Shelagh Keesmaat (she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist, Recreation Therapist
I have worked as a Registered Psychotherapist and Recreation Therapist in adult mental health for 30+ years, providing support for clients struggling with various mental health concerns. I specialize in helping people cope with the challenges of anxiety, OCD, stress, relationship difficulties, menopause transitions, grief, disordered eating, and body image issues. My role as a recreation therapist gives me a unique opportunity to bring discussions about meaningful leisure and lifestyle balance into therapy sessions for clients who believe this would be helpful. I strive to help others create the fulfilling life they deserve.
"It’s important for me to bring the qualities of empathy, compassion, open-mindedness, non-judgementalness and humour to my sessions. "
Shelagh first met Carly while doing some supervision work in 2021. After meeting in person for our Eating Disorder Sensitive Training for Professionals and helping to facilitate our Caring for Carers groups, Carly approached Shelagh to join our team in September of 2022.
Shelagh has an immense amount of experience in mental health settings. With over 27 years of experience along with her work with client's with Eating Disorders Shelagh brings a tremendous amount of experience to our clients. Shelagh is passionate about her work as and Registered Psychotherapist and Recreation Therapist and has done an incredible amount of work preparing for a shift in career working in private practice.
Shelagh will be joining us virtually for online sessions Monday through Friday.
How would you describe your approach/style to this work?
Using a person-centred approach, I aim to create a safe space and a therapeutic rapport that helps clients foster positive change while building on existing strengths. I utilize various clinical interventions including CBT, DBT, IFS, and strengths-based approaches to create a treatment plan that is unique to each client’s needs and goals. I am passionate about helping people build self-confidence, find their voice, discover their self-worth, and make room for meaning and pleasure in their daily lives. With compassion and respect for each person, I hold an inclusive and non-judgmental space for clients to safely express themselves.
What areas of practice and populations do you enjoy working with?
I enjoy helping people work through life transitions. While I enjoy my work with adults of any age, I excel working with women over the age of 30.
What prevents people from coming in and doing this work?
The main barriers I hear people talk about are: 1) fear of the unknown (What’s involved in therapy? Where do I start? Do I need a diagnosis?), 2) not knowing how to find a good therapist, and 3) finding time to prioritize therapy in their busy lives. People often tell me “I’ve been meaning to reach out for support for a long time” — if we always wait for the “right time”, that time may never come.
How do you know if you're the right fit for a client?
Knowing that my skills and experience match the needs of the client is the first step in creating the right fit. However, I believe the most important part of the client-therapist relationship is the ability to build a rapport based on trust, comfort and safety, along with a little bit of humour.
"Some of my clients have told me that I have a very calming effect on them and that they always feel better after talking to me."
When treating someone with an Eating disorder, what do you feel they need most?
I believe anyone struggling with an eating disorder needs a safe, non-judgemental space to talk about their struggles and to have their feelings validated by someone who is familiar with the psychological impact associated with eating disorders.
What do you think prevents people from getting help?
I believe the stigma associated with seeking therapy is slowly melting away as our society begins to talk more openly about it and shed more light on the prevalence of mental health. I think one of the reasons people avoid seeking therapy is fear. Perhaps a fear of the unknown, fear of how and where to start, fear that they will open a Pandora’s box, or a fear of feeling difficult emotions. While these may all be a part of the therapy process, the client determines when they are ready to share and my role is to help guide this process in a safe and compassionate way.
What phrases or sayings have people used to describe their work with you?
Some of my clients have told me that I have a very calming effect on them and that they always feel better after talking to me.
What Made you want to work with CCP?
When I first met Carly in January of 2021, I knew she was creating something very special. Her extensive knowledge, experience and connection to the mental health community thoroughly impressed me. Carly has brought together a team of warm and caring professionals who are as passionate as I am about helping people improve their mental health. I am honoured to be a part of this wonderful team.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
My job has allowed me to work with hundreds of courageous people who teach me something new everyday. I consider it an honour to walk alongside people on their journey of self-discovery and to witness their transformation from a place of struggle to a place of relief and hope. Seeing clients realize their own strengths and potential is the most rewarding part of my work. I am so grateful to my clients for putting their trust in me.
Why did you go into this field?
Why did you go into this field?
After working as a recreation therapist in adult mental health for many years, I realized I really enjoyed the “therapy” part of my job. So, in 2017, I decided to shift my career path and I became a registered psychotherapist. Ever since I was young, I’ve been intrigued by human behaviour, our innate ability to adapt to our circumstances, and how making small changes in the way we think and behave can alter our relationship with ourselves, others and the world around us. My interest in this area has facilitated my passion for lifelong learning. I believe my combination of recreation therapy and psychotherapy offers my clients a holistic approach to self-discovery. My reason for pursuing recreation therapy as a career so many years ago has not changed - I believe in the healing power of discovering our identity outside of work, and exploring what give us meaning and brings us joy. I live these values in my own life. I am a nature lover, a doting dog mom, and a movie buff who loves laughing with family and friends.
