About
meet janelle
Janelle Drisner
MA, Registered Psychologist
Counsellor | existential analyst | Instructor
About Janelle
Ever since I was young, I was drawn to being with people in their suffering. I would opt to stay inside during lunch hours either comforting peers who were having a difficult day or spending time with my teachers discussing life and the human condition (those poor teachers). I knew from pretty early on that I wanted to be a therapist, and I am grateful I’ve been able to pursue such a soulfully enriching path. I’m constantly growing and learning as a therapist, but my aim has been constant: to support you in deepening your relationship with yourself and your world in an authentic and meaningful way.
education and work-
I completed my undergrad just a few blocks from my current office, at Concordia University. During this time, I worked as a psychometrist and volunteered at the Distress Line. I went on to complete a Master of Arts in Counselling degree in British Colombia and a psychotherapy diploma in Existential Analysis and Logotherapy. I returned to Edmonton and had the privilege to work with immigrant and refugee individuals and families with the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. In 2018, I co-founded Wellwood Counselling and transitioned to full-time private practice in 2021. After a wonderful five years with Wellwood, I moved into solo practice.
Some other projects I’ve been involved with:
- 2020 – I was a co-host for Season 1 of the podcast, The Existentialists
- 2022 – I co-founded Highlands Therapy Collective which is a collective of private practices and the home of my office in the Highlands neighbourhood
- 2022 – I’m a co-founder and instructor for the Canadian Institute of Existential Analysis and Logotherapy (CIEAL) which is an institute that provides professional development in existential therapy
A little something Personal-
When I’m not counselling, it’s a 95% likelihood I’m at home. I’m your stereotypical cat/bird lady: I have two ragdolls cats (who you may see if we do online sessions), I love to bird watch, and I thoroughly enjoy jigsaw puzzles–that have cats or birds on them. I have a deep fondness for water: I regularly engage in hydrotherapy and enjoy paddle boarding. Along with water, I consider laughter and dance to be delicious medicine. For my fellow astrology lovers, I’m an Aquarius Sun, Libra Moon, and Scorpio Rising.
Education
MA in Counselling Psychology
Trinity Western University
Specialized Training
Psychotherapy Diploma
International Society of Existential Analysis and Logotherapy (GLE-I)
Certificate in Ecopsychology
Pacifica Graduate Institute
Credentials
Registered Psychologist
College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
Affirming Choice
accepting you as you are
In our work together, I affirm your capacity to choose: your beliefs, your worldview, your relationships, your way of being-in-the-world. Through our dialogue, my aim is to help illuminate your decision-making so that you are most authentically aligned with your values.
I am affirming of folks who are queer, transgender, non-binary, LGB, ace, and poly. I am affirming of all bodies, and I adopt the approach of Health at Every Size. I honour the numerous cultural identifies held by my clients and aim to support them in integrating and making space for these identities. I’m critical toward systems of oppression, and I commit to continually unearthing colonial/oppressive beliefs I’ve internalized as a White, settler-Canadian, cisgender woman.
If you’d like to read more about ways I approach our work together, be sure to check out the theoretical orientation and guiding principles pages.