Leslie Pearson Psychological Services

I completed my Bachelor of Education with Distinction in 2006 through the University of Alberta and my Masters in Counselling through Athabasca University in June of 2014. Prior to completing my Masters I was a junior high teacher and will always have a special place in my heart for teenagers. In my work with children and youth, I believe that play therapy, through prescriptive, integrative and child-centered approaches, provides many of necessary elements for significant growth. I am a certified play therapist and supervisor (CPT-S) through the Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPT). I integrate attachment-based interventions, such as Theraplay, sandplay, trauma-focused interventions, such as eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy (EMDR), mindfulness interventions, sensorimotor psychotherapy, narrative, cognitive-behavioural approaches, animal-assisted play therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and others. I also integrate ideas from interpersonal neurobiology, family systems and polyvagal theory in my work. I continue to develop my skills through regular attendance at trainings and self-study, as well as peer consultation. I am a lifelong learner and continue to find new ways to support my clients and supervisees. I have experience with ADHD, anxiety, attachment issues, depression, elimination issues, emotional regulation, grief and loss, hair pulling, parental separation/divorce, parent-child conflict, parenting skills, self-esteem, self-harm, stress management, trauma, and other concerns impacting children, teens and their families.