Marla Pender - Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Marla Pender


REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST (QUALIFYING)

You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out, therapy can simply be a place to start.

My approach is warm, inclusive, and collaborative, designed to help you feel understood, regain clarity, and navigate life’s challenges more confidently.

Areas of Support

Individual Psychotherapy

Disability

Chronic Illness & Pain

Managing Stress

Neurodivergence

Burn Out

Grief & Loss

Working Together

Are you looking for a place where you can share openly without judgment or pressure?  Whether you’re feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed; navigating loss or life transitions; or struggling with relationships or family dynamics, you don’t have to face it alone. I provide a space for people who have been managing challenges on their own and are seeking clarity, balance, and direction. Together, we’ll work on making sense of your experiences and discovering approaches that help you feel more supported, connected, and empowered.

Living with disability, neurodivergence, or exceptionality

Living with disability, neurodivergence, or exceptionality can shape how you experience the world in ways others may not always see or appreciate. Navigating an ableist world can create emotional, physical, and practical challenges that drain your time, energy, and resources. With more than 15 years supporting people with a wide range of physical, developmental, and learning disabilities, I provide a space where your experiences are respected, your strengths are acknowledged, and all parts of your identity are welcome. Together, we’ll explore how to build a life that feels authentic, fulfilling, and aligned with your values on your own terms, in ways that work for you. 

Work stress and pressure

Are you feeling stuck, disillusioned, or burned out at work? I work with thoughtful, capable, and conscientious professionals who find themselves discouraged or questioning themselves in workplaces where their boundaries, perspectives, or values are not respected. Over time, constant pressure, difficult dynamics, or unrealistic expectations can lead to exhaustion and the sense that no matter how hard you try, it’s never quite enough. With decades of experience navigating bureaucracies and supporting others within them, I understand how complex workplace cultures can be. Together, we can make sense of your experiences, strengthen your sense of agency and boundaries, and reconnect with what matters to you. The aim is to help you move forward with greater clarity, whether that means navigating your current workplace differently or considering new paths that better support your wellbeing and values. 

Living with pain, injury, or illness

When pain, injury, or illness lingers, it can start to feel like your body has become unpredictable or even like it’s working against you. Recovery can become complicated by stress, fear of uncertainty, life changes, or the emotional toll of living with ongoing symptoms. Therapy offers a space to understand how your mind and body are responding to these challenges. Together, we can work on calming the nervous system, reducing fear and avoidance, processing difficult experiences, and addressing the barriers that make it hard to stay connected to your goals or what matters most to you. The aim is to help you regain confidence, direction, and momentum so you can move forward even while navigating pain or physical limitations. 

My Approach

I take an integrative, client-centred approach that’s responsive to your unique needs and goals. I draw from a range of therapeutic modalities, including:  

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) 

  • Solution-Focused Therapy 

  • Narrative Therapy 

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) 

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) 

Humour, creativity, and curiosity are woven throughout my work. I strive to create a space where all parts of you are welcomed, including the ones that may have been masked or hidden to survive. 

An illustration of a holly blue butterfly flying across the page, leaving a trail.
  • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology – Yorkville University 

    Master of Arts in Community Psychology – Wilfrid Laurier University 

    Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology – University of Saskatchewan 

    Psychotherapy Matters Virtual Care Provider 

    Non-Certified Professional Member, Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association 

    Acceptance &Commitment Therapy for Beginners – Russ Harris 

    Trauma-Informed Acceptance & Commitment Therapy – Russ Harris 

    Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) – Canadian Mental Health Association 

    Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication – David Nowell 

    Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Training – Katelyn Baxter-Musser 

    Indigenous Canada course – University of Alberta 

    Anti-Racism training – Diversity and Resiliency Institute of El Paso

  • Free initial consultation.

    $160 - 50 minutes

    $240- 80 minutes

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) 

    Solution-Focused Therapy 

    Narrative Therapy 

    Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) 

    Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

  • Supportive: offering empathetic understanding & validation

    Exploratory: helping clients discover their own insights

    Collaborative: working together to develop solutions

    Skills-Focused: teaching specific tools & techniques

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