Chelsey Gareau BA, MAMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Clinical Director
Pain, heartache, and suffering are experiences none of us plan for. When they arrive—sometimes suddenly, sometimes after years of strain—they can shake the very foundation of who we are. The weight of those emotions can feel unbearable, leading many to push down what they’re feeling, respond in ways they never imagined they would, or develop physical and emotional symptoms that mask the deeper issues at play. Whether you are facing an immediate crisis or carrying the cumulative weight of many years, please know this: you are not alone, and healing is possible.
My mission is to create a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you can explore your experiences, understand your emotions, and begin the process of reclaiming your life. Therapy is not only about coping with pain—it’s about rediscovering your voice, reconnecting with your inner strength, and finding hope, even in the most difficult seasons of life.
I bring extensive training in Crisis Counselling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Somatic practices. This allows me to work holistically—addressing not just the mind, but also the ways pain and trauma can be held in the body. As a Christian counsellor, I am able to integrate faith into the healing process for clients who desire it, offering a perspective that honours spiritual beliefs while respecting each person’s individual journey.
My approach is client-centered and strength-based: I see you as the expert of your own story, and together we build on your existing strengths to foster healing and transformation. I work with individuals, couples, and families from all walks of life, supporting those navigating trauma recovery, grief, anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, and spiritual concerns. I believe that while every experience—joyful or painful—shapes who we are, we also hold the power to decide how those experiences will define us moving forward.
In our sessions, you can expect warmth, understanding, and a deep respect for your unique path. Whether we are processing trauma with EMDR, exploring the mind-body connection through Somatic work, or integrating faith into the therapeutic journey, my goal remains the same: to help you feel seen, supported, and empowered. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but step by step, you can move from merely surviving to truly living again. It would be my honour to walk alongside you on that journey.
Qualifications
- BA – University of Saskatchewan (2009)
- MAMFT – Briercrest College & Seminary (2020)
Additional Training
- Somatic Experiencing Professional Training - Somatic Experiencing International (2025)
(Intermediate 1-2) - Somatic Experiencing Professional Training - Somatic Experiencing International (2024)
(Beginner 1-3) - Mental Health First Aid Facilitator Training - Mental Health Commission of Canada (2023)
- Systemic Clinical Supervision Fundamentals - CAMFT (2022)
- Foundations of Advanced Clinical Supervision - NBCC (2022)
- Practicum Supervisor Certification - Yorkville University (2022)
- When The Past Is Present: Trauma Training - PACCP (2022)
- Brief Crisis Therapy - Brief Crisis Therapy Institute (2022)
- EMDR Intensive Certification - EMDR Consulting (2022)
- Essential Skills & TOEWS Test Administrator - SIAST (2011)
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - Living Works (2010)
- Canadian Adult Achievement Test Administrator (CAAT) - Carlton Trail Regional College (2010)
- Career Occupational Preference System Interest Inventory (COPS) Administrator - Carlton Trail Regional College (2010)
- Career Ability Placement Survey (CAPS) Administrator - Carlton Trail Regional College (2010)
- Career Orientation Placement & Evaluation Survey (COPES) Administrator - Carlton Trail Regional College (2010)
- Youth Economic Development Certification - Aboriginal Business Service Network (2010)