Meet Dr. Jenny
Hi there, I'm Dr. Jenny McAlister (she/her)! I'm a registered psychologist, founder of Strathearn Psychology, clinical supervisor, educator, and someone who genuinely believes in the power of relationships to shape our lives.
My work has always centred on people and their relationships with themselves, their partners, their children, and the people who matter most to them. I work with adolescents, adults, couples, and families, helping them navigate life's challenges, strengthen their relationships, and find healthier ways forward.
Working with Couples and Families
Families are wonderfully complex. They are where we develop our earliest relationships, learn how to communicate, and discover what it means to belong. They can also be where we experience some of our greatest challenges.
I have a particular interest in helping families navigate relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, separation and divorce, and the changes that come with restructuring family life.
Separation and divorce can be particularly challenging when children are involved. Even when relationships between adults change, the need to maintain healthy, supportive relationships with children remains. My approach emphasizes reducing conflict, improving communication, supporting effective co-parenting, and keeping children's emotional and developmental needs at the centre of the conversation.
I work with parents and families to better understand their relationship dynamics, navigate difficult conversations, establish healthier boundaries, and develop practical strategies for moving forward. Whether families are working to strengthen their relationships, adjust to new family structures, or manage ongoing conflict, my goal is to create a space where meaningful progress is possible.
I bring both a clinical and developmental perspective to this work, recognizing that family challenges affect children, adolescents, and adults differently. My experience working with children and youth, including those with disabilities and additional support needs, informs my understanding of the unique considerations that can arise within families.
I believe that families do not need to look a certain way to be healthy. What matters is creating relationships and environments where people feel safe, respected, supported, and able to thrive.
I also provide court-ordered Practice Note 7 interventions (triage, voice of the child) under the supervision of Dr. Greg Pickering, supporting families navigating complex parenting and family relationship challenges.
Supporting the Next Generation of Psychologists
Another important part of my professional life is clinical supervision, mentorship, and education.
As the founder and director of Strathearn Psychology, I have had the privilege of supporting the development of emerging psychologists through clinical supervision, internship opportunities, and professional mentorship.
My doctoral work focused on the experiences of psychologists receiving inadequate supervision during their pre-licensure training. This research strengthened my commitment to providing thoughtful, ethical, and developmentally appropriate supervision that supports both professional competence and personal growth.
I provide clinical supervision to provisional psychologists, supervision of supervision, and consultation to established professionals seeking to strengthen their clinical practice.
Building Community and Connection
I founded Strathearn Psychology with the belief that mental health care should feel welcoming, collaborative, and genuinely human.
I value a straightforward, compassionate approach to therapy. Sometimes our work involves difficult conversations, sometimes it involves learning new skills, and sometimes it means finding space to laugh or simply feel understood.
Outside of my clinical practice, I teach at the post-secondary level and remain actively involved in community-building initiatives, including producing the Strathearn Art Walk.
Community, connection, and relationships are at the heart of nearly everything I do both personally and professionally.
When I'm not working, you'll often find me travelling, enjoying live music or theatre, spending time with family and friends, or finding another reason to bring people together.
A few humblebrags…
I’ve sat on the province’s Mental Health Review Panel as a public member
I am a former member of the Oral Ethics Committee of the College of Alberta Psychologists
I was named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 (2019) for my work on community and individual health
I’m an educator at various post-secondary institutions in Edmonton
I’m a 2022 recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for Community Service