Kristy McConnell (she/her)

My Story Greetings! My name is Kristy McConnell (she/her) and I am the founder of Off the Beaten Path. ​I received my clinical training in counselling psychology. I began counselling adults who had successful careers but were stuck for various reasons: relationship difficulties, grief, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or postpartum depression. I went on to specialize in supporting individuals who are anxious, burned out, people pleasers—often highly functional yet overwhelmed. Exercise and connecting with nature has long been established as a powerful way to release endorphins, improve self-esteem, and increase creativity and problem solving. My own personal journey of self-improvement has involved running. As such, I began to wonder how combining therapy with walking together might benefit my clients who were already hard workers, but needed something more. This is how Off the Beaten Path was developed. I became a certified Endurance Running Coach in order to provide a safe, therapeutic environment that can be tailored to my clients at any and every fitness level, including those who may want to be indoors, or experience a mixed approach. My Approach As a therapist, I believe that each human is unique. We all come with a collection of experiences, values, and beliefs that make up our worldview. My focus with clients is to help you achieve optimal wellness: intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Together we will explore how your thoughts contribute to your intellectual wellness. We will use our therapeutic relationship to consider your emotional wellness and how you can grow with others. In therapy, our relationship is at the core, and the place from which all of our work will be done. I use a variety of approaches that look at how your thoughts, emotions, and actions interact, including Attachment Focused - Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD (for couples), Narrative and Parts work, and attachment understandings. Along the way, we will also discuss coping strategies, and set manageable goals. Lastly, my style always incorporates humour, compassion, and appreciation for your commitment to your own health and wellness. If this resonates, I’d be honoured to connect with you!