Preeti Parmar

Professional Details

Full Name & Credentials

Preeti Parmar; BA, MACP

Professional Title

Registered Provisional Psychologist (P8780)

Educational Background

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Mount Royal University (BA) and Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University (MACP).

Hello! I'm Preeti Parmar, a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), holding a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) from Yorkville University. With over 12 years of experience supporting diverse populations, I am passionate about helping adults navigate life's challenges with compassion, curiosity, and evidence-based care. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including court-mandated clients, newcomers and refugees, and women who have experienced domestic violence. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed care that honours each person's unique story, strengths, and goals.

My education and clinical experience have shaped a holistic, evidence-informed approach to therapy that recognizes the interconnected influence of life experiences, relationships, culture, and environment on psychological well-being. Using the ShiftGrit Core Method, I develop individualized treatment plans that build on my clients' strengths, address their unique concerns, and support sustainable personal growth.

Core Clinical Specialties

Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TI-CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and ShiftGrit Core Method.

Client Populations You Serve

Adults.

Clinical Concerns You Focus on Most

Anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Non-Clinical Concerns You Support

Domestic violence, anger, stress, grief and loss, addiction, poor boundaries, low self-esteem, burnout, interpersonal skills, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.

Trainings & Certifications

I integrate Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TI-CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), allowing me to provide evidence-based, client-centred care that is tailored to each individual's unique experiences and goals.

Trauma-Informed CBT recognizes the impact that adverse life experiences can have on thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and overall well-being. Through this approach, I work collaboratively with clients to foster emotional safety, increase self-awareness, develop effective coping strategies, and promote resilience while supporting healing in a compassionate and empowering manner.

Complementing this, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) emphasizes clients' existing strengths, resources, and capacity for change. Rather than focusing solely on problems, this approach helps clients identify achievable goals, recognize what is already working, and build practical strategies that support meaningful progress and long-term growth.

In combination with the ShiftGrit Core Method, these trainings allow me to tailor therapy to my clients' unique situation and needs, while also providing a clear direction and structure for our sessions.

Specialized Experience

• Supporting court-mandated clients, which taught me how to build therapeutic rapport, foster motivation, and work collaboratively with individuals who may initially be reluctant to engage in therapy.
• Working with women who have experienced domestic violence, which deepened my understanding of trauma, resilience, and the importance of creating a safe therapeutic environment.
• Working with newcomers and refugees, which strengthened my appreciation for culturally responsive and client-centred care.

Personal Background & Story

A formative experience in my career was

• Supporting court-mandated clients, which taught me how to build therapeutic rapport, foster motivation, and work collaboratively with individuals who may initially be reluctant to engage in therapy.
• Working with women who have experienced domestic violence, which deepened my understanding of trauma, resilience, and the importance of creating a safe therapeutic environment.
• Working with newcomers and refugees, which strengthened my appreciation for culturally responsive and client-centred care.

What inspired me to enter the field was

My own lived experiences. Having navigated personal challenges related to depression within my family and my own mental health journey, I developed a deep appreciation for the importance of compassionate, evidence-based support. These experiences strengthened my empathy, resilience, and understanding of how difficult it can be to seek help during life's most challenging moments. They also inspired a genuine passion for supporting others as they navigate their own hardships. Today, I am committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental, and collaborative therapeutic environment where clients feel understood, empowered, and supported in working toward meaningful and lasting change.

A lesson I have carried from my personal life is

That healing is rarely a linear process. Personal challenges taught me that growth often comes through perseverance, self-compassion, and the willingness to seek support. This perspective reminds me to meet clients with patience, empathy, and hope, recognizing that meaningful change occurs one step at a time.

Personality & Connection

For fun, I

Enjoy going on long walks with my dad and my Cavapoo, scenic road trips to the mountains, and travelling. These experiences allow me to recharge, appreciate nature, and gain new perspectives through different cultures and environments.

For self-care, I

Make time for strength training, long walks, and journaling. These routines allow me to stay physically active, process my thoughts, and approach both life and my work with intention and mindfulness.

For growth, I

Value continuous learning, meaningful self-reflection, and stepping outside of my comfort zone, believing that growth often comes from embracing new experiences and perspectives.

If I weren't a therapist, I'd be

A writer, combining my passion for storytelling with my interest in psychology, personal growth, and human connection.

Therapy Style & Client Experience

People like working with me because

I am genuine, compassionate, and committed to helping clients create meaningful change. My lived experiences have shaped the way I connect with others, and clients often tell me they appreciate my authentic approach, my honesty, and my ability to balance empathy with a focus on growth and practical progress.

A transformation I love to witness is

When clients discover that meaningful change is possible. Watching someone move from surviving to thriving, build confidence in themselves, and recognize their own capacity for growth is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.

My style in three words

Authentic. Compassionate. Goal-oriented.

Passions, Inspirations & Favorites

The most impactful book I have read is

Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab because it offers a practical and compassionate perspective on the importance of healthy boundaries in fostering emotional well-being and authentic relationships. The book reinforces that setting boundaries is not about pushing others away. It is about communicating needs, honouring personal values, and creating space for healthier, more balanced connections. This perspective has influenced both my personal growth and my clinical practice, where I support clients in developing boundaries that promote self-respect, resilience, and lasting well-being.

A quote or mantra I live by is

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." This quote reminds me that while we cannot change our past experiences, we always have the opportunity to grow, heal, and move forward with intention.

Three things I'm currently obsessed with are

• My Cavapoo, who keeps life entertaining.
• Exploring new destinations.
• Finding the perfect balance between staying active and slowing down with a good journal and a cup of coffee.

Clinical Interests & Specialties

I have a special interest in working with adults because

I have had the privilege of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds through a wide range of personal challenges, including trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and adjustment to significant life changes. I find it especially meaningful to help clients build on their strengths, develop resilience, and create lasting positive change.

I have a special interest in working with clinical concerns such as anxiety, depression, and trauma because

I understand how deeply these experiences can impact every aspect of a person's life, including their relationships, self-esteem, and overall well-being. I find it incredibly rewarding to help clients better understand the underlying patterns contributing to their struggles, develop practical coping strategies, and rediscover their strengths as they work toward meaningful and lasting change.

My additional areas of expertise include

Domestic violence counselling, anger, stress, grief and loss, intergenerational conflict, multigenerational trauma, addiction, poor boundaries, low self-esteem, burnout, interpersonal challenges, relationship difficulties, and life transitions because these experiences often shape how we view ourselves, relate to others, and navigate the world. I am passionate about helping clients gain insight into these patterns, strengthen their resilience, and develop the skills and confidence to create healthier relationships and more fulfilling lives.

Clinical Methods & Orientations

I integrate Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TI-CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) within the ShiftGrit Core Method to provide a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach to treatment. I use the ShiftGrit Core Method as a structured framework to better understand the underlying patterns that contribute to each client's presenting concerns and to guide individualized treatment planning.

Using a trauma-informed CBT approach, I support clients in understanding the connections between their experiences, thoughts, emotions, and behaviours while prioritizing emotional safety, resilience, and the development of adaptive coping strategies. I also incorporate SFBT to help clients recognize their existing strengths and resources, cultivate hope, establish meaningful goals, and develop practical strategies that support lasting therapeutic change.

Growth & Professional Development

My biggest learning from supervision is

That growth as a clinician is an ongoing process. Seeking feedback, engaging in self-reflection, and remaining open to new perspectives have strengthened my confidence, clinical skills, and ability to provide thoughtful, individualized care.

An area of growth I'm focused on now is

Continuing to expand my clinical knowledge through ongoing professional development, evidence-based training, and supervision. I believe that lifelong learning is essential to providing the highest quality care and ensuring my clients receive thoughtful, individualized treatment.

Free Form

In my spare time, I like to write. I wrote this poem in February 2018 during a very difficult time that I share with my clients. It is a gentle reminder that we all have a courageous warrior and a healer within, and to never give up.