best Edmonton Psychologist - Solace Psychology & Wellness
amrita

Meet Amrita Shanmugam

B.A., MASTERS LEVEL COUNSELLING INTERN THERAPIST, EMDR Therapist

Welcome! I am a Master’s Level Counselling Intern Therapist at Solace Psychology & Wellness. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Alberta and am currently completing my Master’s degree at City University of Seattle in Canada. I bring an trauma-informed, evidence-based and relational approach to my work, grounded in compassion, inclusivity, and attunement to each client’s unique experiences. I have experience supporting adolescents and adults across clinical, educational, and community settings, and I am especially passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces where clients feel validated, understood, and empowered in their healing process.

Clinical Overview

I am extremely passionate about working with teens, as they are a population that demonstrates remarkable resilience and capacity for growth. Some of the common areas I work with include anxiety, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, and behavioural and emotional regulation challenges. I also have a strong interest in supporting young people involved in athletics and performance-based activities. Having been an international athlete myself, I understand the pressures, expectations, and emotional challenges that come with competitive sports, and I am committed to helping young athletes build resilience, balance, and self-confidence.

Finally, as someone who has spent most of her life as an international student, I am particularly sensitive to the challenges teens face when adjusting to a new country or culture, and I am passionate about supporting them through the stresses of displacement and adaptation. When working with teens, I use elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and developmentally appropriate, strengths-based strategies, selecting approaches that best meet each individual’s unique needs. I aim to create a safe, supportive environment where teens feel heard, empowered, and confident in their growth.

I support adults navigating concerns related to  anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, stress, and life transitions. My approach is person-centred, collaborative, and integrative, and shaped by each client’s unique experiences, goals, and values. I primarily draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), while also integrating elements of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Emotion-Focused Therapy, when these approaches align with a client’s needs. I work collaboratively with clients to explore patterns, build coping strategies, and foster meaningful and sustainable change. I also specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for trauma.

I am also attentive to the ways specific life experiences and roles can impact emotional wellbeing. This includes the psychological challenges that can arise during the perinatal period, as well as performance-related pressures in academic, professional, or athletic contexts. I enjoy supporting clients in navigating identity shifts, expectations, and stressors associated with these experiences within a supportive and collaborative therapeutic space.

  • ADHD
  • Anxiety
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Attachment
  • Behavioural Issues
  • Depression
  • Displacement
  • Life Changes/Transitions
  • Performance Psychology (including sport and performance-related
    concerns)
  • Perinatal Mental Health
  • Parenting Support
  • Relationship Issues
  • Stress Management
  • Teen Counselling
  • Trauma/PTSD
  • Trauma Related to Injury (including sport-related injuries)
  • EMDR training, Sharon Meredith, EMDR Consulting
  • ASIST 11 – Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (Completed), Canadian Mental Health Association
  • Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment & Management (SPRAM), AHS
  • Privacy Legislation Training, BIS Safety Software
  • HIPAA Compliance Training, SC
  • Mental Health Documentation & Medical Necessity: Simple, Clear Guidelines that Maintain Quality of Care and Protect Your Practice, Beth Rontal, MSW, LICSW
  • Mastering Differential Diagnosis with the DSM-5-TR: A System-Based Approach, Margaret Bloom, PhD
  • The Power of Play, Tammy Schamuhn, Institute of Child Psychology
  • Working with Trauma in the Play Therapy Room, Tammy Schamuhn, Morgan Bisseger, Institute of Child Psychology
  • Introduction to Play Therapy Fundamentals, Tammy Schamuhn, ania Johnson, Institute of Child Psychology
  • The Ultimate DBT, CBT, and ACT Training Bundle, D.J. Moran, Alexa Mulee, and Charles Jacob
  • Master of Counselling, City University of Seattle (In Completion)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology, University of Alberta
  • Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (Student Member)

Outside of my clinical work, I value activities that support balance, creativity, and connection. Some of my favourite forms of self-care include playing tennis, practicing Bharatanatyam (classical Indian dance), reading, and travelling. These interests allow me to stay grounded, curious, and connected to both movement and culture, and they continue to inform the care and presence I bring into my work as a therapist.

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