Josh Dempsey, Associate Counsellor
Josh is accepting new clients.
Sessions with Josh are Online
Monday 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Thursday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Friday: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Sessions Types: Individuals, Couples, Teens 14yrs+
Josh Dempsey (he/him) is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC #2981) with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT) and a Counselling Therapist (CT#2736) with the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA). He is a graduate of the Practitioners Training Program offered by Clearmind International Institute with a diploma in Transpersonal Therapeutic Counselling.
I am a 40-year resident of Calgary, having transplanted from Ontario with my family when I was young and feeling like I had lost all my friends and family. I would have to learn to be part of a new family while figuring out a new community. I played almost every sport I could to prove myself, while avoiding any true possibility of connection with my team or schoolmates. Which distanced me from those I loved and who cared for me.
This retreating was my norm for far too long. What finally changed for me was when I saw my partner begin to make dedicated choices that affected all aspects of our family’s relationships for the better, I knew I too, had to make a change. Years of anger, depression, and not being in control of my emotions, being “fine” needed to change. Stuffing down my emotions until they could no longer be contained, was not the ideal way to create a loving and safe environment. I began to see the difference when confronted with an issue, or a trigger, and how it was much more beneficial to the relationship, to look at the piece I was bringing, and where it came from. Addressing the initial cause of my outbursts, I also started to take note of the little (and big) things in a relationship that need to be addressed for that relationship to flourish, 1st and foremost was honest communication. And to notice what may be little to me, may be huge to my partner or family members, and to not discount their feelings, or my own, as they are all valid.
I’ve had many roles in my life, across multiple industries and I know that some of those industries do not, or have not seen therapy as a benefit, and their staff would rather push down their emotions and anxieties for fear of looking inadequate in any way. I’ve seen people breakdown, dive into addiction and self-harm, and I want to make it known to them that they have someone that will listen and be a deeper connection for them to anchor to as we work on finding them, their own self-love and regulation tools.
Josh’s Approach
I believe in real connection with my clients, and I use an approach that is centred on relationships, bringing in techniques based on Gestalt, Bowen’s Family Systems Theory, Transpersonal Psychology, AEDP, Somatic, and Experiential Therapy (among others). I intend to be a compassionate space for my clients to feel safe, seen and heard without judgement, to have them feel supported, reassured, encouraged, and sometimes literally cheered on. Our sessions will look to build their confidence, self-awareness, and their ability to enrich the relationships within their lives.
Looking at both past and current experiences, as well as Emotional Processing, we will look to uncover the origins of our thoughts and feelings, and the triggers that can cause disruption in relationship with self and others. Growing the tools for Self-Regulation in those moments, gives us opportunity to deepen our connections with the community and world around us.
Education & Professional Development
- Relational Trauma: Psychodrama and Experiential Interventions for Treating Childhood Wounds in Adult Clients, Tian Dayton, PESI Inc. 2023
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: Intensive ACT Training, Dr. DJ Moran, PESI Inc., 2023
- Intensive Trauma Treatment Certification Workshop: EMDR, CBT and Somatic-Based Interventions to Move Clients from Surviving to Thriving, PESI Inc., 2023
- Forward Facing Freedom, Forward Facing Institute, 2023
- Defeating Habits and Addictions: New Life-Changing Treatment Strategies for You and Your Clients, PESI Inc., 2023
- Anxiety Certification Course: Integrate CBT and Exposure & Response Prevention for Treatment of GAD, Panic Disorder, OCD, Social Anxiety, & Phobias, PESI Inc., 2023
- Gaslighting: Help Clients Escape and Rebuild from a Narcissist’s Emotional Abuse, PESI Inc., 2023
- Relational Trauma: Psychodrama and Experiential Interventions for Treating Childhood Wounds in Adult Clients, PESI Inc., 2023
- Trauma Treatment Certification Training (CCTP), Janina Fisher, PESI Inc., 2023
- Documentation, ACTA, Dawn Psychological Services, 2023
- Counselling with Indigenous Peoples, ACTA, 2023
- Healing from Affairs, PESI Inc., 2023
- The Mindfulness in Psychotherapy Summit, PESI Inc., 2023
- Shadow Teacher, Counsellor Training Program, Clearmind International, 2022-23
- Transpersonal Therapeutic Counsellor Training Program, Clearmind International Institute, 2022
- Certified Educator, Keeping the Joy in Relationships, Positive Discipline Association, 2021
- Certified Laughter Yoga Facilitator, Center for Mindfulness, 2021
