Christiane Bégin

About Me as a Human…

When I am not in therapy-land, you can find me:

When I’m not in therapy-land, you’ll often find me at the library or reading a book, or in the kitchen baking bread, trying new recipes, or making something our family's sweet tooth. I enjoy Pilates and low-impact workouts on YouTube (GrowingAnnanas and Move with Nicole), cozy evenings with my spouse watching international films or Netflix guilty pleasures like Love Is Blind, Too Hot To Handle, and The Parisian Agency, forest walks with my kids, and visits with friends.

Self Care:

Self-care for me means finding balance in small, everyday rituals. I recharge by:

• Reading
• Using the CALM app
• Walking outside
• Giving someone I love a hug
• Dancing to music in my house
• Enjoying dark chocolate or sipping a hot chocolate
• Listening to a podcast
• Getting a massage

For Fun:

Refer back to my self care list and three obsessions.

For Growth:

I’m always learning and finding new ways to grow. That might be reading, listening to podcasts, attending psychology webinars, or exploring personal development resources. Growth also means caring for myself with enough sleep, eating well, following inspiring mentors on social media, and moving my body daily through exercise or conscious movement.

Something unique about me is:

Bridging Worlds - Growing up in rural Alberta, raising a neurodivergent family, and being in an intercultural relationship give me a unique ability to bridge different worlds. I understand both tradition and change, difference and belonging, and help clients feel at home with their whole selves.

What are your academic credentials?

I am completing my practicum internship at Shift Grit in Edmonton as part of my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. My training includes counselling theory, trauma, family systems, attachment, and group therapy, grounded in cultural sensitivity. I continue to grow through trainings on ADHD, anxiety, anger management, relational trauma and women’s mental health. I also hold a Bachelor’s in Fashion Marketing and Design, with career experience in marketing, sales, and trend forecasting in Montreal and New York City.

Before I was in the mental health field, I was doing/working in / volunteering at:

Before entering the mental health field, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Marketing and Design and worked in marketing, sales, and trend forecasting in Montreal and New York City. Later, I dedicated several years to being a stay-at-home mother while pursuing creative side projects such as photography, blogging, and podcasting. These experiences, along with my ongoing drive for personal growth, continue to shape the perspective I bring to my work as a therapist.

The most impactful thing about my experience here was:

The most impactful part of my experience at Shift Grit has been working with a team that feels like family — supportive, collaborative, and dedicated to creating meaningful change for clients.

Three things you are currently obsessed with and why:

1. Reading Memoirs - I love reading memoirs because they open a window into the real, unfiltered experiences of others. Life stories show how people overcome challenges, heal, and grow, and they remind me of the resilience we all carry. They deepen my empathy and allow me to bring fresh insights into the therapy room, helping clients feel that their own story matters and can be rewritten with strength and hope.
2. Cooking & Baking - The kitchen is one of my favorite creative spaces. I love experimenting with new recipes and ingredients — whether baking bread, making something for my sweet tooth, or testing a new dish with my family as my taste testers. Cooking grounds me, teaches patience, and reminds me that growth often comes through small, everyday steps.
3. Psychology - I’m endlessly fascinated by psychology. I’m always learning — through books, trainings, podcasts, or conversations — about how the human mind and relationships work. This curiosity fuels my passion for therapy and ensures I bring evolving tools and insights to support clients. To me, psychology is about more than theories; it’s about helping people connect the dots in their lives so they can grow into their fullest, most authentic selves.

The most helpful book I have read is:

One of the most helpful books I’ve read is The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

My biggest takeaway from it was:

The breakthrough for me was realizing that we are not our thoughts. Thoughts are often echoes of past experiences, beliefs, or the voices of our caregivers and environment. They can shape how we see ourselves, but they are not who we truly are. Understanding this opened the door to more freedom — the ability to step back, let go, and return to my core self. It’s a perspective I carry into therapy, helping clients recognize that they, too, are more than their thoughts or old stories.

The most interesting article or book I have read is:

I’ve read many interesting books, but one that stands out is The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller.

Because:

it opened my eyes to how children often adapt to meet the needs of their parents, sometimes at the cost of their own feelings. Those who appear “strong” or “good” may learn to suppress their true emotions, carrying this into adulthood as perfectionism, over-responsibility, or struggles with self-worth. What struck me most was how these unconscious patterns shape relationships and identity — and how bringing them into awareness is the first step toward healing, authenticity, and deeper self-compassion.

My favourite podcast is:

Diary of a CEO and Parenting and You with Dr. Shefali

Because:

I love podcasts that spark learning from high performers, thought leaders, and creative minds. Diary of a CEO inspires me with honest conversations about growth and resilience. Parenting and You with Dr. Shefali is a favorite because she brilliantly shows how looking at our own wounds as parents helps us raise children with more awareness, connection, and love — without projecting our issues onto them.

Speciality and Specific Interest Areas:

Client populations:

As a bilingual practicum intern, I offer services in both French and English. I work under supervision to support adults (18+), couples, and teens (12–17) with a wide range of concerns.

Clinical concern:

I have a special interest in working with: Anxiety and depression Trauma, relational trauma, and attachment injury ADHD, OCD, and neurodiversity Relationship issues — including attachment challenges, conflict, infidelity, parenting, intimacy concerns, family system dynamics, Among others...

Non-clinical concern:

I also have a special interest in supporting clients with: Building confidence and self-esteem Strengthening boundaries and communication skills Conscious parenting and parenting support Navigating cultural identity and belonging Stress management and self-care practices Exploring creativity, meaning, and personal growth goals Life transitions — parenting, career changes, identity shifts, immigration, separation, divorce, or retirement

Expertise and Additional Areas of Study:

I have the following additional courses / workshops / training:

• Maternal Mental Health Certificate, Postpartum Support International (PSI) - 2021
• Psychotherapy Networker- Terry Real's 2-Day Couples Therapy Training: Relational Life Therapy (2024)
• Psychotherapy Networker – Alexia D Rothman - Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems Therapy: Step-by-Step Procedures for Healing Traumatic Wounds and Alleviating Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Addiction (2024)

Additional:

Some of the clinical orientations, methods, and theories I integrate with ShiftGrit’s therapy protocol:

I work primarily from the ShiftGrit Core Method™ protocol, which is evidence-based. In addition, I draw from approaches such as narrative therapy, family systems, and culturally sensitive frameworks. I also may integrate experiential methods like inner child work, mindfulness and somatic practices, Gestalt-inspired techniques, and a here-and-now interpersonal focus.

People like working with me because:

I’m a curious, intuitive, and open-minded person — no issue is off the table. I’m committed to meeting clients exactly where they are. People often tell me my enthusiasm, genuine presence, and ability to step into their worldview and connect the dots helps them feel understood, hopeful, and empowered to grow. That’s what I strive to offer every person I work with.