Parhelia Mental Health Care
Parhelia is the technical term for sun dogs. Sun dogs are sparkles of light surrounding the sun that are the result of sunlight reflecting off of ice particles in the sky.
This concept reflects the resilience of each individual I've met through my career.
People who reflect a powerful light despite harsh conditions.
Meet Dana
Dana has been a Registered Psychiatric Nurse for over a dozen years. It has been her greatest privilege to walk with adults, children, youth, and families through some of their most difficult times. Throughout her career she has served patients in inpatient psychiatric care and trauma programs. She has helped coordinate psychiatric services in the community, taught psychiatric nursing students, and provided consult for patients in primary care offices.
She holds great passion and sees her working with you as the honour that it is. Dana loves learning and teaching; you'll see this in the odd 'nerd out' moment working with her.
Outside of the office, you'll find Dana well, outside. Camping, hiking, golfing, or playing with her young family in the yard. She was raised in a rural farming community and still gets the odd opportunity to run a combine. Photography has become her favourite creative outlet, all the website photos are through her lens.
Outside of her work, you'll find Dana well, outside. Camping, hiking, golfing, or playing with her young family in the yard. She was raised in a rural farming community and still gets the odd opportunity to run a combine. Photography has become her favourite creative outlet, all the website photos are hers!
Parhelia Approach to Care
Meaningful
"See the light in others, and treat them as if that is all you see" - Dr. Wayne Dyer.
Which sums up the psychiatric nursing approach to therapeutic care. I see you; the power and potential that you hold, and help you see how your strengths can help you feel better.
Committed
Stubborn, maybe. Let's call it undeterred by complexity and determined to help you find relief from the symptoms that are interfering with your day to day.
Personalized
Personalized one-on-one sessions focused on navigating life's complexities at a pace and style that works for you. We will use evidenced-based strategies and clarify specific goals. I am here to help you feel seen, validated and empowered.
Practical
Therapy not theory. We're going to seek to understand and we are going to get practical on ways to ease pain and discomfort that actually work for you.
Areas of Expertise
-anxiousness and avoidance
-low mood and depression
-acute trauma and PTSD
-overwhelm and burnout
-emotional distress
-chronic pain or illness
-attention deficit and hyperactivity
-borderline personality symptoms
-infertility/pregnancy loss
-parenting challenges
-self-esteem
-self-harm
-most psychiatric illnesses
Her tools include:
-Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
-Mindfulness techniques
-Dialectical Behavioural Therapy skills
-Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
-Solution Focused Therapy
-psychiatric nursing assessment
-years of nursing experience
and a little sense of humour
All tools we use are pulled from evidence based modalities and personalized to what fits for you.
When she refers out:
-formal diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder
-medication prescription
-EMDR or comprehensive DBT Programming
-robust addiction services
-couples counselling
-when we agree there is a service worth adding to your care team
"The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It's our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows."