Kristen Albano (she/her)

MACP, Registered Psychotherapist

Meet Kristen

Welcome to my practice.

I’m a Registered Psychotherapist, and it is an honour to support you.

Here you will find a warm, safe, non-judgemental space where I invite you to be your most authentic self.

You're here because you've taken the first, and one of the hardest steps in reaching out for support - and that, takes a lot of courage. Maybe you just want a safe space and a confidential ear. Or maybe you are going through a challenging break-up and are working to regain control of your life and build your self-esteem. Maybe you're going through a difficult life transition and you are looking for strategies to help you cope. Whatever you may be going through, you've come to the right place.

I work with teens, adults, and couples to talk about whatever is on their mind. I strive to create a warm, open, safe space where no topic is off the table. Together we will take time building rapport and getting to explore your thoughts, emotions, and concerns before implementing strategies to get you to where you want to be.

My Approach

I approach each session through a client-centred lens, this means that you are placed at the forefront of the therapeutic process - I will meet you where you are with empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard.

My approach emphasizes a non-judgemental space where you can show up as the realest you and feel heard, understood, and accepted. Utilizing various approaches, together we will explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Truthfully, my goal is to work myself out of a job. Throughout our time together, I incorporate a strengths-based approach to identify your strengths, abilities, and resources that promote your growth and well-being that are often dismissed or ignored. When we are able to explore your strength, we foster empowerment, self-confidence, and agency.

Individual Approaches

CBT focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It helps individuals identify and challenge negative or irrational thoughts, replacing them with more balanced and realistic ones. CBT equips people with practical skills to manage their emotions, overcome obstacles, and make positive changes in their lives.

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

Dialectical-Behavioural Therapy

DBT combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with mindfulness techniques to help individuals manage emotions, develop coping skills, and improve relationships. DBT emphasizes the balance between acceptance and change, empowering individuals to gain control over destructive patterns of behavior and create a life worth living.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

ACT combines mindfulness and acceptance strategies with behaviour-change techniques. It aims to help individuals develop psychological flexibility by accepting their thoughts and feelings while committing to actions aligned with their values. ACT encourages clients to cultivate present-moment awareness, defuse from unhelpful thoughts, and engage in values-driven behaviors, ultimately promoting well-being and creating a more meaningful life.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy

EFT focuses on exploring and understanding the emotional experiences and needs of the individual. It helps clients develop self-awareness, gain insight into their emotional patterns and reactions, and learn how to regulate their emotions effectively. By fostering a secure emotional connection with themselves, individuals can develop healthier relationships with others, increase their self-esteem, and navigate life's challenges more effectively.


Couples Approaches

The Gottman Method is grounded in extensive research on couples' interactions and focuses on building healthy relationships through enhancing friendship, managing conflicts, and creating shared meaning. The method utilizes assessment tools, interventions, and techniques to help couples strengthen their emotional bond, improve communication, and foster trust and intimacy.

Gottman Method

EFT focuses on the emotional connection between partners. It aims to help couples identify and understand the underlying emotions and needs that drive their behavior and interactions. Through a process of exploration and communication, EFT helps couples create secure emotional bonds, foster trust, and improve communication patterns, leading to more satisfying and fulfilling relationships.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy

Education & Credentials

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University

Honours Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Studies, University of Toronto

College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, #11834

Trainings

Suicide Intervention Skills Promoting Life - CTRI (2022)

Gottman Method Couples Training Level 1 - The Gottman Institute (2022)

Solution-Focused Therapy Skills for Short-Term Counselling - CTRI (2022)

Walking With Grief Helping Others Deal With Loss — CTRI (2022)

Narrative Therapy Tools for Exploring Stories - CTRI (2022)

Single Session Counselling - Stepped Care (2021)

CPI: Crisis Prevention Training (Oct 2019)

Mental Health First Aid Certification (Oct 2018)

ASIST Certification (Oct 2017)

Banff, Alberta

University of Toronto, Scarborough

I’m a human-being, just like you.

I always show up to sessions as my most authentic self. When I am able to do this and be more me, I am able to be more present, grounded, and focused on you.

Outside of the therapy room, you can find me travelling, or sitting on the couch binging a good TV show and eating some Thai.

I have a strong passion for supporting and educating individuals in the mental health field, and enjoy volunteering my time speaking on panels or networking and sharing my knowledge and experience.

Squamish, British Columbia

I have tattoos, I wear ripped jeans, I often throw my hair up, and I sit with my legs crossed. That is the real me and the me I bring into sessions. Therapy doesn’t have to feel formal or intimidating for us to do good work together.

If you think I may be a good fit for you, I encourage you to take the step and reach out for a free consultation.

Let’s start your mental health journey, together.