Sarah LaRocque Ph.D, RSW | Clinical Director | Adjunct Professor (Field Education – University of Calgary)
As Clinical Director, Dr. Sarah LaRocque is responsible for the DBT Program, Student Practicums, Provisional Supervision, Group Training, and the establishment of the Saskatoon office. She is currently working out of both the Cochrane and Saskatoon offices.
Sarah takes a collaborative, respectful, and strength-based approach to her therapy. She follows evidence-based practice guidelines.
Contact Sarah: (306) 380-2164 | dr.larocque@bluestonetherapy.services
AREAS OF WORK: Sarah has 30 years experience working with a wide range of mental health issues including personality disorders, depression, anxiety, dissociative disorders, and complex trauma. She has extensive experience facilitating evidence-based treatment groups, adhering to modalities such as Interpersonal Theory, Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), sensorimotor trauma therapy, Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), and the treatment of complex PTSD. She is experienced in facilitating long-term psychotherapy groups and is trained in group supervision.
SPECIAL INTEREST AND EXPERTISE: Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, complex/developmental trauma, and Dissociative Disorders. Training in psychoeducational and process oriented groups, and field instruction for master and Ph.D students. provides training in group psychotherapy and is a field instructor for master and Ph.D students.
Yuko Yoshinami, MA, R. Psych. | Supervisor for Provisional Psychologists at Bluestone Therapy
Yuko is currently working in the Cochrane office and oversees the Trauma Program at this location.
Yuko is a Registered Psychologist (CAP Registration #3263) who takes a “whole person” approach, addressing issues from multiple perspectives including the mind, body and the brain (neuroscience).
Yuko and the team offer individual sessions and phone coaching.
Contact Yuko: (403) 998-6191 | yuko@bluestonetherapy.services
AREAS OF WORK: Yuko has worked with a wide range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and addiction, and has over 10 years of experience working with the persons with a complex presentation, primarily Borderline Personality Disorder as well as other personality disorders, various forms of dissociation, trauma, and eating disorders.
SPECIAL INTEREST AND EXPERTISE: Assessment and treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, complex/developmental trauma, and Dissociative Disorders.
Yuko is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE) through Behavioral Tech, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), and standard Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE). She is also a certified yoga instructor and uses yoga (trauma sensitive yoga) to prepare her clients for trauma treatment, to ensure successful trauma processing.
The team takes a phase-based treatment approach to the treatment of trauma, which is recommended in the guidelines presented by ISTSS (International Society of Trauma and Stress Studies) and offers various treatment modalities to address complexity of trauma.
Taylor Muller, M.C., R. Psych | Program Director, DBT Adolescent Services
Taylor is a Registered Psychologist currently working at the Cochrane office. She uses a humanistic approach in her counselling, focusing on creating a safe, collaborative environment for her clients to grow awareness throughout their journey.
AREAS OF WORK: Taylor works as a part of the DBT team and is currently running the Adolescent DBT program at Bluestone. She also has experience as a general practitioner working with a diverse population of clients presenting with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, loss/grief, and relationship concerns.
Contact Taylor: (587) 229-8044 | taylor.muller@bluestonetherapy.services
SPECIAL INTEREST AND EXPERTISE:
Taylor’s counselling practice focuses mainly on the following:
- Adolescents with complex concerns (suicidality, self-harm, depression, anxiety, ADHD), and
- Both adolescents and adults wanting to address topics such as: stress management, relationship concerns, self-esteem, anxiety, ADHD, and depression,
- Individuals looking for support with everyday stressors, interpersonal relationships, and continuing their personal growth.
Shaona Acharjee, MC, (she/her) | Registered Provisional Psychologist
Shaona is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She is passionate about working with people and empower them to move through adversities onto thriving life. She uses strength-based approach and fosters empathy, compassion, and mutual respect in her therapy. Prior to being a counsellor, she was a research scientist in the field of molecular neuroscience and has a PhD in that field. She brings her knowledge of neuroscience and evidence -based outlook in her counselling work.
Contact Shaona: (403) 383-1738 | shaona.acharjee@bluestonetherapy.services
AREAS OF WORK: Shaona’s area of work include grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and concurrent addiction and mental health concerns. Her work is grounded in cognitive theories; she uses Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT), DBT and Person-Centered Therapy in her practice. She is trained in cognitive processing therapy for PTSD and Prolonged grief disorder therapy. She has experience facilitating psychoeducational groups, DBT skills group as well as support groups for addiction, mental health, and trauma.
Shelbi Snodgrass (she/her), MC, C.C.C, R.C.C, CMPC
Doctoral Student
Shelbi is completing her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the University of Calgary in the Relational Practices Research Lab focused on relational practices related to well-being, recovery, and family systems. She is a trainee in our DBT Program and will be accepting clients as part of her training and certification with the DBT_LINEHAN Board of Certification.
Shelbi values a systems perspective to behaviour and nurturing the human being in the performer. She aims to create a safe and inclusive environment for individual clients and teams. Shelbi believes sustainable growth requires community, conscious decision making, and a lifestyle commitment towards achieving goals within and outside of sport.
SPECIAL INTEREST AND EXPERIENCE: As a former varsity athlete, Shelbi is passionate about the field of performance. Her formal training is in mental health, addiction and recovery, and performance psychology.
Shelbi’s approach to counselling centres around collaboration, the exploration of intersecting identity development, self-empowerment, and leadership.
Contact Shelbi: (778) 819-2488
Sheila Almdal, Reg. O.T.
A graduate of McMaster University, Sheila is licensed and registered as an Occupational Therapist in the province of Alberta (registration #3309).
Sheila offers trauma-informed care, which means she approaches every interaction with sensitivity, respect, and a commitment to fostering a healing environment. My approach is guided by these key principles:
- Safety – creating a space that prioritizes your physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
- Trust & Transparency – building trust through open communication, honesty, and consistency.
- Peer Support – encouraging meaningful connections with others who share similar lived experiences.
- Collaboration & Empowerment – supporting shared decision-making, ensuring you have agency over your care.
- Cultural Sensitivity & Humility – honoring and respect your culture, identity, and personal experiences in all aspects of care.
AREAS OF WORK: With over 30 years as an occupational therapist, Sheila has worked in a variety of settings including community, acute care, long term care, and military rehab. She has garnered recognition as a recommended service provider within military circles and Wayfinders Wellness Society. She has assessed and treated patients with concussions, post-concussion syndrome, depression, anxiety, PTSD, repetitive sub-concussive blast injuries, and helped members return to duty.
AREAS OF INTEREST AND EXPERTISE: Assessment and treatment of concussion, post-concussive syndrome, repetitive sub-concussive blast injuries, anxiety, depression and PTSD.
A lifelong learner, Sheila has taken advanced coursework in concussion, vision and cognitive rehab, and somatic work. Additionally, she researched and presented on the phenomena of repetitive sub-concussive blast injuries among the Canadian Armed Forces. Sheila has completed the inaugural Polyvagal Theory Certificate course offered by Dr. Stephen Porges through the Polyvagal Institute and is halfway through her 3-year training to become a Somatic Experiencing practitioner. Additionally, she is trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Sheila employs a holistic (mind/body) and top-down/bottom up (cognitive/somatic) approach in my practice, personalizing a variety of interventions specific to the needs of my patients.
Sheila works in the Cochrane office. Tel: (403) 660-4563 | Sheila.almdal@bluestonetherapy.services
Tafadzwa (Taffy) Mavimba (MSW, BSW, RSW)
Taffy is a Registered Social Worker currently working out of the Cochrane office as part of the Adolescent DBT Program. She holds a Master of Social Work degree with a clinical specialization from the University of Calgary.
Taffy uses a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and client-centered approach with the aim of creating a safe and supportive environment that fosters genuine connection, healing, and growth.
AREAS OF WORK: Taffy has over seven years of experience working with diverse populations across mental health, social services, and crisis intervention settings. She has experience providing individual counselling to post-secondary students and adults, co-facilitating group therapy, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support individuals and families affected by trauma, elder abuse, sexual violence, exploitation, and addiction.
SPECIAL INTERESTS AND EXPERTISE: Taffy’s counselling practice specializes in supporting:
- Adolescents, young adults, and families facing complex issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, neurodiversity, suicidality, self-harm, life transitions, and family conflict.
- Individuals and families working on emotional regulation and strengthening their natural support system.
Contact Taffy: (587) 429-6017