Evan Essapa, MEd
I am a bilingual Registered Provisional Psychologist dedicated to providing compassionate, culturally responsive care. I have experience helping clients overcome depression, anxiety, addictions, stress, and trauma. I also have experience working with diverse populations, particularly individuals from visible minority communities, as well as youth and athletes. My primary goal is to ensure that clients receive personalized, evidence-based care.
A Few Words From Evan
If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, experiencing low confidence, helpless or hopeless, feeling like a misfit in your family or community, or just unsure of where to turn, you might be looking for someone who understands what you're going through. I can help you navigate these difficult emotions and experiences.
I know firsthand the challenges of navigating identity and cultural pressures. Drawing from my personal experiences, I help people who may be feeling isolated or unsure of their place in the world. Having moved to Canada in search of better opportunities, I understand both the possibilities the country offers and the challenges that immigrants and first-generation Canadians face. Issues around identity, belonging, acceptance, and fitting in are areas where I can offer strong support to help you manage.
So, if you’re looking for someone who truly understands the weight you’re carrying, I’m here to help lighten that load. You don’t have to carry it alone—reach out to start your healing journey.
Sport Psychology
If you're an athlete under pressure, it’s important to recognize that the stress and anxiety you're feeling are natural responses to the immense expectations placed on you. Balancing academics or work, athletic commitments, and personal life can create a heavy sense of pressure, making it hard to stay grounded. As a former University of Alberta Track and Field and Soccer athlete, a member of Team Alberta, and part of a professional soccer academy in France, I’ve experienced these challenges firsthand. I’ve been honored with multiple awards for my athletic, academic, and community involvement, and I understand the unique pressures athletes face.
Whether you're struggling with performance anxiety or feeling like you're losing your balance in life, I'm here to help you manage that stress and build the resilience you need to succeed—both on and off the field.
Counselling Areas of Expertise
Depression and Anxiety:
Struggling with depression or anxiety can feel overwhelming. It's not unusual to feel like you've done something wrong for having these emotions or to be blamed by others for feeling this way. You might hear things like, "If you would just try harder," "Just relax," or "Other people have it worse, so what's your problem?" But in reality, these feelings often stem from prolonged stress, unresolved trauma, or imbalances in the brain. Life’s challenges, such as relationship issues, career pressures, or past events beyond your control, can weigh heavily and lead to these emotions.
My clinical skills can help you break free from this cycle. Using evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, and mindfulness, I have helped people reconnect with life, manage worry, and rediscover a sense of purpose. I can help you move beyond being defined by these feelings. There is a way to feel better and regain control.
Trauma Therapy:
If you're feeling overwhelmed by past trauma, know that the distressing symptoms you're experiencing—such as flashbacks, sleep disturbances, nightmares, emotional volatility, or numbness—are treatable. With the right therapeutic approach, it's possible to reduce or even eliminate many of these experiences. Trauma often leaves deep emotional scars that can feel impossible to heal on your own. It’s like an electrical short in your brain, leaving you stuck in the feeling that the trauma is happening over and over.
I understand how overwhelming this can be, and my trauma-focused approach is designed to help you gradually reduce these painful symptoms. With empathetic and structured guidance, you can regain a sense of safety and control in your life. You don't have to keep living in the shadow of your past. Healing is possible.
Cultural and Racial Identity:
For those navigating identity or racial challenges, it’s common to feel isolated, lonely, or rejected. Social judgment or pressure from your own community can lead to disconnection from friends, family, and colleagues. This can bring on confusion, sadness, and anger, as issues of race and identity create deep emotional strain. These feelings are a natural response to such challenges.
As a Black male provisional psychologist, I understand firsthand how difficult this can be. I provide culturally responsive care to help you overcome these emotions and replace them with hope, connection, and a sense of worthiness. Together, we’ll work to help you rediscover your strong sense of self.
Edited by Karin Lord, M.Sc., R. Psych. (AB: 2637)
