Who I am
About Me
Hi, I'm Marli Duncan. I am a registered psychologist who has been working in the counselling field for 15+ years. I've spent the majority of my career working in schools helping young people and their caregivers deal with really hard things.
I have a private practice supporting young people (8+), teens, parents, and adults.
Learn more
I live and work in Southern Alberta, the traditional territory of the Blackfoot people. My Blackfoot name is Naatoyii kiitstakakii (Pretty Offering Woman).
I love to chill in nature, grow things, read a good book, play too many games on my phone, eat chocolate, and laugh. I'm always up for a good joke. I believe there is healing in laughter.
My partner and I have 4 adult children who all have ADHD. Through our journey,we've definitely had some interesting and challenging times. I've learned to mostly love neurodivergence. Actually, I've learned how to love the child and work with neurodivergence.
We also have a grandson Hank who's really a bearded dragon. He's spoiled rotten which I'm not sure he totally appreciates because he mostly just sits there.
Certifications and Counselling Approaches
I am a registered Psychologist (6753) in Alberta I work with young people (8+), parents/caregivers, and adults.
In my work, I provide a warm, peaceful, and slightly fun place to begin your healing journey. See you soon!
I am:
- EMDR-Trained
- Certified Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT-level 2)
- Cognitive behavioural (CBT) including trauma-focused CBT
- Acceptance and commitment
- Mindfulness
I work to embrace and include culturally sensitive practices.
I work with people to develop their own best version of themselves.
Specializations
Trauma-Informed Care
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and Depression
I provide support for the really difficult times in life including:
- Traumatic experiences
- Bullying
- Interpersonal and domestic violence
- Complex grief and loss
- Children who have been removed from parental care
- Parental separation/divorce
- Children in blended homes or homes with children who have complex needs.
I use trauma informed approaches inc
I provide support for the really difficult times in life including:
- Traumatic experiences
- Bullying
- Interpersonal and domestic violence
- Complex grief and loss
- Children who have been removed from parental care
- Parental separation/divorce
- Children in blended homes or homes with children who have complex needs.
I use trauma informed approaches including EMDR, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive behavioural therapy, somatic approaches, and mindfulness.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and Depression
I offer individualized care to help people overcome mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.
I help treat most forms of anxiety including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, separation anxiety, and school refusal.
I support parents in finding ways to help their children who may not be able to get to school
I offer individualized care to help people overcome mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.
I help treat most forms of anxiety including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, separation anxiety, and school refusal.
I support parents in finding ways to help their children who may not be able to get to school because of the crippling effects of social anxiety.
I tailor interventions to meet client needs and preferences. I will draw from a combination of psychoeducation, somatic approaches, EMDR, dialectical behavioural therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy. I may also use expressive arts and some adapted forms of play therapy.
Crisis Stabilization
Anxiety and Depression
Crisis Stabilization
I support people trying to find ways to cope with really painful emotions and feelings of being so overwhelmed they use self-injury as a coping strategy.
I also provide stabilization and safety-planning support to people experiencing suicidal thinking or with their caregivers or parents.
This is sensitive work and requires a full-team appro
I support people trying to find ways to cope with really painful emotions and feelings of being so overwhelmed they use self-injury as a coping strategy.
I also provide stabilization and safety-planning support to people experiencing suicidal thinking or with their caregivers or parents.
This is sensitive work and requires a full-team approach . This means parents/caregivers must be willing to work with other important family members, Elders, or other spiritual leaders if desired, medical professionals and any other involved community agencies.
Anyone experiencing active suicide planning is referred to their local emergency room or to call 911.
Young People
School Related Problems
Crisis Stabilization
I offer support to young people to help them understand why they feel the way they do, what may be happening in their lives.
I provide young people with a space to be heard and validated. We work together to address whatever may be getting in their way of living the life they see for themselves.
Topics we might look at include:
- Anxiety and
I offer support to young people to help them understand why they feel the way they do, what may be happening in their lives.
I provide young people with a space to be heard and validated. We work together to address whatever may be getting in their way of living the life they see for themselves.
Topics we might look at include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Bullying
- Social Anxiety
- Identity
- Body Image
- Self-esteem or confidence
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thinking
- School problems
- Friendship
- Dating
- Social media problems
- Pressure
- Teen-parent conflicts
- Substance misuse
- Risky sexual behaviour
- Independence
We might also look at ways to cope with the effects of more systemic issues such as racism, sexism, ableism, cisnormative bullying (homophobia, transphobia, etc.), and sizeism.
LGBTQTSIA+
School Related Problems
School Related Problems
I provide extremely affirming care and support all rainbow and unicorn journeys.
I support people who are learning about themselves and their preferred gender or sexuality.
Keeping safety as our top priority, I support those who are curious or questioning, Topics we might look at include personal identity, coming out , social transitioning
I provide extremely affirming care and support all rainbow and unicorn journeys.
I support people who are learning about themselves and their preferred gender or sexuality.
Keeping safety as our top priority, I support those who are curious or questioning, Topics we might look at include personal identity, coming out , social transitioning, friendships, finding places of belonging, enhancing family support, dating, working, legal rights, and medical transitioning process.
I also provide mental health support for those experiencing depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidality, or substance abuse.
I also support parents/caregivers who are looking for ways to understand and support young people who are curious, questioning, or just trying to come out.
I do not engage in any kind of conversion or reparative therapy— ever. Thankfully, it's illegal.
Parents, I encourage you to look at the following articles:
The lies and dangers of efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity
https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy
Tips for parents of LGBTQ+ kids
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/tips-for-parents-of-lgbtq-youth
Parents check out these websites:
PFLAG
Strong Family Alliance: Saving Lives and Preserving Families
School Related Problems
School Related Problems
School Related Problems
I help young people and parents/caregivers find solutions to problems they may be having at school.
In particular, I provide counselling or parent coaching for:
Bullying
School refusal
Social anxiety
Social skills
Behavioural challenges
Advocacy for services
Individualized Educational Planning
System Navigation
I am fully aware of the many sys
I help young people and parents/caregivers find solutions to problems they may be having at school.
In particular, I provide counselling or parent coaching for:
Bullying
School refusal
Social anxiety
Social skills
Behavioural challenges
Advocacy for services
Individualized Educational Planning
System Navigation
I am fully aware of the many systemic barriers entrenched in Western School Systems. I advocate for change.
Neurodivergence and Developmental Difficulties
Neurodivergence and Developmental Difficulties
Neurodivergence and Developmental Difficulties
I support people with neurodivergence (ADHD, ASD, FASD) to find ways to feel better in, build skills , and to navigate a world that just doesn't quite get it yet.
We might work on developing:
Distress tolerance
Emotion Regulation
Intepersonal skills
Self-esteem and confidence
Executive Functioning Skills
Self-advocacy
Independence
I also sup
I support people with neurodivergence (ADHD, ASD, FASD) to find ways to feel better in, build skills , and to navigate a world that just doesn't quite get it yet.
We might work on developing:
Distress tolerance
Emotion Regulation
Intepersonal skills
Self-esteem and confidence
Executive Functioning Skills
Self-advocacy
Independence
I also support parents of neurodivergent children to gain greater understanding of neurodivergence, explore effective ways to help, creating a neurodivergent friendly home, and ways to advocate for their child.
Parent Coaching
Neurodivergence and Developmental Difficulties
Neurodivergence and Developmental Difficulties
I offer parent/caregiver coaching because parenting young people can be tough and sometimes you just need someone to talk to that won't judge and tell you that you're a bad parent.
As a parenting coach I can help guide you to:
- Build a better relationship and connection with your young person
- Learn about their developmental stage
- Under
I offer parent/caregiver coaching because parenting young people can be tough and sometimes you just need someone to talk to that won't judge and tell you that you're a bad parent.
As a parenting coach I can help guide you to:
- Build a better relationship and connection with your young person
- Learn about their developmental stage
- Understand typical teenage behaviour
- Developing strategies to support teens
- How to better guide teenage behaviour
- Understanding mental health in teens
- Parents of LGBTQTSIA+ young pereson
- Learn and support ADHD, FASD neurodivergence
- Connect you with community resources
- Help guide you in your own healing and wellness journey.