Salima Shariff M.Sc, RSW, R.Psych

My name is Salima Shariff and I have a dual registration as a psychologist and social worker. I specialize in individual, couple, and family therapy.  I have worked in a number of different settings including hospital mental health units, non-profit agencies, and with Employment Family Assistance Program (EFAP). This has allowed me the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients and issues. I’ve also had the pleasure of volunteering with families that have been struggling with poverty and the immense barriers that arise from poverty. This experience has been incredibly valuable in my growth as a therapist. 

I’ve always had a passion for assisting people with overcoming their obstacles, in order to achieve their goals. My philosophy is to provide clients with a supportive and empathetic setting to help them in recognizing their strengths, and have the confidence to make change. At times, we feel stuck and we are unable to see a way out. My goal is to help clients discover and break their existing patterns that are keeping them stuck. When working with clients, it is important to start where the client is at. Clients need the opportunity to express their frustrations, concerns, fears, and desires. The therapist needs to play an active part in this process by not only listening, but asking pertinent questions and in turn, providing meaningful feedback. Clients need more than support and compassion from their therapist. An experienced therapist can help their clients develop insight, awareness, and a new outlook of the challenge they are facing. When we are able to change our perspective on a problem, we are able to discover solutions and gain more control of our lives. Helping people develop a healthier emotional self and satisfying relationships, is truly the rewarding part of my career.

Registrations

To become a Registered Psychologist in Alberta a Masters degree is required. One year (1600 hours) of supervised practice is also required under an experienced supervisor and comprehensive written and oral examinations must also be successfully completed. It is this combination of training and supervised practice that distinguishes psychologists from many other mental health care providers.

Psychologists must be licensed by the College of Alberta Psychologists. Licensure laws are intended to protect the public by limiting registering to those persons qualified to practice psychology as defined by provincial law. In addition, members of the College of Alberta Psychologists adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. In Alberta only Registered Psychologists are allowed by law to refer to themselves as Psychologists.  (Reprinted from Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. All rights remain with the original publisher)

To become a Registered Social Worker in Alberta (a) you have a degree in social work from any university in North America that is accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work or the Council on Social Work Education; or (b) you have graduated from an approved social work diploma program in Alberta; All first time registrants are required to demonstrate that they have completed 1500 hours of social work practice under the supervision of a qualified social worker prior to becoming fully registered. Under the Health Professions Act, all regulated health professions must provide a continuing competence program for their members.  (Reprinted from Alberta College of Social Workers. All rights remain with the original publisher)

Therapeutic Framework

   Family Systems Therapy

Family Systems Therapy is a branch of psychotherapy that works with families and couples in intimate relationships to bring change and development.  Change is viewed in terms of the patterns of interaction between family members. Family Systems Therapy is based on the idea that individuals are best understood through assessing the entire family. It emphasizes family relationships as an important factor in psychological health.

   Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a form of psychotherapy.   The therapist and the client work together as a team to identify and solve problems. This model allows the therapist to help clients overcome their difficulties by changing their thinking, behavior, and emotional responses. CBT is based on the cognitive model: the way we perceive situations influences how we feel emotionally. This model helps people identify their distressing thoughts and evaluate how realistic the thoughts are. Then they learn to change their distorted thinking. When they think more realistically, they feel better. The emphasis is also consistently on solving problems and initiating behavioral change. Much of the work in sessions involves aiding individuals in solving their real-life problems and teaching them to modify their distorted thinking, dysfunctional behavior, and distressing affect. (Reprinted from Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy website).