No matter what your circumstances are, hope can be infused through many forms including support, guidance, encouragement and new-found wisdom/insight.
Hope is necessary for life! Without it we will literally end up perishing. It gives us energy, strength, motivation and focus. Hopelessness takes away our ability to function, and robs us of joy. Hope is an anchor; it renews the body, soul and spirit. If you have lost your hope, know that finding hope again is possible!
Founder of Fresh Hope Counselling,
Registered Psychologist
Beth Murray is the Founder of Fresh Hope Counselling. Beth is a Registered Psychologist in the Province of Alberta and offers over twenty three years of counselling experience. She is also a trained and experienced Level II EMDR therapist, Eating Disorders Specialist and trained facilitator for “Health At Every Size” (HAES). She received training as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with the International Association of Trauma Professionals. She has successfully completed her post-graduate certificate in Chronic Pain Management from the University of Alberta Rehabilitation Medicine Faculty (PgCPain) in 2018. Beth is constantly learning and stays current with advances in the field of counselling and psychology. As a Registered Psychologist and former accredited member of the clergy, Beth has a wealth of clinical, pastoral and personal experience in mediating grace and hope to her clients.
Beth has several years experience working as a Primary Therapist at an Inpatient Eating Disorders’ Treatment Facility, as well as many years in outpatient settings. She specializes in eating disorders, mood disorders including depression & anxiety, trauma recovery, grief, EMDR, spiritual issues, self-esteem/worth, dealing with chronic pain, communication skills, breaking down perfectionism, managing life’s transitions, and training in new skills (CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and DBT Dialectical Behavioural Therapy). She also works with highly sensitive people in learning how to manage their sensitivity rather than trying to detach from it.
Beth is a highly skilled and relational therapist. She connects easily with her clients and they feel supported as they work through their struggles. She is solution-focused and likes to see her clients experience freedom and healing as quickly and effectively as possible. One thing Beth brings to each session is hope; she believes that hope is necessary to life. She has a good sense of humour and teaches clients to reframe using humour. In her spare time, she teaches at conferences, workshops and in group settings.
Beth Murray is a member of the Alberta College of Psychologists, the Canadian Psychological Association, and the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. She has also been approved to provide counselling for Veteran’s Affairs, the RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces. Trust her years of experience to help you!
Beth is a happy wife, mother and grandmother. She and her husband enjoy travelling together, especially to warm places where there are beautiful beaches, shells and dolphins!
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Master’s Level Mental Health Therapist
We are thrilled to have Cathy Murray with us at Fresh Hope Counselling! Cathy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Master’s Level Mental Health Therapist. She holds a Masters Degree in Clinical/Medical Social Work and has worked in several counselling environments since 1989. She has completed training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFT). She has over 25 years providing counselling, care and support to clients. She helps individuals, couples and families work through difficult seasons — not just to survive those times but to find hope and thrive.
Cathy has worked extensively with families in the Edmonton Public School System/Alberta Health Services. Her experience with adolescents and families has given her a wealth of counselling experience. She has a strong ability to help clients with a breadth of problems including mood disorders (especially depression and anxiety), attachment issues, anger management, conflict resolution, and grief & loss. She has a wealth of experience in helping teens recover from trauma and develop healthy habits and coping skills.
Cathy has a passion to help survivors of abuse recover and walk into freedom. She did individual and group therapy for those impacted by family violence for many years and has been involved in program development for Family Violence Prevention and Treatment. She is very skilled and well-versed in abuse healing and recovery from trauma. Cathy’s EMDR training, alongside her background in family systems and narrative therapy help to facilitate healing.
As a Therapist, Cathy is gifted in hearing and validating her client’s concerns. She is adept at equipping and educating people in ways that help them to truly make positive change to areas where needed.
Cathy’s experience makes her a caring therapist who works to further the health and well-being of all her clients. She is skilled in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy), and attachment treatment. Cathy has helped children, adolescents and adults to feel safe and supported in exploring their feelings and concerns. She helps them set personal and family goals, by including practice strategies to increase a sense of security, health and wellness and to improve day-to-day functioning at home, school and places of employment. Cathy provides clients with safe space to gain insight, make decisions and access their inner creativity, joy, hope and resourcefulness.
Cathy is the mom of three young adults, a busy wife and tries to keep her parrot from destroying their home!
Registered Psychologist
We are so excited to have Heidi Marchand bring her set of skills, experience and talent to Fresh Hope Counselling. Heidi finished her training in 2001 and started to work as a therapist shortly thereafter. Her learning was incredible and she knew that she had found her passion: To help people! We are confident that you will find Heidi easy to relate to, passionate about her counselling and committed to giving you her best.
Heidi has worked as a Registered Psychologist since 2004 with a rich and varied history of providing psychological services in Mental Health Clinics, a private Christian Counselling Agency, hospital settings, including the University of Alberta Stollery Hospital and the Grey Nuns Learning and Development Clinic, and a private practice. Heidi has also had the privilege of teaching Psychology courses at Concordia University College as a sessional instructor.
In her years of experience, Heidi has become highly skilled in working with young children, ‘tweens, adolescents and adults. She enjoys working with individuals, couples and families, and strives to help relationships move towards improved health and well-being. Heidi’s experience spans work with attachment disorder, bi-polar, mood disorders, personality disorders, Asperger’s, grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), self-harm, and impulse control. Heidi also works with teenagers that have eating disorders and body image issues.
Heidi comes from a family systems perspective and employs sand tray/play therapy, CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and SFBT (solution focused brief therapy). She is a life-long learner and most recently completed additional training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). She is also an excellent Christian therapist for those looking for a faith perspective in their counselling. Heidi believes that the therapeutic relationship is the most important part of therapy and is able to connect well with her clients.
Family is very important to Heidi and she loves spending time with her husband, kids and extended family. She can often be found cheering on her kids at the hockey arena. Heidi values relationships and tries to make time to connect with those who are dear to her on a regular basis, especially when coffee drinking is involved!
Registered Psychologist
We are so pleased to have Sherri Farbin join our team at Fresh Hope Counselling. Sherri is a Registered Psychologist who graduated from Loma Linda University in 2009. She is a dedicated therapist who effectively works with clients to guide them through a variety of situations. Her counsel equips them to use their strengths and accomplish goals they set. Her former life as a teacher gives her a wealth of insight and experience with families and the education system.
Sherri is experienced in working with clients age 16 and up & connects well with teens, couples & families. She brings with her a rich education base in family and couples systems to provide effective guidance to those struggling with relationship issues. She is also gifted in helping people work through issues from their past. Sherri has a personal faith background that enables her to provide support and faith based counselling to those who are wanting their faith/spirituality included in the sessions.
Sherri approaches counselling with a variety of therapeutic approaches including solution focused, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy, the Gottman method, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and family systems therapies. Her vast experiences, personally and professionally, have equipped her to work with mood disorders — including depression and anxiety, self-esteem/confidence, grief and loss, relationship issues and marital conflict. Sherri is a life-long learner and has taken additional training to keep her current and aware of new and helpful skills, including EMDR!
As a therapist, Sherri is proficient in helping clients deal with work related stress/workplace challenges, as well as teaching about boundaries and how to implement them. She has also worked with various addictions and helps clients with anger management.
Sherri is an authentic woman and therapist who believes in her clients. She fits in well with our team at Fresh Hope as she is also a true believer in the power and essential nature of hope. She has a good sense of humour and brings a strong ability to connect with her clients — one of the biggest predictors of success in therapy. She brings a genuine love for helping people become whole, healed and free. Sherri is a happy wife and mother who enjoys spending time with her family. In her spare time she likes to do chalk paint projects and travel to hot sunny locations for a break from long, long, long Edmonton winters!
Canadian Certified Counsellor, M.A.
We are very pleased to have Cheryl Dirks join our team at Fresh Hope Counselling. Cheryl is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) who has recently completed her Master of Arts in Counselling with Honours through Providence Theological Seminary. Don’t let the fresh graduation fool you, Cheryl comes with a wealth of transferable skills, education and life experience. Cheryl was formerly a school teacher and offered group and private music instruction from her home studio. As a life-long learner, Cheryl decided to pursue her growing passion to help people through the field of counselling and psychology. In 2013, she decided to tackle her counsellor training part-time, building on her rich experience in education, pastoral work with children and families, volunteer experience and speaking.
Cheryl had the privilege of completing her internship at The Family Centre of Edmonton. She provided individual, couples, family, and group therapy to a diverse client population at the Family Centre and individual counselling at the Pride Centre of Edmonton. Counselling services provided ranged from single session drop-ins to long term therapy. Cheryl offers person-centred, strength-based-approach counselling with the utilization of multiple theories to best suit her client’s needs. These theories include CBT, attachment informed, ACT, EFT, Gottman Couples Method and Solution-focused therapy.
Cheryl has a gift of being able to connect with people and convey care. As a therapist, Cheryl brings some of the skills and character traits that can’t be taught. Combined with her experience and education, we are certain you will find Cheryl to be a caring therapist and effective counsellor. Her clinical supervisors have voiced significant praise regarding her competencies and skills as a dedicated therapist. Cheryl is experienced in working with clients ages 16 and up and enjoys the dynamic of working with couples and families. Cheryl has a personal faith background and former pastoral experience that she integrates into her therapy for those wanting Christian counselling. Her training and experiences have equipped her to work with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, as well as with life transitions, self-esteem/confidence, grief and loss, relationship issues, stress management, personal growth/development, trauma recovery, couples, families, and LGBTQ+.
Cheryl is a kind hearted person who believes in the resiliency of people. She loves to learn and is committed to helping her clients work through the issues they are facing. She is definitely a “Fresh Hoper” and fits in well with our team — another true believer in the power and essential nature of hope. Cheryl stays involved in her community through choir and musical theatre. She is the mother of three lovely young adult women and enjoys nurturing her relationships with family and friends.
Registered Psychologist
We are so excited to have Daisy Lee join our team at Fresh Hope Counselling. Daisy is a Registered Psychologist and graduate of Yorkville University with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. During her studies, Daisy learned the importance of evaluating the whole person, and the interconnected nature of our psychology (mind, body, soul). Daisy’s hope-fuelled therapeutic approach fits perfectly with the Fresh Hope team.
Daisy’s experience covers an array of counselling and psychological areas; Her clinical practicums included working at Alberta Hospital with young offenders and children/adolescents awaiting court-ordered counselling and assessments. She worked at the Royal Alex Hospital doing individual therapy with pregnant and postpartum women with mental health concerns and diagnoses – and facilitated psycho-education and information to at-risk mothers in the postnatal ward. She also provided student counselling services at Concordia University where she performed consults, individual therapy, crisis management and suicide interventions, while accessing referrals to appropriate external agencies.
Daisy’s work experience has primarily been through Alberta Health Services. She was a Mobile Mental Health Therapist providing her services to high schools and Child & Family Services for clients aged 15-24. Building on that, Daisy worked as a Counsellor for process and substance dependency, in diverse programs within the scope of AHS. She has worked with adult and adolescent populations and provided an assortment of counselling services — individual, group and family. She works with teens age 14+ and adults, couples and families.
Daisy has pursued her education and experience, with intention, to give her a strong footing as a Registered Psychologist. With this knowledge, She has developed an integrated therapeutic approach that is tailored to honour each client’s unique needs and goals. Her approach is mainly rooted in Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused therapy, CBT, DBT and Existential Therapy (which focuses on exploring meaning of life). Daisy continues to pursue on-going training to augment her present therapy skills, including Sand-tray therapy, Emotion Focused therapy, and Play therapy. As you can imagine, Daisy’s expertise in working with addictions, and mental health issues — including personality disorders and mood disorders — has shaped her into a well-rounded and effective therapist. Daisy is also a woman of faith who can provide faith based counselling for those who desire it.
In her spare time Daisy keeps busy chasing around her two children, husband, and large dog. When the traffic in the home has slowed, you will most likely find her in the kitchen trying out new recipes or engaged in philosophy and theology books/podcasts.
Registered Psychologist
Belle is a Registered Psychologist who truly enjoys journeying alongside her clients through difficult seasons. She loves the work that she does and connects well with her clients through her genuine care for them and the humour she often brings to sessions. Belle is a warm, nonjudgmental therapist who makes it her business to put others at ease and help individuals feel seen, heard, and understood.
Belle’s approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and resilience-based. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and will frequently integrate somatic approaches, mindfulness, and parts work into her sessions, depending on the needs of her clients. In terms of teaching clients practical tools, Belle primarily draws from resilience-based therapy, DBT, and polyvagal theory. Belle also has a faith background and is able to provide faith-based counselling as an option.
During her master’s, Belle completed a year-long practicum at the YWCA where her work focused on trauma, PTSD, and domestic abuse, primarily with marginalized populations. Shortly after graduating from the University of Lethbridge in 2018, she began working at the Saffron Centre, a community agency in Sherwood Park that focuses on supporting and empowering those who have been affected by sexual violence. During her time at this agency, much of her training focused on the area of PTSD and complex PTSD. As a result of her roles at the YWCA and the Saffron Centre, Belle’s specialties include PTSD, sexual trauma, self-worth, and boundaries.
As a first generation Filipino-Canadian, clients have sometimes sought Belle’s support as she has a deep understanding of immigrant family dynamics and the complexities of holding a bi-cultural identity. Furthermore, as a BIPOC therapist, Belle has both lived experience and academic experience studying racism, and specializes in supporting clients who have endured race-related traumatic experiences ranging from racial micro-aggressions to race-based post-traumatic stress.
Outside of counselling, Belle enjoys spending time with her beautiful family (busy mom of two!), being involved with her home church, and reading too many books at once!
Registered Psychologist
We are so excited to have Carly Bruce join our team at Fresh Hope Counselling! Carly is deeply passionate about helping people and is honoured to be able to share in the healing process with her clients. She believes the therapeutic relationship between the client and herself is one of the most important elements in creating a safe place for healing and growth. Carly has found that clients connect with her through her accepting nature, sense of humour, and the resources she provides them during session. Her areas of interest include grief and loss, anxiety, issues related to identity and self-worth, attachment issues, healing trauma and PTSD, and faith related issues. Carly utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities to help guide her work with clients that include Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Person-centered, mindfulness, and The Grief Recovery Method®.
Carly is a Registered Psychologist in the province of Alberta and has a varied professional background. Her experiences include working as a specialized elementary school teacher locally and internationally, working collaboratively with Child and Family Services, working in community mental health, and private counselling settings. Carly enjoys designing and teaching adult anxiety psycho-educational groups as well as facilitating Grief Recovery Method support groups. She has obtained a Master of Counselling degree from City University of Seattle. She has also earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta.
After being a Registered Psychologist for a few years, Carly felt she needed more knowledge and growth in the area of Christian discipleship. She took the two-year LiFE School training through Desert Streams Healing Ministry. She was able to strongly focus on healing ministry and develop advanced-level ministry skills.
Carly has a therapy dog named Murray. He is an Australian labradoodle and was born February 2020. Murray has those puppy dog eyes and loves to cuddle.
Psychotherapist, Professional Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Master’s Level Student.
We are excited to have Annika Schaefer join our Fresh Hope team. Annika obtained her Bachelor’s degree in 1998 and has worked nearly two decades in different environments, including churches and residential settings. There she gained substantial experience in pastoral counselling and coming alongside individuals and families. Recognizing the limitations to adequately help people affected by mental illness, she commenced her counselling and psychotherapy training in Germany, where she and her husband were living at the time. In 2015, she was issued her German licence to perform Mental Health Counselling as a Psychotherapist. Annika has since worked in counselling centres and her own private practice. Annika is completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. She is an experienced counsellor who has worked with individuals of all ages, couples and families.
It is Annika’s deep desire that clients are able to see their horizon clearly and distinctly, so that it may be a guiding factor in the alignment of their life. Encouraging and facilitating a change of perspective, she collaborates with clients on strategies that allow them to identify and address the root cause of the current difficulties and which direction to take towards healing. Annika’s approach is person-centred and resource-based. She believes in creating a warm, empathic atmosphere–providing a safe and nonjudgemental space where her clients can learn how to take steps that foster a peaceful and more satisfying life.
Annika helps clients with a wide variety of mental health concerns including: depression, anxiety, psychosomatic disorders, emotional regulation, communication and relationship challenges, grief and loss, life transitions and other mood concerns. She utilizes various therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Systemic, and Solution Focused Therapy. Mindfulness-based interventions as well as relaxation techniques supplement the sessions and support the client in their process of change. With resources gleaned in her many years of working in pastoral settings, Annika is a skilled Christian Counsellor and will bring this into sessions for those who desire faith-based counselling. Annika is bilingual and can also conduct assessments and therapy in German.
To Annika, being a counsellor means significantly supporting people to improve their life, and she can’t think of a more rewarding and fulfilling way to spend hers. Knowing that she has the privilege to be a meaningful part in affecting another person’s life gives her a deep sense of fulfillment and joy. We are confident that you will find Annika easy to connect with.
Annika was born and raised in Germany and came to Edmonton for her Post-Secondary studies, where she also met her husband. They were married in 1995 and have two young adult sons. In her spare time she loves to garden, and is an avid chef — cooking is her therapy! She loves the outdoors, long hikes in the mountains and after many years abroad, is feeling deeply blessed to be able to spend as much time as possible with her husband’s family.
Registered Dietitian &
Eating Disorders Specialist
Allison is a non-diet, weight inclusive Registered Dietitian, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and co-founder of The Nourish Collective. Allison is also currently working toward her Certified Eating Disorder Specialist designation. We are so pleased to have Allison join us at Fresh Hope Counselling to work with our clients!
With over two decades of experience, Allison has had the opportunity to work in various settings and brings that knowledge to her private practice.
Allison works with all individuals struggling with disordered eating and has a strong interest in binge eating disorder as well as fat positive fertility and pregnancy.
At the center of her work is respect and compassion supported by a warm, down-to-earth approach. She cares deeply for the health and well-being of her clients. Contact Fresh Hope to book an appointment to get started with Allison.
Outside of work, Allison’s passion is family, friends, animals, the outdoors, and gardening.
Office Administrator
Glenn Scheideman is the Office Administrator for Fresh Hope Counselling. Glenn brings a wealth of customer service, business knowledge and genuine care to this position. He has worked in public and private sectors of business and served in various positions with client care, bookkeeping, sales and general office administration and management. After transitioning out of owning and operating his own company, Glenn joined Fresh Hope Counselling in August, 2010.
Glenn also has the distinct pleasure of being married to Beth Murray! Together they invest their time, energy and passion into making Fresh Hope Counselling the best Counselling Agency and Psychological Service it can be. Their vision is to make Fresh Hope Counselling a solid team of Psychologists and Therapists who can meet the needs of our clients as effectively as possible.
Glenn is the one in the background making sure that all the pieces come together so everyone else can do their jobs! We are glad to have Glenn at the hub of our operation.
Administrative Assistant
We are so glad that we were able to convince Marla Dyck to come on board and join our team at Fresh Hope Counselling. Marla is the Administrative Assistant/Receptionist/Problem Solver/Barista/Client Calmer Downer and Scheduler Extraordinaire. Marla brings an assorted background (not sordid!) of administrative and support services, including management experience. Over the years Marla has been an assistant manager, worked in church settings, primarily in the Children’s Department, and other office settings. Marla is often the first person you will speak to or exchange e-mails with when you contact Fresh Hope Counselling. Her welcoming and professional manner will put you at ease while she busies herself trying to set you up with the help that is best suited to you. Marla is a busy mother of three teens — pray for her — and a very tall husband. They are involved in their local church and value time together with family and friends. In her spare time Marla likes to read, shop and watch Downton Abby.