Madison Twa, B.A. (Masters Level Clinician)

 Madison has worked in the mental health field since 2021.  She is in her final months of Master’s level practicum in Counselling Psychology. Madison has experience working with children and teens with a variety of emotional and behavioural challenges such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, addictions, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Madison has experience working with adults with issues related to grief and loss, addictions, body image, perfectionism, academic stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and relationship challenges. She is a skilled, compassionate, and empathetic therapist.  Madison is focused helping her clients reach their goals and improve their quality of life.

Adults

Madison has experience supporting adults enduring challenges such as grief and loss, addiction, school stress, anxiety, depression, and financial stress. Madison likes to begin her time with you by hearing your story. She will ask questions focused on gaining an understanding on what brought you to therapy, what things you have already tried to do to figure things out (as there is no point in repeating things that have not worked), and what you are hoping to achieve through therapy.  Through an ongoing process of listening and exploring, Madison will use her skills and knowledge to help you deal with the distress.  Madison’s goal is that you will leave with understanding, competency and control.

She has several years of experience working with adults in crisis as a crisis responder and peer support volunteer. She also has years of experience working with adults who are dealing with stress, relationship breakdown, parenting issues, and difficulties with family dynamics. 

Children (Ages 6 & up)

Madison offers children a fully equipped, child focused space to be in.  Such a space helps children to feel that they are of value.  By working with children in a space that feels made for them, children are more comfortable to freely their thoughts, emotions, and dreams.  Madison is also able to help parents and children reconnect.  While able to help children work through many things 1:1, Madison also works with parents and children together so that the gains made in therapy are continued into the home.

Madison has helped children struggling with impulse control, behavioral challenges, trauma exposures, family breakdown, blended family challenges, and parent-child relationship difficulties.   She has also helped children and their families address difficulties managing school expectations, general social skills, anger, shyness and social withdrawal. She is comfortable helping children who are having difficulty managing grief and loss. 

Teens

Teens present with their own set of challenges. Teens are trying to develop their own identities while at the same fit in with peers, which can mean they do not always feel they fit with their family.  Teens are realizing that life at home is not the same as life in other places, and this can lead to distress, outrage, a desire to change (themselves, their family, or even the world), or frustration.  Teens are dealing with hormones that can markedly impact thought and behavior.  They are dealing with confusion about what the future looks like for them.  Teens may also be dealing with homelife challenges, negative interactions with friends, historical traumas, or fear about the future.

Madison’s approach is to connect with the teen.  To hear their story.  Madison will then work with the teen in a way that is meaningful to that adolescent.  She will give the teen a place to talk, a place to challenge, and a place to develop a sense of control for themselves. As teens feel heard and are given skills on how to manage their emotions, impulses and dreams, most adolescents will start to feel calmer.  Over time, many of the distressing emotions and behaviors will reduce.   This allows the teenager to refocus on making positive connections, developing a health support system, and move successfully into adulthood.

Children on the Spectrum / Children with Complex Needs

Madison has had specialized training in working with children with Autism.  She has helped families and autistic children reduce such concerning behaviors as pika (eating nonfood items), picky eating, elopement, and aggressive behaviours. She has also assisted in helping children on the spectrum and their families better manage common hygiene challenge issues such as showering, brushing teeth, washing hands, brushing hair, dressing themselves and so on.  With supports many spectrum or complex needs children Madison has worked with have exhibited decreased aggressive behaviours, increased flexibility, and increased independence.

Madison’s is experienced at working with the multidisciplinary teams that are often involved in children with more complex needs.    

Professional Background

Madison is completing MEd Counselling Psychology from the University of Lethbridge and is completing her final practicum hours for her degree.  Madison has completed foundational work in Play Therapy.  Madison receives regular supervision from a Certified Play Therapist Supervisor (CPT-S).

Madison has previously worked as Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT), and as a Therapeutic Assistant in schools and with families in their homes. In her roles as a Therapeutic Assistant or as an RBT she has worked with multiple cross-disciplinary teams including behaviour analysts’ specialists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, families and schools in developing and implementing behaviour plans for children on the autism spectrum.

Madison has experience working with children, teens and adults in individual, family and group settings. She has delivered evidence-based interventions, led social skills groups, supported individualized behaviour plans, and collaborated with teachers, parents, and other professionals. Her work has led to measurable improvements in confidence, emotional regulation and problem-solving skills for her clients. 

Madison provides daytime, evening and weekend appointments to best meet her client’s needs.