Find a Munchausen syndrome by proxy Therapist in Alberta

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy — clinically known as Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another — occurs when a caregiver deliberately causes, exaggerates, or reports illness in someone under their care, often to gain attention, sympathy, or control. It’s a complex and serious behavioural pattern rooted in deep emotional distress and maladaptive coping. At ShiftGrit, we work to understand the emotional and psychological patterns that contribute to these behaviours, focusing on awareness, accountability, and long-term emotional regulation.

Therapy can help when there’s willingness to engage honestly and consistently in treatment. Our structured approach focuses on exploring the underlying emotional needs that drive attention-seeking or control behaviours — such as unmet attachment needs, shame, or trauma. Through education, pattern mapping, and emotional reconditioning, therapy helps reduce harmful impulses and build healthier ways to meet emotional needs.

At its core, MSBP often develops from unresolved trauma, feelings of inadequacy, or distorted beliefs about love and worth — such as “I’m only cared for when I’m needed” or “I must stay in control to stay safe.” These beliefs can create unconscious drives to seek attention or validation through caregiving. Our therapy model uses Pattern Theory™ to trace and explain these loops, followed by Reconditioning to help the brain unlearn those emotional links safely and gradually.

Yes. Therapy can be a crucial part of healing for both individuals displaying the behaviour and family members affected by it. For families, we focus on education, boundary-setting, and rebuilding trust. For the identified individual, we provide structured, transparent treatment designed to build insight, accountability, and empathy while reducing the reliance on harmful behavioural coping patterns.

Yes. We offer both in-person therapy for Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy in Alberta (ab) and secure virtual sessions throughout Alberta (ab). Both formats follow our same structured, compassionate, and transparent model — ensuring that every session has clear goals, safety planning, and measurable progress.