

Katie Sharpe
she/her
Meet Katie
Hi there! I’m a Registered Provisional Psychologist and regular appreciator of many of life’s greatest joys (dogs, fresh baking, stand-up comedy, music, connection, and nature).
My belief that one of the greatest agents for healing change comes from experiencing positive regard and acceptance in response to authentic vulnerability grounds my approach in a deep reverence for cultivating a space where safety and acceptance can be experienced. As such, I like to focus on meeting you wherever you’re at in your experience, building safety together, and
being open and flexible for whatever feels most important to you at each step of your journey.
My therapeutic approach integrates person-centered, somatic, mindfulness, attachment, and
systems-based philosophies to explore the unique biopsychosocial realities surrounding each client. I believe that ‘to struggle is to be human’, and the impact of our struggles eventually show
up in parts of our lived experience well beyond any symptoms. Whether processing past experiences, managing present challenges, or preparing for future change or life transitions,
exploring what might be happening for you in a safe space with a trusted other can sometimes be helpful for learning how to move through it – and this is what I’m striving to provide in my
therapy room. I truly believe one of the most effective agents in a person’s healing are their own inherent strengths and resources, and therapy can be a great place to help you hone yours.

I am trained in evidence-based modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1 and 2), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I also draw on techniques and interventions from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Solution- Focused Therapy to tailor the approach to each client’s needs. Having also done some basic training in the Hakomi Method, Polyvagal Theory for trauma, and Indigenous healing, I am
eager to explore many different approaches further, especially somatic-based ones (ie., Emotion-Focused Therapy EFT), psychosensory therapies, etc.). Whether addressing trauma, enhancing relationships, achieving a goal, or navigating life’s challenges, I bring warmth,
curiosity, and flexibility to help you feel supported in your journey.
To share a bit about myself as a person, I was born and raised in Edmonton but spent a considerable portion of my upbringing in rural Saskatchewan as well, thanks to my large Norwegian farming family. Being in the mountains is a great love of mine, after my partner, my
golden retriever Rory, and my family and friends. I am an avid hiker, snowboarder, and starter of great books (if not always a finisher). My deepest values have got to be authenticity, community, and playfulness – because I find they bring the greatest joy in my life and are also key elements for healing and growth.
I’m grateful to be working in the mental health field now, having arrived here after making the decision to pivot from my previous career of over 13 years in tech sales and business. It’s never easy to change course after being on one track for so long, but I’ve noticed that those years have actually provided me with a great foundation of ‘field’ experiences to draw from and help me to relate and connect with clients from many different backgrounds. They also helped me discover my passion for supporting self-understanding and wellbeing on both a personal and professional level, and so I really enjoy working in the areas of workplace mental health, burnout, and organizational psychology. Performance and realizing potential has always been a theme in my life, from playing soccer and dancing while growing up to working in performance-oriented roles and environments, and so I really appreciate the opportunity for cultivating resilience, self-empowerment, and growth represented by using this focus in therapy where and when it fits. As such, I really enjoy working with athletes, teams, executives, and leaders alike in helping them hone their strengths and achieve what’s important to them; however I also notice how sport and performance psychology can provide a unique and empowering lens for change for anyone – performance arena or not!
The greatest piece of advice I've received:
When I was grieving after a very difficult loss, someone reminded me that life’s deepest pains are on the other side of the same coin as life’s most cherished joys; they each give meaning to the other, and we can’t have one without the other. During griefy moments, I like to remember that my pain is what gives meaning to my joy, and makes it special. A stormy day reminds us to appreciate a sunny day, and without love there is no loss. Our losses can hurt… and suck… and be a reminder of love and our joys.
Something on my bucket list:
Someday I would love to travel to my grandma’s home country, Norway. I’d love to be able to speak a bit of Norwegian when I go too.
My top 3 values:
Authenticity
Playfulness
Community
If I was an animal I'd be...
If I were an animal, I would have 2 modes: golden retriever at home, and an elephant while out or at work. Golden retrievers are chunks of unconditional love, affection, loyalty, enthusiasm, distractibility, and presence. They tend to naturally find their role in being a warm hug for the family (and bottomless reservoir for treats), but I’m not sure they know that they also teach us patience and gratitude. Elephants have wisdom, a sharp memory, and likely slightly more street sense than goldens, so I think it would be super handy to have my elephant mode too! Their playful spirit, emotional depth, and impressive artistic abilities (have you seen those elephants that can paint?!) would all serve me well when venturing out and exploring the world.
I have a day totally to myself, with no obligations. Where would you find me?
On a free day, I’m probably sleeping in, having a slow morning at home with my partner and good coffee, then doing a big, long nature walk with my golden retriever Rory – either in the river valley or the mountains somewhere. Then I’m getting some fresh produce and other local treats at a farmer’s market to cook a big delicious meal with my partner and probably some red wine too. There might have to be something sweet and delicious in there too – like a freshly baked cinnamon bun or chocolate chip cookie. Throw in some stand-up comedy, and a nice connecting conversation with a friend, and that’s a chef’s kiss day for me!
Besides my work, a special skill of mine:
That I play the piano, and although I can read music, I’m actually better playing by ear.
My Myers-Briggs personality type:
ENFP: The Campaigner

My Work
Populations I Work With
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Youth 13-17
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Adults
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LGBTQ
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Athletes
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Teams
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Organizations
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Coaches/Leaders
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Seniors/Older adults
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Couples
Areas of Practice
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Trauma,
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Sports/performance
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Career/workplace mental health/burnout
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Grief & loss
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Stress
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Anxiety
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Self-esteem/identity
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Interpersonal skills
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Life transitions
My Therapeutic Modalities
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EMDR
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Gottman Method Level 1 & 2
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TF-CBT
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Hakomi therapeutic presence
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ACT
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Polyvagal
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Indigenous medicine wheel
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Motivational Interviewing
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CBT
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DBT
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IFS
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Psychosensory therapy
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Attachment/Systems Therapy