ABOUT US

Dr. Carmen Nelson is driven by the vision of seamlessly incorporating mental health and wellness into everyday life, striving to create an environment that is both comfortable and accessible. This vision served as the foundation for The Practice Calgary, established in 2011, and continues to shape the approach she and her team take towards promoting wellbeing.

Dr. Nelson (Dodsworth) possesses a Ph.D. in Psychology, with a focus on behavioral neurology, mind-body science, health psychology, and interpersonal relationships. She is known for her honesty, transparency, and commitment to making a positive impact.

In addition, she has earned HeartMath Clinical Certification and completed 200 hours of yoga teacher training. She is also certified in advanced OCI trauma intervention.

Currently, she is not accepting new clients and operates on a physician referral basis only.

Dr. Saint earned his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Calgary in 2008. He then pursued a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan, which he completed in 2018 after finishing his pre-doctoral residency in Nova Scotia. Since obtaining his Ph.D., Dr. Saint has been practicing in Calgary, Alberta. He brings a wealth of training and experience to each session, striving to build a strong rapport with every client. His expertise includes working with trauma, anxiety, depression, and complex mental health challenges, as well as supporting neurodivergent individuals. Dr. Saint employs evidence-based approaches to enhance his clients' mental health.

Additionally, he utilizes his training to perform comprehensive assessments for various needs, including psychodiagnostic and psychoeducational evaluations, as well as diagnosing ADHD, learning disabilities, and memory-related concerns.

Dr. Saint is currently accepting referrals for assessments. 

Dr. Pat Ferris brings 35 years of diverse experience to her practice, having worked in various environments including hospitals, community mental health organizations, employee assistance programs, and private practice. This extensive background equips her to effectively support individuals on their unique mental health journeys across different contexts.

In addition to her practical experience, Dr. Ferris holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology, focusing on quality of life issues related to workplace challenges such as stress, bullying, and work-life balance. Recognized as an international authority on workplace bullying, she also possesses specialized training in trauma treatment.

Now accepting new clients.

Mr. Chris Rozell contributes extensive expertise to The Practice Calgary team, boasting over 20 years in human services and nearly 8 years in a private clinic environment, where he has worked with adults, adolescents, and children aged 5 and older. 

In addition, Chris operates a counselling practice that offers support and guidance to families, parents, caregivers, and couples. 

He is currently accepting new clients.

Victoria adopts a client-centered, trauma-informed, and attachment-focused approach in her practice. She emphasizes the significance of interpersonal relationships, viewing attachment as a critical element influencing an individual's overall well-being. With a keen interest in attachment theory and interpersonal dynamics, Victoria provides a range of support services within this framework, including couple’s counseling (Certified Gottman Level 1 & 2), individual relational support, communication skills development, establishing healthy boundaries, emotional regulation techniques, behavioral issue management, anxiety reduction strategies, conflict resolution, and parenting or family support.

With 16 years of experience in the human services sector, Victoria holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Child Studies from Mount Royal University. She initially worked in residential treatment programs before enrolling in Yorkville’s Master of Counselling Program (MACP), which enabled her to gain practical experience while studying. Victoria graduated in 2015 and subsequently registered with the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association as a Canadian Certified Counsellor. She is currently registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and practices as a Provisional Psychologist under the supervision of Dr. Carmen Nelson (Dodsworth).

Now accepting new clients.

David is a seasoned professional with nearly ten years of experience in Human Services, having previously worked as a teacher. His background, combined with his compassion and expertise, equips him to provide empathetic, evidence-based support to his clients. David strikes a harmonious balance between understanding, insightful guidance, and practical strategies, enabling his clients to enhance their lives and relationships while facing life's challenges. Issues such as shame, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and the weight of societal pressures can be overwhelming. His goal is to provide the understanding and tools necessary to help individuals manage these burdens with greater peace and fulfillment. While life can present significant challenges, having support and empathy can make the journey more manageable.

His areas of specialization include depression, anxiety, adolescent mental health, young adult mental health, couples therapy, trauma, self-esteem, shame, grief, and men's counseling.

Currently accepting new clients.

Dawn is a trauma-informed Breathwork Facilitator, Transformational Breathwork Intern, Somatic Experiencing Intern, Reiki Master and Life Coach.  Particularly skilled in supporting clients with nervous system regulation, managing anxiety and stress and navigating life transitions through career change, loss, grief and spiritual crises.

A self-proclaimed breath nerd, Dawn is also trained as a meditation teacher and yoga instructor, and integrates related somatic and mindfulness practices into her work at The Practice Calgary.   In her previous experience in a corporate career, she spent two decades working with employees and leaders, coaching toward high performance, dabbling in mental wellness and now provides somatic foundational tools required to truly perform at one’s peak potential. 

Prioritizing a conscious and compassionate presence, Dawn creates a safe and inviting environment, offering a sensitive and considerate approach to this deeply transformative work.

Franshon D'souza is a specialist in Graphic Design and Social Media, bringing over nine years of experience in the design and social media sectors, along with three years of administrative experience. He has previously served as a Media and Marketing Officer for professional sports teams and companies. Franshon holds a Bachelor of Science in Animation and Graphic Design. 

In addition to his design expertise, he is a European Certified Football Coach and has earned a Master of Science in Sports Management. Currently, he is pursuing further coaching qualifications and, during the summer of 2024, he took on the role of coach for the Calgary Rockies FC youth team.

 Tenaya has dedicated the last two years to client care, clinical management, and media at The Practice Calgary. Recently, she has decided to transition into her studies in Psychology at the University of Victoria. Despite her new academic focus, she continues to contribute remotely through media and administrative collaboration. 

Her creativity shines as she captures, edits, and produces content for The Practice Calgary. 

Miss Lila (Lē-La) serves as our wonderful therapy support dog, dedicated to providing love and comfort to clients during their sessions. If you're not particularly fond of dogs, that's perfectly fine; Miss Lila is equally content to spend her time napping throughout the day.