Natalie Zaiffdeen
"Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light."
Meet Natalie
B.A., B.Com., M.C., R.Psych
Registered Psychologist | EMDR specialist
We are often moved so profoundly by our personal life experiences. Some experiences can shake the core of who we are on a mental, emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual level.
It is this ripple effect that can challenge our ability to effectively cope and live a full and balanced life.
Natalie strongly believes in the power of healing from the inside out. She feels that in order to create change, we must first allow our most vulnerable selves to be deeply seen and known. It is not until we look within that we begin to uncover our inner strengths and resiliencies that can bring about meaningful growth.
To Natalie, the therapeutic relationship is an essential starting place for positive growth and change. In her counseling practice, she strives to offer trust, respect, kindness, and compassion to create a safe and collaborative relationship with her clients. Through empathetic understanding, Natalie hopes to foster connection and the capacity for greater insight, empowerment, self-awareness, and above all, self-acceptance. Natalie believes it is an honour and a privilege to journey alongside her clients and to witness the embracing of their personal path in a profound and meaningful way.
Natalie is dedicated to providing client-centered, integrative, and holistic counselling services to adolescents, adults, and families across a broad spectrum of mental health issues. She is passionate about working through complex, developmental trauma and post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, substance dependency, personality disorders, grief & loss, and issues related to life transitions, self-esteem, relationships, and diversity & inclusivity.
Natalie’s training and experience in key therapeutic approaches add both depth and flexibility to her work with clients. While her primary orientation is psychodynamic (relational, insight-oriented), she draws inspiration from a breadth of approaches to meet the unique needs and goals of each client—including cognitive-behavioural (CBT), emotionally-focused (EFT), narrative, mindfulness-, attachment-, & strength-based modalities. She is also specialized in Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. To best support her clients, Natalie is actively committed to personal and professional growth to further expand her training and knowledge.
As a Registered Psychologist, Natalie is in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists, Psychologists’ Association of Alberta, and Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). She holds two undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Human Resource Management from the University of Alberta and has achieved her Master of Counselling degree from the City University of Seattle.
- Adults
- Youth/Adolescents
- Complex & Developmental Trauma
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress & Burnout
- Self-esteem issues
- Grief & Loss
- Psychodynamic (relational, insight-oriented)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness-Based
- Attachment-Based
- Strength-Based
- Narrative
- Registered Psychologist (#6064)
- M.C., City University of Seattle
- B.Com., University of Alberta
- B.A., University of Alberta
- Member of the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)
- Member of Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA)
- MEMBER OF CANADIAN COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION (CCPA)
- Member of EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
- Level 1 Clinical Training, Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Clinical Traumatologist, Traumatology Institute Training Curriculum [TITC-CT; candidate]
- Graduate-Level Teaching AssistanT, City University of Seattle
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Canadian Mental Health Association
- Grief Support Services, Hope and Healing Center & Institute
- University of Alberta Alumni
- City University of Seattle Alumni; ANNUAL PANELIST FOR COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS
LET'S GET PERSONAL
Natalie’s commitment to making a positive impact extends far beyond her professional realm. Her joy in life is largely rooted in two primary pillars: her insatiable wanderlust and her unwavering devotion to her close-knit family.
Having ventured to over thirty countries, Natalie’s passion for immersing herself in diverse cultures has not only broadened her global perspective but has provided her with a profound sense of purpose. This expansive worldview drives her to actively engage in volunteer work with organizations dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need. Natalie’s travels have instilled a deep-seated commitment to underprivileged children, motivating her to visit schools and orphanages in developing countries.
In addition to her worldly explorations, Natalie is an active and valued member of the fitness community. She enjoys exercise, competitive soccer, and wholeheartedly embraces the importance of self-care. Her passion for learning is reflected in one of her favourite pastimes—watching thought-provoking documentaries that offer new insights. Her continuous pursuit of knowledge, open-mindedness, critical thinking, empathy, and effective communication all contribute to her capacity to provide valuable support and guidance to her clients in the therapeutic setting.
