Meet Vanessa Goodchild (Zuzak)
M.C., B.SC., REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST
FOUNDER & CEO
EMDR THERAPIST
Hello, I’m Vanessa Goodchild, a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists, providing counselling in St. Albert and Edmonton. I have been working in the mental health industry for over 15 years with children, teens, and adults navigating a wide range of challenges, including stress, anxiety, ADHD, relationship struggles, major life transitions, and trauma. I have a particular passion for supporting children with anxiety, worry, self-esteem difficulties, and ADHD, and I integrate play-based methods alongside evidence-based strategies to make therapy engaging and effective. I am an avid believer in working closely with parents to support children’s growth, development and resilience. In my work with adults, I primarily use CBT, DBT, EMDR and Compassion-Focused Therapy to help clients with anxiety, stress, trauma, self-growth and compassion.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and practical. I create a safe space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to explore new perspectives and build meaningful change. I tailor therapy to the unique needs of each individual or family, helping clients uncover their strengths, build resilience, and move toward greater clarity, healing, and fulfillment. In addition to my clinical work, I formally supervise provisional psychologists and early-career mental health professionals, supporting the next generation of practitioners.
Currently, I am not accepting new clients.
My Vision for Wellness
From the beginning, my vision for Solace Psychology & Wellness was to create more than a clinic; an integrative wellness hub suitable for all ages, where the whole family can come together, feel supported, nurtured, and inspired to grow. I wanted a space where therapy and wellness meet in a calming, restorative environment, helping clients not just navigate challenges, but also thrive in their lives.
My inspiration for Solace comes from my time living near the coastal waters of Southern California. The gentle rhythm of the waves, the soft natural light, and the sense of spacious calm I experienced there left a lasting impression on me. I wanted to bring that same feeling of peace and clarity to Edmonton and St. Albert — a place where clients of all ages can step in from the busy world outside and feel held, heard, and understood.
A part of Solace that I am particularly proud of is our Kids’ Calm Cove, a serene, child-focused space designed to support young clients in exploring and expressing their feelings. I noticed a gap in the industry for truly calming environments for children, so we created this area to foster play, creativity, and emotional growth. Using approaches like play, art and sandtray therapy, children can feel safe, engaged, and empowered to build resilience and self-confidence.
At Solace, we support children, teens, parents, adults, and the whole family, recognizing that wellness is interconnected. Through compassionate guidance, evidence-based strategies, and practical tools, we help clients navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and cultivate resilience.
Solace was created to combine evidence-based therapeutic care with a holistic vision of wellness. Every detail of our space, from the light-filled rooms to the coastal-inspired colors and textures, reflects the calm, nurturing energy I hope to extend to every person who walks through our doors. Here, clients of all ages can access support that is personalized, compassionate, and empowering, helping them grow, heal, and flourish.
Clinical Overview
Therapy for Children, Teens & Parents
I enjoy supporting children and teens in learning positive ways to express their emotions and process their personal experiences. This typically involves providing my young clients with a safe, light space to tune into their emotional well-being and provide a gentle listening ear. Together, we practice evidence-based strategies that foster healthy growth and development. When working with children, I often use aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Play Therapy, Art and Sandtray Therapy.
As a mom, I know how challenging parenting can be as well as achieving daily balance. Supporting parents and guardians with effective parenting strategies is an important aspect of therapy and is a passion of mine. I am keen to provide helpful resources throughout the course of therapy. I also ensure to liaise with children’s pediatricians, psychiatrists, teachers, and other professionals in their circle of care.
Common concerns that youth present to therapy with include: ADHD, low self-esteem/confidence, emotion dysregulation, learning disorders, anxiety disorders (social anxiety, phobias, separation anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder), trauma-related symptoms and other mental health concerns.
Therapy for Individual Adults & Couples
In addition to my work with children and teens, a significant part of my career is dedicated to supporting adults through individual and couples counselling. My areas of specialization include: adult ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, stress, burnout, pain management, sleep concerns, low self-esteem/confidence, addiction and developing healthy boundaries. I have advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, particularly for individuals recovering from motor vehicle accidents and trauma. I also enjoy working with professionals and businesses in the realm of preparing to return to work, navigating medical leave and achieving sustainable work/life balance. I take pride in making therapy as smooth as possible by collaborating with other professionals involved in my clients’ care, including insurance representatives, rehabilitation consultants, physicians, lawyers and employers. One of my core therapeutic aims is to help clients manage stress effectively and build fulfilling lives rooted in all eight dimensions of wellness.
Having a safe place to voice your concerns and express your emotions can be so powerful. We often get lost in our past hurts and are unable to communicate effectively with those we love, which is where effective, non-judgmental guidance can be helpful. My practice is grounded in respect, integrity, and genuine care for my clients. My approach is integrative and individualized, recognizing that each person’s story is unique. Together, we’ll co-create meaningful goals and draw from a range of evidence-based modalities, including Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), among others.
I bring not only clinical knowledge but also lived experience—having learned to navigate my own challenges with stress and balance, I approach therapy with authenticity and empathy.
My professional experience ranges from working in an intensive outpatient clinic for addiction and trauma, to providing short and long-term therapy for community agencies and private practices, to developing and implementing treatment programs across Canada. I have also designed and implemented psychoeducational groups and support groups for children, parents, and adults in outpatient settings.
At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to helping people move through difficult times and reconnect with what gives life meaning, purpose, and joy.
Supervision & Leadership
In addition to my counselling work, I am actively involved in the training and development of emerging professionals in the mental health field. I provide clinical supervision to Master’s-level Counselling Intern Therapists through partnerships with several universities. I also offer formal supervision and mentorship to Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Psychologists, Canadian Certified Counsellors, Mental Health Therapists, and other industry professionals.
I deeply value lifelong learning, clinical excellence, and contributing to the growth of the psychology profession. It is a privilege to support the next generation of therapists while continuing to promote mental health awareness and accessibility within our community.
Areas of Focus
- Addiction & Substance Abuse
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Burnout
- Communication & Boundaries
- Child & Teen Counselling
- Couples Counselling
- Emotion Regulation
- Life Transitions
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Parenting Support
- Pain Management
- Perfectionism
- Return to Work Preparation
- Self-Esteem & Confidence
- Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation
- Sleep Concerns
- Stress Management
- Supervision & Training
- Trauma, Abuse & PTSD
- Women’s Wellness
- Work / Life Balance
Therapeutic Modalities
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (for couples)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Sandtray Therapy
- Play & Art Based Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Positive Psychology
- Work-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (WF-CBT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Professional Trainings
- Practicum Supervisors Training, Yorkville University
- EMDR Therapy (Levels I & II) Certificates, Trauma Recovery/HAP
- No More Nightmares, Planned Dream Intervention, Beverly Dexter
- Memory Reconsolidation, the Flash Technique, and EMDR, Philip Manfield
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Core Skills Certificate, Murray Armstrong
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Externship Certificate, TRI EFT
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Master Class
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), DBT Centre of Vancouver
- DBT 3 Day Workshop, Jack Hirose & Associates Inc.
- Proven & Effective Play Therapy Strategies, Jack Hirose & Associates Inc.
- Childhood Anxiety: From Struggling to Thriving, Tammy Schamuhn & Tania Johnson, Institute of Child Psychology
- Childhood ADHD: From Struggling to Thriving, Tammy Schamuhn & Tania Johnson, Institute of Child Psychology
- Childhood Trauma: Finding a Way Through, Tammy Schamuhn & Tania Johnson, Institute of Child Psychology
- Couples Conference 2017, The Milton Erickson Foundation, Inc.
- Healing and Treating Trauma, Addictions and Related Disorders Conference, Jack Hirose & Associates Inc.
- Return to Work Preparation (Work Stress), WCB
- Work-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (WF-CBT)
- Work-Focused Cognitive Processing Therapy (WF-CPT)
- Substance Abuse Expert (SAE) Assessment Certificate
- Substance Awareness and Concurrent Disorders Certificate
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Certificate
- Document Training Certificate
- Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) Core Training, Child Development Institute
- SACE Crisis Line Support Certificate, SACE Edmonton
- MANDT System Certificate
- Assisted Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Certificate
- Motivational Interviewing Certificate
- SafeTALK Certificate
- Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Certificate
- Abuse Prevention and Response Protocol Certificate
- Positive Behavior Supports Certificate
Academic Credentials & Professional Memberships
- Master of Counselling, City University of Seattle
- Bachelor of Science with Specialization in Psychology, University of Alberta
- College of Alberta Psychologists
- Psychologists’ Association of Alberta
- Practicum Supervisor, Yorkville University
- Practicum Supervisor, City University of Seattle
A Bit About Me
In my spare time, I love staying active outdoors. If I’m not zooming around the park or staging epic monster truck and dinosaur battles with my busy toddler, you’ll find me biking through the neighbourhood, tending to my herb and flower garden, exploring new travel destinations, or simply making memories with my family on backyard adventures. When I have some extra time, I enjoy being creative by baking up something sweet or working on a fun, new project. I’m also passionate about learning and can often be found researching the latest developments in the field of psychology and overall wellness to ensure I bring the very best insights and evidence-based practices to my work.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
Lao Tzu
Begin your mental health and wellness journey at Solace.
YOUR TRUSTED EDMONTON PSYCHOLOGISTS
Solace Psychology & Wellness
EDMONTON: hello@solacewellness.ca | 780-702-1079 | #205, 2435 90B Street SW, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6X 1V8
ST. ALBERT: StAlbert@solacewellness.ca | 780-702-1079 | #508, 1 Tache Street, St. Albert, AB, Canada, T8N 1B4
