Sarah LaRocque Ph.D, RSW | Clinical Director | Adjunct Professor (Field Education – University of Calgary)
As Clinical Director, Dr. Sarah LaRocque is responsible for the DBT Program, Student Practicums, Provisional Supervision, Group Training, and the establishment of the Saskatoon office. She is currently working out of both the Cochrane and Saskatoon offices.
Sarah takes a collaborative, respectful, and strength-based approach to her therapy. She follows evidence-based practice guidelines.
Contact Sarah: (306) 380-2164 | dr.larocque@bluestonetherapy.ca
AREAS OF WORK: Sarah has 30 years experience working with a wide range of mental health issues including personality disorders, depression, anxiety, dissociative disorders, and complex trauma. She has extensive experience facilitating evidence-based treatment groups, adhering to modalities such as Interpersonal Theory, Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), sensorimotor trauma therapy, Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), and the treatment of complex PTSD. She is experienced in facilitating long-term psychotherapy groups and is trained in group supervision.
SPECIAL INTEREST AND EXPERTISE: Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, complex/developmental trauma, and Dissociative Disorders. Training in psycho-educational and process oriented groups, and field instruction for master and Ph.D students. Provides training in group psychotherapy and is a field instructor for master and Ph.D students.
Yuko Yoshinami, MA, R. Psych. | Supervisor for Provisional Psychologists at Bluestone Therapy
Yuko is currently working in the Cochrane office and oversees the Trauma Program at this location.
Yuko is a Registered Psychologist (CAP Registration #3263) who takes a “whole person” approach, addressing issues from multiple perspectives including the mind, body and the brain (neuroscience).
Yuko and the team offer individual sessions and phone coaching.
Contact Yuko: (403) 998-6191 | yuko@bluestonetherapy.ca
AREAS OF WORK: Yuko has worked with a wide range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and addiction, and has over 10 years of experience working with the persons with a complex presentation, primarily Borderline Personality Disorder as well as other personality disorders, various forms of dissociation, trauma, and eating disorders.
SPECIAL INTEREST AND EXPERTISE: Assessment and treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, complex/developmental trauma, and Dissociative Disorders.
Yuko is trained in Somatic Experiencing (SE Advanced year student), Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), utilization of Polyvagal Theory to treatment, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE) through Behavioral Tech, and standard Prolonged Exposure (PE). She is also a certified yoga instructor and uses yoga (trauma sensitive yoga) to prepare her clients for trauma treatment, to ensure successful trauma processing.
The team takes a phase-based treatment approach to the treatment of trauma, which is recommended in the guidelines presented by ISTSS (International Society of Trauma and Stress Studies) and offers various treatment modalities to address complexity of trauma.
Taylor Muller, M.C., R. Psych | Program Director, DBT Adolescent Services | Adjunct Professor, Master of Counselling Program – Gonzaga University
Taylor is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). You can find her at the Cochrane office for both in-person sessions and virtual sessions. She uses a humanistic approach in her counselling, and believes therapy can involve both depth and lightness (which often looks like incorporating humour and warmth while supporting clients in taking meaningful steps forward).
Areas of Work:
Taylor has worked with diverse populations and a range of mental health concerns, such as: body image/self-esteem, depression, anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, trauma, ADHD, and relationship concerns.
Taylor is the Program Director of the Adolescent Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) program at Bluestone. She is also a course instructor with Gonzaga University, where she teaches counselling graduate students. She has training in: Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and is currently training in Somatic Experiencing (SE). She also has further training in management of depression and anxiety symptoms, and works from a trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirmative lens.
Areas of Interest and Expertise:
Taylor’s areas of focus are:
• Adolescents with complex concerns (suicidality, self-harm, depression, BPD traits, trauma, anxiety, ADHD), and
• Both adolescents and adults wanting to address depression, ADHD, anxiety, or trauma symptoms that may appear as: intellectualizing, avoidance, impulsivity, or difficulty in relationships
• Individuals looking for support with everyday stressors, interpersonal relationships, and continuing their personal growth.
Contact Taylor: (587) 229-8044 | taylor.muller@bluestonetherapy.ca
Shaona Acharjee, MC, (she/her) | Registered Provisional Psychologist
Shaona is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She is passionate about working with people and empower them to move through adversities onto thriving life. She uses strength-based approach and fosters empathy, compassion, and mutual respect in her therapy. Prior to being a counsellor, she was a research scientist in the field of molecular neuroscience and has a PhD in that field. She brings her knowledge of neuroscience and evidence -based outlook in her counselling work.
She is also a sessional instructor in the Master of Counselling program at the City University of Seattle, Calgary Campus.
Contact Shaona: (403) 383-1738 | shaona.acharjee@bluestonetherapy.ca
AREAS OF WORK: Shaona’s area of work include grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and concurrent addiction and mental health concerns. Her work is grounded in cognitive theories; she uses Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT), DBT and Person-Centered Therapy in her practice. She is trained in cognitive processing therapy for PTSD and Prolonged grief disorder therapy. She has experience facilitating psychoeducational groups, DBT skills group as well as support groups for addiction, mental health, and trauma.
Shelbi Snodgrass (she/her), MC, C.C.C, R.C.C, CMPC
Doctoral Student
Shelbi is completing her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the University of Calgary in the Relational Practices Research Lab focused on relational practices related to well-being, recovery, and family systems. She is a trainee in our DBT Program and will be accepting clients as part of her training and certification with the DBT_LINEHAN Board of Certification.
Shelbi values a systems perspective to behaviour and nurturing the human being in the performer. She aims to create a safe and inclusive environment for individual clients and teams. Shelbi believes sustainable growth requires community, conscious decision making, and a lifestyle commitment towards achieving goals within and outside of sport.
SPECIAL INTEREST AND EXPERIENCE: As a former varsity athlete, Shelbi is passionate about the field of performance. Her formal training is in mental health, addiction and recovery, and performance psychology.
Shelbi’s approach to counselling centres around collaboration, the exploration of intersecting identity development, self-empowerment, and leadership.
Contact Shelbi: (778) 819-2488
Tafadzwa (Taffy) Mavimba (MSW, BSW, RSW)
Taffy is a Registered Social Worker currently working out of the Cochrane office as part of the Adolescent DBT Program. She holds a Master of Social Work degree with a clinical specialization from the University of Calgary.
Taffy uses a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and client-centered approach with the aim of creating a safe and supportive environment that fosters genuine connection, healing, and growth.
AREAS OF WORK: Taffy has over seven years of experience working with diverse populations across mental health, social services, and crisis intervention settings. She has experience providing individual counselling to post-secondary students and adults, co-facilitating group therapy, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support individuals and families affected by trauma, elder abuse, sexual violence, exploitation, and addiction.
SPECIAL INTERESTS AND EXPERTISE: Taffy’s counselling practice specializes in supporting:
- Adolescents, young adults, and families facing complex issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, neurodiversity, suicidality, self-harm, life transitions, and family conflict.
- Individuals and families working on emotional regulation and strengthening their natural support system.
Contact Taffy: (587) 429-6017