Therapy for Deeper Growth and Lasting Change
Down-to-earth, compassionate therapy, where your humanity is truly met. Supporting clients in Calgary, Alberta and virtually across Canada.
Creating Space for You
Here, you will find therapy that doesn't come with a rulebook. The truth is, there's no "right way" to do this. You don't need the perfect words. You don't need a game plan. You don't even need to know exactly what you're feeling. Just showing up is enough.
In this space, we create safety to move beyond coping and into the deeper layers; the patterns, emotions and experiences that still shape your life today. Our conversations will be real, honest, and sometimes a little messy, because that’s often where lasting change begins.
Whether you’re seeking change, clarity, or simply a place to land, you’re welcome here.
Meet Meg
Hi, I’m Meg, a Canadian Certified Counsellor and the face behind Meg Buchanan Counselling. I support adults and children through deeper emotional work, alongside practical tools and grounding, to create meaningful, lasting change. I support people who are navigating anxiety, relationship or family challenges, trauma, grief, big emotions, or patterns that feel hard to change. If something in your life feels heavy, overwhelming or difficult to make sense of, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
My approach is relaxed, down-to-earth, and deeply relational, where my first priority is getting to know you as a human. I take a lot of pride in creating strong therapeutic relationships, which can be a huge factor in successful counselling experiences. I want you to feel safe to be fully yourself because meaningful change happens when you feel genuinely seen, and understood, even when things feel messy or unclear.
I draw on evidence-based therapies including IFS, EMDR, EFT and attachment-based work. Together, we explore not just what you're struggling with, but where it began, how it shows up in your nervous system and relationships, and what you need to heal from the inside out.
We’ll move at your pace, with gentle challenges and lots of space for honesty, curiosity, and real conversation.
If you’re ready to begin, or just want to get a feel for what working together might be like, you’re welcome to book a free 15-minute connection call. I’m here when you’re ready.
Outside the therapy space, you can usually find me moving my body, coaching a fitness class, hanging with my dog, or heading off on a camping trip. I'm a big believer in fresh air, movement and the kind of conversations that happen around a campfire, which you will see reflected in who I am in the therapy space.
I have always been a "people person," as they say. I am chatty, curious, and a lover of going beyond small talk. When discussing who I am as a person and my role as a therapist with colleagues and friends, they shared very similar sentiments: that I was the type of person who would "go there". "There" being the deep parts, the scary parts, the awkward and unspoken parts of life. I found this fitting. I don't shy away from awkward conversations, and I am often the first to share an embarrassing story about myself, like the time I couldn't figure out the self-serve car wash, and the person behind me had to get out of their car to help. Or when I forgot to turn my car off while filling up with gas and drove away, mortified, convinced everyone thought I had stolen something. Apparently, I have a theme with cars. But when I think about this, my nature of wanting to disarm people and create a level playing field speaks a lot to who I am in the therapy space and how I hope to impact my clients and help them to heal old wounds, understand their patterns and create skills for a more meaningful and fulfilled life. I think my gift is in the vulnerability to say "I am just like you," full of flaws, embarrassing stories, and things that I wish were different about myself, but with that vulnerability comes the safety for others to share the deep parts of themselves. And know that there is no judgment.
I found myself in the mental health field primarily because of my passion for people and my fascination with the power of our minds, but I am also here because of my own story, one that is deeply human and emotionally rich, bittersweet like so many others. After losing my father to suicide, many things changed for me, but what stands out is my desire to make conversations about mental health as common as conversations about physical health, to destigmatize suicide, how dearly I hold people's stories and how important having a space to share these stories is for growth, healing, safety and well-being.
At the heart of it, human connection is the foundation of healing, and we offer small bits of healing to each other every day, often without even realizing it, but in therapy, this healing is amplified. Week after week, one hour at a time, we get to build safety. This is how I experienced therapy, and it is the heart of why I do what I do.
My Approach
When I describe my approach as a therapist, I say that my foundation is interpersonal neurobiology and Emotion-Focused Therapy, meaning I pay attention to how the brain and the nervous system as well as internal patterns are shaped by relationships and experiences throughout life. I work to help uncover patterns, deepen emotional experiences and help shift cycles that are keeping you stuck. My work is relational and attachment based, and I do not shy away from connection and attunement as an intentional therapeutic intervention. Rather than focusing only on strategies to manage the present, I am drawn to exploring what lies beneath the surface and understanding where patterns began, how early experiences shaped them, and how they continue to show up in adult life. I want to help clients find long lasting relief from their patterns and I work to do this by first building trust, understanding that this work takes time and of course always finding tools and skills along the way to manage everyday life. I see clients through the lens of their whole story: the relationships with caregivers, the significant events that have left an imprint, and the ways these experiences have shaped how they connect with themselves and with others. I also incorporate IFS, somatic work and EMDR, but all frameworks and models of therapy are held loosely and woven together in a way that honours each individual's needs and style.
My approach is about more than just coping; it's about healing from the ground up. Building skills for a better life is and will always be a part of what I do, but I try to foster a safe environment where it is okay to want more than just coping. By helping clients make sense of their patterns, reconnect with their emotional world, and build a secure relationship with themselves and those around them, therapy becomes a space not only for relief but also for lasting change and growth.
Services
Individual
Individual therapy offers a space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface. My approach is collaborative and down-to-earth. We will work together to understand your patterns, reconnect with yourself, and create meaningful shifts at your own pace. You don’t need to have it all figured out to start.
60 min · $180
Couples
Relationships can be both our greatest sources of joy and our deepest challenges. In couples therapy, I help partners improve communication, rebuild trust, and better understand each other’s needs. Whether you're working through conflict, feeling disconnected, or simply wanting to strengthen your bond, therapy provides a supportive space to navigate it together.
60 min · $200
Virtual Sessions
Whether you’re in Calgary or somewhere else in Canada, you can access human-centred therapy without the commute. Virtual sessions offer the same depth, connection, and support as in-person therapy, just from the comfort of your own space.
Credentials
- Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)
- Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP)
- Member of the CCPA (#11251782)
Extra Training Highlights
- Domestic Violence Training
- Lynn Lyons Anxiety Training
- Michael Yapko Depression Training
- Trauma Informed Care Training
- EMDRIA Approved EMDR Level 1 Training
- Complete IFS Therapy for Couples (In progress)
- Complex Trauma Certification Training (Level 1 & 2) (In Progress)
- Personality Disorders Certification Training: Advanced Diagnosis, Treatment and Management (In Progress)
- Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training
FAQ
What can I expect in my first session?
Your first session is mostly about getting to know you, what brings you to therapy, a little bit about your history, what you’re hoping for, and answering any questions you might have.
How long are sessions?
Sessions are usually 60 minutes. Longer sessions can be arranged depending on your needs.
How often should I come to therapy?
Many people start with weekly sessions to build momentum, then shift to biweekly or monthly as they feel more grounded. We’ll decide together what feels right for you.
How much does therapy cost?
My fee is $180 per session for individual therapy and $200 for couples sessions. I accept e-transfer and credit cards.
Do you offer direct billing to insurance?
I do offer direct billing to a number of insurance companies. If direct billing is not available, I can provide a receipt for reimbursement.
How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?
A good fit matters more than anything. You’re welcome to book a free 15 minute connection call with me to see how it feels. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll do my best to point you toward someone who might be.
