Joni Stryde, Registered Psychologist, Play Therapist, B.Sc., B.Ed., MC
Joni is a Registered Psychologist and a Certified Play Therapist. She believes that it is important for humans to establish a sense of belonging by making connections to others and building a support network to rely on as needed. As a professional member of the College of Alberta Psychologists, Joni is qualified to provide clinical supervision for intern counsellors working through their certification programs. Please reach out to our admin team or send an email for further information if you would like to explore options for clinical supervision.
Intern Supervision
Attachment
Mindfulness
Sandtray
Trauma
Therapeutic Exploration through Art and Music
Play Therapy
Sandtray
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Solution-focused Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Animal-Assisted Therapeutic Techniques
Sara, a dedicated mental health therapist, holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Her unwavering dedication to her clients, which is at the heart of her practice, is evident in her use of various modalities to create a non-judgmental, supportive environment. Each client is not just heard but truly understood and valued, a testament to Sara’s compassion and commitment.
With a rich professional background, Sara has spent the last three years as a guidance counsellor for Fort McMurray Catholic School District, providing invaluable support at both the elementary and high school levels. Her 15 years of experience within AHS (Alberta Health Services) as a Child and Youth Development Specialist, supporting children and families in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, is a testament to her expertise. During this time, she worked closely with Dr. Goulden, a now-retired Developmental Paediatrician, to support neurodivergent clients and their families. Sara’s passion for supporting families has been unwavering for the past 19 years, a testament to her dedication and commitment to her profession.
Sara is also a certified Circle of Security Facilitator working towards becoming a fully registered play therapist. She also provides adult, youth, and family therapy. Maintaining a dynamic of respect is challenging for any family system. Family members are all very different people with varying needs and communication styles. Family counselling offers support for coping with changes and strains in the family unit.
These commonly include:
Divorce
Blending families
Children leaving home
Young adults returning home
Death in the family
Sara will guide you in navigating new boundaries, understanding and expressing emotions, and learning new coping strategies using emotion and solution-focused approaches. As problems become manageable, openness begins to increase, and as a result, healthy patterns can begin to pave the way for a calmer, happier, healthier way forward.
Sara is registered with several professional associations including:
College of Alberta Psychologists, Provisional
Currently, Sara is actively pursuing professional development, completing two streams of three to become a Registered Play Therapist with the Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPT). This commitment to continuous learning and growth ensures that she is equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care to her clients.