About Sandra Rourke, MA

Registered Provisional Psychologist

I am a trauma-informed therapist with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field.

Finding someone you trust to share parts of your life with can be challenging. A first step is finding a skilled therapist whom you can connect with, and who works with you to dig deep, make meaningful changes, and can facilitate the learning of new skills to cope with challenging areas of your life while also honouring your experiences, values, and beliefs. I value offering an open and safe environment to meet you where you are in your life, encourage healing, and enhance your emotional wellness.

My extensive experience has allowed me to work with a diverse range of issues and concerns as well as clientele. My experience ranges from working with not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, to private practice where I have gained the skills to competently work with individuals, couples, and families with complex mental health issues.

I have also gained knowledge and experience utilizing various evidence-based therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Narrative Therapy. I also integrate art therapy, person-centered therapy, positive psychology, mindfulness, compassionate focussed and relational approaches into my sessions.

I work collaboratively to support and provide compassionate and ethical care to children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups.

With my many years of working with people of all ages on their mental health and wellness, it is important to me that I can impact people’s lives in a more profound and meaningful way as a therapist. It is my goal to offer people the care, compassion, and support they are seeking.

I can support clients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, abuse, emotional dysregulation, behavioural challenges, chronic illness, relationship struggles, family conflict, parenting issues, and more.

I will respect your experiences, values and beliefs.

I offer a caring and supportive therapeutic environment for clients to explore their emotions, behaviours, thoughts, and concerns that is causing them to struggle, feel isolated or distressed. I am here to support you on your path to emotional wellness.

Professional Background

• Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology – Yorkville University
• Bachelor of Arts, Psychology – University of Alberta

Issues or Concerns

• Abandonment
• Abuse
• Academic Concerns
• Addiction Issues
• ADHD
• Adjusting to Change
• Aggression & Violence
• Alcohol & Drugs
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Attachment Issues
• Autism/ASD
• Bipolar
• Breakup
• Bullying
• Chronic Pain
• Codependency
• Coping Skills
• Commitment Issues
• Communication
• Complex Trauma & PTSD
• Control Issues
• Coping Skills
• Depression
• Developmental Disorder
• Divorce/Separation
• Domestic Abuse/Violence
• Dysregulation
• Emotional Abuse
• Emotional Regulation
• Family Issues/Conflict
• Fears
• Forgiveness
• Grief, Loss, & Bereavement
• Guilt
• Helplessness
• Isolation
• Jealousy
• Parenting
• Relationship Issues
• Self-Harm
• Sleep issues or Insomnia
• Substance Use
• Trauma & PTSD
• Learning Disability
• LGBTQIA+
• Life Challenges
• Life Transitions
• Marital & Pre-marital issues
• Men’s Issues
• Mood Disorders
• Neglect
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
• Overwhelm
• Panic & Panic Attacks
• Parenting
• Peer Relationships
• Personality Disorders
• Personal Development
• Physical Abuse
• Rejection
• Relationship Issues
• Self Esteem; Self Worth; Self Love
• Self Care; Self Compassion
• Self Harm
• Sexual Abuse/Assault
• Shame
• Sibling Challenges
• Stress
• Substance Use
• Suicidal ideation
• Teen or Adolescent Issues
• Trauma & PTSD
• Trust Issues
• Victim of Crime/Abuse
• Women’s Issues
• Young Adult Issues

Approaches Used

• Attachment Based Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Skills
• Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Mindfulness
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Narrative Therapy
• Person-Centered Therapy
• Positive Psychology
• Play Therapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Relational Therapy
• Solution Focussed Therapy (SFT)
• Strengths-Based
• Trauma Focussed & Trauma Informed

Professional Associations/Regulatory Board

• College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)

Contact Us to Book Your Appointment

If you are ready to begin your journey towards mental and emotional wellness, reach out and let us know if I could be your best fit therapist.

When you reach out, you’ll talk to our administrative staff, and you can share what’s going on for you, ask any questions you may have, and get scheduled for your first session with me.

Email us today at info@onyxtherapy.ca or, fill out the form below and our office will contact you.