Social Workers and Mental Health Therapists
Meet Our Compassionate Team
We are happy to support the minds and bodies of clients in-person in Athabasca, or virtually across the Province of Alberta.
Athabasca Therapist and Social Worker
Welcome to Echo Wellness
Echo Wellness provides support for mental health challenges in-person in Athabasca and virtually across Alberta. We specialize in EMDR therapy, CBT and DBT Therapy to treat anxiety, PTSD, agoraphobia, post stress disorder, depression, bipolar, anger, stress and many other mental health conditions.
We understand the courage it takes to reach out for support. Whether you are navigating challenges or open to personal growth, therapy offers a safe and compassionate space to explore what matters most to you.
Eileen Hofmann, MSW, BSW, RSW
Eileen Hofmann is the founder and Director of Echo Wellness Counselling and Contracting Limited. Eileen completed her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from the University of Victoria and her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with clinical specialization from the University of Calgary. She is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and is licensed to serve clients across the Province of Alberta.
Eileen has been approved by the ACSW to conduct psychosocial interventions and is a qualified EMDR Therapist. She has over 25 years of experience working in the human and justice services fields and has been registered with the ACSW focusing on community social work since 2015.
Eileen’s practice is grounded in an anti-oppressive and judgment-free framework that honours each client’s lived experience within their broader social and systemic contexts. Her work is informed by Attachment Theory, and an understanding of how the nervous system impacts emotional regulation and relational patterns. Eileen often integrates somatic experiencing and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) into her therapeutic approach and draws on additional modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Grief Counselling. She also incorporates her social work experience and psycho-social education to support clients in fostering resilience, self-awareness, and connection.
I strive to provide a safe space for my clients to feel comfortable… Whether you are navigating challenges or open to personal growth, therapy offers a safe and compassionate space to explore what matters most to you.
Stacey Tymo, NTP
Echo Wellness is proud to partner with WholeSoul Nutrition. Our holistic nutrition services recognize the vital connection between the body and mind. Nutritional well-being directly influences emotional regulation, energy, and resilience—key factors in supporting mental health. Our certified holistic nutritionist collaborates with clients to explore how nourishment and lifestyle patterns intersect, helping to restore balance and promote overall wellness. This integrative approach compliments counselling by addressing both the physiological and emotional foundations of healing.
Contact Stacey directly to book an appointment:
The brain and body share the same chemistry; when we stabilize blood sugar, support gut health, and reduce inflammation, mental clarity naturally improves.
Registered Social Workers
What is a Registered Social Worker?
Social workers are regulated health professionals who may work with individuals, families, groups and communities to improve individual and collective well-being. They respond to social issues like racism, poverty and unemployment. As well, social workers advocate for social justice, human rights and fair access to health and social services.
Canadian Social Workers share the following core values:
- Respect for the inherent dignity and worth of persons
- Pursuit of social justice
- Service to humanity
- Integrity in professional practice
- Confidentiality in professional practice
- Competence in professional practice
As a member of the Canadian Association of Social Workers, we commit to:
- Upholding the values and principles of the CASW Code of Ethics (2024) and the CASW Social Policy Principles.
- Supporting the voices of First Nations, Metis, Inuit, Black, and other racialized people by supporting the voices of groups that are marginalized based on characteristics such as age, ability, gender, identity, language, religious and cultural beliefs, and other characteristics.
- Supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and the principles outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Affirming the importance of critical reflective practice aimed at exploring one’s social location to confront implicit biases, and white privilege.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps individuals heal from the emotional distress and physiological impact of traumatic and overwhelming life experiences.
Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR is grounded in the idea that trauma interferes with the brain’s natural ability to process and store memories adaptively. When a distressing experience overwhelms the nervous system, the memory can become “frozen” or stored in a fragmented and emotionally charged form.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, typically in the form of guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, to activate both hemispheres of the brain. This process helps the nervous system reprocess traumatic material, allowing the memory to be integrated in a more adaptive and less distressing way.
A key strength of EMDR therapy is that it does not require individuals to talk in detail about the trauma. Instead, it focuses on identifying target memories, associated beliefs, body sensations, and emotions. During bilateral stimulation, the brain is guided to engage in its natural healing processes, similar to those that occur during REM sleep. Over time, clients often report a reduction in the emotional intensity of the memory, the emergence of new insights, and the development of more balanced and empowering beliefs. This approach is particularly beneficial for people who find traditional talk therapies overwhelming or re-traumatizing.
The benefits of EMDR in trauma treatment are well-documented through extensive research and clinical outcomes. It has proven highly effective in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as anxiety, depression, grief, and adverse childhood experiences.
EMDR therapy also helps to restore a sense of agency, emotional regulation, and nervous system balance. When integrated into a holistic therapy practice, EMDR provides a powerful tool for deep healing and long-term transformation.
Ready to see how EMDR therapy can heal your trauma and improve your life?
Many clients experience relief more quickly than in traditional therapies, as EMDR targets the root causes rather than only managing symptoms.