Valerie Umscheid, M.A.
Registered Psychologist
Adults, Couples, Adolescents
“
When one door closes, another door opens
”
Philosophy and Approach
Valerie Umscheid is a registered psychologist with over 20 years of experience as a therapist. She embraces a therapeutic philosophy grounded in compassion, collaboration, and hope, believing that individuals have the capacity for healing, growth, and meaningful change even in the face of life’s challenges. Valerie recognizes that adversity is a natural part of life, and she works collaboratively with clients to help them navigate difficult experiences while strengthening resilience and wellbeing.
Valerie focuses on creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours openly. Through compassionate listening, validation, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches, she helps clients develop practical coping skills, gain insight, and work toward their personal goals. Her approach is client-centered and personalized, integrating a range of therapeutic methods to support each individual’s unique needs and journey toward healing and improved mental health.
Creating Meaningful Change
Valerie believes strongly in the resilience and strength of individuals and recognizes the courage it takes to face difficult life experiences. She is committed to supporting clients with empathy, compassion, and practical tools that promote healing and growth. Through collaborative work and evidence-based strategies, Valerie helps clients move forward with greater clarity, hope, and confidence in their ability to create meaningful change in their lives.
Areas of Expertise
Valerie has extensive experience working with individuals, couples, and families across a wide range of concerns. She is the author of “The Toolbox for Grief and Loss: Effective Healing Strategies” and is especially passionate about helping clients navigate different forms of grief and loss, including bereavement, suicide loss, miscarriage and stillbirth, dementia-related ambiguous loss, divorce, relationship loss, and major life transitions. Valerie also works extensively with clients who have experienced trauma, using EMDR to support healing from experiences such as abuse, bullying, motor vehicle accidents, traumatic loss, and work-related trauma. She has particular experience supporting first responders, military personnel, police officers, and healthcare professionals. In addition, Valerie works with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, self-esteem challenges, body image concerns, chronic pain, and relationship difficulties. She integrates evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, EMDR, grief therapy, the Gottman Method for couples counselling, and clinical hypnosis to help clients develop practical coping strategies, strengthen relationships, and move toward healing and meaningful change.
Education and Credentials
Valerie Umscheid is a Registered Psychologist with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Gonzaga University. She is in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists, the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta, and EMDR Canada.
Presenting Concerns
ADHD
Adjustment Disorders
Anger Management
Anxiety
Body Image Issues
Burnout
Chronic Illness
Chronic Pain
Depression
Eating Disorder
Grief/Loss
Life Transitions
PTSD
Relationship Issues
Self Esteem & Identity Issues
Self Harm & Suicide Ideation
Stress Management
Approaches
Population
Adults (18+)
Adolescents (12+)
Couples
Families
First Responders
