A Little About Me

My journey in becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist has evolved over the last 20 plus years in the Mental Health field from a belief that there is inter-connectedness in everything that we do, therefore the process in which we are connected to others is essential to our mental and physical well-being. I have a specific interest in how language is used within the stories we live and how it shapes our current realities and hopes for the future. Through a blend of therapeutic approaches, my focus is on how ‘we’ will work together towards co-creating new stories that enhance the relationships and connections you desire in your life. Whether it be working with individuals, couples or families, I bring a deep passion and curiosity regarding the innate strengths, knowledge and wisdom that exist within all individuals and related systems that support new ways of seeing and experiencing the world. As a dedicated learner, I continue to seek a deeper knowledge and skill set to support my clients, and stay current in respect my field.

Outside of therapy, I enjoy time with my beautiful wife and two children, along with indulging my passion for sports that includes hockey, soccer, squash, tennis, fly fishing and hiking. I am a passionate reader with specific interests in Sport Biographies, Indigenous history and Military history as it relates to mental health. As a sports aficionado I am a super fan of the New York Islanders and have a burgeoning interest in St. Pauli Football Club. To satiate my musical needs, I turn on Pink Floyd or David Bowie to wind down!

 

Education & Credentials

MA, Counselling, Gonzaga University

BCHST (Applied), Child Studies Degree, Mount Royal University

Positive Psychology Diploma, Langley Institute, Australia

Couple and Family Therapy Diploma (3 year post graduate program), University of Calgary

Psychotherapist/Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)

Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (RMFT), Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT)

Counselling Therapist, Alberta Counselling and Therapy Association (ACTA)

In addition, Jonathan possesses a variety of further certifications/trainings that supports his work.

Therapeutic Practices

I primarily utilize Solution-focused and Narrative therapy, along with Motivational Interviewing, if needed, grounded in systemic-relational thinking, focusing on the interconnection of relationships. When there are specific needs surrounding effective management of thoughts, feelings and behaviors I employ Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and/or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). From a trauma lens I prefer to use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), adapting to the needs of the client. For couple and family therapy I work from a systemic-relational lens and incorporate Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Couple Method with couples and Strategic, Structural and Attachment-based therapy approaches with families.

Land Acknowledgment

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we acknowledge the traditional territories and oral practices of the Blackfoot Nations, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai. We also acknowledge the Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda First Nations, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, and all people whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries and who make their homes are in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

"When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves"

- Viktor Frankl