Unicorn Psychology

10/09/2025

Free support for Alberta teachers❤️

As Alberta’s teachers take a stand, we see the courage it takes to advocate, not just for fair conditions, but for the well-being of your students and yourselves.

At Unicorn Psychology, we stand with educators who give so much of their energy, patience, and heart to the next generation. We know that behind every classroom are countless hours of emotional labour, creativity, and care.

To support you through this stressful time, we’re offering free therapy sessions for Alberta teachers , a safe, confidential space to rest, reflect, and recharge.
Call our Admin team
403.815.0271

10/09/2025

10/05/2025

“I give myself very good advice,
But I very seldom follow it…”
Alice in Wonderland

We all have a part that knows what’s good for us the calm, wise, “I-should-probably” part.
And then… there’s another part that resists. The one that says, “Not now,” or “I just can’t.”

In Internal Family Systems (IFS), we don’t call that resistance a self-sabotage, we call it protection. That part isn’t ignoring you, it’s guarding a younger part that once learned that doing the “right” thing didn’t always feel safe.

🌸 All your parts mean well. Some just need to feel safe first.

10/03/2025

Have you try emotional vitamins?

10/03/2025

This week I’ve been sitting down with teachers to consult about some of my kiddo clients. With schools heading into strike, I want to say how much I support them.

Being a teacher isn’t just being a teacher. It’s being a human who shows up every day to care, guide, and hold space for kids, even when the system asks for more than it gives back.

I see how deeply teachers invest in children, and I stand with them as they advocate for themselves and for the future of our kids.

09/24/2025

As a child psychologist, I want to be clear:
Autism is not caused by a single factor, and current research does not show a proven link between acetaminophen (Tylenol) use in pregnancy and autism.

Scary claims only create guilt and stigma. Families need evidence-based guidance from doctors, not politics, and autistic children need our respect, not fear.

05/12/2025

As parents, we use the word “no” often with our children. To a point, we have to. But could we be overusing it?

How many times per day do you think researchers have found that kids hear “no” or some form of correction?

03/12/2025

Meet Natalie Bergman, Child Psychologist and Play Therapist at Unicorn Psychology.

If you step into Natalie’s therapy room, you won’t find just a desk and a chair — you’ll find a world built for children. A world where stories unfold through puppets, where big emotions are shaped out of clay, and where worries are whispered to stuffed animals before being set free.

With a Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Yorkville University, Natalie doesn’t just talk to children — she connects with them in the language they know best: PLAY. As a Certified Play Therapist (CPT) with the Canadian Association for Play Therapy and a Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™) with the American Association for Play Therapy, she helps kids explore their feelings, navigate life’s ups and downs, and build the confidence they need to take on the world.

She understands that sometimes a child’s emotions don’t fit into words. And that’s okay. Whether it’s acting out a story, painting their worries away, or knocking down a block tower to talk about what feels out of control, Natalie meets them where they are — in a safe space to feel, express, and grow.

And she doesn’t just work with kids — she works with families. Because healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Natalie helps parents decode the “why” behind behaviours, strengthen connection, and find new ways to support their child’s emotional world.

Her approach? Creative, intuitive, and deeply personal. There’s no script, no one-size-fits-all. Natalie believes that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and understood.

Fluent in English and Russian, Natalie ensures that language is never a barrier to healing, making therapy an accessible and welcoming space for diverse families.

Natalie loves helping parents understand and support their child’s emotional world.

03/06/2025

Frequently Asked Question:
Do we use weapons in play therapy? Yes? No?

In play therapy, we use many toys, including weapons, soldiers, swords, shields, and so on. You might prefer not to have these types of toys at home based on your home rules, and I would not encourage you to use aggressive toys at home.

However, play therapy is different. We use these toys in play therapy to help children release aggressive feelings in a safe space, and by doing so, “the children are able to move on and ultimately experience more positive self-enhancing feelings” (Kottman, 2003).

For children who have felt powerless — such as those experiencing trauma, bullying, or family conflict — playing out themes of good vs. evil helps them explore safety, justice, and personal empowerment.

Is this encouraging violence?

No. The goal is not to promote aggression but to help children process and understand these feelings in a way that prevents aggression in real life.

References:

Winburn, A., Dugger, S. M., & Main, J. A. (2017). Toy guns in play therapy: An examination of play therapists' beliefs. In R. L. Steen & T. K. Book (Eds.), Emerging research in play therapy, child counseling, and consultation (pp. 140–157).

Kottman, T. (2003). Partners in play: An Adlerian approach to play therapy (2nd ed.). American Counseling Association.

03/06/2025

What if my child doesn’t want to go to therapy?

This is a very common concern for parents, as kids, especially if they have never been in therapy before, do not understand what therapy is. Ehmke (2025) has shared these common reasons why kids don’t want to go to therapy:

• They don’t feel they need help
• They don’t feel that therapy would work
• They tried and it did not help
• They feel that getting therapy is embarrassing
• They feel defensive
• They feel hopeless

Here are some tips on how you can help your kiddo to feel good about going to therapy.

🦄 Validate feelings:
“I get that you don’t know what to expect. That makes sense. Tell me what your feelings are about therapy.”

🦄 Ask what they know about therapy. Sometimes kids have misconceptions because of inaccurate ideas they’ve heard from others. You can ask: “What do you feel therapy is like?”

🦄 Explain what therapy is, in a child-friendly way:
“Therapy is a place where there’s no pressure, no lectures — just someone who helps you figure things out when life feels unfair.”

You can also say that the therapist is a “Feelings Helper” who listens and supports kids without judgment.

🦄 Give them control. Children often resist things that feel forced. Offering small choices can make a difference. You can say something like:

• “Would you like to meet the therapist first before deciding if you want to go back?”
• “Would you feel better if I stayed with you for the first session?”

Most kids who resist therapy initially often warm up after a session or two — especially when they realize it’s a safe space just for them.

Reference:
Ehmke, R. (2025) Helping resistant teens into treatment. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/helping-resistant-teens-into-treatment/

02/21/2025

Your child can treasure the memories they make with you today 🦄

02/17/2025

Wishing you a day of rest and special moments to enjoy with your loved ones.