Dr. Lauren K. McCoy, Registered Psychologist
Dr. Lauren (she/her) was born and raised in Edmonton and received over 10 years of post-secondary training at the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. Dr. Lauren uses evidence-based techniques and she's committed to educating clients about therapy approaches that have been research-proven to work. She takes a directive approach that focuses on skill development so that clients can leave therapy with skills that can be used to facilitate future wellness and success. Described by clients and colleagues as discerning and insightful, Dr. Lauren is a down-to-earth, straight-shooter. She often relies on her dry sense of humour and her “tell it like it is” approach to facilitate rapport and accountability with clients.
Dr. Lauren (she/her) works well with clients that:
- know what they want to change or need to change (even if that feels hard, scary, stressful)
- are motivated and ready to learn how to shift their thinking and/or behavior
- are looking to understand and make sense of patterns of thinking and/or behavior in their lives (and learn how to stop those problematic patterns)
- are ready and eager to complete between session tasks (aka. homework)
Formal Education
Registered Psychologist #5169
member of the College of Alberta Psychologists (C.A.P.) & the Psychologists' Association of Alberta (P.A.A.)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counselling Psychology
University of Calgary (one of only five PhD counselling programs in Canada accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association)
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Counselling Psychology
University of Calgary; thesis-based program
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) with Specialization & Industrial Internship in Psychology
University of Alberta
Other Current Appointments
approved provider within the Mental Health Network (MHN) for High Performance Sport in Canada
as recognized by the multipartner initiative between Game Plan and the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport
Learning Facilitator for National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) - learn more
teaching mental health literacy to NCCP-trained and NCCP-certified sport coaches through project facilitated by Coaching Association of Canada and Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport
Professional Experience
- Owner and Founder of Actualize Psychological Services (private practice; Edmonton & St. Albert)
- University Counselling & Clinical Services (pre-doctoral internship/residency; University of Alberta)
- Adult Outpatient Mental Health (Alberta Health Services, Calgary)
- Single Session, Walk-In Counselling (Alberta Health Services, Calgary)
- College Counselling Centre (Alberta University of the Arts, formerly named Alberta College of Art & Design)
- Teaching Assistant for Group Counselling and Counselling Intervention courses (University of Calgary)
- Masters and PhD research focused on athletes’ experiences of athletic career transition following athletic retirement
- Over a decade of experience as National Certification Coaching Program (NCCP) trained and certified Professional Figure Skating Coach (Edmonton & Calgary)
Additional Post-Graduate Counselling Certifications & Trainings
Trauma & PTSD
- (ongoing / upcoming 2024) Schema Therapy: Proven Techniques with Wendy Behary, MSW, LCSW
- Update on Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD Comprehensive Manual, 2nd Edition with Dr. Candice Monson
- Advanced Training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Socratic Dialogue in the Treatment of PTSD with Dr. Candice Monson & Dr. Phillipe Shnaider
- Advanced Training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): The Official Level II Training for Managing Complex Trauma & Related Conditions with Dr. Kathleen Chard
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD with Dr. Candice Monson; recognized with CPT Provider Status
- Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy for PTSD with Dr. David Paul
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) for Recent Traumatic Events (EMDR R-TEP protocol) with Dr. Judy Moench
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) with Dr. Marshall Wilensky & Dr. Judy Moench
- Treating Complex Trauma: Clinical and Scientific Innovations with Dr. Christine Courtois, A.B.P.P.
Emotionally Immature Families, Codependency, and Boundary Setting
- (ongoing / upcoming 2024) Treating Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents with Dr. Lindsay Gibson
- (ongoing / upcoming 2024) Boundary Setting Strategies: How Clients Can Reclaim Emotional Autonomy with Dr. Lindsay Gibson
- (ongoing / upcoming 2024) Emotional Dysregulation in Emotionally Immature (EI) People: When Parents Are Terrified of Feelings with Dr. Lindsay Gibson
- Estranged Relationships: Clinical Tools to Navigate the Divide Between Family Members with Dr. Joshua Coleman
- Breaking the Cycle of Unhealthy Family Relationships: Top Tools for Better Boundaries with Nedra Tawwab, LCSW, Dr. Lindsay Gibson, Dr. Joshua Coleman, & Dr. Karl Pillemer
Anxiety & Related Conditions
- Cognitive Approaches for Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) with Dr. Keith Bredemeier
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with Dr. Elna Yadin
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy Training: From a Solid Foundation to the Leading Edge of Practice with Lance Taylor, MSc., R.Psych
- Dialectical Behavior Skills (DBT) Skills Training with Dr. Marsha Linehan (online via Psychwire/BehavioralTech)
Want to learn more about Dr. Lauren?
Actualize offers FREE 15 minute phone consultations to determine client-therapist fit!
As no one else can know how we perceive, we are the best experts on ourselves.