Louane Piche-Simard

Registered Social Worker - Masters Level Trained (MSW) and Registered Occupational Therapist

Phone: 825.454.0450          Email: louane@mariaschmid.ca

Hello, I'm Louane. I’m a mental health therapist with over 20 years of experience connecting with people and families across the lifespan, from different walks of life and cultural backgrounds, and with a full spectrum of abilities and skills.

The Heart of My Practice

My personal and professional journey is about affirming people and their inherent value and worth, no matter what challenges have been put on their path. I strive to create a non-judgmental space where people feel safe to be vulnerable and explore more about who they want to be in the world. At times, I draw from a spiritual or faith perspective with those that find this relevant and important in their lives.

A Little About Me

I come from a small town in Saskatchewan and from a large Christian family, which has given me ample data in understanding people and relationships! I’ve been in Calgary over 15 years with my husband, and we now have two children and a pet cat. When not spending time with my family, I’m an avid reader and enjoy immersing myself with a good novel, drinking a hot cup of tea. I also love to express myself artistically whether it’s playing with color or singing. Taking small hikes or walks in nature rounds off my self-care. These activities help me stay balanced and fulfilled amidst the busyness of life.

What Defines My Approach

Holistic Understanding: My background in neuroscience, development, mental health and wellbeing sets my approach apart, as both an occupational therapist and a master-level social worker. This foundation allows me to tailor interventions with a unique understanding of how we process our thoughts, emotions, and sensations in our brain and bodies, as well as the powerful influence of relationships and contexts in our lives.

Adaptability and Creativity: People and their life circumstances are dynamic, and so is my approach. I focus on meeting people where they are at and offer different ways for people to engage in the therapeutic process.

Collaborative Spirit: Building positive relationships is the cornerstone of my practice. It is important to me that everyone feels heard and supported.

Interpersonal Dynamics: Navigating relationships, including couple or parent partnerships or those within a family, is an important part of exploring well-being in everyday life. My work centers on facilitating deeper understanding, navigating conflicts, and developing healthy communication.

Continuous Growth: My commitment to ongoing education ensures that I stay current with the latest insights and techniques. It's a journey of growth and exploration that I'm eager to share.

Some of My Skill Sets

Another unique aspect of my practice is my extensive experience in supporting people with mental health concerns like anxiety or depression, as well as along the spectrum of neurodivergence, such as developmental delays or (dis)abilities, learning challenges, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). I also have specialized training in working with people managing concussions, diabetes, and physical limitations.

Children, Youth, and Emerging Adults: I often begin by exploring everyday activities, from participating in morning or evening hygiene routines, to managing "picky eating" or clothing textures, toileting, sleep issues, or skills in executive functioning like planning and organizing activities.

Beyond these, I also help build broader life and regulation skills, including understanding and regulating attention and emotions such as anxiety/worry, anger, and sadness. I often draw from narrative therapy, play therapy, and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT).

As part of understanding behaviour, my approach often includes a somatic and sensory processing (or modulation) lens. I utilize specific positive sensations or body-based strategies, including mindfulness and expressive arts, to help calm the nervous system.

Adult Individuals or Couples: Using a systemic and relational approach, I use aspects of narrative therapy and emotionally-focused therapy to explore with people the different patterns in their lives and uncover the ones that are getting in the way of health and wellbeing. Together, we co-construct more positive and healthy patterns that lead to the kinds of relationships you desire with yourself and the significant others in your life.

When addressing trauma, even experiences like bullying or strained relationships, I may employ less verbal trauma-specific modalities, such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), to help ease the suffering that continues in the present.

Explore With Me

I would like to offer you an open invitation to explore new possibilities together. I'm here to connect, understand, and support you on your journey towards positive change and growth in the areas that matter to you. Let’s embark on this collaborative journey where your story takes center stage!

Education and Mental Health Training

Academic Education:

Mental Health Training & Certifications:

Supporting Mental Health and Treating Trauma:

  • Basic Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Training Certificate (Colleen Clark, MSW RSW)
  • Expressive Arts with Trauma (Christine Mayor, PhD)
  • Breathe and Play: Mindfulness Practice with Children and Adolescents (Sara Marlowe, MSW RSW)
  • Healing the Hidden Wounds of Trauma and Disconnection (featuring Sara Kuburic; PESI)
  • Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional Training: Advanced Online Skills Training for Adapting DBT for Everyday Clinical Needs (Lane Pederson, PsyD; PESI)
  • DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) Skills Part 1: Distress Tolerance & Interpersonal Effectiveness (Dr. John Wagner, PhD)
  • Advanced Motivational Interviewing (Dr. Henny Westra, PhD)
  • Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Into Your Practice (Tim Gordon, MSW)
  • Trauma Dissociation, Emotion Dysregulation, and the Loss of Self (Dr. Ruth Lanius, MD)
  • Leading Edge Advancements in Understanding Trauma and the Developing Brain (Dr. Bruce Perry, MD)
  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Dr Mark Brown, PhD)
  • HeartMath Certification: Heart Rate Variability Coherence (AHS)

Supporting Healthy Attachment and Relationship Patterns

  • Systemic and Relational Family Therapy: Understanding Interpersonal Patterns using the IPScope (Dr. Karl Tomm, MD); Family Therapy Internship Program with families and couples (10-month)
  • Developing Skills in Couples Work (Dina Bednar, MSW RSW)
  • Working with Stuck Kids: An integrated developmental approach to reaching troubled kids, using the constructs of Attachment, Vulnerability and Maturation (Dr. Gordon Neufeld, PhD)
  • Secure Parent, Secure Child: How a Parent’s Attachment Shapes the Attachment of a Child (Annette Kussin, MSW RSW)
  • Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)- Level 1 (Gail Palmer, MSW RSW & Dr. Jim Furrow, PhD)
  • EFFT: It’s Never Too Late: Love, Survival, and Healing in Families with Adult Children (Gail Palmer, MSW RSW)
  • Brain Story Certification (Alberta Family Wellness Initiative)
  • Informed Parenting and Mentoring: The Art of Self-Regulation and Co-regulation (Robbyn Peters Bennett, LPC)
  • Attachment, Psychopathology, and Adaptation (Dr. Patricia Crittenden, PhD)

Specialized Master of Social Work Classes

  • Social Work Practice with Individuals; Advanced Practice with Individuals; Social Work Practice with Families
  • Crisis Intervention (Strategies explored: specific crisis intervention models, Feminist, Brief Solution Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy).
  • Death, Dying, and Bereavement (Developmental (children through to aging adults) and Family considerations; Cultural Diversity in beliefs; Reflections on Religion, Spirituality, and Rituals; and practices related to Grief Therapy and “Grief Work”, including End-of-Life Care and Narrative strategies).
  • Practice with Survivors of Trauma (Themes: Meaning of Trauma and Traumatic Events; Assessment and Intervention; insidious Cultural and Historical Trauma).

Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation:

  • Ayres Sensory Integration Certification Program: Courses 1, 2, 3, 4 (2012); I.P.T. certified(The original course series created by Dr. Jean Ayres, PhD.; embedded with current research).
  • Sensory Modulation Approaches to Mental Health Interventions for Adults and Adolescents (Karen Moore, OT)
  • Fostering the Development of Executive Function Skills (Sarah Ward, SLP)
  • Hull Services: Practical Strategies for Complex Kids and Youth (Marti Smith, OT)
  • Sensation and Connection: Understanding how Sensory Processing contributes to Self-Regulation and Mental Health, and how together Sensory Processing, Neurological Integration and Attachment Regulation support the child learning to interact, move and learn in daily life (Kim Barthel, OT)
  • Building Blocks for Sensory Integration: The Sensory-Motor Foundations for Attention and Learning (Sheila Frick, OT)
  • Introduction to Think:Kids Collaborative Problem-Solving (Dr. Stuart Ablon, MD)
  • Exploring Social Thinking (Michelle Garcia Winner, R.SLP)
  • Self-Regulation in Early Childhood; Calming Techniques (Dr. Jane Nelson, PhD)
  • Smart but Scattered: Strengthening Executive Skill Difficulties (Peg Dawson, RPsych)
  • Social Thinking Across the Home and School Day & Beyond Thinking Social!: Addressing Preschool, Anxiety, 'Superflex' and Emerging Perspective Takers (Michelle Garcia Winner, SLP)
  • Building Social Relationships: A Systematic Approach to Teaching Social Interaction Skills to Children and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum (Dr. Scott Bellini, Ph.D.)
  • Understanding, Avoiding and Managing Behaviours in ASD (Dr. Rita Jordan, C. Psych)
  • Becoming a Behavioural Detective: Understanding, Supporting and Surviving Complex Behaviors (Kim Barthel, OT)
  • Understanding Social Cognition and Its Impact on ASD (Kari Dunn Buron, BEd.)
  • Integrated Listening Systems: Practitioner Certification Training
  • Fundamentals of Sensory Integration Theory: Clinical Assessment and Practical Intervention for Praxis Using Sensory Integration Theory (Teresa May-Benson, OT)
  • Sensorimotor Early Childhood and Elementary Themes (Jenny Clark Brack, OT)
  • Sensory Processing Disorder: How Does It Affect Children? (Lucy Jane Miller, OT, PhD)
  • The Alert Program for Self-Regulation: How Does Your Engine Run?

Other

  • Concussion Management: Level 1 and 2 (Shannon McGuire, PT)

Activities of Daily Living: Sleeping and Eating

  • Sleep Matters: From Science to Strategy (Kim Barthel, OT)
  • The S.O.S. (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding (Kay A. Toomey, Psych, PhD.)
  • The Get Permission Approach to Sensory Mealtime Challenges (Marsha Dunn Klein, OT)
  • Basic Oral-Motor/ Feeding Workshop (Dr. Gay Lloyd Pinder, SLP, Ph.D)
  • Just Take a Bite: Effective Answers to Food Aversions and Eating Challenges (Lori Ernsperger)

Membership & Affiliations:

Summary
Name
Louane Piche Simard
Job Title
Registered Occupational Therapist and Registered Social Worker
Company
Maria Schmid & Partners, Psychologists and Mental Health Services