Kris Ames, M.Ed., r. Psych. (5646)

Kris is a Registered Psychologist. He has completed a Master’s in Education with a major in Counselling. Kris has developed a counselling model that is client-centered, and trauma informed. Kris prioritizes the counsellor-client relationship as a key means for creating a safe space that allows the client to talk about difficult and challenging issues.

Kris primarily utilizes Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness approaches. Kris listens carefully to your story, and then helps you shift yourself into the person you hope to become. The therapy goal is for you to regain control of your life. In session, Kris works collaboratively with you by helping you discover the meaning behind your thoughts, feelings, and actions. By uncovering your core beliefs with patience, empathy, and safety, Kris helps you to create the desired change.

Adults

Kris has experience working with adults and supporting them through anxiety (i.e. generalized anxiety, social anxiety, workplace anxiety/stress, perfectionism, Covid-19 anxiety…). He also specifically helps individuals dealing with imposter syndrome, depression, generalized stress, addictions, difficulties with decision making, communication breakdown issues, and complex trauma. Kris is open to dealing with many issues, and when his clients bring in something new to work on, Kris listens carefully to understand the you and the challenges you are facing. He seeks out therapy solutions that best fit the your goals, and then engages with you to create change.

Couples Counselling

Kris an experienced couples counsellor. He utilizes the gold standard, research proven Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) approach. Using EFT he enables each person to connect with, and share their feelings. As each partner in the couple become more confident in expressing their emotions, and in being heard, communication increases, along with a general sense of safety and connection. Through this approach Kris helps couples to understand and become more comfortable in sharing and ‘being with’ the feelings that can be difficult to express and hear. Over time the couple is able to move away from unhealthy, disruptive and potentially toxic interaction patterns. As each person in the couple becomes a better communicator, and feels safer in sharing their emotions, Kris helps the couple to develop new, more positive interaction patterns. In this way each person learns to empathize with their partner. Each person learns how to heal the rough spots within their self, support their partner in healing, and strengthen the relationship overall.

Trauma

Kris knows that trauma can be expressed a variety of ways. Mood swings, irritability, memory issues, social withdrawal, avoiding certain thoughts, locations or people because they set off distress, are some of the common symptoms that individuals with trauma experience report. Trauma experiences can lead to issues with substance abuse (drugs/alcohol), internet addictions, impulsive behaviour, and when a person becomes overwhelmed, suicidal thoughts. Childhood or adult trauma experiences may lead to difficulties in relationships. Often the partner of a person experiencing trauma responses becomes confused, upset, hurt and angry as they do not understand what is happening to their loved one. Trauma experiences may negatively impact parenting, workplace performance, and the ability to enjoy hobbies, sports, and other recreational pursuits.

Kris has worked with many clients from many walks of life (i.e. military, first responders, accident/assault victims, childhood abuse survivors, etc…) who suffer from trauma. He is experienced in recognizing the symptoms, and the impact the trauma has on the individual, their loved ones and their workplace settings. To help trauma clients reduce their distress, Kris has completed Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) training, and is also experienced in using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). All of these approaches have been shown to help clients overcome the symptoms of trauma and related mental health concerns that often arise (i.e. depression, anxiety, addictions…)

Kris is comfortable working with clients on an individual, one to one approach through trauma, or working with couples as they support each other through trauma therapy. Kris can also work with adult children and their parents, if there are intergenerational trauma experiences that need to be identified, addressed, and reduced.

Sport Psychology | Peak Performance

Kris works with athletes on any problems or topics they bring into session. He is passionate about helping athletes understand their personal psychology. He helps athletes to improve their situational reasoning, overall problem-solving skills, and sharpen their focus. Kris works with athletes to manage pressure and stress. Kris offers help with concentration, mental toughness, peak performance, self-talk, and learning different ways to potentially improve their performance in their sport.

As a young athlete in a small town, Kris grew up playing a plethora of team and individual sports. Using his natural leadership skills, he was the captain of many different teams, always focusing on how he could maximize his team’s performance. Kris paid close attention to learning about how his actions and his performance affected his teammates.

Kris ended up playing university volleyball as a setter for The King’s University Eagles from 2012-2017. In 2017 Kris was named to the ACAC North All Conference Team. He was named a CCAA Academic All Canadian.

Through his time playing club and university volleyball, Kris’s was involved with several sport psychologists. He learned the value of sports psychology. Kris developed a particular interest in how sports psychology may impact individual and whole team performance.

Avalibility

Kris Offers Daytime and Evening appointments Either by Video Therapy or Out of Our Sherwood Park Office