Lara Sheppard

Education

Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, Loma Linda University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Alberta

Philosophy

Hi! I’m Lara, and I have worked for over 20 years in the mental health field with at-risk children, adolescents, young adults, and their families in schools, private practice and not-for-profit organizations. These experiences have furthered my commitment to anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive practice. I don’t ask myself what is wrong with a person; instead, I ask myself what happened to this person. 

It is a privilege to be invited to be a part of another person’s journey and to be entrusted with their story. I genuinely respect and appreciate the people I work with and their efforts to overcome difficulties in their lives. I believe the therapeutic relationship is key to achieving change, and I strive to create a safe, collaborative space where you feel seen and understood. 

Approach

I work from a strength-based, client-centered perspective and see myself as an appreciative ally who always looks out for strengths and follows your lead regarding what is important to you, what is helpful, and what is not. 

I am friendly and authentic in my approach and bring hope, humility, and respectful curiosity into my work with people. While I take your concerns very seriously, I also think that, at times, it is appropriate to make room for humour and some lightness during a session. I believe that people are much more than the difficulties that bring them to therapy. I strive to understand your experience, the meaning you have made of those experiences (your story) and what you would prefer for your life. I will support you in deconstructing unhelpful or oppressive beliefs and help you create a new, empowering story highlighting your competence and resources. 

My practice is predominantly influenced by the Narrative model. However, it is also informed by resilience theory, attachment theory, systems theory and trauma-informed, cognitive, and solution-focused models of therapy. I can draw from several evidence-based models so that together we can discover the approach that is the best fit for you. I would love to help you create the life and relationship with yourself and the others you want.  

A Bit About Me 

I have lived in Edmonton my whole life, but I love to travel and experience new places and adventures. During COVID, my partner (who I’ve been with since high school), teenage daughter and I added a new member to our family, a Cavapoo named Chewie, who has brought much joy and love to our home! In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing board games, playing the piano, watching Netflix and spending time outdoors.