Karl Melting Tallow

What is your name/nickname?

Karl Melting Tallow

What do you do at Shift?

I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist with over 25 years of experience in counselling and human services. I have extensive experience providing support to children, teens, young adults, adults, and elderly people from various ethnic and lifestyle backgrounds.

What are your academic credentials?

I received my undergrad degree in Psychology from Mount Royal University and completed my graduate studies in Counselling Psychology at the University of Calgary.

Why did you decide to become a therapist?

For as long as I have been in the human services field, I have wanted to help people who were in need of support. I wanted to become a therapist to assist people experiencing challenges in their mental health that negatively impacts their quality of life. I want to promote and foster overall mental health well-being by improving the individuals understanding of how their past lived experiences impact their present lives. I wanted to enhance my previous work in counselling by completing the academic requirements to gain the designation of a psychologist to provide specialized treatment.

What do you bring to your therapy sessions, and what are some goals?

I utilize strategies from various psychotherapeutic approaches including Narrative Therapy; Person-Centered Therapy; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; Solution Focused Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. I believe that although life has its share of challenges and adversities, people possess the inner strength and resiliency to cope. I enjoy discovering and reinforcing these skills alongside my clients. I strive to create a therapeutic environment based on trust, empathy, validation, and agency to support mental health and overall well-being of the individual.

Who do you work with?

I have experience working with children, teens, young adults, adults, and elderly people from various ethnic and lifestyle backgrounds

Why are you passionate about what you do?

I am passionate about learning and teaching people how to enhance their self-awareness and discover their potential. I have been in the counselling field for over 25 years and with this experience my passion to support people has remained to be motivator for me to continue developing my skills and abilities to provide effective treatment. My passion in teaching has extended to me instructing in post-secondary to offer my knowledge and experience to students who are interested in pursing a career in psychology.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending quality time with the people in my life who are close to me. I believe that attending to the meaningful relationships in our lives are an important part of how connect with others. I also enjoy engaging in activities that promote balance in the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of my life. I enjoy reading and listening to audio books ranging from psychology related topics to autobiographies of people who have overcome adversities. I enjoy spending time doing activities outdoors to promote my physical and mental health well-being.

What is a skill that you are currently working on?

A skill I continue to work on is to enhance my coaching abilities. I believe this skill is important to develop on an ongoing basis as the needs of the individuals vary in what area of their lives they want to address. By focusing on enhancing my coaching abilities will promote flexibility and fluidity in offering effective therapy to individuals as each person has unique treatment needs.

What motivates or inspires you?

My source of inspiration begins with the people who had a part in my growth and development, both personally and professionally. I am inspired by the people I have provide support to in their journey of self-discovery by facing and overcoming their challenges. I find inspiration in their abilities and skills to discover the power they posses to manage their life stressors. Assisting people to meet their therapy goals and seeing their progress continues to motivate me to provide the most effective treatment I can offer.

Available for:

Anxiety-related symptoms (GAD, Phobia, Panic, Social, etc.) | Addictions | Family Conflicts | Complex Mental Health Diagnosis (i.e. Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder) | Cognitive and Intellectual Disabilities | Exposure Therapy | Dual Diagnosis | Homelessness and Poverty related issues | Inappropriate Sexualized Behaviours | PTSD | Domestic Violence (both supporting victims and perpetrators) | and much more...