Nest Psychology

Rae Kokotailo, MSC

Registered Psychologist

Individual counselling

Helping adults grow strength, new insight, and meaningful change.

Welcome to Nest Psychology! I am a Registered Psychologist based in Calgary, Alberta. I obtained my masters degree in counselling psychology from the University of Calgary. My practice focuses on individual counselling for adults (25+), where I have advanced training and experience in applying evidence-based therapies.

    • Anxiety / social anxiety / worry

    • Depression / low mood

    • Stress / overwhelm / burn-out

    • Self-care / self-compassion

    • Boundaries / trust / people-pleasing

    • Self-confidence / self-worth

    • Guilt / shame

    • Authentic living / values / needs

    • Life transitions / change

    • Work-life-family balance

    • Goal setting / personal growth & achievement

    • Wellness / mindfulness

    • Workplace concerns

    • Perfectionism

    • Interpersonal / relationship concerns

    • Women’s health / men’s health

    • Perinatal / Postpartum / Birth trauma

    • Parenting / caregiving

    • Grief / loss

    • Trauma / PTSD

My counselling psychology practice is guided by my values of professionalism, authenticity, and client-centred therapy.

  • Professionalism

    Dedicated to professional integrity, respect, and delivery of quality, evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

  • Authenticity

    Building a strong therapeutic relationship by connecting in a welcome, genuine, warm, friendly, and compassionate way.

  • Client-centred

    Committed to collaboratively working towards meeting individual counselling needs and goals. Counselling is aimed at empowering strength, cultivating new insight, and developing meaningful, satisfying change.

approach

As a Registered Psychologist Calgary, I prioritize collaboratively working with you to map out a plan to address your concerns and reach your goals.

The counselling process begins by holding space for you to share your story. Sharing can be therapeutically beneficial. It also helps me understand your lived experience and unique reasons for seeking therapy. Throughout your counselling, we might explore those aspects that are perhaps hard, painful, stressful, or contributing to you feeling stuck. Where possible, I offer practical psychoeducation, resources, strategies, & tools.

While counselling is conversational and thoughtful in nature, I actively draw upon evidence-based (research-supported) therapeutic modalities to help guide my clients. Foremost, I am client-centred and strength-based. I aim to empower you to work through your challenges and make positive shifts. To reach your goals and make meaningful change, we may explore alternative ways for thinking and being (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy); clarify and connect you to your needs and values (Acceptance and Committment Therapy); as well as make new sense and meaning to your lived experiences (Narrative Therapy). I also utilize concepts/skills from Dialectical Behavioural Therapy). More about my approach can be found here.

I utilize a trauma-informed lens. To further assistance, I offer Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and Eye-Movement Desensitization Therapy for single and non-complex trauma/PTSD.

Direct billing is available to many insurance providers. I welcome you to learn more about my credentials, training, and memberships here.

Your therapy journey starts here.

  • Therapeutic fit is the cornerstone of counselling success and finding the best psychologist that meets your needs is key. Therefore, a complimentary 15 minute phone consultation is a great starting place to see if counselling at Nest Psychology is right for you.

    Booking is easy! You can choose to:

    • Select a time posted on the online calendar. If no time is posted, you can add your name for contact under “waitlist”. Go to ‘book’.

    • Submit a message using the contact form.

    • Call the office: 403-771-8458.

  • Your phone consultation, or meet-and-greet, is an opportunity to connect and briefly share about your reasons for starting counselling. Over this 15 - 30-minte call, we may talk about your general individual counselling needs and cover any questions or concerns you may have. I also use this time to share a bit about me and my practice.

    There is no obligation to proceed with booking an appointment. If I am not the right therapist for you, that’s okay! This is good information and I’ll do my best to point you in another direction. Should we fit, we can get started right away by booking your first appointment.

  • Office sessions are available at Nest Psychology. The office is centrally located in NW Calgary.

    Online sessions are available for your comfort and convenience. They take place via a secure video platform.

    Sessions are 60 minutes | 90 minutes.

    Direct billing for many insurance providers is available!

  • “We cannot direct the wind, but we can control the sails.”

    Dolly Parton

  • "Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy – the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

    Brené Brown

  • "The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another."

    William James