Kathy Chan

Professional Details

Hello! My name is Kathy Chan, and I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) in Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups from the University of Calgary. I am a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), and I have over 7 years of experience working with diverse populations, including patients in a hospital setting, vulnerable workers, people with disabilities, newcomers and refugees, and children and youth.

My education has emphasized a holistic approach to clinical practice where I acknowledge the unique lived experiences each person has had in shaping their current identity. This approach aligns with the ShiftGrit Core Method, where we will intentionally and strategically work together to address identity-level concerns to achieve lasting change.

Training & Certifications

I have advanced training in Feedback-Informed Treatment (FIT) through my practicum with the Calgary Counselling Centre. Rather than having open-ended conversations, this approach highlights the importance of setting therapy goals with clear objectives. I have also received training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps clients come back to the present moment, tune into their values (i.e., what matters), and live in a way that is the most meaningful to them. In combination with the ShiftGrit Core Method, these trainings allow me to tailor therapy to your unique situation and needs, while also providing a clear direction and structure for our sessions.

Core Method & Clinical Approach

My Clinical Approach in 3 Words

My clinical approach is empathetic, collaborative and intentional. I believe that people are trying to do their best with what they have and are actively shaped by their environments. While I may have training in the therapy process, clients are the experts of their own lives. Input and feedback from clients are highly valued and essential in achieving sustainable change. I am also intentional about the use of time in sessions to ensure that we are on the right track and on the same page with how therapy is going.

Adapting to Different Populations

As a social worker, I have worked with diverse populations from many walks of life. Whatever your unique set of social identities (i.e., gender, culture, ability, spirituality, etc.) and lived experiences may be, I approach each person's story with openness and a desire to work together to find the best path forward.

My Favorite Aspect of the ShiftGrit Core Method

I appreciate how the ShiftGrit Core Method addresses root causes of mental health concerns through uncovering and eliminating identity-level limiting beliefs. Rather than continuing to put effort into managing symptoms or even blaming oneself for experiencing the same cycles over again, clients may experience lasting changes across multiple domains of their lives.

Personal Background & Story

Before Becoming a Therapist, I Was…

Before becoming a therapist, I was studying civil engineering. After 4 years of engineering education and a 15-month long internship, I realized that I wanted to find a career that aligned better with my values and natural gifts. I have always been interested in topics like psychology, social justice, and mental health. Through a period of self-reflection, I decided to pursue a social work career to become a therapist.

A Past Role That Shapes My Therapy Today

While engineering and therapy may seem irrelevant to one another, my engineering background has led me to view therapy in a more structured, intentional, and measurable way. Clients come into therapy wanting to feel better, and effective therapy involves guiding clients in a clear direction, with the aim of clients experiencing real and lasting improvements.

A Lesson I've Carried From my Personal Life

Living in the present moment is a lesson I have come back to throughout my life. Sometimes, the mind wants to cling to past events or future scenarios. Other times, our default way of being can become living distracted through things like TV shows or social media. While distractions may provide short-term relief, we often engage in these behaviours to avoid negative thoughts or feelings. I find that the present moment is the only place that brings true peace and in that, the ability to genuinely connect with the people around us.

Personality & Connection

For Fun

I love connecting with friends through visiting cafes, painting pottery, or playing board games. At a cafe, my order is usually a matcha or hojicha latte. I like creating art, though I am not very good at it. I consider myself a "social introvert", and while I enjoy the company of others, I find myself recharging through watching a good show, reading a book, trying a new recipe, or cozy gaming (Animal Crossing is one of my current favorites!).

For Self-Care

Sometimes life can get busy or chaotic. For self-care, I like journalling in the mornings, going on walks, practicing mindfulness, and being out in nature. Turning to these activities helps me slow down and make me feel grounded and recentered again. I also find the "boring basics" to be essential to my overall well-being, such as quality sleep, adequate water intake, and nourishing meals. It's boring but it works!

For Growth

I am naturally a curious person who wants to continue learning throughout my life. You will likely find me reading something related to either mental health, psychology, or spirituality. I also consider myself to be quite self-reflexive as I am frequently reflecting on how I can become a better therapist for my clients, where my gaps in knowledge may be, and what additional training to take next.

Therapy Style & Client Experience

I Work Best With Clients Who…

I work best with clients who may be struggling with perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, overthinking, burnout, and/or low self-esteem. It can be exhausting to constantly feel the unrelenting pressure to "be more and do more". If you are craving inner peace and a way to transform your relationship with yourself, I would love to work with you. I also appreciate working with people who have spent some time reflecting on their own patterns (no worries if you haven't yet though – we can do this together).

People Like Working With Me Because…

People like working with me because they feel seen and heard, while also hopeful about their new direction in life. I believe that effective therapy requires both warmth and strategy. In my work with clients, I hope that they leave each session feeling validated and understood, while also excited about where therapy is going next. Previous clients have told me they appreciated the combination of my kindness and leadership in our work together.

What Clients Can Expect in A First Session

In the first session, a thorough intake will be completed with clients to get a better understanding of their history, relationships, personality, strengths, and presenting concerns. At this stage, I will also collaborate with clients to identify their goals for therapy. By the end of the first session, clients will understand what the next two sessions will look like, which includes uncovering their identity-level limiting beliefs and developing a plan to eliminate them.

Passions, Inspirations, & Favorites

The Most Impactful Book I've Read Is…

The most impactful book I've read is No Bad Parts by Richard Schartz. It taught me that there are many aspects (or parts) within us that have different needs and purposes. We often use this language in our day-to-day, such as "this part of me wants X" but "this other part is saying Y". This language is helpful when working with the ShiftGrit Core Method because there are often discrepancies between our cognitive mind (i.e., when we feel safe) and threat brain (i.e., when we experience triggers).

A Quote Or Mantra I Live by Is…

A quote or mantra I live by is "Change is always possible". I believe that people are not static in their personalities, preferences, or desires. With every new idea, connection, or experience, we evolve – sometimes a little and sometimes a lot. This perspective inspires hope because no matter where someone is on their journey, there is always a chance that things can change for the better.

A Psychology Topic I Can't Stop Exploring Is…

A psychology topic I can't stop exploring is experiential therapy. While there are benefits to more conventional talk therapy approaches, I find experiential therapies to be more embodied, depth-oriented, and work towards uncovering the root causes of underlying patterns. This topic aligns well with the ShiftGrit Core Method where I work with clients to find and eliminate identity-level limiting beliefs.

Clinical Interests & Specialties

Clinical: Social Anxiety

Relationships play a big role in our well-being. I have a special interest in working with people with social anxiety because as human beings, we all crave connection and belonging. It is common for people with social anxiety to be the ones who crave deep, authentic connections the most. It has been rewarding to witness how transformative and healing it can be when clients are able to form genuine connections with the people around them. We may hurt in relationships, and we also heal in relationships.

Clinical: Disordered Eating

I have a special interest in working with people struggling with disordered eating. Food is fundamental to not only thriving physically, but there are also cultural and social aspects to eating. It can be isolating to feel out of control with certain behavioral patterns surrounding food. When clients heal their relationship with food, many other cascading aspects of their life may often shift for the better as well. It is possible to feel free and intuitive with food again.

Non-Clinical Concerns

My non-clinical interests include perfectionism, people-pleasing, overthinking, burnout, and low self-esteem. People who feel the unrelenting pressure to "be more and do more" are doing their best but are also more likely to experience burnout. I love working with these clients to address the root causes of this exhausting cycle and to live in a way that is free from these reoccurring patterns.

Clinical Methods & Orientations

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

I like to integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into my work with clients because this therapy modality helps clients experience relief from their overactive minds, drop down into the body, and reconnect back to the present moment. This therapy approach integrates well with the ShiftGrit Core Method because mindfulness often helps clients observe their patterns more readily, allowing clients to break free from their limiting beliefs quicker.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Solution-Focused Therapy is a strengths-based therapy modality that recognizes clients' inherent gifts and resiliency when faced with life challenges. I believe that clients are the experts of their own lives and come into sessions with an abundance of insight, skills, and knowledge. This approach is helpful in navigating present-day difficulties, whereas the ShiftGrit Core Method helps identify and extinguish core limiting beliefs.

Growth & Professional Development

How I Stay Current in Psychology Research…

Therapy is an evolving field and as someone who is naturally curious about the ongoing research in this field, I enjoy reviewing emerging literature on what makes therapy effective as well as ongoing research on various therapy modalities. I am also intentional about taking additional training to further my expertise in areas that I am less familiar with. I see myself as a lifelong learner in this line of work.

A Future Specialization I'd Like to Pursue…

I would like to take further specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) because this therapy modality is particularly relevant to working with couples and families. I consider mental health from a systemic perspective in that our well-being is greatly tied to the quality of our closest relationships. Therefore, this is an area of specialization that I would like to expand my knowledge and competency in, in the future.

Therapy as Water

Your "therapy stuff" is the water. When left alone, it is always just there, and it can spill over into all areas of your life. In our work together, we will provide some containment for the water, bring clarity to your situation, consider what phases and cycles have been happening up until this point, and shift the flow of water to move in a direction that aligns with what matters most to you. If you are ready to begin this journey, I would love to walk with you through this transformative process.