Alyna Reesor is a Certified Psychologist able to provide psychological services to adults, couples, families, and groups in the domains of counselling and forensic/correctional psychology. Since 2011, she has held dual credentials as a Marital and Family Therapist (MFT) and she is a recognized Clinical Fellow with the American and Ontario Associations of MFT. She is formally trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT). Alyna uses a mixture of these models to understand your situation and clarify your goals. Once your goals are understood, Alyna will work with you collaboratively to achieve your desired outcomes. Psychological concepts, principles, and data are threaded throughout the process and provided in supplemental links, videos, and other relevant resources to match your unique needs and areas of interest.
Alyna has spent the majority of her career working within various public safety and defence communities, both provincially and federally. She is dedicated to supporting individuals within these safety-sensitive, high-security, and high-risk occupational settings.
Alyna began her career in Alberta, Canada working as the Coordinator of Children and Family Programs within the Department of Counselling at the Calgary Counselling Centre, a charitable organization offering services to all those in need. She facilitated and managed group psychotherapy programs for children and families affected by divorce and separation as well as behavioural and emotional issues. Alyna also facilitated groups within Mandated Offender Programs at the Wilson Centre for Domestic Abuse Studies. Prior to relocating to Ontario with her family, Alyna worked with Homewood Human Solutions managing their fitness-to-work and return-to-work programming for those working in safety-sensitive and/or high-risk settings.
Upon receiving her credentials to practice in Ontario, Alyna continued her work with those in safety-sensitive, high-risk occupations (e.g., paramedics, nurses, firefighters, police officers, military service members, front line mental health workers, correctional officers, and border services officers). She is passionate about supporting those working on the frontlines to keep our communities safe.
Alyna has worked with vulnerable populations including incarcerated people and people with housing insecurity within provincial correctional institutions and detention centres. During this time, she was a member of the Provincial Psychology Advisory Board and supervised students working to earn their credentials as Psychologists in Ontario.
Alyna has had the honour of working with individuals and their families through various presenting issues, including: substantial trauma; mood and anxiety disturbances; occupational stress injuries; stage of life issues; suicide risk and ideation; separation, divorce and rebuilding; loss and grief; childhood abuse; and family of origin issues.
Alyna comes from three generations of public servants working in various public safety organizations, and she is committed to supporting those who protect and those who need protection. As a mother of three, she is passionate about helping family systems to thrive through adversity.
Alyna completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Waterloo (2004) followed by a Master’s of Science degree from Loma Linda University’s satellite campus in Red Deer, Alberta (2008). Alyna then completed her Post-Graduate Residency at the Haskayne Postgraduate Residency Training Program in Calgary, Alberta (2009).