Interview with Nicole Muir
Getting to Know Nicole Muir
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in psychology?
I decided to pursue a career in psychology for a couple of reasons. I have always wanted a career where I can help people live better lives. Also, I just find the whole field of psychology so interesting and fascinating. I still get excited when I learn new things in psychology!
2. Can you tell us a bit about your training and background?
I worked for many years in social services (e.g., at a health unit, as a consultant for families that had children with disabilities etc.). I decided to go back to university to study clinical psychology at Simon Fraser University in my late 30s. I did my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and then did my PhD in Forensic Psychology (Mental Health, Law, and Policy). After university, I became a Clinical Psychology professor at York University. Last summer, I moved to Winnipeg so that I could be closer to my family in Saskatchewan. I’m currently working as a Clinical Psychology professor at the University of Manitoba.
3. Outside of work, how do you like to decompress yourself?
I do a lot of crafts: I knit, crochet, sew, and have started doing some punch rugging. I also love gardening and spending time with my dog!
Understanding the Role
3. What is a Psychological Associate, and how is it different from a Psychologist?
I am registered as a Psychological Associate (Independent Practice) in Manitoba. A Psychological Associate can do the same work as a registered Psychologist: Both can assess, diagnose, and treat. The difference between a Psychological Associate and Psychologist is that a Psychological Associate has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, whereas a Psychologist also has a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
4. Are you able to diagnose mental health conditions? If so, which ones?
Even though I can diagnose, I don’t always need to diagnose every client. In many cases, I will do an in-depth assessment to get a better understanding of what is going on for the client in to make sure that we come up with the best treatment plan to support the client.
That being said, I have the expertise and ability to diagnose many mental health conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, some Personality Disorders, PTSD, Panic Disorder etc.
There are some diagnoses (e.g., Schizophrenia, ADHD, Autism) that go beyond my areas of expertise. So, if these were to come up, I would refer a client to another Psychologist, Psychological Associate, or psychiatrist with expertise in that area to ensure that the client gets the best support possible.
5. What kinds of issues or challenges do you help clients with?
I can help clients by providing support, therapeutic interventions, and coping strategies for a variety of mental health challenges including trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and with more general areas like coping skills and relationship issues.
For example, when working with clients experiencing trauma and/or PTSD, I can provide support around processing traumatic experiences, reducing trauma-related symptoms, and building resilience. For clients dealing with depression, some examples of the way I would provide support might be helping the client identify and then challenge negative thought patterns or helping the client reconnect with things that they used to enjoy. For clients experiencing anxiety, I can support the client by helping them identify anxiety triggers and teach them to incorporate different strategies such as relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety symptoms. In terms of coping skills, I support clients by teaching them about how to understand and manage their emotions, and how to cope with emotional pain in a healthier way. And finally, some examples of how I can support clients experiencing relationship issues include working on communication skills or examining relationship patterns to help the client change unhealthy patterns of interaction. By addressing these areas, I aim to help clients improve their mental health, build resilience, and lead more fulfilling lives.
6. Do you work with individuals, couples, or families?
I work with adult individuals.
How She Works
7. What can someone expect in a first session with you?
In a first session, I will go over how therapy works in general, discuss the consent form and talk about confidentiality. Then we will discuss the issues that have brought the client to therapy. The first session is really about getting to know each other, asking questions, and getting a better understanding of what therapy will look like for the client.
8. What kind of therapeutic approaches or techniques do you use?
My treatment approaches include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – E.g., identifying and changing negative thought patterns
- Schema Therapy – This helps client understand old coping strategies that no longer serve them
- Narrative Exposure Therapy – This approach helps clients work through their trauma
- Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) – Learning about and regulating emotions
- Motivational Interviewing – A method that supports personal change
9. Do you offer in-person or virtual sessions—or both?
In-person.
Tips and Takeaways
10. What advice would you give to someone who’s never seen a therapist before but is considering it?
The main thing I would tell a person that has never seen a therapist before is that considering therapy is a sign of strength and self-awareness. I would also tell them that being open and honest in therapy sessions, although this can be really hard sometimes, will help their therapist understand them better and therefore, help facilitate healing.
11. What are some myths about therapy you’d like to bust?
I think there are many myths about therapy in general and a lot of them can be really negative. One myth is that therapy is only for people who are experiencing extreme mental health conditions. This is untrue. Therapy can be really helpful for people who are experiencing mild to moderate issues like stress, relationship issues, low self-esteem etc. as well as more severe mental health conditions. Seeking therapy is a sign of strength, courage, and self-awareness, and is not a sign of weakness.
Another myth around therapy is that therapy is just talking and that it will be the same as talking to your friends. Therapy is not just venting about one’s life. This is untrue. Talking is a big part of therapy, but a good therapist will guide the client to gain insight, develop new coping skills, change negative thoughts, and change behaviors. A good therapist provides guidance, teaching, and a safe space to really start to understand who we are and then make changes in their life.
