Isaac Cherian, R. Psych
Isaac is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and brings over two decades of experience in mental health care. His work focuses on supporting individuals experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, trauma-related concerns, dissociative disorders, and somatic symptoms, with a compassionate and trauma-informed approach.
Therapeutic Expertise
Isaac’s clinical work is grounded in evidence-based, integrative therapeutic approaches. His primary focus is on mindfulness-based therapy, supported by advanced training from the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University in the UK—an internationally recognized leader in neuropsychological and evidence-based mindfulness research.
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In addition to mindfulness-based approaches, Isaac is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and body-centred therapeutic approaches. He integrates these modalities thoughtfully to support emotional regulation, trauma recovery, and long-term psychological well-being.
Trauma, Depression, and Anxiety Work
Isaac has extensive experience supporting individuals affected by trauma, including trauma related to war, sexual violence, and adverse childhood or life experiences. He brings a deeply empathetic, compassionate, and grounded presence to his work, creating a strong sense of safety and emotional security for his clients.
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His therapeutic approach helps individuals reconnect with hope, stability, and inner resilience. Through gentle reflection and collaborative exploration, Isaac supports clients in developing a greater sense of ease and confidence in navigating life’s challenges. He often describes his work as helping clients move toward a place of “ease” or “ok-ness” with their experiences.
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Isaac’s work is informed by mindfulness-based approaches, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and body-centred therapies. When appropriate, he takes a holistic view, addressing challenges across multiple dimensions of functioning—including behaviour, physical well-being, emotions, thoughts, personal agency, and awareness—to support meaningful and lasting recovery.
Couples and Family Counselling
Isaac works with couples and families experiencing relational conflict, helping them restore connection, understanding, and trust. He brings extensive experience supporting relationships across diverse cultural contexts and complex dynamics. His work with couples and families is primarily informed by Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), supporting meaningful change and emotional healing.
Work With Indigenous Peoples in Canada
Isaac has significant experience providing psychological services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. His work is guided by cultural sensitivity, historical awareness, and a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge and lived experience.
Through a compassionate and collaborative approach, Isaac builds trust and supports resilience, well-being, and healing. He remains committed to ongoing learning, community engagement, and best practices in Indigenous counselling, with continued involvement in the Maskwacis community and beyond.
Dissociative, Somatic, and Personality Disorders
Isaac’s work with dissociative disorders, somatic concerns, and personality-related challenges is informed by mindfulness-based approaches and his scholarly understanding of self, dialogue, and consciousness. He has presented internationally and published academic work on the Dialogical Self framework developed by Hubert Hermans.
In therapy, Isaac uses the Personal Position Repertoire (PPR) Method to help clients gain insight into complex inner experiences, clarify therapeutic goals, and support meaningful, documented change.
Other Areas of Professional Work
Isaac is actively involved in research, training, and development related to mindfulness-based psychotherapy. He is currently working toward publishing his theoretical framework, known as the Consciousness-Based Approach.
He teaches at City University of Seattle (Edmonton Campus) and provides psychological services with Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers and Multicultural Health Brokers. Isaac also facilitates weekly mindfulness sessions and community workshops.
My Approach
Isaac’s therapeutic approach is shaped by over 20 years of self-inquiry, research, clinical practice, and teaching. At the heart of his work is the belief that the core of human experience is inherently positive—often felt as calmness, freedom, joy, or inner goodness. While pain and suffering are real, they exist alongside this deeper capacity for well-being.
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Drawing on mindfulness, reflective practices, nature, and creative expression, Isaac supports clients in learning how to access and function from this grounded state of awareness more consistently. He refers to this integrative framework as Consciousness-Based Psychotherapy.
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As a therapist, Isaac integrates humanistic-experiential and dialogical approaches to help individuals make sense of their experiences and suffering. Central to his work is the therapeutic relationship, which he views as a sacred space grounded in trust, respect, integrity, and deep empathy. He believes healing emerges through dialogue, personal narrative, and insight—supporting clients in reconnecting with themselves, their relationships, and their inherent capacity for well-being.
Publications & Presentations
Isaac has an extensive academic and scholarly background, with international publications and presentations focused on consciousness, mindfulness, dialogical self theory, and psychotherapy. His work bridges Eastern perspectives and contemporary psychological theory, contributing to both research and clinical practice.
Selected Publications
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Towards a Synthesis of Consciousness and Dialogue — International Journal of Dialogical Science (2015)
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Counseling Young Emiratis: The Value of a Dialogical Self Model — Journal of Counseling and Psychotherapy (2014)
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The Future of Humanistic Psychology: Toward a Self with Expanded Horizons — The Humanistic Psychologist (2013)
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Re-examining the Concept of Self — Palgrave Macmillan (2011)
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Janshala: Toward Empowering Community Schools — United Nations & Ministry of Education, India (2002)
Selected International Presentations
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Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association — Canada
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European Congress of Psychology — Sweden
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International Congress of Psychology — South Africa
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International Conferences on the Dialogical Self — UK, Greece
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International Association of Jungian Studies — UK
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Counselling Arabia Conferences — UAE
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National Academy of Psychology — India
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Isaac’s scholarly work reflects a long-standing commitment to advancing psychotherapy through integrative, culturally informed, and consciousness-based perspectives.
Contact
Consciousness Studio
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The Centre for Psychological Services 6732 75 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 6T9
Phone: + 1 780 803 7792