Meet Skilled Counsellors and Therapists in Alberta
The Intrinsic team is comprised of multi-faceted individuals, each with a distinct background and perspective that’s celebrated and embraced. They’re united by the desire to lead with human-centric counselling that nurtures individual freedom and in turn, fuels collective healing.
Cari Ionson
Registered clinical Social Worker & Somatic therapist (She/Her)
Downtown Office
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As Intrinsic’s community-cultivator, Cari is a residing counsellor and educator and holds professional designation as a Registered Clinical Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Work. B.C. born, Cari completed her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work close to home. She then pursued her Masters in Social Work, with a practicum centred on concurrent substance use and mental health concerns. Cari has also completed her training in Hakomi Therapy. For the past nine years of Cari’s social work practice she has held the privilege of working within a variety of healthcare and wellness settings focusing on sexual trauma, substance misuse, mental health, managing breakups, divorce, and intimate partner and gender-based violence. Cari takes pride in establishing and restoring healthy relationships with self and others, finding joy in sharing presence with people as they show up for themselves and shift from surviving to thriving.
Cari is a well known dog-lover and a proud dog mom. They often accompany her while she’s on her bike(s) or out in nature - a favourite escape. When she’s got the day off from parenting you can find her rock climbing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding or feet-first into anything else mountain-related.
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Cari believes that when life’s stressors or trauma occurs it’s common to feel lost, disoriented and completely overwhelmed. Cari is deeply invested in providing supportive strategies to managing and healing from these challenges. The core of her approach works to integrate difficult experiences or emotions and promote a strong connection with self, others and this world. Through a collaborative therapeutic process Cari works with her clients to reach their goals, relying on interventions that blend a combination of somatic centred, attachment focused and mindfulness based modalities that draw on her extensive training in yoga and meditation. She invites you to get curious and create space for stepping into new ways of being that align with how and who you want to be.
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“By keeping my focus and energy on following what inspires me and lights me up. In maintaining relationships with authentic humans. Learning how to let go and not sweat the small stuff. Lastly, forgiving myself when I make mistakes - self-compassion goes a long way.”
*Cari is accepting new clients at ouR Downtown location, in-person or virtually
Jaimee Grossklaus
RegisteredPsychologist (She/Her)
Virtual only
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As Intrinsic’s multifaceted collaborator, Jaimee is a Registered Psychologist and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology from Mount Royal University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Her diverse experience in community-based rehabilitation, non-profit organizations and private practice have equipped her with a holistic view of the mental health field. Today, Jaimee gravitates towards helping others navigate their healing journey as they face challenges with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, BPD, trauma, stress, poor self-esteem and confidence, work concerns, PTSD, and chronic pain and health concerns.
Outside the clinic, Jaimee gets grounded in the great outdoors—often immersing herself in activities like kayaking and canoeing with her partner, family and friends. A foodie with a soft side, Jaimee connects inward by writing poetry, playing piano, and spending quality time with her beloved pups.
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Nurturing through validation and acceptance, Jaimee’s aim is to harbour a therapeutic relationship built on mutual trust and collaboration. But it’s not all so serious—she also embraces humour to bring a light-hearted and relatable feel to every session. With formal training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure Treatment for PTSD, Jaimee uses her diverse background to weave in strategies that will empower you, build and foster resilience, and teach skills to help you live a fulfilling, worthwhile life. In this mutual exchange, Jaimee appreciates the lessons she can learn from her clients and finds pride watching on as they achieve their goals.
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“It took me a while to learn how to live authentically. To me, I am embracing authenticity when I truly feel like I am just being me, feeling comfortable in my own skin - not scanning a room to see how I should respond or react...not comparing myself to others and overall living within my values. That is when I know I am living in a genuine moment and I feel connected to who I am.”
*Jaimee is accepting new clients virtually
Cristina Kalas
Registered Psychologist (She/Her)
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As the leader behind Intrinsic, Cristina Kalas holds accreditation as a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. In 2016 Cristina founded her company as she was eager to cultivate an environment that aligned with her desire for people-centric support. Cristina’s education includes a Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences with a major in Biochemistry, a Masters in Counselling Psychology; nowadays you can catch her dabbling in physics and quantum theory. Naturally curious, Cristina considers herself a life-long student, having traversed the globe intent on experiencing unique cultures and ways of knowing. Her diverse training and experience enables an ability to relate to a spectrum of mindsets, firmly believing that unique perspectives are what makes our world turn. Her philosophy is rooted in the understanding that intrinsically, all people deserve to feel fulfilled and define the life they desire regardless of barriers or the perceived size of struggle.
Don’t underestimate her sweet demeanour, Cristina never shies away from a challenge given her past stint as a competitive snowboarder, recreational motorcyclist and present-day entrepreneur. As a connoisseur of good food and company, Cristina seeks out deep, philosophical conversations—even off-hours—often around a dinner table.
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Cristina believes that what lies at the root of struggle is an uncertainty in self and how we perceive our worth and value. Whether this is the result of a difficult childhood, traumatic experiences, or more recent events; if we can regain or even redefine our sense of self, we can begin living authentically and standing in our truth. Using an integrative approach to therapy, and focusing on her client’s unique strengths and beliefs, Cristina works collaboratively to address the concerns that seem to block the pathway to your future view.
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“My own therapeutic journey. Starting to listen to the true inner parts of me that wanted or believed something different than what I had been told to believe or want. Following what feels good. Standing up for what I believe despite society’s judgement and pushback.”