Pooja Sohal, MSc (She/Her)
Registered Provisional Psychologist |
Meet Pooja
My name is Pooja, and I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist. I believe everyone has strengths, support, and a desire for growth. Such support needs to encompass unconditional positive regard and understanding. It is essential to meet clients where they are and strive towards their goals with compassion, while gently challenging beliefs. I believe all clients have a unique perspective of their situation rooted in their identity, values, and culture. I recognize the importance of a good fit between the therapist and client. Therefore, I offer a 15-minute, no-cost phone consultation so we can get to know each other before a session. I offer therapy in English and Punjabi. My Story I was born and raised in Calgary, and my story is rooted in my Indian heritage. My parents came here to build a better life for their new family, believing in the Canadian dream. My parents experienced systematic challenges that many newcomers face. Through their perseverance, they were able to open their own business and run a very successful Indian restaurant that is still open today. Like many second-generation children of immigrants, my brother and I were instilled with an unwavering work ethic. Both of us went to post-secondary to pursue our dreams in healthcare. Over the years, I became aware that the value of hard work is most applicable to a balanced lifestyle. I completed my Bachelor's and Master's degrees with the support of many; I learned the value of self-care while being motivated and determined. I believe that I have learned the most in my life when accepting support. While this may seem counterproductive initially, I realized that life can be easier if I treat it as a lifelong lesson. I learned from my family and peers as they started their career journey alongside me. They have been instrumental as I value diverse and unique perspectives. With the support of my husband, I was able to challenge my growing edges and create boundaries that positively impacted my mental health. My bicultural identity as a Canadian-born Indian led me to push and pull from my collectivist Indian roots and individualistic dominant values. Today, I work in a profession still considered slightly controversial in some South Asian communities. However, it is deemed a necessity by many Canadian standards. My goal is to break down oppressive barriers and stigma around mental health in differing communities. I model my life around this by pursuing this impactful career, all while living in an intergenerational household and upholding the traditional values of a family unit. I believe in taking the best of both worlds to live an authentic version of myself. My Approach Previously, I have worked with disadvantaged populations who struggled with systematic barriers impacting their employment and housing, which then affected their mental health and relationships with friends and family. I also worked closely with clients, supporting them in their grief journey. These experiences taught me that the challenges individuals face are contextualized to their sociocultural positionality, identity, and relationship dynamics. I work with couples, LGBTQ2S and South Asian communities. I also offer support with women issues, depression, anxiety, stress management, family conflicts, suicidality and postpartum issues. My approach to counselling is client-centered, strengths-based, evidence-based, and culturally responsive to meet client needs. I draw from Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). |
Calgary Office:
1933A 10 Ave SW #300, Calgary, AB
T3C 0K3 |
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