Solace Psychology & Wellness

Meet Vanessa

VANESSA ZUZAK GOODCHILD EDMONTON

VANESSA goodchild

M.C., B.SC., R. Psychologist
EMDR Therapist
Founder & Clinical Director

Hello, I’m Vanessa Goodchild, a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists. I have been working in the mental health industry for over a decade with children, teens, and adults who are struggling with diverse stressors and diagnoses.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

Counselling for Children, Teens & Parents

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I enjoy supporting children and teens in learning positive ways to express their emotions and process their personal experiences. This typically involves providing my young clients with a safe, light space to tune into their emotional well-being and provide a gentle listening ear. Together, we practice evidence-based strategies that foster healthy growth and development. When working with children, I often use aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), play therapy, art and sandplay therapy. Supporting parents and guardians with effective parenting strategies is an important aspect of therapy and is a passion of mine. I am keen to provide helpful resources throughout the course of therapy. I also ensure to liaise with children’s pediatricians, psychiatrists, teachers, and other professionals in their circle of care.

Common concerns that youth present to therapy with include: ADHD, low self-esteem/confidence, emotion dysregulation, learning disorders, anxiety disorders (social anxiety, phobias, separation anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder), depressiontrauma-related symptoms and other mental health concerns.  

Counselling for adults & couples

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A large part of my career also includes working with adult clients as well as couples and families. My areas of specialty include: adult ADHD, anxiety, depressiontrauma-related symptoms, burnout, healthy boundaries, pain management, sleep issues, low self-esteem/confidence, and addiction. I have specialized training in providing treatment for individuals who have experienced motor vehicle accidents, using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. I also enjoy working with professionals and businesses in the realm of preparing to return to work following medical leave and acquiring work/life balance. I take pride in making therapy as smooth as possible by collaborating with other professionals involved in my clients’ care, including insurance representatives, rehabilitation consultants, physicians, lawyers and employers. A major focus involves learning to manage stress and achieve a gratifying and joyful life. I strive to help people obtain overall life balance, in all 8 aspects of well-being. 

Having a safe place to voice your concerns and express your emotions can be so powerful. We often get lost in our past hurts and are unable to communicate effectively with those we love, which is where effective, non-judgmental guidance can be helpful. My practice is grounded in respect, integrity, and genuine care for my clients. As I have learned how to manage my own stress and anxiety levels, my psychological expertise is authentic and experiential, and does not just come from a textbook. 

I believe in utilizing an integrative approach to therapy as everyone’s life story is different. We will work together to develop effective goals to work towards and I will draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), among others. 

I have always enjoyed helping people through their darkest times so that they can find true meaning in their lives. My professional experience ranges from working in an intensive outpatient clinic for addiction and trauma, to providing short and long-term therapy for community agencies and private practices, to developing and implementing treatment programs across Canada. I have also designed and led psychoeducational groups and support groups for children, parents, and adults.

SUPERVISION & LEADERSHIP

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In addition to counselling, I provide clinical supervision to Intern Therapists and support to Registered Provisional Psychologists. I value lifelong learning and dedication to the field of psychology.

a bit about me

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I am a proud mama, dog mom, and wife. In my spare time I love to keep active outdoors, practice yoga, travel, read, and spend time with my family and friends. I also love being creative, so I can often be found designing new therapeutic materials, painting, baking cupcakes, decorating my home for the current season/holiday, or dancing to my favourite music (like Shania Twain). I feel the most relaxed when I am enjoying the sunshine at a California beach, and that is what inspired the coastal atmosphere of Solace Psychology & Wellness!

areas of specialty

Emotion Regulation
Life Transitions
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Parenting Skills & Support
Pain Management
Perfectionism
Pre-Marital Counselling
Relationship Conflict

Return to Work Preparation
Self-Esteem & Confidence
Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation
Sleep Issues
Stress Management
Supervision
Trauma, Abuse & PTSD
Women’s Issues
Work / Life Balance

SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

Return to Work Preparation (Work Stress), WCB
Work-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (WF-CBT)
Work-Focused Cognitive Processing Therapy (WF-CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Training
Substance Awareness & Concurrent Disorders
Substance Abuse Expert Assessments (SAE)
Motivational Interviewing
Abuse Prevention & Response Protocol

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Science with Specialization in Psychology, University of Alberta
Master of Counselling, City University of Seattle

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

College of Alberta Psychologists
Psychologists’ Association of Alberta
University of Alberta Alumni
City University of Seattle Alumni

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