“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while we are climbing it” - Andy Rooney

Collaboration. Empathy.
Understanding.

Naturally Therapeutic is a team of mental health professionals who strive to empower you to enhance your self-awareness, cultivate meaningful relationships, and confidently navigate life's challenges.

Our approach is all about meeting you where you're at on your journey and guiding you to access the answers you already have within you.  We believe in the transformative power of genuine human connection and are here to light the way toward your fulfilling and authentic life.

Jenn Champagne

Registered Psychologist #5043

Meet JENN

I took the very long route to where I am today; however, knew all along I was meant to work with and help people.

I began my educational journey in pre-med, which I very quickly realized, was not for me!  I switched to education, thinking I would like to teach.  In the process of working on that degree, I surprisingly gave birth to twins!  Becoming a young mother was life-changing, to say the least!  And of course, it threw the first major wrench in my educational journey and career.  I then began working with children (and their families) with autism diagnoses.  My education practicum highlighted for me the fact that too many children with special needs did not receive the help and support they needed in a classroom, leaving their teachers to pick up the pieces for 25+ kiddos!  Also, not for me.  I shifted slightly to eventually complete my Bachelor of Arts with a psychology major and education minor.

Then I took a big break from school.  I continued to work with children and families as I raised my own and eventually met my incredible husband.  We expanded our family with two more children and also became foster parents.

When we moved back to the big city, I immediately returned to the helping profession with work in a group home.  My supervisor there encouraged me to continue my education, which I had kind of given up on pursuing due to needing to work to support my family.  She told me about Yorkville University, where I could complete my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from a distance.

  • Enter: the second big wrench, cancer.

    After what my friends and family call a powerful battle with cancer, I eventually returned to complete my degree in slow motion. I cheered as the students I began my degree with graduated and I eventually graduated in 2015.

    Since graduating, I have primarily worked for Alberta Health Services, in an outpatient setting, with adolescents and families at moderate to severe risk. I have learned so much in the process and pride myself on continuing to expand my awareness and knowledge for helping people.

    I have training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Hakomi, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills.

Mel Mac Pherson

Registered Psychologist #4317

Meet MEL

I always knew I wanted to work in a field where I was helping others but I was not sure what that looked like at first. After graduating from St. Mary’s University in Halifax with my Bachelor of Arts, I could only find work in the field of banking. So, in 1990 I decided to move to Calgary to find work better suited for my natural desires and this is where my journey in the mental health field began.

I started working with individuals with disabilities and loved this type of work, so I did this for 15 years. I then decided to return to school to get my Master of Counseling Psychology from Gonzaga University (in 2007) which opened a whole new world for me.

The world of therapy.

I remained in Calgary and did private counseling therapy for 8 years and was then offered a position at Alberta Health Services (AHS) where I worked for 10 years as a Clinical Psychologist. There I worked with a multi-disciplinary team of several professionals including psychiatrists, occupational therapists, nurses, crisis teams, and various healthcare workers. My position had me develop and run groups as well as doing therapy with families, teens, and individuals with complex needs.

I have now finished my career with AHS but continue to work privately as a Registered Psychologist.

The one thing that has always stood out for me when working with many different populations is the developmental stages we all go through. These stages may look slightly different for each of us, but we all go through them as we continue to be alive. Developing and growing doesn’t stop after we reach adulthood or middle age. My passion is to make this information more acceptable to people, so they do not feel alone as they go through changes in their adult lives.

Life comes with many twists and turns, and I can help awaken different parts of you that you may have forgotten about or never even knew. I look forward to hearing from you so we can walk together wherever you are in your journey or path. 

  • This work was important, not only for helping others but for better understanding myself. I went on to complete my Masters of Arts in Counselling and travelled to the United States to work with the many faces of trauma, sexual & domestic violence, veterans, transgenerational, addictions, and so on. Today I still work in the field of addictions as an Addictions Counsellor, but have also opened my doors to those struggling with trauma or other emotional vulnerabilities that prevent them from living their best lives.

    I have training in Advanced Applications in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, T.E.A.M High Speed Trauma Techniques, Strengths-Based Approaches, and Positive Psychology-Therapy Skills.