As a parent, I get it. I know life can be messy. I’m here for all of it.
As human beings, we all need to feel safe, loved and heard. This is especially true for our little and not so little humans. Through our work together, I will support and empower you and your child(ren) to successfully meet your needs and goals.
Using a variety of interventions that focus on experiences and strengths, my goal is to create a relationship that honours you and your child so you get the most out of your sessions.
Starting therapy can be overwhelming, especially for a child. By landing here, you have already taken the the first step. Yeah you!
Nice to meet you
I’m Nicole Brayton
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Former Elementary Teacher in a Congregated Gifted School for 13 years
Former Student Services Coordinator and Social Emotional Lead for 5 years
The Deeper Story
One of my favourite things about working with children and teens is their inquisitiveness and curiosity. I love how they ask questions and try to make sense of the world around them. It’s one of the main reasons I became a teacher. Through my work in a gifted educational setting, I learned every child is unique in their own special way and often they can bring a whole new perspective to the table. I also grew to understand that kids are not meant to be put in a box. This is where my journey to becoming a psychologist started.
My time as a teacher taught me to see the value in every child. Working with gifted students, I supported development through one-on-one, group and classroom sessions that focused on building social skills, coping with big emotions and learning new ways to demonstrate resilience. I also focussed on academic support for areas of strength and need, assisting teachers with program implementation and modification so that each student could walk the halls with dignity and pride with who they were and what they could become.
Being gifted doesn’t mean you just have higher intelligence. It also means being out of sync with your emotions, easily distracted by sounds, touch and texture. Being gifted can also bring with it increased anxiety, perfection, inattention, hyperfocus, and dysregulation. Here’s the thing: these behaviours can exist outside of this population as well. Understanding these nuances and struggles that kids and teens face today is why I moved my passion for working with kids within the classroom to outside of its four walls — to better serve families as a whole.
New Path Counselling stands for the courage to do something different and the strength to carry on when things get difficult. That is my hope for every child and family I work with.
Frequently Asked Questions
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All sessions, whether online or in-person are billed at $200.00 with the exception of an Educational Observation which is billed at $500.00
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Most insurance plans cover sessions provided by a Provisional Registered Psychologist. When in doubt, always check with your provider prior to the start of your sessions.
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As a Registered Provisional Psychologist, I am required to practice under supervision and to follow the standards outlined by the College of Alberta Psychologists. For every 15 hours of client sessions, I will meet with my supervisor to ensure that I am providing all my clients with quality care.
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At this time no, I do not. Please print off your receipt and send to your provider.
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Understanding emotions and how they impact behaviour is hard. I have done extensive work with clients in the areas of gifted and talented, neurodiversity, regulation, big emotions, anxiety and self-esteem.
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There is a great deal of research that suggests a good “fit” between you and your therapist is the primary driver to whether or not you or your child will see success during the course of counselling. Therapy does also require you to do the work. Many clients report feeling better after one session; however on average, real change can occur within 5-10 sessions. It depends on each individual and what your goals are for counselling.
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While my practice is primarily centred around support for children, youth, young adults, and their families, I also support individuals of all ages if you find we are a good fit. Consultation calls are a great way to determine if I am best suited for your needs.
“Working with children requires a unique blend of patience, compassion, and creativity, and Nicole possesses these qualities in abundance.
As a witness to her interactions with kids, I can confidently say that Nicole is a natural when it comes to connecting with young minds. Children immediately gravitate towards Nicole, drawn by her warm and welcoming demeanor.
Not only does Nicole excel at fostering a sense of trust and respect with the children, but she also demonstrates exceptional listening skills, attentively understanding each child’s unique needs and preferences. This attentiveness allows Nicole to tailor her approach, ensuring that every child feels valued and understood.
I wholeheartedly recommend Nicole to anyone seeking a professional who excels in working with children.”
- Ashley C
Former colleague
Explore My Services
Whether you’re a parent seeking support for your child or teenager, or you’re an adult seeking individual or parenting support, you can find more details about my services below.