Desiree Gagnon

Services
Counselling in French and English as well as Equine-Assisted Therapy at Riverfront Equestrian Centre on Mondays! The stables are located at 20821 9 Ave SW, Edmonton, T6M 2N9.

A Note from Desiree
Therapy often causes feelings of nervousness because we are taking a risk in being vulnerable, having the courage to seek support and sharing our deepest thoughts and feelings. Emotional healing begins when we can acknowledge and work through what we are feeling. The only way out is moving through our emotional experiences, and I’m here to guide you.

I provide support for adolescents (12+), adults, and first responders facing a variety of mental health concerns such as occupational stress injuries (e.g., PTSD) and other trauma-related injuries (e.g., physical, emotional, and sexual abuse), attachment injuries, loss and grief (including the loss of a loved one, a pet, the end of a romantic relationship, the end of a friendship, etc.), emotional regulation, and suicidal ideation.

I work from a person-centered and holistic approach to address my client’s emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. I draw from trauma-informed care and emotionally focused therapy while integrating components from acceptance and commitment-based therapy, compassion-focused therapy, internal family systems, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Beginning in September 2023, I will be adding canine-assisted therapy to my practice!

With a genuine and empathetic spirit, I am passionate about ensuring a safe and secure space where anyone can feel comfortable expressing any emotion, thought, or struggle. I welcome all stories, backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and those who value vulnerability and self-discovery.

I prioritize client empowerment and invite you into the treatment planning process to best meet your needs and goals. This is your journey!

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) & Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT)
I am excited to offer EAT at Riverfront Equestrian Centre on Mondays. Please contact the main office if you’re interested in booking an EAT session!

Why AAT & EAT? There is no denying the benefits of psychotherapy; however, traditional psychotherapy can be difficult for some clients. The unique practice of Animal and Equine-Assisted Therapy involves intentionally including an animal to help you meet your individual needs and therapeutic goals. For example, if you’re feeling anxious, talking to, and petting the therapy animal may help reduce anxiety and create a sense of connectedness. In addition, therapy animals can help build a solid therapeutic relationship, make sessions more engaging, and may be tailored to suit culturally diverse clients!

I am so excited to connect you with my animals, and together we will work toward your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness.

I would be happy to speak with you over a free 10-minute phone consultation, to ensure we are a good fit. I look forward to embarking on this journey of healing and well-being together!

Website/booking link: https://summitcounsellingservices.janeapp.com/locations/summit-cs-brewery-district/book#/staff_member/27