Our Coalition of Psychologists
Danielle Carl Registered Psychologist
MACP
Helping youth and adults manage problems of daily living, trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, and family of origin issues is Danielle's specialty. Danielle is a Registered Psychologist, registered under the provincial regulatory body, the College of Alberta Psychologists. She is primarily an emotion-focused and attachment-based therapist. From this theoretical perspective, she tries to find the root of difficulties that underlie the symptoms you are experiencing so that healing and growth can occur. Therapeutic work often focuses on the use of insight-based techniques, analysis and evaluation of relationships and previous experiences, and the expression and processing of emotion.
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Danielle uses a variety of different therapeutic techniques drawing from multiple therapies including attachment-based, mindfulness, trauma-informed, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, internal family systems, emotion-focused, parts work, and somatic techniques.
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Danielle’s fascination with psychology began in high school with an interest in people and the motivations behind their behavior. During her undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta she had the opportunity to learn about a variety of different branches of psychology, participate in research studies, and volunteer at a distress line for those in crisis.
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After her undergraduate degree, while trying to decide which area of psychology to pursue graduate studies in, Danielle began working for Children’s Services in frontline child protection. This work was very difficult but also very rewarding. Helping people who were struggling and experiencing some of the hardest times in their lives was enlightening and powerful. It was through this work that Danielle realized how passionate she is about working with children and youth. Witnessing the resilience of children and youth who could endure life’s most difficult experiences and still persevere sparked Danielle’s desire to do more to directly help these children and youth heal.
"It turns out that life is hard sometimes. I truly believe that everyone can benefit from therapy and come to understand themselves so that they can live the life they want."
-Danielle Carl
In pursuit of this urge to help in a different way, and after eleven years of work in the child protection field, Danielle decided it was time to return to psychology. Danielle then completed her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree through Yorkville University. Through practicum placements, Danielle found her theoretical bearing in attachment and emotion-focused work with children, youth, and their parents.
Work completing formal psychological assessments on an inpatient psychiatric unit solidified a suspected calling to helping parents to understand and be better equipped to support their children and also to help youth understand themselves. After working in both community mental health and private practice Danielle realized a deep affection and passion for helping teens and adults realize their potential, create connections, and reacquaint themselves to their inner knowing and self. It is these wonderful youth and young adults who prompted the development of Danielle’s own private practice, DC Psychological Services as well as the inspiring community-building network of Sister, Sister: A Community Coalition Corporation.
Danielle is happy to call Red Deer home and is excited about enriching the community by supporting youth and adults to find the courage to unlock the power within themselves so that they can live their truest and most beautiful life. When she isn’t involved in therapy, activism, or community-building, she enjoys travel, interior design, and spending time with her friends and family.
Nancy Davis-Patsula
MACP, RSW, MSc
Registered Psychologist
Nancy has been working in the helping profession since 1988. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her experience working in many spectrums of community and social life. Through her own experience of loss, she was drawn to working with a trauma and attachment lens. After receiving training in these techniques, the desire to help others grew and she began working in the corrections system. Here she was exposed to all sides of trauma, hearing men's stories of violence as both survivors and perpetrators. She went on to work in the school system, child welfare, and children’s services, before settling into working in mental health-based settings. Nancy has worked with people from all walks of life and of all ages including children, teens, and adults. She also gained valuable insight into the importance of holistic healing from her experience working with members of the Indigenous community.
Nancy has always been drawn to psychology, with her dream to become a psychologist starting at a young age. The desire to achieve her goal grew as she experienced both the benefits and the negative impacts that life experiences can have on one's mental health. She witnessed the effect that growing up during various generational periods can have on one's mental health, including differential beliefs around understanding and expressing emotions. Despite differing belief systems, it was inspirational to see how meaningful connections are a common impactful thread amongst all groups. It is through these life experiences that Nancy's passion for the helping profession grew, leading her to move into private practice, joining DC Psychological Services.
Nancy is a lifelong learner. She completed her Masters in Science in Family Life Education at the University of Alberta in 1995. Wanting to expand her knowledge, she completed her Masters in Counseling Psychology in 2016 at Yorkville University. She registered as a social worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers, and later became a registered psychologist in 2022 with the College of Alberta Psychologists.
"Life can be uncertain, and it is in these difficult moments that connecting with others is essential. Reaching out for support takes courage and can be overwhelming. You are not alone.
-Nancy Davis-Patsula
Nancy utilizes a number of client led, evidence-based therapeutic techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, positive psychology through a trauma informed and attachment lens, and providing therapy with a family systems perspective. She uses a collaborative approach to therapy, meeting clients where they currently are in order to build a powerful, positive, therapeutic relationship that supports clients on their journey of self-healing. Nancy's areas of specialization include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, compassion fatigue and burnout, working with trauma, and self-care and self-compassion. Areas that are of particular interest to Nancy are helping professionals experiencing compassion fatigue and burnout, grief and loss, and trauma.
Nancy is proud to call Red Deer home, where she lives with her husband of almost 33 years and their 2 dogs and cats. When she is not immersed in her job or volunteer work, she loves to spend her time with her 2 adult children (daughter & son) or other family and friends. You can often find her reading or watching movies with family. She enjoys spending time at the lake or just getting outdoors walking and hiking. Nancy loves travelling and exploring new places, and going to live stage musicals.
Lainie Wareham
MACP
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Lainie has always had a desire to work in the helping profession. After undergoing her own counselling journey, she experienced how impactful counselling can be and decided that becoming a therapist would be a great career fit for her. Throughout Lainie’s undergraduate program, she took a large variety of psychological courses which sparked her interest in why people behave in certain ways, specifically, the way in which life events, even those that seem small, can have a lifelong impact.
Lainie feels that counselling is a personal journey so it is essential that clients are involved in the process and the direction that sessions go in. A big focus for Lainie during sessions is to build a strong therapeutic relationship to ensure that clients feel comfortable and safe throughout the process. There are a variety of therapeutic techniques that Lainie draws from including client-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness. Furthermore, Lainie works with each client through a trauma-informed lens. Working with adults who are struggling with anxiety, anxiety disorders, and trauma are Lainie’s favorite areas of practice.
Lainie is new to the field of psychology, having just completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University in 2022. She is registered as a provisional psychologist through the College of Alberta Psychologists. Lainie is excited to continue her journey in the mental health field and looks forward to growing both personally and professionally as a member of the DC Psychological Services team.
Lainie was born and raised in Red Deer and is happy to have just moved back after completing her educational journey in Calgary. She is excited to begin working in and helping the community in which she grew up. Lainie lives with her fiancé and their cat. With her free time, Lainie enjoys reading, going for walks, baking, and spending time with friends and family. Lainie also loves travel and hopes to keep exploring as new opportunities arise.
“I believe that everyone could benefit from therapy at one point to help them achieve the life they want. It is important for people to understand that they are not alone in their struggles and that everyone needs extra support from time to time.”
-Lainie Wareham