Avoidant Personality Disorder
• Becoming a Parent or the Addition of Children
• Behavioural Issues
• Blended Family Adjustment
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Changes in Health
• Cognitive Disability
• Coming Out
• Communication and Negotiation
• Custody Access Issues
• Dealing with Infidelity
• Dealing with Physical Health Issues
• Death or Loss of a Pet
• Delusional Disorder
• Dependent Personality Disorder
• Difficult People
• Divorce or Separation
• Emotional Abuse
• Empty Nest Syndrome
• FASD
• Family Caregiver Stress
• Family Violence
• Female Sexual Issues
• Food or Eating Issues
• Gender Identity
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Graduation
• Grief and Loss
• Histrionic Personality Disorder
• Insomnia
• Intercultural and Interracial Relationships
• Issues Related to Bullying
• LGBTQ2S+ Issues
• Losing Someone to Suicide
• Loss of Employment
• Loss of a Loved One
• Loss of a Preterm Child
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Marriage and Relationship Concerns
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Out of Control Shopping
• Panic Disorder
• Parenting Coordination
• Parenting Issues & Support
• Physical Abuse
• Pornography Issues
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Premarital Counselling
• Problem Gambling
• Religious or Spiritual Trauma
• Retirement
• Self-Harming
• Sex Compulsion/Out of Control Sexual Behaviours
• Sexual Assault and Abuse
• Sexual Offending Behaviours
• Sexuality and Intimacy Issues
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Weight & Eating Disorders
• Weight Management

My treatment approaches:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Family Systems Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Person Centered Therapy
• Solution Focused Therapy