Donna Leggott, BA, B.Ed, MACP Practicum Student

My name is Donna Leggott, and I am a practicum student in the Master of Counselling Psychology program at Athabasca University. I hold two bachelor’s degrees—one in Psychology and another in Education (with distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan. For the past eight years, I have worked as an addiction counsellor with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. As a counsellor, I strive to be authentic, curious, confident, approachable, non-judgmental, and compassionate. I also bring a sense of humor to my work, using it appropriately to create a comfortable environment. I am committed to being a culturally and diversity-sensitive, anti-racist counsellor, ensuring that my practice is inclusive and supportive of all clients.

I have spent many years working with adolescents and have had a rewarding professional career that includes roles as a youth worker and teacher therapist with the provincial government, a correctional educator with the federal government, an English teacher in South Korea, and a career counsellor.

In my counselling practice, I use an integrated approach that draws on client-centred therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and motivational interviewing. I have also received specialized training in Somatic Experiencing, Compassionate Inquiry, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These modalities enable me to address both the physical and emotional aspects of trauma, promoting deeper healing and personal growth.

I am deeply committed to personal and professional development, which includes participating in cultural ceremonies and learning from various elders in Saskatchewan, Ecuador, and Mexico. This ongoing journey of learning and self-discovery continues to shape my counselling practice, helping me support clients on their paths to healing and transformation. My experience teaching English in South Korea broadened my worldview and gave me valuable insights into the challenges faced by newcomers in a foreign country, particularly those involving language barriers.

Yoga has also been a significant part of my life for decades. I am a certified yoga teacher and have taught at several gyms and yoga studios in Saskatoon. While I was initially nervous and unsure when I began teaching, I have since grown more confident. I now often tell jokes during class to remind people to have fun—after all, laughter is a breath practice.

In addition, I have a long-standing Buddhist mantra meditation practice. I am currently in the final steps of becoming a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor (CCAC) through the Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor Federation. I feel very fortunate to be doing my practicum at Aspire Too and I am looking forward to seeing client who are 16+ needing assistance in the following areas:

• Addiction/substance abuse
• Concurrent disorders
• ADHD/ Learning issues
• Anxiety
• Childhood Trauma
• Career changes
• Depression
• Relationship issues
• Self- esteem
• Stress management
• Suicide
• Workplace stress