About Me

Dr. Allison Foskett, Registered Psychologist in South Edmonton

Please schedule a free 15-minute phone call to learn more about me and how I can help you.

Alternatively, if you have a brief specific question please email me at: allison@diamondcareercounselling.com 

In person and video counselling are both available. 

Please note: Online counselling is still a common option to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Please click here to learn more.

What I Do…

​I’m a doctoral-level counselling psychologist with a cozy office space in South Edmonton. I provide counselling and therapy to individuals and couples, as well as career counselling. I work with adults (ages 18+).

​My intention is to help people find deeper meaning, purpose and fulfillment in their lives and careers, and to assist them in navigating through difficult transitions with greater ease and comfort. Counselling online is currently offered with Doxy.Me which has end to end encryption.

I aim to provide a safe place for meaningful and enriching conversations to help you explore the uncertainties, discomforts, or difficult questions that life might be throwing your way.

In 2005, I began providing therapy and career counselling during my master’s of counselling degree. Since this time, my commitment and passion to the counselling psychology profession has developed in diverse yet symbiotic ways. I’m now a registered psychologist, researcher, educator, consultant, published author, and passionate entrepreneur with too many ideas and too little time to execute!

​A Few Quick Facts

• ​Graduated with a Ph.D in Counselling Psychology from the University of Alberta in 2018 (one of five doctoral level programs in Counselling Psychology that is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association).
• ​Started working independently as a Registered Psychologist in 2016 at my current location, Red Tree Psychology, in Oliver / downtown Edmonton.
• ​In 2015, I completed all clinical requirements of my Ph.D. through completion of a “Doctoral Professional Psychology Residency Program” accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association where I provided therapy, psychological and career assessment, and career counselling to students at the Memorial University Student Wellness and Counselling Centre (SWCC) in Newfoundland.
• ​Began working as a Provisional Registered Psychologist in 2014 at Insight Psychological in Edmonton, Alberta. Here I provided therapy to individuals and couples, as well as offered career counselling and assessment.
• ​Contracted my counselling services to Homewood Human Solutions, an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) company, from 2012 to 2015.
• ​In 2011, this was my first year in which I began providing couples and marriage counselling as part of a training practicum at the University of Alberta.
• ​The very first year I started providing psychological therapy to clients was in 2005, when I was working as a counselling psychology master’s student under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist at Mount Royal College in Calgary. Here I provided therapy and career counselling to undergraduate and graduate students.
• ​In 2001, began volunteering my time by leading workshops on productivity, career and academic concerns, and goal-setting to undergraduate students at the University of Western Ontario
• ​Launched my speaking services in 2001 to grade eight students at elementary schools, and to adult clients in addiction centres and social organizations on the topics of achieving academic, career, and life goals.
• ​Recipient of over eight academic scholarships & awards including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s (SSHRC) Canadian Graduate Master’s Scholarship, the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship Award, and President’s Doctoral Prize of Distinction.
• ​Instructor for three courses at the undergraduate and master’s level and acted as a Teaching Assistant for three terms, all at the University of Alberta
• ​Presented and published numerous academic findings across the fields of counselling psychology and psychiatry

In total, I have gained over twelve years of counselling experience through various settings including educational institutions, community clinics, non-profit organizations, EAP providers and a private corporation.

I am a registered psychologist, certified Career Transition Consultant, and Lifestyle Options Retirement Coach. I have also been trained in prolonged exposure therapy (PE) for chronic PTSD as well as eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy (EMDR), both of which I use with various types of trauma. I’m also trained in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and emotion-focused therapy (EFT).

My doctoral internship in professional psychology was completed at the Student Wellness and Counselling Centre at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland; my Master’s of Science (MSc) degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of Calgary; and my Honour’s Bachelor Degree in Psychology at the University of Western Ontario. I have moved around a lot in my life and can appreciate both the adventure and the stress that this can create.

​I have provided career counselling, assessment, coaching, employee selection and leadership training to Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, universities, hospitals, non-profit organizations, government sectors, natural resource industries, manufacturing, construction and the trades.

I specialize in helping clients to find meaning in their lives, and to work through career transitions including career change, choosing an academic major, job loss, corporate restructuring and demotions, promotions, managerial transitions, and retirement planning. Experiencing emotions such as fear, grief, sadness, anger, shame, worrying, feeling isolated, and perfectionism are sometimes experienced; I will help you discover your emotional hot spots where you might be stuck or needing to process further. I also educate my clients on effective job search strategies and help clients to restore a sense of self-worth and inner peace. I also enjoy working with veterans / military, RCMP, and first responders.

​I also provide counselling for marriage and couples issues, depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, interpersonal concerns, grief, conflict management, work-life balance, assertiveness, and lack of motivation. I also specialize in helping individuals to building healthy lifestyle habits.

​In addition to my personal and career counselling services, I am interested in helping individuals to work toward peak performance. During my B. A. in Psychology I conducted research on topics within personal development and positive psychology. During this time, I began creating and developing my own career, self-esteem, and goal setting workshops, and presented them to adolescents and adults in elementary schools, universities, colleges, social organizations and a financial institution.

My style of working with clients can be described as very integrative, drawing on person-centred, cognitive, and behavioural approaches to help clients make changes, and to achieve their personal and career goals.

I am very strengths-based and help clients identify and develop their own strengths to support them through personal and career transitions. Transparency, practicality, and collaboration are central to my counselling approach. I recognize the importance of what clients do, and reflect upon, in-between counselling sessions, and thus I provide education, tools and resources to my clients, and frequently recommend various readings.

A crucial piece working with me is identifying goals, hopes, and expectations for what one wants to change or achieve through counselling. I encourage my clients to stay accountable to themselves through goal setting, action planning, and identifying limiting beliefs and habits that might hold clients back from achieving their goals.

​I continually solicit regular feedback from my clients to ensure that counselling sessions are very customized to clients’ preferences and needs. I am sensitive to my client’s background and culture and respect diversity.

Education

PhD, Counselling Psychology, University of Alberta, AB, 2018

Internship in Counselling Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, NL, 2014-2015

Master’s of Science Degree, Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary, AB, 2008

Honors B.A., Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, 2003

Certifications 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Anxiety and Depression, 16 hours, Dr. Russ Harris (2021)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) basic training, 16 hours, Dr. Russ Harris (2021)

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (Level 1) with Dr. Leanne Campbell, 2020

Reprocessing Early Trauma and Neglect in Implicit Memory with EMDR (2 day workshop by Katie O’Shea), 2019

Treating First Responders & Military with EMDR Foundations for Effective EMDR Treatment (3-day workshop), 2019

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), 4-day training, 2018

Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy Core Skills (5 weekends; 60 hrs), 2019

It’s the Law: What every Therapist Needs to Know, 6 hours, Professor Robert Solomon, LLB, LLM (2019)

Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy 4-Day Externship, 2018

The Body Remembers: Integrating Body and Mind for Trauma Recovery, Babette Rothschild, 2017

Essentials of CBT: The Beck Approach, Beck Institute for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 2017

CBT for Depression, Beck Institute for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 2017

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy, Edmonton, AB, 2017

Registered Psychologist (#4556), College of Alberta Psychologists, 2016

Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy for Chronic PTSD, Millard Health, AB, 2016

Clinical Hypnosis Level 1, Canadian Federation of Clinical Hypnosis (20 hours), AB, 2014

Canadian Certified Counsellor, Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association – 2010 – 2020

Career Transition Consultant Certification, Career Partners International (CPI) – 2010

Suicide Intervention Training Certification, ASSIST, Fanshawe College – 2009

Life Options Retirement Certification, Dr. Richard Johnston

Professional Affiliations

Psychological Association of Alberta (2017 to present)

College of Alberta Psychologists (CPA) (2014 – present)

Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) (2010 – 2020)

Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) (2006 – present)

Ontario Alliance of Career Development Practitioners (OACDP) (2009-2011)

Canadian Society for Training and Development (CSTD) (2009-2011)

Human Resources Professionals London District (HRPLD)

Why Choose a Registered Psychologist

The Psychological Association of Alberta (PAA) has created the following video:

​

More about Me – In My Spare Time…

I enjoy spending leisure time with my friends and family – nice walks and good conversations over coffee or a meal out. For me, it’s an adventure to seek out new recipes, bake, and cook healthy foods – it makes me feel so happy and well nourished. Keeping active on a regular basis with activities such as hot yoga, pilates/barre classes, jogging, and cycling is also something that I can’t go long without. When the weather is nice, I love walking and jogging along the beautiful trails. I absolutely love trying new fitness classes in Edmonton; there are so many new types of classes popping up all the time. I also enjoy fostering and taking care of others’ small dogs, and am continuously learning more about raising puppies, and providing a safe home for abandoned or abused animals. In my spare time I also enjoy reading psychology, health, and business/career books; and finding related documentaries as well. Staying connected to students is also important, and I teach introductory counselling courses at the undergraduate and master’s level. My doctoral research was on understanding students’ nondisclosure experiences in clinical supervision. My study was published in 2020: Counselling and Psychotherapy research journal.

Interested in working with me?

Please email me at allison@diamondcareercounselling.com to book your first session. Alternatively, you may call me at 780-803-1825 and I will return your call within 2 -3 business days.