Our Modalities
Psychology at The Phoenix Foundation goes beyond symptom management. Our registered psychologists provide trauma-informed, evidence-based care tailored specifically to the first responder experience — addressing PTSD, occupational stress, anxiety, and the cumulative weight of critical incident exposure. Sessions are conducted with a deep understanding of first responder culture, so you never have to explain what the job is like before the work can begin.
Psychology / EMDR
Psychology at The Phoenix Foundation goes beyond symptom management. Our registered psychologists provide trauma-informed, evidence-based care tailored specifically to the first responder experience — addressing PTSD, occupational stress, anxiety, and the cumulative weight of critical incident exposure. Sessions are conducted with a deep understanding of first responder culture, so you never have to explain what the job is like before the work can begin.
Dr. Shelly Skelton Reg. Psych.
Clinical Hypnotherapy / Guided Meditation
Clinical Hypnotherapy uses a deeply relaxed, focused state of awareness to help individuals access and reframe thoughts, beliefs, and patterns held beneath conscious awareness. For first responders navigating anxiety, hypervigilance, sleep disruption, or trauma responses, hypnotherapy offers a gentle and evidence-informed pathway to nervous system regulation and subconscious pattern change.
Eliot Hoppe RCH, T. NLP
Nadiya Manji RCH, M.NLP
Louise Van Arnam RCH, P.NLP
Rachel Evans RCH, P.NLP
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a comprehensive, millennia-old system of care that views the body and mind as interconnected. TCM practitioners assess patterns of imbalance — including those related to stress, trauma, sleep, digestion, and emotional regulation — and support restoration through a combination of modalities including acupuncture, herbal recommendations, and lifestyle guidance.
Dr. Valerie Koval Dr. AC., TCM Dipl., HB.Sc.
Massage Therapy
Registered Massage Therapy at The Phoenix Foundation is trauma-informed and tailored to the individual. For first responders, the body often holds tension and stress in ways that are invisible to others — chronic muscle tightness, physical fatigue, and somatic responses to ongoing stress. Massage Therapy works directly with the body's tissue, nervous system, and circulatory function.
Cynthia Niznik RMT
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the precise insertion of fine needles at specific points along the body's meridian system to support the flow of energy and promote physiological balance. Clinically, it has been used to address chronic pain, anxiety, stress responses, insomnia, and nervous system dysregulation — all common experiences among first responders with prolonged occupational exposure.
Dr. Valerie Koval Dr. AC., TCM Dipl., HB.Sc.
Reiki
Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive energy-based practice that supports relaxation and the body's innate capacity for self-regulation. Practitioners use light touch or hands held slightly above the body to encourage a state of calm in the nervous system. For first responders who find it difficult to slow down, Reiki offers a quiet, pressure-free space to simply rest and restore.
Nadiya Manji RCH, M.NLP
Microcurrent Point Stimulation
MPS is a contemporary, non-pharmacological therapy that applies low-frequency microcurrent to specific acupuncture and trigger points on the body. Developed in part with the needs of trauma and chronic pain in mind, MPS is used to address scar tissue, nervous system dysregulation, chronic pain, and stress-related physical tension. It is a highly accessible body-based approach.
Rachel Evans RCH, P.NLP
Mindful Meditation
Mindful Meditation at The Phoenix Foundation is taught and guided with first responders specifically in mind — recognizing that traditional mindfulness instruction doesn't always account for trauma responses or hypervigilance. Our practitioners offer trauma-sensitive mindfulness practices that build present-moment awareness and support nervous system regulation.
Eliot Hoppe RCH, T. NLP
Art Therapy
Art Therapy uses the creative process as a therapeutic medium — not as an artistic exercise, but as a way of externalizing and exploring experiences that may be difficult to express in words. For first responders processing trauma, grief, or cumulative stress, Art Therapy provides a non-verbal pathway to meaning-making and emotional expression.
Dr. Shelly Skelton Reg. Psych.
Music Therapy
Music Therapy is a clinically grounded, evidence-informed practice in which a registered music therapist uses music — listening, creating, or reflecting — as a tool for emotional processing, nervous system regulation, and self-expression. You don't need to be a musician. Music Therapy meets you where you are, offering an accessible alternative for those who find traditional therapy difficult.
Dr. Shelly Skelton Reg. Psych.
Trauma Yoga
Trauma Yoga is a specialized, trauma-sensitive form of yoga that prioritizes personal agency, body awareness, and nervous system restoration. Unlike traditional yoga classes, Trauma Yoga is not focused on physical performance. Instead, it creates a safe, non-judgmental environment where first responders can gently reconnect with the body at their own pace.
Karen McIsaac - Certified Yoga Instructor
Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine Therapy is offered off-site at a working farm in the Calgary area. Facilitated sessions with horses offer a unique, grounding experience that supports emotional regulation, self-awareness, and the restoration of trust and connection. Horses are highly sensitive to emotional states and respond without judgment, making this particularly meaningful for first responders.
Pam Metzger EP, LP
Have Questions?
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The Phoenix Foundation is not staffed to offer emergency mental health services.
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Office Location
Varsity Medical Professional Building
8 Varsity Estates Circle NW
3rd Floor
Calgary, Alberta
T3A 2Z3
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