Kristyn McKenna

About Me as a Human…

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

For Self-Care:

For Fun:

For Growth:

Something unique about me is:

What are your academic credentials?

I hold a Master of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Concordia University of Edmonton. Beyond my academic qualifications, I’ve earned various certifications in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, trauma treatment, and crisis management. I am also an active member of both the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)."

Before I Was in the Mental Health Field…

I was working in:

Prior to joining Shift, I served as a senior manager at an organization dedicated to providing community support for adults and teens with dual diagnoses. This role profoundly expanded my understanding of diverse needs and allowed me to hone my ability to work effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.

The most impactful thing about my experience here was:

The most impactful thing I learned in this role is the deep value of adaptive, individualized care and the ability to meet each person where they are. Working with individuals who have dual diagnoses (mental health disorders and intellectual disabilities) taught me how essential it is to approach each person’s needs with both empathy and flexibility.

Three Things I’m Currently Obsessed With and Why:

1. Goodreads Reading Challenge – My current goal is 200 books for this year, and I’m optimistic about reaching it.
2. My dogs – A chihuahua named Charlie and a maltese named Cotton. At nearly 17 years old, Cotton has some health challenges, so I’m cherishing every moment I can, spending most of my free time showering him with snuggles
3. Baking – I'm a seasonal baker at heart, always looking to incorporate the fruits and flavours that best capture the essence of each season. I enjoy browsing Pinterest and TikTok for fresh recipe ideas to experiment with.

Books & Podcasts

The Most Helpful Book I’ve Read Is:

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
Biggest Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is that trauma doesn't just affect the mind—it profoundly impacts the body as well. This book highlights that traumatic experiences are stored in the body and can manifest in physical symptoms, emotional dysregulation, and even mental health conditions like PTSD. The book emphasizes the importance of treating trauma through a holistic approach, integrating both the mind and body.

The Most Interesting Book I’ve Read Is:

The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Kumitake Koga
Why: What makes it compelling is its challenge to conventional ways of thinking about happiness, relationships, and personal growth. The book asks readers to reconsider the role of past experiences in shaping their present, arguing that we are not bound by our past or by others' expectations. Instead, we have the power to choose our responses to life’s challenges and to define our own sense of purpose.

Favorite Podcast:

If I'm going to listen to a podcast I'll listen to Edge of the Couch - but you'll typically find me crushing an audiobook on 2x the speed

Specialty & Specific Interest Areas

Client Populations:

I have a keen interest in working with teens, adults, and seniors who seek therapy for challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-esteem. Additionally, I am passionate about supporting couples navigating issues like communication and relationship balance.

Clinical Concerns:

I am particularly interested in working with individuals navigating trauma, PTSD, behavioural issues, mood disorders (such as anxiety and depression), grief, stress, self-worth, and attachment styles. I am dedicated to supporting clients in gaining profound self-awareness, breaking free from limiting patterns, and cultivating relationships that are grounded in trust, respect, and emotional security.

Non-Clinical Concerns:

I am also passionate about supporting clients navigating transitional life phases, exploring their sense of identity, and pursuing personal growth.

Expertise & Additional Areas of Study

I have the following additional courses, workshops, and training:

• Dialectical Behaviour Training
• Responding to Grief and Trauma
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
• Trauma and Crisis Response
• Mental Health First Aid

I have expertise and experience working with:

• Trauma Recovery - Guiding clients through the process of understanding past experiences, managing emotional pain, and building resilient coping mechanisms for recovery.
• Anxiety, Depression & Emotional Regulation - Applying evidence-based strategies to help clients challenge unproductive patterns, strengthen resilience, and regain balance. By addressing the underlying belief systems and behavioral loops that sustain anxiety and depression, clients can achieve lasting relief, improved resilience, and enhanced emotional stability.
• Self Esteem & Identity - Fostering self-awareness, challenging negative beliefs, and guiding clients toward building a more authentic, positive self-concept.

Some of the Clinical Orientations, Methods, and Theories I Integrate with ShiftGrit’s Core Method:

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): - Helping clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors, promoting healthier thinking and coping strategies.
2. Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) - A goal-directed, future-oriented approach that helps clients identify their strengths and resources to create practical solutions for current challenges, rather than focusing on past problems.
3. Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT): - Combines mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to help individuals manage intense emotions and improve relationships.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - a therapeutic approach that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings, commit to actions aligned with their values, and cultivate psychological flexibility to handle life's challenges.

People Like Working with Me Because…

People like my ability to create a safe, empathetic space where they feel heard, understood, and supported without fear of judgment. My authenticity, combined with my sense of humor, makes it easier for clients to connect with me and feel at ease, even when discussing difficult topics. I bring a human touch to therapy—balancing professionalism with relatability, and fostering an environment where vulnerability is met with compassion, understanding, and lightness.

Free form

"Imperfection is not inadequacy; it is a reminder that we’re all in this together." – Brené Brown. This quote serves as a powerful reminder that life is inherently messy at times, and that’s perfectly okay—after all, we are all human, navigating the complexities of our shared experience.