Ignite Counselling & Wellness Services

03/16/2024

New dates for this group! Two Saturdays vs the whole weekend. Sliding Scale pricing available. Snacks and lunch included! Email lauren@ignitewellness.ca if you have any questions or would like to register.

01/25/2024

Upcoming Body Trust group compressed into a weekend! Location will be accessible. Sliding scale rates are available. Snacks and lunch on Saturday provided.

10/13/2023

Ignite Counselling would like to welcome our new student therapist, Skyler Todd (they/them). They are offering pay what you can fees (from $0-$75). Here is a bit more about them:

They are a Master of Counselling student being supervised by Ignite’s Lauren Groves and Michelle Kennedy. They identify as a white, able-bodied, q***r and genderq***r settler living on the traditional gathering place of the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/Saultaeaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit, and more. As a teacher turned therapist, they place high value on continually maintaining the orientation of a learner. As such they continue to commit themselves to anti-colonialist and anti-oppressive ways of being, personally and professionally.

They appreciate clients’ openness to working with a counselling student and are eager to support clients in working through a range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, depression, life transitions and more. They are particularly passionate about dismantling the boundaries of the gender/s*x binary and promoting the gender health of all individuals, both trans* and cis alike. While they look forward to working with members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, they are also passionate about supporting their loved ones, specifically their parents. They also have a special interest around q***r fertility and family health.

Book your free fifteen-minute phone consultation with them through our website.

10/11/2023

A message from our student therapist – Skyler Todd (they/them):

These are concerning times for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. In truth, the political and social climate doesn’t feel like the most welcoming place for us these days. Yet today, October 11th, is National Coming Out Day. While ‘coming out’ is a tremendously beautiful and courageous thing to do, it can also be an extremely distressing and othering experience. While the intentions behind National Coming Out Day might be well meaning, I don’t believe the ownership should be placed on q***r and trans folk to be ‘brave enough’ to come out. Instead, I have come to appreciate the framing of today as National Inviting In Day – a day that places emphasis on the largercommunity to cultivate an 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive and appreciative world; a place where we don’t have to come out.

My name is Skyler Todd (they/them). I am student therapist at Ignite Counselling & Wellness. While I have a particular interest in working with other members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, I appreciate all client’s openness to work with a counselling student. My passion is around dismantling the boundaries of the gender/s*x binary and promoting the gender health of all individuals, both trans* and cis alike. I also have a special interest around q***r fertility and parenting. Finally, if you are a family member of a 2SLGBTQIA+ person, I would love to support you in better understanding your loved one.

03/09/2022

Quick mask update: The City of Edmonton has lifted the mask bylaw, but we continue to require masks while visiting our office. We will be revisiting this policy monthly and consulting with public heath recommendations to make any changes in the future. We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to take care of one another.

03/01/2022

Just a reminder! The City of Edmonton mask bylaw is still in effect and masks are still required in our office even when the provincial mandate is lifted.

Information on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and actions being taken to protect Albertans.

02/15/2022

Our team here at Ignite has grown over the past months, and we'd love to take some time for you to meet some of the new faces we have around the office!

Heather Dunnigan, MC (she/her) joined our team in December 2021 as a provisionally registered psychologist. Here's what she has to say about her approach:

"I believe there exists a natural drive within each of us to create a meaningful and contented life, and I view counselling as a brave step towards that goal. I focus my approach to therapy on feminist, culturally conscious, and health at every size (HAES) perspectives, while incorporating motivational interviewing and DBT skills and techniques.
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My approach is to collaborate with clients and help identify, dismantle, and re-story the unhelpful messages we receive from ourselves, others, and society to create alternative narratives that embody strength, resiliency, and kindness. By discovering and voicing their needs, clients may be more empowered in developing more meaningful ways to view themselves, their experiences, and the world."

If you are interested in booking a session with Heather or learning more about the work that she does here with us at Ignite, feel free to email her at heather@ignitewellness.ca.

Welcome to the team, Heather! We're so happy to have you join us. 😊

02/13/2022

Our team here at Ignite has grown over the past months, and we'd love to take some time for you to meet some of the new faces we have around the office!

Kristy Harcourt, RSW, MSW (she/her) joined our team in January as a social worker in clinical practice. Here's what she has to say about her approach:

"I enjoy working with people taking steps towards the lives they want - to live authentically, take up space, improve relationships, or understand loved ones and the world around them.
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I am a fat, q***r femme person and I deeply believe that all people deserve support to live rich and full lives, with the tools to overcome oppression. I have experience with issues related to Trans, Q***r (2SLGBTQ) identities, Sexuality, HIV/AIDS, polyamory, s*x work, adoption and recovery.

Depending on the person and their needs and goals, I draw from narrative therapy, acceptance & commitment therapy, s*x therapy and other approaches. My practice is informed by feminism, q***r and trans liberation, anti-racism and anti-oppression."

If you are interested in booking a session with Kristy or learning more about the work that she does here with us at Ignite, feel free to email her at kristy@ignitewellness.ca.

Welcome to the team, Kristy! We're so happy to have you with us. 😊

11/20/2021

We have moved!

After 5 years on whyte avenue, Ignite Counselling has moved to the west end of Edmonton. We are excited to now offer ground floor offices and an accessible entrance located at the back of the building. We value accessibility and inclusion and this move has been in motion for a while, but has been delayed by the pandemic. We are working on a transit map to show the near by bus routes and the new site has ample free parking.

Our new address is 10026 164 Street. We are located in the West Edmonton Commerce Park.

We look forward to welcoming you into our new home! ❤️

11/15/2021

09/25/2021

The University of Alberta Trans ID Clinic is offering free assistance to individuals who are looking to change a name, gender marker, or other form of official government document. The clinic service providers will meet with folks and help with the form-filling process over Zoom and provide free notary services for all legal documents. This services is open to all (you do not have to be a UofA student).

*At the moment, all clinic services are offered online over zoom.

To access the clinic email:
Emily Philipos
phillipo@ualberta.ca
780-492-828

08/10/2021

Amazing online course by Dr Sand Chang with variable price options!

Sand has a personal and professional commitment to body liberation for all people. They work at the intersections of trauma, trans health, and eating disorders using a combination of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing (SE), EMDR, and anti-oppression frameworks.

07/15/2021

Happy Non-Binary Day!

Non-binary people have existed on this continent for thousands of generations. We are not new--you are.

Photo Sipsis Peciptaq Elamoqessik
Dress Native Fashion
Earrings Jamie Okuma and Molina-Jo Parker

07/11/2021

Yes! 👏🙌 Glamourizing overworking is rooted in capitalism, and that s**t will take your soul 💯 Cannot pour from an empty cup, my loves ❤️

02/17/2021

A HUGE congratulations to brand new Registered Psychologist Michelle Kennedy on completing the registration process!!! 🥳

02/05/2021

Heather, Ignite’s Master of Counselling practicum student, is offering 6-8 free counselling sessions between now and May 2021. Please share with anyone who may be in need of free mental health support. ❤️

01/03/2021

What else impacts our mental health?

Image Description:

"Minaa B.


Someone needs to hear this:

Your thoughts are not the only thing impacting your mental health.

Poverty, homelessness, student loan debt, unaffordable housing, food deserts, low-income, racism, discrimination & unaffordable healthcare can also impact your mental health."

https://www.facebook.com/supportblkmentalhealth/photos/a.974967672550599/2344993832214636/