Meet our Siksika Health Therapists: Sally, Bob and Brittany
The role of a therapist is to jump into the client’s world, and support them in walking out towards healing.
Therapists don’t give advice, because this would require them to base their input on their own experience. Their role is to support a person through their experience, and journey with them towards healing
Meet some of our Siksika Mental Health Therapists! Click on their photos to learn more the team.
For more information on Siksika Mental Health, visit: https://siksikahealth.com/program…/mental-health-services/
Sally Acquah
My name is Sally Acquah. I was born in Ghana (West Africa), grew up in France, and have lived in Calgary for 15 years. I love the ocean, and I am a foodie😊
My educational background is in Social Work with a Clinical specialization. I pursued this career because I genuinely believe life’s trauma, complex losses and challenges can alter our perception and stories as people. My hope has always been to support individuals and families to acknowledge, process and see beyond the pain as they create healing stories that last for generations.
The work done by our mental health therapists can sometimes be unseen, but it vital to the care of Siksika Health Services’ clients and Siksika Nation members. What should people know about Siksika Mental Health, from your perspectives.
Siksika Mental Health is a safe space for everyone. We use various therapeutic modalities to support individuals based on their needs. We integrate traditional practice should an individual request an Elder. Furthermore, we will assist individuals in acquiring the support they need should our service not meet their needs. There is never a better day to start the journey than today- take the step; we are here to support you- what is your story?
Dr. Bob Pogue
Oki my name is Dr. Bob Pogue and I have been a practicing psychotherapist and counsellor for 25 years. I have a private practice in Calgary and have also been working at Siksika Nation for close to 8 years. In my position at Siksika, I primarily work with adults and couples and I am drawn to working with trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and anger management. I am married and have two adult children. In my spare time I enjoy woodworking, renovating my house, and going for walks and hikes with my wife.
For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with the way our minds work and how at times our minds fool us into patterns of thinking and behaving that are unhealthy or even harmful, and yet we take the unhealthy direction over a healthy one. For equally as long, I have also been fascinated by carpentry, welding, electrical and pretty much everything related to building construction. Because of this interest I pursued a degree in Engineering and then worked as a petroleum and pipeline engineer for 10 years. After dealing with a difficult divorce and a personal battle with anxiety and depression, I left my engineering career and pursued a Masters degree and Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology.
Eight years ago the Siksika Mental Health team consisted of three therapists and a waiting list that was at least two to four months long. Now we are a team of 12 clinicians, all with different skills, backgrounds and training and we now have the ability to treat all ages and pretty much all problem areas.
Brittany Travis
Oki. Brittany is a Registered Psychologist who has been practicing with Indigenous clients since 2011. Brittany started her career working in isolated First Nation communities in northern Alberta and has been working in Siksika since 2020, she predominantly works with school-age populations, at Chief Old Sun School and Siksika Nation High School. Brittany is a compassionate, creative, client-focused psychologist who enjoys collaborating with her clients while blending evidence-based therapeutic principles and strategies that meet her client’s needs. Brittany draws techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and play therapy. Her areas of interest include depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief with children, adolescents and adults.
Brittany chose a career in counselling psychology in order to positively impact the lives of youth by assisting them in overcoming various obstacles, including mental health concerns, familial disputes, school difficulties, and societal pressures. By offering encouragement, direction, and techniques for coping, Brittany aims to foster resilience and empower young people to achieve their maximum potential. Brittany strongly believes in supporting young people as they navigate their challenges, recognizing that they are the future and deserve the opportunity to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Cultural sensitivity and trust are vital aspects of Siksika Mental Health Services. Mental health therapists prioritize cultural competence, respecting and understanding the unique cultural context of the Siksika Nation members, and incorporating traditional healing methods and practices when requested. Our team of mental health therapists is committed to maintaining confidentiality and building trust with clients by establishing a secure environment in which individuals feel at ease seeking assistance and discussing their concerns. Our goal is to create a non-judgmental and accepting atmosphere that enables anyone seeking counselling services to access the support they need without fear of stigma.
