Schaefer Counselling Services

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Schaefer Counselling Services Compassionate Counselling & Therapy in St. Albert

Creating Space for Healing with Individual & Trauma Counselling, EMDR & ART — In-Person in St.

Albert & Virtual Therapy Across Western & Northern Canada Life can be overwhelming, and sometimes you just need someone to talk to. At Schaefer Counselling Services, you will find a compassionate and understanding space to navigate life's challenges. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma, or relationship issues, personalized support is available to help you find your way forward.

⚠️ Disclaimer & Crisis Info
This account shares general information for mental wellness and education. It is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or medical advice, and does not create a therapist-client relationship. Please be advised that this page is not monitored for emergencies. Are you in Need of Immediate Support? Emergency - 911
Su***de Crisis Hotline (24/7) - Phone or Text: 988
Edmonton Distress Line (24/7) - Phone: 780.482.HELP (4357)

🌿 World Mental Health Day | October 10Sometimes taking care of our mental health means making space for what we’ve been ...
10/10/2026

🌿 World Mental Health Day | October 10

Sometimes taking care of our mental health means making space for what we’ve been carrying.

The stress we’ve been managing.
The grief we’ve been moving through.
The changes we didn’t expect.
The thoughts and feelings we may not always know what to do with.

Mental health care doesn’t have to begin with having everything figured out.
Sometimes, it begins with simply noticing that something feels different — and giving yourself permission to pause, reach out, or ask for support.

There is no one way to care for your mental health, and there is no shame in needing support along the way.

Your well-being matters. Create space for healing. 🤍

To read the full blog, visit Schaefer Counselling Services’ Mental Health Toolkit:
schaefercounsellingservices.ca/blog

🌿 Autism Acceptance Month | OctoberAutistic people bring diverse perspectives, strengths, and ways of experiencing the w...
10/05/2026

🌿 Autism Acceptance Month | October

Autistic people bring diverse perspectives, strengths, and ways of experiencing the world.

Acceptance means listening with curiosity, respecting differences, and recognizing that there is more than one way to communicate, connect, learn, and be.

It means moving beyond simply raising awareness — and toward understanding, inclusion, respect, and belonging.

Every way of being belongs. 🤍

To read the full blog, visit Schaefer Counselling Services’ Mental Health Toolkit:
schaefercounsellingservices.ca/blog

🌿 Two Years of Schaefer Counselling ServicesOctober 1 marks two years since I opened the doors to Schaefer Counselling S...
10/01/2026

🌿 Two Years of Schaefer Counselling Services

October 1 marks two years since I opened the doors to Schaefer Counselling Services.

Two years of creating space for people to slow down, reflect, heal, grow, and navigate the seasons of life that have brought them through my door.

I’m deeply honoured by every person who has trusted me with a part of their story, and for the relationships and moments of connection that have shaped this time.

Building this practice has been both meaningful and humbling. It has reminded me again and again that healing does not always happen in big, visible ways. Sometimes it happens quietly — in a moment of insight, a difficult conversation, a new boundary, a little more self-compassion, or simply feeling heard and understood.

As I look back, I feel grateful for how far this journey has brought me and hopeful for what lies ahead.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Schaefer Counselling Services along the way. 🤍

Here’s to continuing to create space for healing.

🧡 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 🧡Today, we pause to remember the children who never returned home, honour Su...
09/30/2026

🧡 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 🧡

Today, we pause to remember the children who never returned home, honour Survivors of residential schools, and recognize the lasting impact on families, communities, and generations.

It is a day to reflect, and to consider how we can support reconciliation through our everyday actions, including making space for Indigenous voices and supporting Indigenous-led work.

Reconciliation does not end today. May we keep listening, learning, and practicing allyship in meaningful ways.

🧡 Every Child Matters.

If you've been thinking about reaching out, there is space.I currently have a few openings and am welcoming new and retu...
09/22/2026

If you've been thinking about reaching out, there is space.

I currently have a few openings and am welcoming new and returning clients.

Maybe there’s something you've been carrying for a while.
Maybe life has felt a little heavier lately.
Or maybe you simply feel ready to have some space to slow down and talk things through.

You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. And you don't need to know exactly what you need.

A free 20-minute Meet and Greet is also available as an opportunity to connect, learn more about how we might work together, and see if we're a good fit.

If and when you're ready, you're welcome to reach out.

No pressure. Just a space to begin.

— Schaefer Counselling Services

Insurance coverage and eligibility vary by plan and provider. For more information, please visit my website and go to Working Together → Insurance Coverage.

You don't always have to find the positive.Sometimes, something is simply hard.Sometimes, disappointment needs to be ack...
09/16/2026

You don't always have to find the positive.

Sometimes, something is simply hard.

Sometimes, disappointment needs to be acknowledged before it can be worked through.

Sometimes, being told to “look on the bright side” is the last thing we need.

When we're going through something difficult, we don't always need to reframe it, find the lesson, or rush toward feeling better.

Sometimes we need space to acknowledge what hurts, what feels unfair, or what we're struggling to make sense of.

You don't have to rush past a difficult feeling to make it okay.

Making space for what is real can be part of moving forward.

— Schaefer Counselling Services

💛 World Su***de Prevention Day | September 10Su***de prevention can begin with a single conversation.Sometimes we notice...
09/10/2026

💛 World Su***de Prevention Day | September 10

Su***de prevention can begin with a single conversation.

Sometimes we notice that someone we care about isn't quite themselves — withdrawing, struggling, or simply feeling disconnected. We often hesitate to reach out because we are afraid of saying the wrong thing.

But you don't need perfect words. A simple "How are you, really?" can open a door someone may have been waiting to step through.

We can all play a part in support by:

💛 Checking in: Reach out to the people in your life.
💛 Listening deeply: Allow space for them to speak openly without judgment.
💛 Taking changes seriously: Pay attention to shifts in mood, tone, or behaviour.
💛 Staying present: Keep showing up, especially when someone is going through a hard time.
💛 Encouraging support: Gently guide them toward professional resources when they are ready.

You don't need to have all the answers. Being willing to ask, listen, and stay present is where meaningful support begins.

These conversations can feel heavy, but they matter. Today and every day, let's keep making space to talk openly about mental health.

Need support? 📞 Call or text 9-8-8 — Canada's Su***de Crisis Helpline, available 24/7.

You can also find additional crisis support resources on my website: schaefercounsellingservices.ca/crisis-support

If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out to a trusted loved one, a mental health professional, or 9-8-8 can be an important first step.

***dePreventionDay ***dePrevention

🌿 As Labour Day weekend begins…For many of us, long weekends offer a chance to step away from work and make a little mor...
09/05/2026

🌿 As Labour Day weekend begins…

For many of us, long weekends offer a chance to step away from work and make a little more room for the rest of life.

Work can bring purpose, accomplishment, connection, and meaning. But when work begins to take up all the space, it can leave little room for rest, relationships, and simply being present.

Maybe this long weekend is an opportunity to pause.

To rest without feeling you have to earn it.

To reconnect with the people and things that matter to you.

To notice how you're doing — not just how much you're getting done.

Your worth isn't measured by your productivity.

As summer begins to wind down and routines will soon shift, I hope you find some time this weekend to breathe, slow down, and enjoy what matters beyond the workday.

Wishing you a restful Labour Day weekend. 🌿

💜 September is Recovery MonthRecovery doesn’t look the same for everyone. It can mean finding your footing, reconnecting...
09/01/2026

💜 September is Recovery Month

Recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone. It can mean finding your footing, reconnecting with yourself, rebuilding trust, learning new ways of coping, or simply taking the next step.

I took this photo while walking through the Drumheller badlands a while back and came across it again recently. The winding path made me think about how recovery, like so many things in life, doesn’t always follow a straight line. There are turns, unexpected stretches, and times when we can’t see very far ahead — but the path continues.

And behind every experience of substance use is a person with a story, experiences, strengths, and hopes for something different. Seeing the person, rather than defining them by their substance use, creates space for compassion, understanding, and connection.

Recovery begins with compassion — not judgment.

This month, let’s make space for understanding, connection, and the possibility of change.

If something in this post resonates with you, know that reaching out for support is always an option. Sometimes, taking the first step is simply about knowing you don’t have to do it alone.

Want to read more? The full blog is on my website.
schaefercounsellingservices.ca/blog

Back to School 🎒📚Back to school is a transition for the whole family—not just the student.Whether you’re supporting a ch...
08/25/2026

Back to School 🎒📚

Back to school is a transition for the whole family—not just the student.

Whether you’re supporting a child starting a new grade, a teen navigating high school, or a young adult heading off to post-secondary, a new school year brings a shift. It can bring excitement, uncertainty, changing routines, new expectations, and a full spectrum of emotions.

For parents and caregivers, it can mean adjusting to new schedules, shifting responsibilities, and changes in family dynamics as everyone finds their new rhythm.

A few reminders for this season:

• Transitions take time. Not every morning will go smoothly, and that is completely normal.
• Flexibility matters. Give yourself and your family room to adjust at your own pace.
• Your wellbeing matters, too. Supporting your family also means making space for your own needs.

Every family navigates this transition differently. I invite you to be patient with yourself and each other as you adjust to this new season.

🌿 If this transition brings ongoing stress, anxiety, family tension, or overwhelm, you don't have to navigate it alone. Reaching out for support can help you and your family find greater steadiness and connection along the way.


Address

8-64 Riel Drive
Saint Albert, AB
T8N4A4

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+17809940464

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