Clinical Experience and Professional Background

I hold a Ph.D. and am a Clinical Therapist, Psychotherapist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor with more than 30 years of experience in counselling, psychotherapy, clinical supervision, education, and organizational leadership.

My current clinical practice focuses on psychotherapy with adults, couples, and families. My broader professional background includes clinical work with children and youth (advanced certification in play therapy) as well as supervisory, management, and educational roles across government, post-secondary education, community services, and private practice.

As Director of Touchstone Counselling Inc., I maintain an active psychotherapy practice informed by extensive clinical experience, advanced therapeutic training, research, and continuing professional development.

Professional Credentials, Certifications and Education

Professional Designations and Certifications

• Certified Clinical Social Work Supervisor — Alberta College of Social Workers
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) — Clinical designation approved by the Alberta College of Social Workers
• Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT)
• EMDR Certified Therapist — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (2024)
• Advanced Play Therapy Training — Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute (2012)
• Certificate in Play-Based Treatment of Trauma — Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute (2010)

Academic Qualifications

• Ph.D., Secondary Education — University of Alberta
• Master of Social Work (MSW), with Distinction — Charles Sturt University, Australia
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) — University of Calgary

Additional Advanced Clinical Training

My professional development includes specialized training in:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed therapy
• Trauma treatment and developmental neuroscience
• Polyvagal Theory and nervous-system regulation
• Neurosequential approaches to trauma
• Somatic and Hakomi psychotherapy
• Attachment theory and family systems
• Analytical psychology and mindfulness
• Crisis intervention, clinical assessment, and threat/risk assessment

My therapeutic approach integrates these perspectives according to each client’s concerns, experiences, and goals, rather than relying on a single treatment model.

University Teaching and Professional Education

My academic and educational experience includes university teaching, graduate field supervision, curriculum development, and the design and delivery of professional education programs.

I have taught at the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, and the University of Calgary, and supported graduate students and developing professionals through several post-secondary institutions.

I am currently developing a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness for the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Education, drawing on my clinical expertise, research, and experience in trauma-informed practice, educational leadership, and curriculum development.

My professional education experience also includes developing and delivering training in mental health, trauma, family dynamics, leadership, clinical supervision, ethics, and reflective practice for educational, government, and community organizations.

Doctoral Research

My doctoral research at the University of Alberta, Uncovering the Not-Yet-Known: Exploring the Role of Emotion in Educational Leadership, examined how educational leaders experience, recognize, and develop understanding of emotions and aspects of themselves that may initially lie outside conscious awareness.  Drawing on analytical psychology and experiential inquiry, this research explored the relationship between emotion, self-awareness, and professional judgment.

The research complements my clinical practice by deepening my interest in how individuals encounter previously unrecognized aspects of their emotional experience and develop new perspectives on themselves, their relationships, and the choices available to them.

Clinical Supervision and Organizational Leadership

As a Certified Clinical Social Work Supervisor, I provide clinical supervision and professional consultation emphasizing therapeutic skill development, ethical decision-making, and reflective practice.

My organizational leadership experience includes serving as Acting Manager, Regional Supervisor, and Casework Supervisor within the Government of Alberta. These positions involved clinical and administrative supervision, staff development, consultation, and decision-making in complex service environments.

This combination of clinical and organizational experience informs my understanding of the professional, relational, and systemic challenges encountered by practitioners and leaders.

Contact Information

Linda McFalls, Ph.D., LCSW, RSW

Clinical Therapist | Psychotherapist | Certified Clinical Supervisor
Touchstone Counselling Inc.
222 Rycor Bldg, 6030 88 St. (South)
Edmonton, Alberta
T6E 6G4

Phone: 780-996-7655
Email: Linda.McFalls@TouchstoneCounselling.com