Hello! My name is Cristina. I am a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists. I am also the Founder of Hælan Psychology, and I am thrilled (out of my mind) to be able to create this space for all individuals I cross paths with, whether it be short term or an ongoing basis.

My fascination with the complexities of the human brain, and a passion for supporting individuals in their psychological well-being, has been the driving force behind my pursuit of academic and professional growth within the mental health field.

Outside of work, I am kept busy by my energetic (but oh so sweet) little human beings. As a family, we enjoy visiting local shops and cafes, and running around parks and playgrounds. We also love to travel the world and explore new, exciting places! On my own time, I gravitate towards creative outlets, which usually involves photography, and baking and decorating cakes and confections.

ADHD
Anxiety
Attachment Issues
Autism
Behavioural Challenges
Depression
Emotion Regulation
Grief and Loss
Life Transitions
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Parenting
Perinatal Mental Health (Prenatal, Pregnancy, and Postpartum)
Relationship Concerns
School Challenges
Self-esteem
Stress
Trauma and PTSD

Children (Ages 5 and up)
Adolescents
Adults
Parents and Caregivers

Art Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Play Therapy; Including Sandtray and Expressive Arts
Somatic Experiencing Therapy (SE)
Solution Focused Therapy (SFT)

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Master of Counselling Psychology

Trainings:
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Play Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy (SFT)

Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPT)
College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)
Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA)

Non-profit Organizations: (Past Experiences)

My journey in the mental health field commenced in non-profit organizations, where I delved into the realm of clinical psychology. Here, I collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of Psychologists, Occupational Therapists (OT), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP), to offer behavioural interventions to children and adolescents affected by neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. Subsequently, I transitioned to a role within the Government of Alberta, where I focused on aiding children and youth in care, alongside their caregivers and families, many of whom were grappling with various mental health issues. This experience paved the way for me to concentrate on supporting young individuals as they navigated the transition into early adulthood, particularly in their pursuit of higher education and future life goals.

Academia: (Ongoing)

Presently, in addition to my counselling role within a private practice setting, I also entered the world of academia. I thoroughly enjoy instructing a number of undergraduate courses, including Introductory Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Atypical Development, and Abnormal Psychology. Being an avid learner myself, I find great fulfillment in being able to impart my knowledge and educate others on subjects pertaining to this field. This opportunity to teach has been incredibly rewarding and has further fuelled my own love for continuous learning.

Clinical Psychology: (Ongoing)

I must say that I went full circle back into the realm of Clinical Psychology - you can tell this is a passion of mine and that I naturally gravitate towards it. Further to my primary role as a therapist, I am a contracted Psychologist through another organization that offers an outreach program, working with children, youth, and families within their homes, at schools, and out in the community. Similar to my past professional experience, I also work alongside a diverse team of OTs, SLPs, PTs, Nurses, and many other health professionals. I truly appreciate the multidisciplinary approach and value the opportunity to learn from other disciplines as well. Within this position, I work alongside parents and caregivers while offering psychological supports to children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially Autism Spectrum Disorder. This dynamic and stimulating environment provides me with the opportunity to continuously expand my knowledge and enhance my skills as a Psychologist. I am able to engage in ongoing learning and professional development, which keeps me motivated and passionate about my work.

English
Tagalog (Filipino)

Cristina enjoys travelling with her family and getting to experience what other parts of the world has to offer. Before kids, her best adventure was staying in the Sahara Desert, venturing the sand dunes, and hanging out with the Moroccan Berbers “Amazigh”.