Sam Kriviak, M.C.,Registered Psychologist

Populations: Adults and Teens

Areas of Focus: 2SLGBTQ+ clients, clients experiencing social justice issues (e.g. racism, misogyny, eco-grief, colonialism, etc.), and with grief, trauma, attachment wounding, and emotional regulation issues (e.g. anxiety/depression/mood disorders, dissociation, borderline personality, alexithymia, etc.).

Therapeutic Models: Emotion Focused Therapy, Hakomi, and attachment theory as my primary intervention strategies, along with strategies from Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Art Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy,  Somatic Experiencing and Feminist and Multicultural Counselling when appropriate.

Locations: Virtual clients in Alberta or the Northwest Territories

Availability: at this time Sam is no longer taking new clients

A Note From Sam

I am a Registered Psychologist working from Edmonton, within Treaty 6 Territory and the Métis homelands. I am an uninvited guest here on the traditional territories of the Nehiyaw, Denesuliné, Nakota Sioux, Anishinaabe, and Niitsitapi Nations. I use they/them pronouns (feel free to ask about this!). I graduated from the University of Lethbridge Master of Counselling program in 2020 and I am a member in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists

As a counsellor, my intention is to create a nurturing and supportive space for you to grow and change - at a pace that feels right for you, in order to meet your goals.  
 
I am a person-centred, experiential counsellor. In other words, I believe people can build on their existing strengths and wisdom through new emotional experiences - and by experiencing our emotions in new ways! But before we can take in new experiences and start healing and growing, I know that we all need to feel safe, accepted, and validated. We also often need time and space to increase our own understanding and awareness of our current struggles. My first job as a counsellor is to work hard to build a genuine, trusting relationship with each of my clients, so that you get this time and space. Then, we can explore new experiences that build your 'toolkit', address your struggles, and support you to meet your goals.  

In addition to my work as a counsellor, I am also a certified crisis worker and former yoga teacher. I am especially passionate about social justice and supporting clients impacted by oppression, inequality, violence, and systemic issues. Counselling alone is not enough to create a fair, compassionate, and inclusive society, but I embrace it as one tool for transformation and healing.  

My counselling work so far has focused on supporting 2SLGBTQ+ folks, and those coping with emotional struggles like trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and overwhelm. I offer individual sessions with adults and teens.