Marla Bakken, MACP
Canadian Certified Counsellor
She/Her
Virtual

Licensed in: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Education: Yorkville University

Top Specialties: Anxiety, Grief, Self-esteem, Life transitions, Trauma and Abuse Therapy

Age Groups: Teens (16–17), Young Adults (18–24), Adults (25–64), Parents/Caregivers, Seniors (65+)

Fee: $175

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About

Meet

Welcome, I’m glad you’re here! Are you feeling lost, overwhelmed, stuck, or depressed? Perhaps you're carrying grief or anxiety that may be causing your moods to shift, or you feel displaced, confused, or alone. It can be extremely difficult to manage relationships, boundaries, health, and personal/professional obligations and expectations. It can also feel daunting to navigate a life impacted by past or present trauma. Reaching out for support is incredibly brave, and it's important to know that you're not alone.

I have many years of experience in various helping professions, and I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Education. I aim to provide a safe place for all that fosters meaningful change and healing. I work primarily with individuals who suffer from trauma, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, depression, and/or have experienced/witnessed domestic violence. I use a compassionate, person-centered, and collaborative approach, as it's important to work together to uncover any internal or external obstacles that may be blocking your path. My goal is to create a genuine, empathetic, trusting, non-judgmental, and comfortable atmosphere where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences freely. I love empowering individuals to discover their true selves, heal, and develop the confidence and tools needed to navigate any future difficulties.

Establishing an alliance with my clients is extremely important to me and I pride myself on my passion to help others create healthier relationships with themselves and others, while feeling more connected and secure in their lives. I have taken post-graduate training in a variety of mental health modalities and I strive to keep learning new ways to help others achieve their goals and grow. As we are all unique, I provide a more integrative experience that's tailored to meet each need. If you're ready to take the next step and want to see if we're a good fit, please reach out for a free 20-minute consultation. I would love to assist you throughout your journey!

Expertise & Info

General Expertise In:

Anxiety Management
Depression Counseling
Life Transitions Support
Relationship Therapy
Addiction Therapy
2SLGBTQ+ Affirming Care
Academic Stress
ADHD
Anger Management
Anxiety
Body Image
Career Counselling
Chronic Illness / Pain Coping
Cultural Identity & Belonging
Depression
Disordered Eating / Eating Concerns
Domestic Violence Support / Safety Planning
Emotional Regulation
Executive Functioning
Faith-Informed Counselling
Dissociation
Family Conflict / Parenting
Gambling
Grief & Loss
Imposter Syndrome
Infidelity Recovery
Intimacy Concerns
Leadership / High-Performer Mental Health

Treatment Approaches:

CBT

ACT

EFT

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

Mindfulness-Based (MBCT/MBSR)

Somatic Therapy

Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)

Pyschodynamic/Psychoanalytics

Culturally responsive therapy

Integrative/eclectic

Insurances Accepted:

GreenShield
Medic Construction
Canada Life
Empire Life
RBC Insurance
SSQ Insurance
Cash Pay (No Insurance)
Beneva
BPA
Canada Life – PSHCP
Canadian Construction Workers Union
Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan
CINUP
ClaimSecure
Coughlin & Associates Ltd.
D.A. Townley
Desjardins Insurance
Equitable
First Canadian
GroupSource
Industrial Alliance
Johnston Group
LiUNA Local 183
LiUNA Local 506
Manion
Maximum Benefit
People Corporation
RWAM
Simply Benefits
TELUS AdjudiCare
Union Benefits
Alberta Blue Cross (out-of-AB practitioners only)

Licensure & Fees

Professional Designation:
Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC)

Location:
Alberta (Virtual Services)

Session Fees:
$175

Insurance receipts are provided. Direct billing available where applicable.

Testimonials
Clients are saying...

"Marla helped me see things I'd been avoiding for years — gently, without pressure. After a few sessions, I felt lighter and more in control of my life than I had in a long time." - R.K., Vancouver Client

More About

Q&A

Outside of therapy, you’ll often find me…
Spending time with friends, reading, crafting, going for walks, or doing yoga.
A small ritual that grounds me is…
Walking in nature and cuddling my cat.
Something that brings me joy is…
Travelling, friends/family, animals, helping others, and exploring/going on adventures.
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Newfoundland and Labrador
GreenShield
Medic Construction
Canada Life
Empire Life
RBC Insurance
SSQ Insurance
Cash Pay (No Insurance)
Beneva
BPA
Canada Life – PSHCP
Canadian Construction Workers Union
Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan
CINUP
ClaimSecure
Coughlin & Associates Ltd.
D.A. Townley
Desjardins Insurance
Equitable
First Canadian
GroupSource
Industrial Alliance
Johnston Group
LiUNA Local 183
LiUNA Local 506
Manion
Maximum Benefit
People Corporation
RWAM
Simply Benefits
TELUS AdjudiCare
Union Benefits
Alberta Blue Cross (out-of-AB practitioners only)
Anxiety Management
Depression Counseling
Life Transitions Support
Relationship Therapy
Addiction Therapy
2SLGBTQ+ Affirming Care
Academic Stress
ADHD
Anger Management
Anxiety
Body Image
Career Counselling
Chronic Illness / Pain Coping
Cultural Identity & Belonging
Depression
Disordered Eating / Eating Concerns
Domestic Violence Support / Safety Planning
Emotional Regulation
Executive Functioning
Faith-Informed Counselling
Dissociation
Family Conflict / Parenting
Gambling
Grief & Loss
Imposter Syndrome
Infidelity Recovery
Intimacy Concerns
Leadership / High-Performer Mental Health
Adult (18+)
Couples (18+)
Seniors (65+)
Youth (16-17)
If you are having a mental health emergency, call 911, The National Suicide and Crisis Helpline at 988, or go to your local ER