Welcome to Alysha Gurney Counselling Services Hi there, just in case we have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, I wanted to let you know a little about myself. I am born and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta and I do not think I would choose to live anywhere else. I have two main passions in my life: helping people and the outdoors. As a matter of fact, if I am not at work than you can find me at the lake fishing, on a boat, camping or with my nose in a book. Another fun fact is that for a number of years we hosted youth in our home via a special program that was similar to fostering teens. Children and youth are near and dear to me but probably because I am truly a kid at heart.

In 2008, I enrolled at the Medicine Hat College where I completed by Social Work Diploma. I then completed my undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Calgary obtaining my Bachelor of Social Work and Master's of Social Work: Clinical Specialization by 2019. While obtaining my education, I had the opportunity of applying academics and theory to practice while working as a Registered Social Worker within the community. I am grateful for the diverse experiences and opportunities in my social work career including:

*Next Step Residential Services Specialized Services, Behavioural and Community Support, Respite Support for children on the Autism Spectrum

*Medicine Hat Red Cross Emergency Response & Volunteering

*Medicine Hat John Howard Society Young offenders the the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

*McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Youth worker, overseeing supervised access visits. Youth Transition Into Adulthood Home Placement.

*Alberta Health Services Providing counselling support to elementary and junior high students in both the Catholic Board of Education and MHSD 76 Creating universal programming in the Community Coming Together and My Place/Hug programs.

*Alberta Health Services In-Clinic individual and group mental health therapy children, youth and families.

*Alberta Health Services In-Clinic individual and group mental health therapy with adult populations.

*Keys to Hope Counselling Services Psychosocial assessment and therapeutic interventions in children, youth and adult populations in private practice.

I am thankful for the many opportunities and experiences social work has allowed me to have in my professional career. I am also grateful for the individuals and agencies that I have worked with along the way. I look forward to continuing to provide counselling and therapeutic interventions within our community at my newly established private practice Alysha Gurney Counselling Services.

I am a registered social worker with a Master of Social Work in Clinical Specialization from the University of Calgary. My certification and practice is guided by the Alberta College of Social Work ethical codes and standards of practice (#10464 practice permit). I also participate in ongoing professional development every year to remain current in psychotherapy practices and theory. Provincial jurisdiction- I am only allowed to practice within the province of Alberta.

The University of Calgary Master of Social Work: Clinical Specialization 2019

The University of Calgary Bachelor of Social Work 2015

Mount Royal University Social Work Diploma 2011