Shauna Sutherland

Shauna received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of New Brunswick. Through the program, she was provided with training and experience working with a variety of populations (i.e., children, teens, families, couples, adults, and  seniors) across a variety of settings (i.e., university counselling center, hospitals, and community mental health clinics Shauna primarily works with adults (18+) using a therapeutic approach that combines western psychology with eastern-based philosophies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).  Shauna also has experience with interventions such as traditional Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Prolonged Exposure (PE).

When people reach the point of seeking therapy, many have learned a multitude of strategies in an effort to avoid facing distressing emotions/thoughts and experiences. It’s completely understandable that we will try just about anything to learn to manage when we’re struggling.  Although these strategies may sometimes work in the short term (we all use them, to some degree!), they most often do not help to permanently rid ourselves of these unwanted experiences.

For that reason, Shauna aims to work collaboratively with clients not to change, or get rid of, these uncomfortable or unwanted thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, images or memories (since most of us have tried, unsuccessfully), but instead to help them change the way they relate to these inner experiences, while taking steps towards a valued life.

Shauna also aims to assist clients in learning to provide themselves with the patience, compassion, and forgiveness necessary during times when they inevitably face challenges and barriers when learning and practicing these new ways of relating.  It is through her own lived experience that Shauna has come to understand the opportunities for growth that can come from this deeply personal work.