I live in Calgary, Alberta and am lucky to live close to my friends and family. The people who know me best would call me considerate, thoughtful, and neutral in demeanor with a strong side of comedic relief. I have an unwavering love of coffee, feeding all of the stray cats in my neighborhood and travelling whenever I can.

In therapy, I aim to provide a nurturing environment where clients can openly explore their thoughts and feelings without judgment whilst also recognizing diverse experiences within broader communities. I value creating a safe space where clients feel heard and understood and have a passion for exploring the limitless nature of one's thoughts and their impact on self-perception.

My Therapy Style is Intuitive, Humourous, Challenging, Flexible & Creative

Rayan Zaza (she/her)

Therapist, Registered Psychologist

Book with Rayan

Teens & Adolescents 14+
Minority/BIPOC Mental Health
Relationship Concerns
Dissociative Disorders
Multi-Generational Living Issues Dual Diagnosis

Specialities:

ADHD
Anxiety
Personality Disorders
Self-Esteem Men’s Mental Health Trauma

Thursday 10am - 6pm

Friday 9am - 5pm

Office Hours:

Location: Okotoks, AB — In-Person & Online

RAYAN IS AN NIHB APPROVED PROVIDER.
SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH OR ARABIC.

Licensed to serve in Alberta. Accepting new clients.

rayan@kindredroots.ca

Other Ways To Get To Know Me:

Podcast

Blog

Instagram

@kindredrootsrayan

My “Go-To” Therapy Models

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

A therapy that uses eye movements to ease the emotional impact of tough memories, helping you move forward.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Focuses on transforming negative thoughts and behaviors into positive outcomes for better emotional well-being.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Encourages embracing your thoughts and feelings, focusing on the present, and taking meaningful action to improve your life.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Focuses on attachment science and helps people understand their feelings and the feelings of those around them, leading to healthy and fulfilling relationships.

My Professional Background

As someone intrigued by the complexities of human thought, I believe in the transformative power of therapy to enhance self-awareness and foster healing. I aim to provide a nurturing environment where clients can openly explore their thoughts and feelings without judgment whilst also recognizing the diverse experiences within the broader communities.

I have spent my entire career as a therapist in private practice, and love to explore new therapeutic experiences and approaches. I recently did some work with the University of Calgary on the study of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, for example.

I specialize in EMDR, a therapeutic approach for processing trauma, Youth/Adult Trauma Counselling to address the unique challenges faced by individuals of different age groups, psychodynamic therapy for exploring deep-seated issues, and Group Therapy to foster collective healing and support.

BOOK with rayan

Currently persuing Clinical Certification

MDR: 5 Day Intensive Training, EMDR Consulting, 2023
Understanding and Intervening with Substance Abuse and Addictions, University of Calgary 2014
Emotion Focused Therapy with Individuals ICEFT 2015
Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy ICEFT 2016
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Beck Institute 2017
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Beck Institute 2018
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, MBCT Institute 2018
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Disorders, I’m Learning ACT 2018
Inquiry: The Heart of Mindfulness Based Programs, University of Calgary 2019
Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator, Circle of Security International 2021
Clinical Foundations for Couples Therapy Leve 1 and 2, Gottman Institute 2022
Perinatal Mood Disorders; Seleni Institute 2022
Perinatal Loss and Grief; Seleni Institute 2022
Intensive Trauma Training Certificate; PESI 2022
Complex Trauma Certificate Training; PESI 2022
Master of Counselling Psychology, City University of Seattle, 2018-2019 (Dean’s List, 2018)
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of Calgary, 2014-2017
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), University of Calgary, October 2023
The Mental Load: Therapeutic Interventions to Guide Couples in Redistributing the Invisible Labor of Daily Life and Rebuilding Connection, PESI, September 2023
I Got Trained In EMDR, but Now What? Jesse Westfall, EMDRIA, May 2023
EMDR 5-Day Intensive Training, EMDR Consulting, November 2022
Ethics 3-Part Training Program, Dawn Psychological Services, October 2022
Trauma Research Foundation's Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies (Online Course), PESI, February to September 2022
2-Day: Trauma Conference: The Body Keeps the Score-Trauma Healing with Bessel van der Kolk, MD, PESI, December 2021
Integrating Brain-Changing Therapeutic Tools and Techniques to Your Clinical Interventions, Dr. Jennifer Sweeton, Envision Workshops, Inc, October 2021
Core Skills for Effective Therapy, Feeling Good Institute, October 2021
Using Dialectical Behaviour Therapy to Reduce Self Harm and Suicidality in Adolescents and Young Adult Male and Female Populations, McLean APA Webinars, September 2021
Applied Suicide Intervention Training, Centre for Suicide Prevention, January 2021
Questions, Persuade, Refer (QPR), University of Calgary, April 2020
Brain Story, Alberta Family Wellness, March 2019