Esther Ruecker

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."

(ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)

Meet Esther

B.A., B.A., M.C., R.PSYCH

REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST | assessment SPECIALIST

As human beings, feelings of burnout, anxiety, or depression can arise at various points in our lives. Consulting a psychologist can be immensely beneficial in addressing these challenges.

ESTHER RUECKER

Esther Ruecker is a Registered Psychologist with experience conducting psychoeducational assessments and therapy with children and adolescents. In addition to her work with Nova, she works in a school setting, where she completes psychoeducational assessments, and offers recommendations to support students with various intellectual, emotional, and academic challenges. Esther’s role allows her to work with culturally and socio-economically diverse populations, which has deepened her commitment to supporting vulnerable children and their families.

Throughout her career, Esther has gained valuable experience providing school-based counselling to students in grades K through 12, where much of her therapeutic experience included working with complex needs, trauma, and ongoing mental health challenges. These experiences shaped her therapeutic and assessment approach which is rooted in compassion, humility, and curiosity. Esther engages both children and adults with warmth, and humour. She seeks to make the assessment process feel comfortable, approachable, and views her work as an opportunity for clients to discover their unique strengths.

Esther has pursued numerous professional development opportunities and has completed additional training in conducting psychoeducational assessments, assessing anxiety disorders, understanding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and challenges with executive functioning. Esther also has a strong understanding of attachment based struggles and how they may contribute to difficulties that individuals experience. Esther is excited about the opportunity to join Nova Psychology and contribute to the growth of the clinic while continuing to expand her expertise and skills.

Esther is a Registered Psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and is a member of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). She holds a Master of Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The King’s University College. Additionally, Esther earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Vanguard College. Through her academic background and professional experience, she has developed a strong foundation in psychological theory, assessment, and evidence-based practices.

  • Child/Youth: Psychological Assessment & Testing
  • Young Adults: Psychological Assessment & Testing
  • Adult: Psychological Assessment & Testing
  • ADHD
  • BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES
  • DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
  • INTELLECTUAL / LEARNING DISABILITIES
  • SCHOOL-RELATED ISSUES
  • TESTING & EVALUATION
  • PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT
  • GENERAL COMPREHENSIVE ADULT ASSESSMENT
  • GENERAL COMPREHENSIVE CHILD ASSESSMENT | developmental
  • ADULT ADHD
  • INTELLECTUAL ASSESSMENT
  • ATTACHMENT-BASED
  • CLIENT-CENTERED
  • COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL (CBT)
  • DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOUR (DBT)
  • FAMILY / MARITAL
  • PERSON-CENTERED
  • PLAY THERAPY
  • STRENGTH-BASED
  • REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST (#7537), COLLEGE OF ALBERTA PSYCHOLOGISTS
  • masters of counselling (m.c.), city university of seattle
  • Bachelor of ARTS in Psychology (B.A.), THE KINGS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
  • Bachelor of Arts in Theology (B.A.), VANGUARD COLLEGE
  • Member of the National Association of School Psychologists
  • Member of the Psychological Association of Alberta
  • ASSESSMENT OF DYSLEXIA AND SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY TRAINING
  • LANGUAGE DIFFERENCE OR SLD? ASSESSING CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE STUDENTS
  • ASSESSING AND WORKING WITH STUDENTS WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM TRAINING
  • VIOLENT THREAT RISK ASSESSMENT (VTRA) TRAINING
  • APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING (ASIST)
  • DIAGNOSIS AND BEHAVIOURAL TREATMENT OF ANXIETY; PART 1 AND PART 2 TRAINING
  • LD, ADHD, ASD, OR ED IN A CHILD WITH COMPLEX TRAUMA (CASE STUDY) TRAINING
  • DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY TRAINING
  • HEALING THE BODY THROUGH PLAY: ADVANCE TRAUMA TRAINING FOR CHILDREN
  • ATTACHMENT FOCUSED PLAY THERAPY: THERAPLAY TECHNIQUES
  • HEALING POWER OF SAND TRAY: PLAY THERAPY TRAINING
  • PLAY THERAPY FOR TWEENS AND TEENS TRAINING
  • PLAY THERAPY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN TRAINING
  • ATTACHMENT CENTERED PLAY THERAPY TRAINING
  • TELEHEALTH FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
  • BRAIN STORY CERTIFICATION
  • NEUFELD INSTITUTE TRAINING: EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
  • CERTIFIED CANADIAN COUNSELLOR DESIGNATION
  • APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING
  • ABUSE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE CERTIFICATION
  • CHRYSALIS ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING NETWORK TRAINING
  • ALBERTA BLUE CROSS
  • ASEBP / ARTA
  • CANADA LIFE / CANADA LIFE – PSHCP
  • DESJARDINS
  • EQUITABLE LIFE OF CANADA
  • FIRST CANADIAN INSURANCE
  • MEDAVIE BLUE CROSS
  • SSQ FINANCIAL
  • GREEN SHIELD CANADA
  • CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE GROUP
  • SUNLIFE
  • MANULIFE

LET'S GET PERSONAL

Outside of her professional life, Esther enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. As a family, they love being outdoors, staying active, and occasionally having some competitive board game nights—though she absolutely refuses to play Monopoly, much to her family’s dismay. She can never say no to another cup of coffee, cracking open a new book, going on a long walk, or having an authentic heart-to-heart with the people she cares about. Perhaps most importantly, she’s a sucker for a good pun or a clever meme, as nothing makes her laugh more. And for Esther, laughter is the best medicine.
BOOK AN ASSESSMENT WITH ESTHER