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Family Therapy Calgary: Healing and Connecting Together

Family therapy in Calgary offers something individual support cannot: a chance to strengthen the relationships that hold a family together. Rocky Mountain Psychological Services provides family therapy because so many challenges, from conflict to transitions to a child’s struggles, live in the spaces between people, not just within one person. When families work together, change becomes possible for everyone.

This guide explains what family therapy is, when it helps, and how working as a system can bring lasting change.

What Family Therapy Is

Family therapy is counselling that works with family members together, viewing difficulties through the lens of relationships rather than placing the focus on a single person. The idea is simple but powerful: people do not exist in isolation, and the patterns between family members shape how everyone feels and behaves.

Rather than asking who is to blame, family therapy asks how the family can understand one another better and respond in healthier ways. A skilled therapist helps surface the patterns, improve communication, and guide the family toward the connection they want.

This systemic view is widely recognized in mental health care. Resources from organizations such as CAMH highlight how relationships and environment play a central role in wellbeing.

When Families Benefit Most

Families seek therapy for many reasons. Sometimes it is open conflict or communication that has broken down. Sometimes it is a major transition, such as separation, a blended family, or loss. Often it is because one member, frequently a child or teen, is struggling in a way that ripples through the whole household.

There is no need to wait for a crisis. Any family that wants to communicate more openly and support one another can benefit.

Common Reasons Families Seek Therapy

Situation How family therapy helps
Frequent conflict Builds healthier communication patterns
Major transitions Supports adjustment and stability
A child or teen struggling Equips the whole family to help
Feeling disconnected Rebuilds understanding and closeness
Blended family challenges Navigates new roles and relationships

Change as a System

One of the most hopeful ideas in family therapy is that change does not rest on one person’s shoulders. When a child struggles, the family is the support system around them, and small shifts in how everyone communicates and responds can make a real difference.

That is why family therapy so often complements individual support. Our family therapy services help families build on their strengths, and for children specifically, our child counselling team coordinates care so the whole system moves forward together. You can learn about the warm, experienced professionals on our team who guide this work.

Families do not have to navigate hard seasons alone. Working together, with support, is often where real change begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is family therapy?
It is counselling that works with family members together rather than one person alone, viewing challenges in the context of relationships and helping the family communicate and move forward as a unit.

When should a family consider therapy?
Often during transitions, conflict, or when one member is struggling in a way that affects everyone. There is no need to wait for a crisis to seek help.

Does the whole family have to attend every session?
Not necessarily. Sessions may include different combinations of members depending on the goals, and the therapist works with you to decide who attends and when.

How can family therapy help with a child’s difficulties?
The whole family is part of a child’s support system. Family therapy helps caregivers respond in helpful ways, improves communication, and reduces patterns that keep difficulties going.

Begin Family Therapy in Calgary

Rocky Mountain Psychological Services is located at Clennan Square, Suite 212, 110 – 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0B8. Call (403) 245-5981 or email intake@rmpsychservices.com to arrange an appointment. Any fees are discussed directly with our intake team once we understand what you are looking for.

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MacKenzie Ebel

MacKenzie is a Psychometrist/Psychological Assistant at RMPS. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Princeton University, where she also played 4 years for the women’s ice hockey team. She recently completed her Masters in Counselling Psychology through City University of Seattle. MacKenzie has worked with children, youth, and their families in a number of settings, through coaching, as a behavioural aid, and counselling through her internship placement. She is excited to continue learning about assessment administration, neurofeedback, and play therapy practices at RMPS! Currently, she is part of the assessment and neurotherapy team, as she completes her final capstone assignment and intends to join our counselling team as a Registered Provisional Psychologist.

Tammy Thomson

Tammy is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) program at Yorkville University and is trained at the master’s level in art therapy as a professional art psychotherapist and member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association. She brings more than 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in child development settings, children’s hospitals, and schools as an early childhood educator and elementary teacher. She completed a Bachelor of Applied Science specializing in Child Development Studies at the University of Guelph, Ontario and holds a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Tammy is a member of the Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapy Association and College of Alberta Psychologists while pursuing her next goal of registration as a provisional psychologist. Tammy values a client-centered approach using play therapy and the expressive arts to support those who may find it difficult to articulate their thoughts and feelings with words. Children and families do not need any skill or prior art experience and the art studio is a safe place where children can gain a sense of independence, greater emotional regulation, and confidence through self-exploration. Expressive interventions in art therapy can treat behavioural issues, anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, physical and developmental disabilities, and attachment difficulties. As a parent of three young children herself, Tammy understands the complexities of family life using compassion to help parents feel more confident in their role of raising a successful family.

Raquel Freitas

Raquel is an Office Administrator at RMPS. Back in Brazil, her home country, she graduated as a Psychologist and worked as a clinician for the past 5 years. Although she loved working with children and adults, she discovered a new passion: manage the administrative tasks that keep the business running. 

As someone who is passionate about learning new things and developing new skills, with the career transition also came the decision to live abroad and explore a new culture. To serve empathetically and connect with people is Raquel’s main personal and professional goal.

Emma Donnelly

Emma is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in her hometown at Brandon University, after which she moved to Calgary to earn her Master’s of Science in School and Applied Child Psychology at the University of Calgary. Emma has a passion for working with children and families and has experience doing so in a number of settings, including schools, homes, early intervention programs, and within the community. She specializes in assessment, including psychoeduational, social-emotional-behavioural, and autism assessment. Emma uses a client centred approach to counselling, supported by cognitive behavioural therapy, as well as play-based and attachment-based techniques. She believes in meeting clients where they are at and prides herself in working together with her clients to achieve their goals, improve their functioning, and enjoy their daily life.

Amanda Stoner

Amanda is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Amanda earned her doctoral degree in Psychology at Brock University in Ontario in 2017, with a specialization in developmental psychology. Amanda provides formal assessment services at RMPS. 

Since 2009, Amanda has received formal training and work experience in private practice settings in conducting psycho-educational assessments for students ranging from preschool through university. Amanda is skilled at test administration, interpretation of data, and report writing for various referral questions including ADHD, Learning Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Giftedness, and Intellectual Disabilities. Amanda enjoys working with people of all ages from diverse backgrounds, and she tries to make the testing environment feel relaxed and comfortable while maintaining integrity in testing protocol.

Denise Riewe

Denise has completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences through the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Counselling with Athabasca University. She is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a member of the Psychological Association of Alberta. Denise has over 9 years of experience supporting children, youth and their families in both residential and community-based practices. Denise is experienced in working with high and at-risk youth, supporting children and their families with strength-based approaches. She practices from a client-center approach supported by Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Theraplay, and other play and art-based modalities.

John Pynn

John is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. He completed his Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. He brings more than 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in a variety of settings. He brings a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere to sessions. John uses an integrated counselling approach including client-centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focussed therapy (SFT) to find the best-fit for clients. He has experience with a variety of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, anger, self-
esteem, relationships, parenting, ADHD, grief/loss, addictions, and trauma. This broad experience comes from working in schools, social service agencies, group-care, and clinical settings. He also draws from the practical experience of being a parent to two teenagers as well as a husband. Supporting and empowering clients with mental health concerns is something John genuinely enjoys. John also provides counselling for adults and holds a Gottman level 1 certification for couples therapy.

Zara Crasto

Zara is a Psychometrist/Psychological Assistant at RMPS. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Calgary and her Graduate Diploma in Psychological Assessment at Concordia University of Edmonton. 

Zara has spent over five years working alongside children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings. These include public and private schools, in-home support, residential programs, early-intervention programs, and non-profit organizations. Currently, Zara is part of the assessment and neurotherapy team. As a lifelong learner, Zara plans to go back to graduate school and eventually become a psychologist one day.

Kellie Lanktree

Kellie is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She completed a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care with the University of Victoria and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology through the University of Lethbridge. Kellie has over 10 years experience supporting children and youth with developmental disorders/delays and their families. Kellie has experience working in schools, clinical settings, and within homes to provide support and therapeutic interventions. Through her time at RMPS, Kellie has also gained experience in helping individuals affected by trauma, grief/loss, separations, emotional dysregulation, depression, and anxiety. Kellie practices through developmental, attachment-based and trauma-informed lenses, and draws from a variety of play-based approaches such as Synergetic Play Therapy, Child-centered play therapy, DIR/Floortime, art-based mediums, and mindfulness-based practices. Kellie also provides Neurofeedback therapy, and is working on receiving her certification through BCIA. Kellie believes in meeting children and their families where they are at and that there is no “one size fits all” for therapy.