Smruti Patel

Professional Details

Full Name & Credentials

Smruti Patel, Registered Provisional Psychologist

Professional Title

Registered Provisional Psychologist

Educational Background

• Master's degree in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Calgary

My education and supervised clinical experience have provided a strong foundation in evidence-informed psychological care, assessment, and individualized treatment planning. My experience in cognitive rehabilitation, counselling, and trauma-informed support has shaped my appreciation for each person's unique strengths, circumstances, and goals. I believe therapy should be both compassionate and practical.

Core Clinical Specialties

• Anxiety, low mood, and stress
• Emotional difficulties, coping, and adjustment
• Unhelpful thought patterns and emotional regulation
• Cognitive rehabilitation
• Trauma-informed care
• Pain management, sleep difficulties, and return-to-work support

Client Populations You Serve

I am interested in working with adolescents and adults, with care tailored to each person's developmental stage, lived experience, cultural background, and individual needs. My previous experience also includes supporting children and adolescents with autism and related support needs, as well as adults experiencing cognitive, emotional, and functional challenges.

Non-Clinical Concerns You Support

• Self-esteem, self-worth, and confidence
• Identity and personal growth
• Communication and boundaries
• Values-aligned decision-making

Trainings & Clinical Foundations

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Exposure therapy
• Suicide and self-harm risk assessment, including the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale
• Art Therapy training through Scholistico
• LGBTQ+ affirmative care
• Trauma-informed care

These approaches support structured, collaborative, and individualized care. I use them within my training and competence to help clients build coping skills, reduce avoidance, strengthen emotional awareness, and move toward meaningful change.

Specialized Experience

Pain management and return-to-work support

During my practicum at CBI Health, I supported clients navigating pain-related challenges, stress, sleep difficulties, and return-to-work goals. I provided CBT- and ACT-informed support, psychoeducation, and behavioural strategies to help clients manage daily challenges and improve functioning.

Cognitive rehabilitation

As a Cognitive Therapist at CBI Health, I conducted initial assessments and supported clients with attention, memory, concentration, and problem-solving. This work informs my understanding of how cognitive challenges can affect independence, confidence, work, and everyday life.

Neurodiversity and developmental support

As a Rehabilitation Worker with the Society for Treatment of Autism, I supported children and adolescents with autism and related support needs through behavioural interventions, trauma-informed support, progress tracking, and treatment planning.

ShiftGrit Core Method & Clinical Approach

How I use the ShiftGrit Core Method

I use the ShiftGrit Core Method to help clients look beyond the immediate problem and explore the patterns and underlying beliefs influencing their experiences. Together, we identify recurring patterns, respond to them with greater understanding, and practise new ways of thinking and behaving in everyday life.

How I integrate other approaches

My clinical foundation in CBT and ACT offers complementary support to the Core Method. CBT helps clients identify and examine unhelpful thoughts and develop more balanced perspectives, while ACT helps clients relate differently to difficult internal experiences and take action aligned with their values. I also draw on psychoeducation, behavioural strategies, and skills for managing stress and emotions.

My approach

I want to understand the experiences, beliefs, and circumstances that may have contributed to current difficulties, not simply view people through symptoms or behaviours. I aim to meet clients with compassion rather than judgment while supporting practical changes that improve their lives.

Personal Background & Story

What drew me to psychology

I was drawn to psychology by an interest in understanding how people think, feel, behave, form relationships, and make sense of their experiences. My work across cognitive rehabilitation, developmental support, and counselling has strengthened my commitment to listening carefully, recognizing each person's individuality, and meeting clients where they are.

A formative experience in my career

My clinical practicum at CBI Health allowed me to apply psychological approaches in real-world situations while learning through supervision and collaboration. Supporting clients with pain, stress, emotional challenges, and return-to-work goals reinforced the importance of trust, adaptability, and monitoring progress.

A value that guides me

One principle that guides my life is the importance of living for something beyond yourself. Pramukh Swami Maharaj's teaching, “In the joy of others lies our own,” inspires how I think about compassion, humility, and meaningful contribution.

Personality & Connection

When I'm not in therapy-land

I enjoy photography, hiking, cooking, dancing, and creative hobbies that let me learn something new, be present, and enjoy the process without worrying about perfection.

For fun and self-care

I enjoy travelling, trying new recipes, escape rooms, origami, baking, exploring skincare, and making time for hobbies that help me slow down.

Something surprising about me

I enjoy a combination of creative and analytical activities, from folding intricate origami designs and experimenting with new recipes to working through an escape room challenge.

Therapy Style & Client Experience

My style in three words

Compassionate. Collaborative. Practical.

What clients can expect

I bring warmth, patience, curiosity, and structure to my work. I want clients to speak openly without feeling judged or expected to have everything figured out. At the same time, I value making therapy purposeful by understanding concerns, identifying patterns, and developing practical strategies that fit each client's life.

What a first session is like

We will explore what brought you to therapy, what has been challenging, and what you hope will be different. We will consider your concerns, relevant context, strengths, and goals at a pace that feels appropriate, with room for questions and adjustments as we get to know one another.

A transformation I love to witness

When someone begins to understand themselves with greater compassion and confidence. This may look like recognizing a familiar pattern before reacting, setting a boundary that once felt difficult, using new skills in a challenging situation, or treating themselves with less criticism.

Passions, Inspirations & Favorites

A quote I live by

“In the joy of others lies our own.” This teaching from Pramukh Swami Maharaj reminds me to approach people with kindness, listen with an open heart, and treat every person with dignity.

A psychology topic I can't stop exploring

The relationship between core beliefs, thought patterns, emotions, and behaviour. I am interested in how CBT, ACT, and the ShiftGrit Core Method can help people recognize these patterns and develop more flexible ways of responding.

Clinical Interests & Specialties

Populations and concerns I am especially interested in

• Adolescents and adults navigating emotional, behavioural, relational, and life challenges
• Anxiety, low mood, stress, emotional regulation, and coping
• Self-worth, confidence, identity, personal growth, and boundaries
• Cognitive rehabilitation and daily functioning
• Pain management and return-to-work support
• Neurodiversity, autism, and related developmental needs
• Structured suicide risk assessment

Growth & Professional Development

My biggest learning from supervision

The value of remaining curious, reflective, and open to feedback. Supervision has helped me consider different perspectives, make thoughtful clinical decisions, and adapt interventions to each client's needs rather than relying on a single approach.

An area of growth I am focused on now

I am strengthening my clinical skills, deepening my understanding of therapeutic approaches, and becoming more flexible in adapting interventions to individual clients. I am especially interested in refining my ability to identify underlying patterns, formulate treatment goals collaboratively, and integrate structured approaches with a strong therapeutic relationship.

A future specialization I would like to pursue

I am interested in evidence-based couples therapy through the Gottman Institute's training pathway, as well as EMDR, trauma-informed practice, and psychological assessment. I am particularly interested in how EMDR may be integrated into couples work to address past wounds and emotional reactivity connected to communication blocks and relationship conflict.

Free Form

I believe life can feel overwhelming, and we do not always have to navigate everything on our own. Therapy can be a space to slow down, feel heard, and make sense of what you are going through without judgment or the need to have all the answers.

Together, we can explore experiences that have shaped you, recognize patterns that may no longer be serving you, and find small, meaningful ways to move forward. My hope is that you feel more understood, develop a kinder relationship with yourself, and feel more confident in navigating life's challenges, one step at a time.