Kennedy McCallum

I have always been a very sensitive and quiet person. With this trait came lifelong struggles with emotion regulation, anxiety, coping with stress, and making connections with others. As much as I felt like an outsider, it also gave me a passion for asking deep questions and learning how people “work.” My love of psychology grew as I listened to my peers in high school share their own challenges, and I began to realize that we all carry stories worth exploring. Learning about my own mental health has taught me how to be my own best friend, and to embrace my flaws and work through them with compassion. I believe everyone has a unique story to tell and a rich inner world, and I am eager to help others feel understood and to learn how to tune into their own needs.

I am open to seeing clients aged 12+ for individual, couple, and family sessions. I am passionate about working with youth and adolescents, as well as members of the neurodiverse and disabled community. I also take a culturally sensitive approach to my work and welcome members from the lgbtqplus and BIPOC communities. I understand how the intersectionality of one’s identity might impact their mental health, and that identification within a particular group means something different for everyone.

I thrive when supporting people who are stuck or overwhelmed by life’s challenges and looking to understand themselves and their struggles better. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, loneliness, low self-esteem, burnout, depression, or with complicated relationships and family dynamics, I am here to support you through it all. As someone who is beginning their journey as a therapist, I am excited to bring a variety of modalities into my practice work with clients, and I draw from elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Above all, I take a Person-Centered approach, as everybody is unique.

I am enrolled in the Master of Arts Education in Counselling Psychology program at the University of Ottawa, and I am currently completing my student placement for my degree. I am registered with the CRPO as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). I also hold a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Health Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience and Mental Health from Carleton University. In addition to my education, I have had the privilege of working with many different populations in various settings. While volunteering as a crisis responder for Kids Help Phone, I spoke to individuals of all ages about dozens of topics, ranging from isolation and loneliness to anxiety and self-doubt. I also have a long history working with people with disabilities in both school and community settings, and I am excited to bring this knowledge into the therapy room.

Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all treatment, and I am excited to work alongside you and learn what works best for you. This space is yours to discover more about yourself and find your inner strength, and I would be honoured to take that journey with you.