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About Me
My name is Priya Bains and I am a Registered Psychologist in the Province of Alberta. I earned a Master's degree in counselling Psychology from McGill University after attaining a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from University of Alberta.
I have done extensive training through the Canadian Institute for Trauma Research and Education (CFTRE); where I have gained Self Regulation Therapy training and developmental trauma training. I use a holistic lens as a result of this training, which allows me to work with clients' cognitive, emotional, and physiological processes that present in the counselling room.
After 3 years of training through the Hakomi Institute, I have attained my certification as Hakomi Therapist. Hakomi is a mindfulness centred somatic therapy that helps clients change "core material" that has been influenced by developmental themes that are held unconsciously. The heart of Hakomi occurs in the loving presence of the therapist while working in the moment in very experiential and creative ways. This training has helped me go "deeper" with my clients so we can discover together how to help organise experiences differently than previously held.
I am currently enrolled in an Addictions Certificate program through Wilfrid Laurier University. My desire is to learn how addictions to psychoactive drugs or compulsive behaviours can interfere with people's relationships, careers, and overall physical and psychological well-being.
I use Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) when working with relationships. The basic premise of this lens is that couples are intimately attached to one another and focuses on how this attachment was constructed (sometimes maladaptively). Once we understand the construction of the relationship, I would shape that construction into the form of a more secure attachment that nourishes and strengthens both partners.
Continuing to gain more knowledge and skills is a commitment that I make to myself and to my clients. As I continue to grow, I am able to provide new elements to our therapeutic relationship.