About Jesse

Hi!

My name is Jesse Bacala, and I am a Registered Psychologist located in Calgary, Alberta. My experience has been robust and diverse in assisting people with mental health subjects and concerns which includes working with vulnerable populations, trauma-impacted individuals and families, and in clinical health settings and working with various ages, populations and cultures.

The following are some examples of concerns I have experience working with:

Mood disturbance
Victims of domestic violence/abuse
Grief
Chronic stress
Pain related concerns
Health related coping/issues
Optimizing performance
Self-Esteem / Identity
Career goals
Phobias
Borderline Personality
Disorder
Relationship conflict
Coping Skills
Communication Skills
Boundary-setting
Family conflict
Eating disorders
Sleep disturbance
Spirituality
Transitionary periods
Working with all ages from teens to elderly

My Approach

My practice approach is strongly rooted in positive psychology, which focuses on people’s strengths, traits and qualities that enable flourishing and optimal wellbeing. I practice in a manner that emphasizes a natural, flexible and genuine style of conversation in an unstructured way to help encourage spontaneous direction and insights. I also integrate several types of modalities into practice, which is informed by formal evidence-based training.

My Training

Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists
Masters in Psychology (with emphasis in Military Psychology) from Adler University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Completed supervised practicum of 1600 hours in the areas of working with trauma, and range of mental health concerns in the province of Alberta, as per the College of Alberta Psychologists’ requirements
Formal Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training for Anxiety and Depression
Formal Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Skills Intensive Training for Mental Health Professionals
Formal Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy training
Formal Pain Reprocessing Therapy Training

Past experience

Trauma Counsellor
Victim Counsellor

Hobbies & Personal Interests

Fitness, sports and health are important in my life and wellbeing. In my personal time, I like to work at challenging goals. I have been an active competitive weightlifter for many years in the sport of Strongman. I look forward to pushing myself and learning to be as best as I can physically and mentally.

Let’s talk!