Hello/Tanisi

 

Alexis is a Euro-Canadian who is an ally of the Indigenous community. She was born and raised in Alberta, only 15 minutes from Siksika Nation. This meant that growing up, many of Alexis’ friends and classmates were part of the Indigenous community. It was in 2015 and beyond after Alexis began working at Distress Centre Calgary, she became aware of the unique inequities that Indigenous people face from the past and the present. This learning and understanding were enhanced when Alexis worked with many Indigenous women and completed more Indigenous-focused training at the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter from 2019 to 2022. Alexis also worked with both Indigenous men and women with criminal histories in the John Howard halfway homes from 2021 to 2022. 

 

Alexis completed her Bachelor of Honors in Psychology with a major in Applied Psychology through Acadia University in Nova Scotia in 2015. Following graduation, Alexis moved back home to Alberta and began her career in the helping profession. Alexis completed her Masters degree in Counselling Psychology from Athabasca University in 2021. In 2022 Alexis received her provisional psychologist liscence and became fully registered in 2023. Since becoming fully registered, Alexis has been shifting her focus to supporting Indigenous people looking to heal from trauma and improve their overall well-being in therapy. 

 

Alexis typically supports clients experiencing bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, trauma (PTSD/CPTSD) and ADHD. Alexis has completed formal training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and provides DBT-informed treatment as one of her specialties. Alexis teaches DBT skills to help her clients become more resilient in the face of difficult emotions. Alexis is also trained in and currently working toward full certification in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Alexis uses this therapy to help clients overcome past adverse events in their lives that still impact their emotions in the present. As a compliment to this work, Alexis has taken training and is receiving consultation in “parts work”, inspired by Robyn Shapiro’s ego state work and Richard Shwarts’ Internal Family Systems therapy. These therapies help clients heal younger parts of themselves that are still struggling in the present day. 

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