Empathy, Strength, Transformation

Registered Psychologist - St.Albert office and Online for Alberta

Sarah Hopkins, M.C. (she/her)

*Specializing in ADHD affirming support for adults*

Specialties

  • Trauma

  • ADHD (especially late diagnosed women)

  • Grief and loss

  • Sexual Violence

  • Anxiety

  • Maternal Mental Health

  • Burn Out/Stress Management

  • Boundaries/Values Work

  • Parenting Support/Strategies

  • Men’s Issues

  • Depression

  • Domestic Violence

Approaches/Trainings

  • Trauma-Informed Approaches

  • Feminist Therapy

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Somatic Approaches; Hakomi, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

  • EMDR Therapy

  • Mindfulness

  • Compassion-Focused Therapy

  • Attachment-Based Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

  • (Advanced) Play Therapy

  • Theraplay

  • Solution-Focused Therapy

  • The Grief Recovery Method

  • ASIST Suicide Intervention

Clients

  • Teens (16+)

  • Adults

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

I graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a double major in Psychology and Anthropology. I later completed her Masters of Counselling degree through Athabasca University. I’ve also worked with various populations including those with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, post secondary students, and seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

I started as a Registered Provisional status with the College of Alberta Psychologists in 2017, and have since completed additional training to further my knowledge. I’ve done trainings and certifications in Advanced Play Therapy, Theraplay, Circle of Security, Hakomi, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, The Grief Recovery Method, and Solution Focused Therapy.

I’ve also done trainings in maternal mental health (through Post Partum Support International (PSI)), parent-child attachment relationships, supporting children’s recovery from trauma/abuse, therapy for young children (as young as 4), and support/education for caregivers. I’m an EMDR Clinician and Registered Circle of Security® Parent Facilitator (COS-P), and have taken the Grief Recovery Method training.

TEACHING/VOLUNTEERING

I’m an Associate Faculty Member with City University of Seattle’s Master’s of Counselling program and have taught courses in ethics, counselling skills, counselling theory, and grief and loss.

I’ve also volunteered with the Psychologists Association of Alberta (PAA) Public Education and Wellness committee.

Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose.
— Michelle Rosenthal

 

 

About Me

My own experiences with grief, loss, and trauma have absolutely propelled my drive to sit with others, witness their pain, and support their healing. I’m passionate about sitting with others who’ve felt “less than” or like they don’t belong. I see strength and resiliency in every client I work with, and believe that you’re the expert in your own life. I believe in openness, curiosity, and humour as important parts of healing.

One of the things I'm most passionate about is supporting adults with ADHD. I offer a neurodiversity affirming approach to therapy that attends to the grief, anger, and internalized messages that folks may struggle with. My approach is based on the foundational belief that people are the experts in their own life, and my role is support you to untangle and discover your own voice/desires/abilities. I genuinely see the good in everyone, and hope to work collaboratively with you to make more meaning in your life. Ultimately, we work together to find what works for you in your unique journey in life to create meaningful change.

Creating a place where you feel seen, heard, and understood gives you the opportunity to be brave and face challenges with resiliency and strength. Our work together isn't full of blame or shame, but is enriched by your own perspectives/preferences. We collaboratively rewrite aspects of your life story in the past, present, and future.

I integrate narrative therapy, feminist approaches, mindfulness-based approaches, Hakomi, EMDR, sensorimotor psychotherapy, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy. I believe in the importance of making clients feel comfortable and safe, and like to approach the therapeutic relationship with openness, curiosity, and humour.

I’m a mom to two young boys, and have experienced gaps within the system in terms of support for new parents. My own experience with birth trauma motivated me to seek further education on supporting pregnant and birthing individuals and new parents. I’m also passionate about supporting those who have experienced anxiety, and grief and loss in this area as well. I also have an interest in men’s issues as well, and now that I have two young boys of my own, I feel an even stronger pull to supporting men who are struggling. I hope to have at least a small part in creating a world for my boys where they can lean into their vulnerability as humans and express themselves more freely.

In my free time you can catch me watching movies/binging shows, doing yoga, trying to keep up with Peloton cycling classes, or reading nerdy/inspiring books. During the summer months, I love to go paddle boarding, camping and make white chocolate s’mores over the campfire!

 

 

Services

Individual Counselling

Sessions are 1 clinical hour; 50 minute session with 10 minutes allotted for file maintenance.

The Psychologists Association of Alberta (PAA) has set a recommended fee guide (here: https://psychologistsassociation.ab.ca/resources/recommended-fee-schedule/).

2025 PAA Recommended Fee Schedule

Individual Therapy/Assessment - $235/hour  

My current rate is $210/hour.
Sliding fee spots are currently full.

Payment

A valid credit card must be stored on file due to our cancellation/no show policy.

Alternative payment options are available.

Insurance

I do accept some insurance plans, and am able to direct bill if your plan allows for it.

  • Blue Cross

  • Medavie

  • Greenshield

  • ASEBP

  • Canada Life

  • Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)

  • SunLife (does not allow direct billing)

  • Manulife (does not allow direct billing)

  • Great-West Life

A receipt can also be provided for your to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Cancellation/No Show Policy

We kindly ask that you provide at least 24 hours notice for cancellations. 

Late cancellation fees (less than 24-hour notice) and no-show appointments may be charged at 50% of the service provided (adjusted for sliding fee if applicable).

Presenting issues that are not my speciality;

  • Motor vehicle accidents (MVA’s)

  • Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB)

  • Custody issues/High conflict situations

  • Schizophrenia

  • Dissociative Identity Disorder

  • I am not currently seeing children (under 16)

 

 

Let’s Connect

218 - 200 Carnegie Drive

St.Albert, AB

T8N 5A7

There’s lots of free parking around the building.

Entrance to the NABI building; please use the doors with the blue trim.

You’ll enter into the lower level lobby area, and go up the stairs to the second floor and go through the door at the top.

Once you’ve gone through the door at the top of the stairs you’ll see a hallway, and slightly to your left is the reception area.

Have a seat in the reception area, and I will come out to greet you at your appointment time.

There is a NABI check in system; don’t worry about signing in. I’ll meet you there at your appointment time.

If you are in need of immediate support please contact the Distress Line at 780-482-HELP (4357) (Edmonton), the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 (AB), or your local emergency department/911.

*Please be aware that email communication may have limits to privacy. 

Getting Here