Dr. Janice Dicks

Generally, individuals or couples seek counselling when they want some form of change in their lives, either within themselves or in their relationships with others. This can include a desire to change mood, perspective, attitude, habits and/or behaviours. As a doctoral-level psychologist with 15 years of counselling experience, I enjoy working with clients at any stage of their change process, from contemplating change, to being ready to take action, as well as maintaining current well-being.

As a psychologist, I strive to develop a genuine relationship with clients, recognizing the importance of a supportive therapeutic environment. My overall approach to counselling is integrative, which allows me to be flexible in my work and tailor my approach to counselling to meet the unique needs of clients. It is my belief that our thoughts and behaviours influence how we feel and it is through changing ways of thinking and behaving that individuals or couples can learn to shift perspectives, alter feelings, and improve coping. Therapeutic frameworks from which I draw include: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Wherever possible, I incorporate elements of Positive Psychology into my work, viewing humour as an asset to the therapeutic process and recognizing the importance of hope and optimism when faced with difficulties. My therapeutic style can be characterized as warm and accepting with my practice being evidence-based, meaning that I utilize interventions that have been well-researched with documented effectiveness.

My counselling related experience is broad, having worked in the areas of rehabilitative health, general mental health, and university settings. Through these experiences, I have fostered specializations in traumatic stress, workplace burnout, and the mental health impact of transitions. I am one of only several psychologists in Alberta to hold certification in perinatal mental health, with a special interest in supporting mothers through loss, in their transition to motherhood, and in their various life roles. Additionally, I have experience teaching Master’s-level students in counselling, as well as supervising students at both the Master’s and Doctoral levels.