Our Team
We are a community of mental health clinicians providing excellence in service. Our team of social workers and psychologists work collaboratively with other professionals to provide comprehensive services in our area of expertise. As a team we are continually improving and updating our services through collaboration with university led research activities, and practicum supervision.
Occupational Therapy – Concussion Rehabilitation:
Our occupational therapist has expertise with the subject matter of concussion and works collaboratively with our mental health clinicians and other health professionals in the community to provide co-ordinated service that is both personal, practical, and empowering to individuals living with concussions.
Green Sustainability Plan
Bluestone Therapy is committed to corporate social and environmental responsibility for the wellbeing of future generations. As a team we engage in the following activities:
- Electronic record keeping on a secure Canadian web server
- Composting and recycling of relevant materials
- Reduction of paper products, including information handouts
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.
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.
Contact Sarah: Tel: (306) 380-2164
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).
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.
Yuko and the team offer individual sessions and phone coaching.
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.
Contact Yuko: Tel: (403) 998-6191
Taylor Muller, M.C., R. Psych | Program Director, DBT Adolescent Services
Taylor is currently working at the Cochrane office. She is a Registered Psychologist. Taylor 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.
SPECIAL INTEREST AND EXPERTISE:
Taylor’s counselling practice focuses mainly on the following:
1) Adolescents with complex concerns (suicidality, self-harm, depression, anxiety, ADHD), and
2) Both adolescents and adults wanting to address topics such as: stress management, relationship concerns, self-esteem, anxiety, ADHD, and depression,
3) Individuals looking for support with everyday stressors, interpersonal relationships, and continuing their personal growth.
Contact Taylor:
C: 587-229-8044
E: taylor.muller@bluestonetherapy.services
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.
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.
Contact Shaona:
403-383-1738
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.
Sheila Almdal, REG. OT
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupations are the activities that people do everyday to give their life meaning and purpose. The broad range of occupations are categorized as activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), health management, sleep, education, work, play, leisure and social participation. Occupations can be done alone or with family members and friends. Occupations can be done at home (self-care), at work or school (productivity), or in the community (leisure).
Sheila Almdal, Reg.O.T. (AB).
A graduate of McMaster University, I am licenced and registered as an Occupational Therapist in the province of Alberta (registration #3309). I bring a personal, practical, professional and empowering approach to my practice which is collaborative, strength- and evidence-based.
Areas of Work
With over 30 years as an occupational therapist, I have worked in a variety of settings including: community, acute care, long term care and military rehab. I have garnered recognition as a recommended service provider within military circles and Wayfinders Wellness Society (www.wayfinderswellness.ca). I have 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, I have taken advanced coursework in concussion, vision and cognitive rehab and somatic work. Additionally, I researched and presented on the phenomena of repetitive sub-concussive blast injuries among the Canadian Armed Forces. I completed the inaugural Polyvagal Theory Certificate course offered by Dr. Stephen Porges through the Polyvagal Institute and am halfway through my 3-year training to become a Somatic Experiencing practitioner. Additionally, I am trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
I employ 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 is working in the Cochrane office.
Tel: 403.660.4563
Session fees for Bluestone Therapy
- Individual Therapy | $220 Per Session
- Group Therapy | $110 Per Session
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) | $250
Session fees for Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Therapy Assessment | $300 for 2 hour initial assessment
- Occupational Therapy follow up appointments | $180 per session
- Please ask your therapist if you need the sliding fee scale
Sliding Fee Scale for Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, and Occupational Therapy Based on Annual Household Income as follows:
Less than $45,000/year
- Individual Therapy $130.00/hr*
- Group Therapy $70.00*
Between $45,000 – $90,000/year
- Individual Therapy $175.00/hr
- Group Therapy $110.00
More than $90,000/year
- Individual Therapy $220.00/hr
- Group Therapy $110.00
We provide direct billing for clients using Blue Cross, Green Shield, and other third party providers.
* Please consult with your individual therapist if you require a sliding fee scale beyond what is currently offered. We strive to provide services to all persons regardless of socio-economic circumstances.