Kim Houlihan, M.S.W. (ACSW: 5150), R.C.S.W. (Clinical: 20710)

Kim Houlihan has over two decades of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults.  Kim has a particular interest in working with clients of all ages dealing with trauma, and the associated challenges of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood shifts, addiction associated with trauma, and general stress. 

In addition to her extensive background in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) for treating trauma and PTSD, she is also versed in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).  CBT is the recommended treatment approach for anxiety and depression.   Kim draws on her training in mind-body awareness, and the art of self-creation through story, to help her clients connect with their thoughts, emotions, and physical senses.  This self-narrative approach enables many clients to regain control over their personal life stories, and move towards becoming the person they would choose to be.

Children (ages 8 years and up)

Kim has worked extensively with complex presentation children to help them deal with a variety of issues.  Complex presentation children are children facing multiple challenges.  

These challenges may include behavioral issues, parenting challenges, schoolwork difficulties, issues around self-esteem, and/or difficulty with impulse control, or difficulties adjusting to parental separation/divorce or blended families.  Other children Kim works with, may be facing struggles with acute or chronic medical challenges.  More recently, Kim has been helping children deal with struggles around physical distancing, loss of connection to friends and family members, general sense of being isolated or trapped, and generalized anxiety.

For some children, the challenges they face may include: exposure to domestic distress, substance abuse in the home, family violence, physical/emotional/sexual abuse and/or neglect.   A certain portion of the clients Kim works with regularly have had to manage living in multiple homes, loss of culture, and/or bullying due to racism.

Kim approaches each child as a unique individual.  She gathers information from the child’s parents/caregivers and in dialogue develops an acceptable treatment plan for all parties.  Kim’s primary goal is to help children feel connected to and accepted by, those who love and care for them.   Kim believes that by strengthening the parent/caregiver child bond, children are provided the best opportunity to heal and move towards their full potential.  Kim utilizes Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, Mindfulness, and Theraplay (play focused on parent-child attachment) to help children and their parents heal.  Kim also has advanced training in using Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) with traumatized children.

Teens

Kim’s approach to teens is straightforward and clear.  She believes that teenagers have many abilities that if appropriately noticed and nurtured will help them become contributing, confident adults.  Kim finds that teens respond well to ‘having something in their hands’ when they are doing their therapy work, and to that end she has a variety of tools and approaches.  These include art therapy (painting, sculpture, drawing), age appropriate Sandtray work, various writing techniques and Somatic Experiencing Therapy, which helps the teen connect their emotions to their physical being and thoughts.

Kim has a strong background in working with teens struggling with depression, anxiety, attention problems, impulsive behaviors, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, boundary difficulties, substance abuse/addiction, mood swings, behavioral challenges, self-identity difficulties, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.  Kim has completed advanced training in EMDR therapy to work with traumatized teens.

Kim is prepared to work with teen’s 1:1, or with teens and parents together based on what is most needful.  She will work with teens in the modality that best fits for them.  Kim understands that not every distressed adolescent believes counselling is for them.  Kim is trained in approaches that increase the likelihood of the teenager “buying into” counselling.  Her clinical experience has taught her to listen well, not only to clients’ words, posture, body language, and movement, but also to the different voices that personify what they want, and what’s getting in the way.

Adults

Kim recognizes that the foundation for success in therapy rests on her ability to establish a positive, authentic and trusting therapeutic relationship with you.  Getting to know you at a pace that’s comfortable for you helps her to gain an understanding of what’s at the heart of the issues that bring you to counselling.  Kim endeavors to bear witness to your life narrative of her clients in a relational capacity.  Kim’s first therapeutic goal is to establish a strong and authentic relationship.  Within this relationship her hope is that you will feel respected and safe to explore the feelings, thoughts, and events leading you into therapy.  

Kim has helped many adults dealing with workplace stress, anxiety, grief, loss, loneliness, self-esteem challenges, substance abuse/addiction, and depression.  She has worked with many individuals struggling with a history of, or currently faced with, breakdown in interpersonal relationships due to communication failures, mental health issues for the you or your partner, domestic aggression/violence, or trauma due to current or recent events.  

Therapeutic Training

Kim is able to provide treatment using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Somatic Therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, EMDR, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and via Somatic Experiencing.  

She is also trained in Motivational Interviewing, which is the gold standard technique for engaging individuals who are unsure if they are struggling with addictions or other mental health concerns, despite what those around them may say.

Professional Background

Kim is a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers and she holds a Clinical designation.  She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor degree in Psychology through the University of Alberta. 

Kim has applied her skills in a variety of settings including school-based therapy services, community-based outpatient therapy with Alberta Health Services, privately with adults impacted by intimate partner violence and with families working with Children’s Services. 

Availability