Meet Keciya Hanna Thankam Varghese
M.A.C.P., B.Sc., Canadian Certified Counsellor
Hello! I am Keciya, a Canadian Certified Counsellor at Solace Psychology & Wellness. I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Burman University. I am a professional member at the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
I provide clinical counselling for children, adults, and seniors navigating a wide range of psychological, emotional, and life challenges. I take an integrative approach to therapy drawing from various evidence based psychological modalities. Every person’s story is unique, so I tailor our sessions to fit your specific needs to foster healing and meaningful growth.
Clinical Overview
Therapy for Children & Parents
I support children aged 3 to 11 who experience anxiety, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), grief and loss, emotional regulation difficulties, attachment challenges, low self-esteem, and academic struggles.
Children communicate through play. By meeting young clients in their natural language of play, I utilize play-based therapy to create a safe, grounded space where children process heavy emotions and cultivate resilience. For older children, I bring in developmentally appropriate therapeutic strategies to foster self-esteem, confidence, and coping skills.
In addition to supporting children, I am passionate about partnering with parents to build cohesive strategies that support the whole family unit.
Therapy for Adults
Life’s transitions and chronic stressors whether personal, academic, or health-related can leave anyone feeling disconnected or overwhelmed. I offer a warm, integrative approach blending Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), psychodynamic, and humanistic approaches tailored to support your concerns. I support clients experiencing chronic illness, academic struggles, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anger, anxiety, stress, attachment struggles, boundaries and communication issues, sleep concerns, low self-esteem, burnout, career transitions/ planning, depression, emotional regulation, grief and loss, life transitions, and parenting.
Therapy for Couples
Meaningful connection requires a foundation of safety, mutual understanding, and clear boundaries. Utilizing the Gottman Method as a core framework, I work with couples to untangle negative interaction cycles, strengthen emotional intimacy, and rebuild effective communication.
Areas of Focus
- Academic struggles
- ADHD
- Anger
- Anxiety and stress
- Attachment struggles
- Boundaries and communication
- Bullying
- Burnout
- Career transitions/ planning
- Chronic illness – Diabetes management; mental health counselling
- Depression
- Emotion regulation
- Grief and loss
- Life transitions
- Parenting
- Self-compassion
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Sleep concerns
- Work/life balance
Therapeutic Modalities
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Humanistic Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Play-Based Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Strength Based Therapy
Professional Trainings
- Brain Story Certification, Alberta Family Wellness Initiative
- Certified in Mental Health + Diabetes Training program, Breakthrough T1D
- HIPPA Compliance Training, Mitti (by Safety Culture)
- Introduction: Play Therapy Fundamentals, Tammy Schamuhn R. Psych, and Tania Johnson R. Psych, Institute of Child Psychology
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1, John Gottman and Julie Gottman, The Gottman Institute.
- Mastering DSM-5-TR Differential Diagnosis, Margaret Bloom PhD.
- Mental Health Documentation & Medical Necessity, Beth Rontal MSW, LICSW.
- Navigating Parental Stress: A Holistic Guide, Tania Johnson R. Psych, Institute of Child Psychology
- Privacy Legislation Training, BIS Safety Training
- Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment, and Management (SPRAM) Training Program, Recovery Alberta
- Therapeutic Play: Healing Through Connection, Tammy Schamuhn R. Psych, Institute of Child Psychology
Academic Credentials & Professional Memberships
- Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, Burman University
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
A Bit About Me
When I’m not in the office, you’ll usually find me enjoying quality family time, fresh air, or a great cup of coffee. Watching my young son grow, play, and discover the world is easily the most rewarding part of my day. My husband and I love hiking and exploring nature, while my personal downtime is often reading books and listening to music.
