We Are Nikki & Crystal
We are a local professionals who offer individual, couples and family therapy both in-person and online.
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It takes courage to reach out. The first step can be the most challenging - it isn't easy to ask for help. We know this from both personal and professional experience.
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Need support? We all do sometimes. We are here to support your health and wellness.
“We don’t have to do it alone. We were never meant to.”
- Brené Brown
WE ARE
CRYSTAL, MEGAN & NIKKI
With compassion and a genuine desire to see people live their lives happy and content, we bring authenticity, non-judgment, connection and security to our practice.
CRYSTAL LADRIERE
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You deserve to live a happy and fulfilling life. Seeking help requires courage; the greatest challenge often begins with asking for help and, with that in mind, we begin with connection and together create a plan for you. Seeking therapy for personal life challenges has given me clear understanding (and proof) that healing is 100% possible. I am passionate about helping you realize your full potential to heal. My work as a counsellor is deeply personal to me; I recognize the struggle and courage it takes to change.
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Attentive listening allows space for growth, connection and discovery of new meanings. I provide a safe therapeutic relationship that fosters growth, exploration, and healing. Each client is unique and therefore, various therapeutic modalities are required for each individual. As a client-centred and strength-based practitioner, I use cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, EMDR, Therapeutic Fly-Fishing (with EMDR), ego-state therapy (parts work) and a mental health framework to my practice. Above all, the work we do together is based on the foundation of our therapeutic relationship; creating a secure and connected alliance is a strength I bring to my practice.
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Born and raised in Cranbrook I am grateful to give back to my home community through private practice. My path to becoming a therapist is heart-centered and deeply personal. I am continuously honoured and humbled to be a part of this journey with the people I work with. I have always been sensitive, empathetic, and a good listener. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and exploring the outdoors with my much loved Black Lab, Ariel. My interests include camping, hiking, and travel.
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I am an EMDRIA certified EMDR Therapist and hold membership with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Ongoing and as-needed supervision and consultation occur regularly.
SPECIALIZING IN
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ADDICTION & RECOVERY | ANXIETY | DEPRESSION | STRESS | RELATIONSHIP ISSUES | LOW SELF-ESTEEM
​MEGAN BANNERMAN
​My journey to becoming a counsellor has not been a linear one. I started in the professional world in 2006 as an accounting technician, working in the field for several years. In 2014, after experiencing a time of immense personal struggle, I shifted gears, facilitating an addiction treatment program for men on parole or who had experienced homelessness. I discovered my love of group work and found it extremely rewarding to help others. I learned about motivation and resilience, shame and recovery, empowerment and courage. I completed the Canadian Mental Health Association's Peer Support Worker Certification in 2022. As a peer support worker, I've had the opportunity to use my lived experience with mental health in a meaningful way to help others. I love the healing power of individual relationship within the therapeutic relationship. I am a graduate of Applied Psychology, specializing in Professional Counselling.
As an integrative, person-centred, post-modern behavioural therapist, I use various approaches such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy and Feminist Theory, using various modalities including DBT, CBT and ACT. Each client is the expert in their own life; my job is to help each person to uncover, discover and discard. I provide a compassionate and non-judgmental space while bringing authenticity, hope, connection and safety to my practice. I understand struggle and the work required to find wellness; I genuinely wish to be of service and help you live the life you want.
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Outside of work, I am Mom to a (teenage) young man and a little grey pup. Parenting is the single most rewarding (and challenging) role I have ever experienced. Reading is my first love - I can often be found snuggled up with a book, or listening to an audiobook while I do chores. I like to spend time with my friends and family, chatting over a cup of coffee, going for a walk, or playing a game. I currently reside in Calgary, and while I’m not a great sports fan, I do enjoy the equestrian events at Spruce Meadows.
I am a member in good standing with the Canadian College of Professional Counselling Practitioners, and a student member of the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta. I am currently completing my supervision hours under Nikki Hemstad-Leete.
* Please note - I currently provide sessions entirely online *
SPECIALIZING IN
ADHD | STRESS | ANXIETY | SUBSTANCE USE, MISUSE, ADDICTION & RECOVERY | DEPRESSION
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NIKKI HEMSTAD-LEETE
I hold a Master’s Degree in Social Work, a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and over three decades of experience working with children, youth, adults and families. I am registered and in good standing with the BC College of Social Workers, the BC Association of Social Workers, the Canadian Association of Social Workers, and EMDRIA, (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing International Association).
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From the beginning of my career, my work has been shaped by one guiding principle: connection creates change. Listening, reflecting, seeking to understand and helping others has always come naturally to me. When I began my education in the Social Work program at age 18. I knew I found my place. Over 30 years later, I am still exactly where I am meant to be.
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My practice has evolved into an integrative, safety-supporting, nervous-system based approach to therapy. I work with individuals and families experiencing complex, developmental, and relational trauma, grief and loss, addiction and recovery, anxiety, depression and nervous system dysregulation. My clinical work integrates EMDR, ego state/parts work, somatic and attachment-based approaches and neurofeedback with a strong emphasis on stabilization, regulation and safety before deep processing.
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I know healing happens only when people feel safe enough to change - not pressured, pathologized or rushed. My role is to help create conditions where nervous systems can settle, relationships (with Self and others) can repair and people can connect to their own capacity for growth.
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In addition to clinical practice, I provide professional supervision and consultation, complete complex clinical assessments and conduct Section 211 (of the BC Family Law Act) reports for the court. My work is grounded in ethical practice, relational safety and systems-level thinking.
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Outside of my professional life, I am proud spouse, mom and grandma. I live in the Kootenays with my husband and our many critters, finding restoration in nature, the mountains, gardening, and creating spaces - internally and externally - where people and nervous systems can rest, restore and heal. ​
SPECIALIZING IN
COMPLEX & DEVELOPMENTAL TRAUMA | ATTACHMENT & RELATIONAL TRAUMA | NERVOUS SYSTEM DYSREGULATION | GRIEF & LOSS | INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA | TRAUMA-RELATED ANXIETY & PANIC | BURNOUT & CHRONIC STRESS | IDENTITY & LIFE TRANSITION WORK | INFERTILITY, ADOPTION, BLENDED FAMILIES
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