Kristy McConnell
Founder, Registered Psychologist
Certified American-Trained EMDR Therapist
Attachment Focused- EMDR Trained
Emotion-focused Therapy Externship Trained
Developmental Model of Couples Counselling
Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD (Couples)
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Services provided to adults and couples, and psychoeducational assessments for children​
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In-person, in-office, outdoors, online and telehealth
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Outdoors in Airdrie
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Office: 117 1st Street NE in the Nauton House in Airdrie
Kristy is currently full. Please connect if you'd like to be added to the waitlist:
My Story
Greetings! My name is Kristy McConnell (she/her) and I am the founder of Off the Beaten Path. ​I received my clinical training in counselling psychology. I began counselling adults who had successful careers but were stuck for various reasons: relationship difficulties, grief, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or postpartum depression. Exercise and connecting with nature has long been established as a powerful way to release endorphins, improve self-esteem, and increase creativity and problem solving. My own personal journey of self-improvement has involved running. As such, I began to wonder how combining therapy with exercise might benefit my clients who were already hard workers, but needed something more. This is how Off the Beaten Path was developed. I became a certified Endurance Running Coach in order to provide a safe, therapeutic environment that can be tailored to my clients at any and every fitness level, including those who may want to be indoors, or experience a mixed approach.
My Approach
As a therapist, I believe that each human is unique. We all come with a collection of experiences, values, and beliefs that make up our worldview. My focus with clients is to help you achieve optimal wellness: intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Together we will explore how your thoughts contribute to your intellectual wellness. We will use our therapeutic relationship to consider your emotional wellness and how you can grow with others.
Walking and running is about forward motion, from one point to another. In therapy, our relationship is at the core, and the place from which all of our work will be done. I use a variety of approaches that look at how your thoughts, emotions, and actions interact, including Attachment Focused - Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD (for couples), Narrative and Parts work, and attachment understandings. Moving forward together provides the perfect metaphor for identifying and resourcing your strengths. Along the way, we will also discuss coping strategies, and set manageable goals. Lastly, my style always incorporates humour, compassion, and appreciation for your commitment to your own health and wellness.
Psychologist
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Masters of Counselling Psychology
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Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists
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Clinical Supervisor for University of Calgary Psychology Students
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Supervisor of Provisional Psychologists
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EMDR American Trained Certified Therapist
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Brain Story Certified and Change Agent for the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative
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Previous Associate Editor of the Canadian School Counselling Review Journal
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Former Victim Service Advocate volunteer
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Completed the year-long Developmental Model of Couples Therapy Training
Educator
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More than 15 years experience in the education system
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Bachelor of Education
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Edwin Parr Excellence in Teaching Award recipient
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Project Lead and Campaign Catalyst for large scale research grants
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Long-time volunteer with the Alberta Teachers Association of School Counsellors
Runner
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Running Coach Certified with the United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy
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The Practice of Coaching Certified by the Roy Group
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First Aid Certified
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Completed 3 full marathons
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Completed numerous half marathons
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Top finisher: Once, in grade seven, on the beep test. It was then that I realized I wasn't fast, but I had endurance!