Credentials
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Advanced Training in Relationship Therapies
Advanced Training in Trauma Therapy
EMDR Practitioner
Contact
Phone: (403) 264-5667
thomasking [at] shaw [dot] ca
© 2012 Thomas King- All Rights Reserved
Connection. Compassion. Experience.
Tom King has been providing counseling and psychotherapy services for over 20 years. He is passionately committed to assisting people as they negotiate life's difficulties and struggles. After spending many years in the health care system, Tom opened his own private counseling practice in 1991. Over the years, and with advanced training, he has developed expertise in the areas of marriage and family therapy, the treatment of trauma, and treatment of personal struggles including depression and anxiety. Additionally, Tom has taught at the University of Calgary, has provided consultation and training to Alberta businesses, and has acted as a consultant and mentor to other mental health professionals. Tom holds a Masters Degree in Social Work with a clinical specialization. He is voracious in his appetite for continuing and ongoing training, including areas such as spirituality, new therapeutic approaches, and remaining current with current research and best practices.
Tom focuses a great deal of energy on understanding problems from the point of view of the client, and in honoring their attempts at resolving issues themselves. His hope is that his influence will move the client forward in a new direction that is hopeful and productive.
Tom respects greatly the efforts of clients to find resolutions to their problems, and the great courage and humility it requires to seek therapy. Clients report often that they feel that respect, along with the understanding and supportive calmness Tom brings to each session. While compassionate, Tom also believes strongly that clients need direct and honest feedback, and often a gentle push to move beyond their stuckness.
Tom's effort are always focused and serious, but often conducted with the advantage of humor and grace. He is open to spiritual perspectives, alternate viewpoints and options, and traditional approaches.
Services
Throughout his career, Tom has provided clinical services to individuals, couples, families and groups. He has also been a consultant and teacher.
Tom spends the majority of his time in direct counseling and therapy with individuals, couples and families. One of his core beliefs is that many different opportunities present themselves for healing, and that his role is to help people find which "doorway" might lead them to a happier, more positive life. Often times, this means helping people see these options, removing the barriers to change and transformation, and then helping them to find their way.
Tom is experienced in helping those with struggles around health, divorce, abuse, spiritual questions, depression, grief, and relationship difficulties – among many others.
INDIVIDUALS COUPLES FAMILIES GROUPS
- Spiritual Questions and concerns
- Depression and Anxiety
- Grief and Loss
- Relationship Difficulties
- Trauma
- Sexuality and Sexual Concerns
- Divorce
- And many others…
Programs
Tom offers the following programs in addition to his clinical services.
Couples on the Brink
Many couples seek therapy when they are on the brink of separation or divorce. Through over twenty years as a marriage therapist, Tom has recognized and found that a weekly meeting with couples in crisis is often not enough to "stop the bleeding" and prevent further damage and deterioration. At these times, it is not uncommon for one partner in the relationship to be unsure if they want to even TRY to make things better.
The research on the effectiveness of therapy during times like this is very clear – intensive therapy offered as soon as possible yields the best results.
Tom has developed a model using this research and the teachings of many renowned therapists. This style of therapy is offered as soon as possible and requires more hours of meeting in therapy during the first month of therapy. Couples must be willing to make themselves available for the intensive work that is necessary at these times of crisis.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is the most researched and recognized treatment in the area of trauma. It is considered to be the "best practice" in the treatment and provision of trauma care. Those interested in learning more are directed to www.emdr.com.
Tom has been a practitioner of EMDR for close to 20 years. This treatment, in combination with additional aspects of trauma treatment, has proven invaluable in the successful treatment of individuals. Whether it is a single traumatic event, such as a car accident, or a complex set of circumstances such as childhood abuse, EMDR in the context of a therapeutic relationship is a wise choice that has proven to be more effective and less difficult for the client.
Feedback
"Tom has deservedly established a reputation as a "Master Practitioner" with a broad range of clients, in several practice settings. He is highly regarded by both his clients and colleagues. [He is] regarded both within the social work and psychology professions as a highly skilled practitioner and as a caring, compassionate, generous person."
Margaret R. Rodaway, PH.D.
RSW., R.Psych (Ret.)
Professor Emerita
"Over the past twenty years, I have referred many patients to Tom King, often with the most challenging of problems. I have always been able to trust Tom to interact very positively with my patients. They have invariably returned to me feeling that they now have the tools to get on with their lives, ways to change, and are motivated to make those changes."
Evelyn Jain, MD
"Tom doesn't just give of himself and his talents and skills. He invests in individuals, systems and communities in such a way as to create capacity and relationship with continuously renewable return."
Michelle Murray, MSW, LL.B
Former Director, Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society
"You can go to Tom hoping for some relief from stresses and find your whole meaning and value in life – the full outpouring of grace."
M.A, female client
"He has been of enormous assistance to me … that assistance has taken a variety of forms including mental health, wholeness, spiritual development and formation."
P.W., male client
"Thank you for being an amazing listener, skilled, and generous of spirit."
N.N., female client
"As for the work you have done over the years with (my grandmother), I can confirm unequivocally that you have had a profound impact on her and have significantly altered her quality of life for the better."
Family member of elderly client
Contact
Phone: (403) 264-5667
Email: [email protected]
Office Location:
#207, 908 17th Ave SW
Calgary, Ab
T2T 0A3