Patience Owan

What is your name?

Welcome, My name is Patience Tabi Owan, a Registered Social Worker who has been providing Therapy services to clients from diverse background for the past 9 years. I am passionate about supporting clients be better version of themselves by supporting them eliminate limiting believes that prevents them from moving forward. Over the years, i have had the privilege of working with clients providing case management services, assessment services and therapeutic interventions using evidence based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT) and Solution Focus Therapy.

What do you do at Shift?

I offer individual sessions to youths and adults as well as couples. I focus on supporting clients reduce stress, anxiety, manage conflict, improve relationships, regulate emotions, alter negative thinking, develop a better outlook towards life, improve mood and improve overall Self Esteem. The primary therapeutic approach which i use is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) while incorporating other modalities such as Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and motivational interviewing to achieve a better outcome for my clients.

What are your academic credentials?

I hold a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Yaoundé in 2000, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Windsor in 2014 and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Calgary in 2015.

Why did you decide to become a therapist?

I have always been interested in understanding how our thinking impacts how we behave and feel. Through out my training, i was able to understand the connection between thoughts and actions. My desire to help people led me into social work but i soon came to the realization that i am not able to impact change at an individual level so moved into clinical work. My desire of become a therapist has provided me with the opportunity to support clients cope with issues that impact day to day functioning.

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

I bring passion, dedication, and commitment into sessions when working with clients. I resonate with clients who have not been to therapy before and have made the decision to seek one because i was once in their shoes. I derived pleasure seeing client's flourish, i seek to ensure that anxious clients feel comfortable by being myself, normalizing the therapeutic process and incorporate humor when possible. My goal in each session is to support clients identify issues that get them stuck and support clients discover their hidden potential.

Who do you work with?

I work with Youths (15 and up), Adults and Couples.

Why are you passionate about what you do?

I love seeing clients feel and be their best selves, smile on their faces when they are able to accomplish something they did not believe would ever be possible. As a Therapist, i have the opportunity to provide a non judgmental space where clients can feel vulnerable, support them discover their hidden potential and be a listing ear to some of the issues they do not feel comfortable talking about to family members. Being part of a client's healing journey is a rewarding experience for me, so I personally feel overjoyed when i am part of this journey.

What do you do in your spare time?

Becoming a social worker quickly led to the realization that taking care of myself is imperative in being a successful Therapist. I am an advocate for strong and good health while balancing other areas of life. I have a passion for fitness, i enjoy physical activity especially running. I enjoy dancing and playing in the park with my kids. I love to travel, learn about different languages and interact with others from different cultural background. I also like reading, watching movies connecting with friends when time permits.

What is a skill that you are currently working on?

I am working on taking further training in EMDR to better support clients struggling with severe trauma. I would also like to add to my training store house EFT and CPT. I am in the process of working on my clinical registration with the ACSW that will give me the opportunity to provide supervision to new clinicians. I might consider taking a leadership course in the future.

What motivates or inspires you?

I feel motivated when i see and interact with committed and hard working individuals who aspirer to grow every day. Being discipline is a value i try to uphold in my life on a daily basis so interacting with like minded individuals gives me the motivation to keep going even when i feel like i have nothing more to give. I am inspired by individuals who prioritize their health while helping others along the way. I believe that hard work, combined with commitment, dedication, persistence and discipline produces an amazing outcome.

What additional specialty trainings, courses, certifications or education do you have?

• Psychotherapeutic Frame Works (DBT, ACT, CBT, SFT, NARRATIVE, GOTTMAN METHOD)
• First Aid and CPR Certificate
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
• Nonviolent Crises Intervention Certificate (CPI)
• Psychological First Aid
• Skills for Psychological Recovery

What's one podcast that you like and why?

I like the Hidden Brain because it helps with the understanding of the unconscious mind through story telling.

What's one book that you like and why?

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. I like this book because it gives a clear understanding of what colonial life was like

What's one quote that you like and why?

"Never let yesterday use up too much of today". i like this quote because it reminds me that things of the past does not define who we are today and that we can overcome past challenges.

Available for:

Addiction | Anxiety | Depression | Relationships | Conflict | Exposure Therapy | Stress | ADHD | Burnout | PTSD | OCD | Self-esteem | Parenting | Stress | and much more...