Compassionate Care.
Meaningful Change.
Trauma-informed counselling that honours the connection between your experiences, emotions, relationships, body, and beliefs.
About Candy Salik, MA, CCC
I believe healing begins in a safe, compassionate relationship where you can feel understood without judgment. My approach honours the connection between your experiences, emotions, relationships, body, and beliefs.
Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Counselling
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is the foundational lens through which I work. CFT integrates compassion science, social neuroscience, attachment theory, developmental psychology, and cognitive psychology. This comprehensive approach helps us understand how early experiences and relational patterns can shape the nervous system, influence difficult emotions, and affect the ways we relate to ourselves and others.
CFT also aligns naturally with faith-based beliefs and can provide a meaningful framework for clients who wish to include their faith in counselling. Faith integration is always guided by your preferences and comfort level.
Within this compassionate framework, I tailor therapy to each person's individual needs. Depending on your goals and experiences, counselling may incorporate trauma-focused approaches such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems-informed therapy, Deep Brain Reorienting, and somatic processing.
My goal is not to force your experience into one particular method. Instead, we work together to find an approach that respects your story, strengthens your capacity to manage challenging emotions, and supports meaningful, lasting change.
Areas of Practice
I provide counselling support for concerns that include:
Trauma & the Past
- Family-of-origin experiences
- Developmental and complex trauma
- Post-traumatic stress
- Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse
Emotional Wellbeing
- Stress, fear, and anxiety
- Depression, grief, and loss
- Understanding and processing emotions
- Managing troubling or unwanted behaviours
Relationships & Faith
- Relational concerns
- Faith-based concerns
- Spiritual trauma
- Addictions
Education and Primary Training
Education
- Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology — Yorkville University, New Brunswick
- Bachelor of Religious Education in Religious Studies — Summit Pacific College, British Columbia
Trauma Training
- EMDR trained through an EMDRIA-approved program
- Attachment-Based EMDR training
- Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, Level 1
- Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, Level 2 — Complex Trauma Certificate Training
- Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR): Shock and Terror Training
- Mastering Internal Family Systems Therapy
Additional Training
- Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Certificate
- Applied Behaviour Analysis
Associations and Accreditation
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
- Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)
- Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA)
- Counselling Therapist (ACTA)
A Little More About Me
Outside my professional life, I cherish time outdoors and enjoy camping adventures with my husband and family. I am also a lifelong sports enthusiast and have participated in, coached, and organized team sports.
These experiences have deepened my appreciation for connection, perseverance, teamwork, and the importance of making space for both meaningful reflection and everyday joy.
Walking Together Toward Restoration
You do not have to navigate life's challenges alone. When you are ready, I would be honoured to learn more about your story and explore how counselling may support you.