Signs That It Might Be Time to Talk to Someone
Anxiety that shows up at 3 a.m. and will not let go. Reactions that feel bigger than the situation warrants. A short temper with the people closest to you, followed by guilt. Trouble sleeping, even when you are exhausted. Going through the motions at work and at home but feeling numb underneath.
These patterns are common across Bower, Sunnybrook, Downtown Red Deer, and every other neighbourhood in the city. They often have roots in past experiences, things that happened years ago that the body and brain never fully processed. That is where therapy can help.
If any of this sounds familiar, you do not need to have it all figured out before reaching out. That is what the first conversation is for.
What We Help With
As a Registered Psychologist and ART Master Practitioner, Cheryl Patterson works with adults dealing with a range of concerns. The most common include trauma and childhood trauma, PTSD and complex PTSD, anxiety and panic, depression, and stress that has built up over time.
Many clients come in for one thing and discover that something deeper has been driving the symptoms all along. Anxiety that will not respond to breathing exercises. Depression that medication has not fully touched. Relationship patterns that keep repeating. These are often connected to unresolved trauma, and addressing the root can change everything.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is one of the primary approaches used at the practice. ART is recognized as evidence-based by the Society of Clinical Psychology (APA Division 12). It uses guided eye movements to change how the brain stores distressing memories, and it does not require you to describe the trauma in detail. Most clients notice a shift within one to six sessions.
Who We Work With in Red Deer
Adults from across the city and surrounding areas. Healthcare workers at Red Deer Regional Hospital. Oil and gas workers who can carry the weight of shift schedules and high-risk environments. Educators and administrative staff at Red Deer Polytechnic. Parents in Anders Park, Pines, or Clearview Ridge that are juggling family responsibilities while running on empty.
We also see people from Deer Park, Highland Green, Oriole Park, Parkvale, Heritage Ranch, Normandeau, Westlake, Timber Ridge, and Ironstone. Some have been thinking about therapy for months or years before making the call. Others are in the middle of a crisis and need to talk to someone this week.
Both are welcome here. There is no wrong time to start.
What to Expect When You Reach Out
The first step is a free 20-minute phone consultation. This is a chance to talk about what is going on, ask questions, and see if working together feels like the right fit. No pressure, no commitment.
If you decide to move forward, sessions run approximately 60 minutes. The approach is tailored to what you are dealing with, whether that is trauma-informed therapy, individual psychotherapy, or ART. You set the pace. You stay in control of the process.
The office accepts Alberta Blue Cross, Manulife, Sun Life, and most major extended health plans. For details on fees and coverage, visit the Fees for Services page.
In-Person and Online Sessions
In-person sessions are available at the Red Deer office, located at 3939 50a Ave #306. The office provides a quiet, private space with wheelchair accessibility and free parking.
Online sessions are available for anyone in Alberta through secure video. This is popular with adults in Lacombe, Blackfalds, Innisfail, and Penhold who prefer not to drive, especially during winter when Highway 2 conditions can be unpredictable.
Getting to the Office
The office is accessible from Gaetz Avenue, one of the main routes through Red Deer. Free parking is available on site. The location is close to Bower Ponds, the Waskasoo Park trail system, and Kerry Wood Nature Centre for anyone who wants a calming walk before or after a session. Transit accessible from Red Deer Transit routes.
Our Counselling & Therapy Services
Explore the specialized services we offer to clients in Red Deer and across Alberta.