Nutrition, Therapy & Counselling in Red Deer
Hey, I’m Kallee.
Kolybaba, J. Photograph. https://www.ventureimages.net/ 2025
In a world where prioritizing yourself is ‘selfish’ and expressing uncomfortable emotions like anger or sadness may make you ‘difficult’ or ‘ungrateful,’ I offer a safe space for you and your feelings to matter.
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Certifications:
Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)
Registered Dietitian (RD) (in Alberta)
In the process of qualifying as a provisional psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists.
Education:
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Human Nutrition, St. Francis Xavier University (2013)
Integrated Dietetic Internship, St. Francis Xavier University (2014)
Master of Counselling (MC), City University of Seattle (2025)
Capstone:
The Psychological Outcomes of Self-Silencing in Women as Compared to Men and Emotion-Focused Therapy
Capstone Advisor: Dr. Darlene Cyrus-Blaize
Regulatory Bodies:
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
The College of Dietitians of Alberta (CDA)
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Mental Health Training
EFT for Individuals Level 1
EFT for Individuals Level 2
*The above training courses are from the Centre for Psychology and Emotional Health
ACT with Russ Harris, Psychwire
Children’s Mental Health Training
Sensory Foundations
Introduction to Play Therapy
Fostering Emotion Regulation
Childhood Trauma: Finding a Way Through
Childhood Anxiety: Finding a Way Through
Childhood Anger: Finding a Way Through
*The above training courses are from the Institute of Child Psychology
Ethics TrainingEthics Training #1: Writing Useful, Ethical, & Efficient Session Notes
Ethics Training #2: Your Informed Consent Form & Process: It Is Much More than You Think
Speciality Ethics Training: Risk & Safety (consent and charting issues)
* The above training courses are from Dawn Psychological Services
Nutrition & Mental Health
Your Brain on Food: A Review of the Literature on Depression by Dr. Shelly Brandenburger
Nutrition and Diet for Depression and Depressive Symptoms by Dr. David Wiss
Compassion-Focused Therapy Interventions for Nutrition, Body Image & Movement by Katherine Jordan, RD, LD, CED-S
*The above training courses are from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Nutrition & Neurodiversity (ADHD)
Embracing Neurodiversity and Weight Inclusivity: Creating Supportive & Inclusive Practices
Burnout and Body Disconnect: Supporting Nourishment in Difficult Times for Neurodivergent Clients!
*The above training courses on neurodiversity and nutrition are from RDs for Neurodivergence
Nutrition
In my previous work as a dietitian at the Central Alberta Cancer Centre, Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network and Wetaskiwin Primary Care Network, I completed several additional courses in motivational interviewing, behaviour change methodology, and nutrition for specific health conditions and diverse cultural backgrounds.
This further education in nutrition was focused on obesity management, weight management, chronic disease management, diabetes, heart health and cancer care.
I have not compiled an exact list of courses taken, as in my earlier career my organization skills were lacking and so my records of these events have been misplaced.
Leadership Training
Dale Carnegie Training Certificate, Dale Carnegie training
Transformational Leadership Certificate, The Flundonian Group
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I am currently under the supervision of Chelsey Stang, R. Psych.
my approach
Life is full of painful moments. Distressing emotions like sadness, pain, and anger are an important part of being human. And yet, to feel and express these feelings can make us 'weak’ and ‘inferior’ compared to others who are able to ‘focus on the positive’ and not let things bother them. Other people can be so uncomfortable with these distressing emotions that they aim to fix the problem by offering advice and sharing examples of ways your situation could be worse. Daring to express these emotions may even put you at risk for being seen as ‘the problem,’ a person who is ‘too much,’ ‘difficult,’ or ‘ungrateful.’
These emotions, however, can be useful because they are directly connected to our universal essential needs.They can even motivate us to act in ways that help us solve our problems and meet our essential needs.
To be well, we need to make room for and accept these distressing emotions. We need to feel our feelings to transform our stuck and unhealthy emotions (e.g., feeling inadequate, unworthy, or alone and afraid). I work with individuals 18+ using emotion-focused therapy.
As a woman, I am most interested in understanding the ways that gender norms negatively affect women’s mental health by encouraging women to:
prioritize her roles as a caretaker & peace-keeper
prioritize peace in the relationship over peace in the self
believe that ‘finding the one’ is the most important part of her story
As a Canadian Certified Counsellor and Registered Dietitian, I offer a comprehensive approach to wellness, highlighting the ways diet can support your mental health and vice versa for ADHD, depression, body image, and emotional eating.
In a world where prioritizing yourself is ‘selfish’ and expressing uncomfortable emotions like anger or sadness may make you ‘difficult’ or ‘ungrateful,’ I offer a safe space for you and your feelings to matter.
my values
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![counsellor in red deer]()
client centered
& collaborative
As a therapist & dietitian, I may have more expertise on the therapeutic process, the types of interventions that would support you or on topics like nutrition & emotions.BUT, as the client, you are the expert on you. You will always know more about you, your feelings, and your experiences than me.
If I want you as the client to feel empowered to to advocate for what you need, want and value, I need to make room for you to say no, speak up, and feel heard in the therapeutic relationship.
image credit @priscilladupreez
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![dietitian in red deer]()
transparent
with clear limits
For the therapeutic relationship to work, it needs to be safe for both you as the client, and me as the therapist to be ourselves, set limits, and to express our uncomfortable emotions (e.g., anger, sadness, hurt, disgust, emotional pain).
This means that I need to be clear with you about what your rights are (e.g., how you can protect yourself in the therapy room) & the limits of the therapeutic relationship.
AND you need to be clear with me when things aren’t working for you.
At any point in time, you can say no, I don’t know, pass, skip, pause, OR you can leave. Likewise, I have the same rights.
We will review different ways you can say no or pause in session. A white board is available for you to write out your response if its difficult for you to speak up in the moment.
Image credit @elidefaria
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![nutritionist in red deer]()
weight inclusive
& body neutrality
Going to a dietitian OR therapist for health concerns when you have a bigger body is scary. Rightfully so, as weight bias is real, widespread, and painful to experience.I understand the desire to want to lose weight or feel positively about your body. BUT, I am not the therapist or dietitian for you if you want me to help you lose weight OR if your goal is to only feel positive about your body.
Why? Well, its not realistic to only feel positively about your body AND I believe that you should matter regardless of what happens with your weight.
A healthier relationship with yourself is not possible if its dependent on you being able to lose weight successfully.
image credit @canweallgo
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![chronic pain dietitian in red deer]()
chronic pain
friendly
It is hard to eat well or feel well when you are navigating chronic pain. As a person who has experienced chronic pain, gut issues and sensory issues, I know how difficult it is to keep trying.It can feel like your efforts to eat well and exercise don’t matter, AND that you must have done something wrong when your pain flares.
I am not the dietitian or therapist for you, if you are hoping that I know how to fix or resolve your pain. I don’t!
BUT, I am knowledgeable on the foods, the ways of thinking, and the habits that may help you navigate chronic pain.
AND as a human who loves food, dreads cooking & has struggled with chronic pain, this is a safe space for you to be honest about how hard this is to navigate.
image credit @anthonytran
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![ADHD therapist in red deer]()
ADHD
friendly
As a person with ADHD, I get that there are a lot of ADHD related challenges that make it difficult to eat well, feel well, and be consistent.
People with ADHD are more likely to struggle with emotions (feel their feelings intensely), to have sensory issues, food issues, gut issues, health issues, and sleep issues.
I am not going to pretend like I have the answers for you, as we are all different. I am still learning about ADHD and the systems & nutrients that support people with ADHD.
BUT, as a person with ADHD, this is a safe space for you to be yourself & to be consistently inconsistent.
image credit @hikiapp
areas of focus
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women's mental health
How unwritten “rules” about relationships and the tendency to suppress anger and other emotions affect women’s mental health.
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nutrition & mental health
The ways in which our gut health, food intake, and meal patterns affect our mental health and how our mood, thoughts, and attitudes about food affect our nutrition.
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messy moments
Whether you struggle with a mental health disorder (anxiety, depression, ADHD), body image, emotional eating, or a difficult life transition, this is a space for you.
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relationship Issues
Whether you struggle with navigating relationship conflict, suppressed anger and resentment or people pleasing, this is a space for you.
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relationship with self
Whether you struggle with low self-esteem or shame, and want to have a healthier relationship with yourself and your pain, this is a space for you.
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loss & life transitions
Whether you are going through a change in family planning, a divorce, break up, or the loss of a loved one, this is a space for you to process your uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.
Join us!
To stay tuned on the latest events, workshops, group counselling opportunities and to receive free resources on ADHD & chronic pain, women’s mental health, Emotion-Focused Therapy or the links between nutrition and mental health, sign up with your email!