About me

Hi! I'm Ashley Vogelaar, the founder of Head Sea Psychology.

I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, and a Certified Canadian Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

I obtained my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Minor in Religious Studies) from Mount Royal University. I have over 10 years of experience working in various mental health capacities, with all ages, in a multitude of different settings including: private practice, hospital in-patient, and schools.

I utilize evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). I have also completed my Level 1 Clinical Training for the Gottman Method and utilize this approach in my work with couples. I value applying a biopsychosocial approach to therapy by recognizing the role of mental, physical, and social health throughout the therapeutic process.

I provide a nonjudgmental space that encourages clients to be themselves. I encourage and utilize humour within sessions and believe therapy is most effective when clients are involved in the development of goals and treatment approaches for their specific needs. I self-identify as a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community, and the chronic health community.

I provide counselling services to teens (13+ with limited availability), adults, seniors, and couples. My specialties and areas of interest include:

Anxiety
Borderline Personality Disorder
Couples (Monogamous & Alternative Lifestyles)
Depression
Healthy relationships
LGBTQ2S+
Life Transitions
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Sexuality (Sex positive & kink friendly)
Stress Management
Trauma & PTSD

Education, Training & Registrations

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies (Mount Royal University, 2014)
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology With Distinction (Yorkville University, 2019)

Training

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training
Level 1 Clinical Training: Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Contemporary Practices in the Treatment of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)
Standard First Aid Level C CPR and AED
Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD 4-Day Intensive - Cognitive Behavior Institute
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Comprehensive Program- Behavioral Tech Institute
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training- Centre for Suicide Prevention
Mental Health First Aid - Mental Health Commision of Canada
HeartMath Facilitator - HearMath LLC
Mental Health First Aid Facilitator Training - Mental Health Commission of Canada
Psychological First Aid - Alberta Health Services
Psychological First Aid Facilitator - Alberta Health Services
Skills for Psychological Recovery
ROY Group Leadership Training
The Mandt System
MindUP Facilitator Training
Mental Healthy Literacy Project: Curriculum Guide Training
Mental Health Literacy Project: Go-To Educator Training
Headstrong Youth Anti-Stigma Summit Facilitator Training

Professional Development Facilitation

NSSI: Non-Suicidal Self Injury & Suicide

Community Education Service (CES) Presentations for Alberta Health Services:

Healthy Relationships
Cyberbullying
Understanding Your Teen’s Mental Health
Kids Have Stress Too
Navigating the Social Media Nightmare
Opening Lines of Communication

Volunteering Experience

Practicum Counsellor - Restored Wellness (2019)
Mentor - Mount Royal University (2017-2018)
Research Assistant - Mount Royal University (2013-2018)
Alberta Team Lead - Healthy Minds Canada (2015-2017)
Unit Worker - Alberta Health Services (2013-2015)

Registration

Registered Psychologist with College of Alberta Psychologists
Certified Canadian Counsellor with Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Psychologists Association of Alberta
Canadian Psychological Association

Head Sea Psychology