Julie DeRose, B.A., B.Ed., M.C., Registered Provisional Psyc

Taking the initial step into the therapeutic journey can be scary, overwhelming, and vulnerable. All of these feelings are normal and I can only imagine the daunting task of trying to find someone to open up to and share your story.

My approach to counselling is one of compassion and understanding. I come from an education background, and was a teacher/school counsellor for nearly two decades. Through this experience, I was exposed to a variety of different needs and complexities of individuals and families. 

Both my academic and personal experiences have helped me support the clients I work with. Currently, I am a mom of two young children and understand the different demands of life first-hand. Life can be challenging when we wear different hats, in different environments and can feel pulled in a million different directions. The beauty of therapy is that the time you are is session is absolutely your time. My role is to support you, gently guide, and honour the stories you share.

I am passionate about working with individuals from any walks of life and am inclusive in my space to all cultures, religions, sexual orientation, gender identification, disability, and ethnicities. In my role, I am honoured to listen to what you bring into session and come from a place of compassion and openness. I understand how hard it can be to open-up, share your story, and this is why I called the practice Open Door Psychology- I am here for all individuals, while you can hopefully close some of the lingering doors behind you. 

Some areas I work in are anxiety, depression, life transitions, burnout, parenting, internal/external expectations, ADHD, trauma, PTSD, sleep disturbances, exhaustion, post-secondary support, academic challenges, learning disabilities, divorce/separation, postpartum, and other related mental-health areas. 

I am in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists and working towards writing my EPPP to become a Registered Psychologist. I have finished my hours for certification and just have the final step of writing the licensing exam. Some of the trainings and certifications I have are: Permanent Teaching Certificate, Tripe P Parenting, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) Certification, NSSI (Non-Suicidal Self-Injury), 2SLGBTQI Inclusion for Mental Health Professionals, SIVA (Supporting Individuals through Valued Attachments), Family Assessment Training through NACTATR, Brain Story Certification through Alberta Family and Wellness, Go-To Educator for Mental Health Literacy Project through AHS, VTRA certificate (Levels 1 and 2). 

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two children, getting outside when the weather is warm, and exploring the different restaurants and cafes around the city. When I have time, I enjoy trying out new recipes and going to the new grocery stores that have opened in Edmonton. I also enjoy paying attention to the house market, looking to see what homes are for sale in my area, then wishing to buy something with a bigger back yard. My personality is calm, caring, and relaxed. I believe I get most of that from my mom and being a teacher for many years. 

If you are wanting to book an appointment but still have questions about therapy, I offer free 15-minute consultations to new clients and am happy to be flexible to find time to connect.