Carissa Cochrane

MACP

Canada

Canadian Certified Counsellor

Counselling Therapist

English

Background

I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor and bring over 14 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families, along with extensive work in parenting support and coaching. I’m knowledgeable in anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, ADHD, autism, emotional regulation, and child development. My background allows me to meet each family with a grounded, informed, and compassionate approach.

Your therapeutic experience with me

When you come to Panthera Counselling, my goal is for you to feel grounded, welcomed, and genuinely cared for. Sessions move at a pace that feels comfortable and attuned, with space to explore emotions, experiences, and patterns without judgement. You can expect a mix of gentle structure and flexibility — some days may be more playful or creative, while others may be reflective, skill-building, or focused on regulation. I follow your cues closely, offering support in ways that feel safe, empowering, and respectful of your nervous system. Above all, you can expect a relationship built on trust, authenticity, and compassion, where every part of your story is met with curiosity and care.

Areas of expertise

These are the areas I commonly work with, and they form a big part of the support I offer in my practice:

Anxiety & Worry?

Attachment?

Children?

Depression?

Emotional Regulation?

I also support you in these additional areas and welcome you to reach out if any of them speak to what you are going through:

ADHD?

Play-based Therapy

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Art-based Therapy

Autism?

Trauma?

Coping Skills

Family Relationship?

Grief, Loss, And Bereavement

School Concerns

Perinatal Mental Health

Stress

Women's Issues?

Teens

Therapeutic approaches

These are the approaches at the heart of my work, and I use them often because they help create meaningful change:

Play-based Approach

Play is a child’s language for understanding their world and healing. Using Synergetic Play Therapy principles, I support nervous system regulation, emotional expression, and connection through attuned, relationship-focused play.

Person-centered Approach

You are the expert of your own experience. I offer a warm, non-judgmental space where your needs, pace, and goals guide the work, fostering empowerment, authenticity, and self-trust.

Attachment-based Counselling

Healing happens in relationship. I focus on strengthening secure connections, nurturing safety, trust, and emotional closeness between caregivers and children — and / or within your own inner world.

Trauma-informed Therapy

I work with sensitivity to your nervous system, past experiences, and current supports. Sessions prioritize safety, choice, and regulation, helping you build resilience and heal at a pace that feels right.

I also draw on other evidence based approaches that can gently support you when they align with what you need:

Strength-based Approach

Mindfullness & Somatic Practices

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Parts Work

Self-compassion & Mind-body Practices

Neurodiversity-affirming Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Art-based Therapy

Polyvagal-informed Therapy

Narrative Therapy

Focused populations and cultural backgrounds

These are the communities and cultural backgrounds I focus on, and I bring a sincere commitment to supporting you in a way that feels respectful and genuine: