Gita Ward
MSW, RCSW, BA
Registered Clinical Social Worker
- In-person & Virtual Appointments
Works with
Appointment Times
Specialties
I am the founder & clinical director for True Living Counselling & Coaching. I currently offer therapy, therapy intensives and clinical supervision.
I provide therapy & therapy intensives for adults and teens who have experienced struggles with the impacts of anxiety, trauma and depression. Oftentimes our past experiences show up in other ways such as relationship struggles, sleep disturbances, irritability, sadness, loneliness, a sense of not knowing who we are and/or withdrawing from work, family, friends and activities. This can be hard on you and the people around you.
My hope in therapy is to help you find relief from your suffering and feel empowered to make a change in your life. I will hear your story, connect with you and walk with you through your journey from hurt to healing. You will be heard without judgements and I will work with you from a curious standpoint to look deeper within yourself and help you transform, heal and live the life you want.
I have over 18 years of experience in the mental health field and I love being a part of your transformation process. My counselling process is warm, compassionate, collaborative and without judgements. We are all unique individuals and I may draw from various therapies including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to best fit your individual needs.
I offer one-on-one support and Therapy Intensives.
I understand how hard it can be to find the right therapist for you or your teen. I offer no fee consultations to ensure it is a good fit. If it is not I encourage you to have multiple consultations with others on the team to find the right fit for you.
Therapy can have a lasting positive effect on how we show up in the world, ourselves and the people around us.
Clinical supervision & consultation is offered through a collaborative, supportive and trauma informed lens. I will support you through the pre and post supervision stream for the RCSW designation. Or I offer general supervision and consultation to those who already have their designation.
We work so hard for our clients and sometimes we sacrifice ourselves to do great work, but it doesn’t have to be this way. We can still do great work and take care of ourselves at the same time.
As a Registered Clinical Social Worker, my areas of focus include:
Anxiety | Social Anxiety | Childhood Trauma | Depression | Panic Attacks | Stress | Grief & Loss | PTSD | Anger Management | Healthcare Providers | First Responders & Veterans | Clinical Supervision | Therapy Intensives |
If you’re ready to get started, I offer a 15-min consult to see if we are a good fit or you can book a full initial appointment.
Therapy Approaches
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Attachment-Based
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Trainings & Education
- University of Prince Edward with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University
- Clinical Social Work Supervision- U of C
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy Advanced & Enhanced- Calgary, AB.
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)- Calgary, AB. OSI Clinic
- Attachment Focused Advanced EMDR- Emdria approved- Calgary, AB. with Dr. Laurel Parnel
- Certificate in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)- Calgary, AB. with Sue Genest
- Advanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety, Depression and Trauma- Banff, AB. with David Burns
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Training- Online with PESI
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anxiety Disorders- Beck Institute
- Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)- University of Calgary
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Ottawa, On. OSI Clinic
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)- Edmonton, AB. DBT Institute of Vancouver, BC.
- Mindfulness and Mindfulness Based CBT, Banff, AB.
- Cognitive Behaviroural Social Skills Group Training for Psychosis- Calgary, AB.
- Certified Master Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Provider #2052
- Registered Clinical Social Worker #10830 & #20417
Fun Facts
I love to travel the world to meet new people and learn about all of the amazing cultures the world has to offer. I am a proud mother of an amazing son whom loves to travel as well. I love to spend time with my family and my dog, Walter.
I strongly believe in giving back to the community, so you will often find us sponsoring various local events and volunteering.
I am originally from the East Coast and do enjoy going home to Prince Edward Island once a year to visit the ocean, red sands, family, and eating delicious PEI potatoes, mussels and lobster.
Why I Founded True Living Counselling & Coaching
I founded True Living Counselling & Coaching in February 2017 with a simple but powerful vision: to offer effective, high-quality mental health services to our community, while also creating a space where therapists feel valued, supported, and inspired.
From the beginning, it was about more than just therapy sessions. It was about building a culture rooted in compassion, collaboration, and genuine human connection. When we bring new therapists onto the team, we ensure they have the clinical expertise to provide excellent care and the desire to be part of a warm, supportive environment. We believe in being human first—and we love it when you show up exactly as you are.
My own journey deeply shaped this vision. I grew up in poverty and struggled with anxiety for much of my life. I started therapy at age 12, and it changed everything. I was fortunate to have people in my community who showed up for me, and that spirit of support is a big part of why I do what I do today.
Like most people, I’ve experienced my share of ups, downs, and losses. But I believe in the healing power of connection, and in our capacity to live meaningful, fulfilling lives—even in the face of hardship. That belief is at the core of True Living. We all hurt, and we all have the ability to heal. And we don’t have to do it alone.