Hello, I am Cory Donald, Edmonton’s RUN & WALK psychologist and founder of FORWARD Psychology & Wellness. I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, a dedicated therapist, and an avid runner. I pride myself on honesty and integrity, communicating clearly and developing genuine rapport with my clients. I work from a strength-based perspective and enjoy working in-office and outdoors - supporting my clients in the environment of their choosing.

FORWARD was founded, after several years of entirely office-based psychotherapy practice.

FORWARD exists as a blending of options for clients. It is a next step in the evolution of how we access, obtain and maintain holistic health and wellness. ​ Psychologist ​ Psychology was a natural progression in a career of helping professions which, for me, began in education. My clinical training was primarily in counselling psychology. ​ I utilize Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution-Focused therapy, and Narrative therapy; all of which rest on a foundation that can be described as Positive Psychology. I practice from a non-judgmental, strength-based perspective. ​ My approach with clients is intentionally individualized, as I believe one size does not fit all.

Hello, I am Cory Donald, Edmonton’s RUN & WALK psychologist and founder of FORWARD Psychology... Read More

Hello! My name is Melanie Lestus. I am a Registered Psychologist. I started my career in the field of Social Work where I spent many days supporting diverse populations in a variety of acute care and community-based settings. This created a burning desire for me to change how we view mental health; adjusting my focus into really wanting to put energy into helping people create and maintain wellness. I am passionate about building from where we are, taking steps FORWARD, and promoting prevention.

As a Registered Psychologist I work from a place of authenticity, open-mindedness, and of course with the occasional use of humour! I believe that we are all a work in progress and appreciate every person that allows me to ‘walk’ that journey with them.

I believe strongly in resiliency and personal strengths, and use a holistic approach with mindfulness-based strategies to help individuals improve their functioning and their lives. I practice a flexible and adaptable approach to meet the unique needs of each individual I work with, addressing issues from a biopsychosocial model. ​ I am currently accepting new clients and offer Walk Therapy in addition to my Office-Based work and online telepsychology.

Hello! My name is Melanie Lestus. I am a Registered Psychologist. I started my career in the fiel... Read More

Naomi Paton is a Registered Psychologist who brings over 20 years of experience in mental health, forensic psychology, trauma, and addiction. She has experience with individual, couples and group therapy as well as assessment. Naomi enjoys helping clients address concerns related to grief and loss, addictions, burnout, trauma, and relationships. When not working with clients, Naomi enjoys spending time with her husband and children playing games, travelling and being outdoors. She is an avid hockey fan and reader and can often be found on her treadmill, where she describes her running style as slow and steady!

Naomi takes a flexible, client-centered approach to therapy; her goal is rooted in meeting people where they are at and to create a safe, non-judgmental environment in which to explore challenges and support change. She works from a trauma-informed place of curiosity and acceptance and encourages individual clients to develop and foster self-compassion and mindfulness. Naomi provides psychotherapy in-office, online, over the telephone and outdoors, on the move.

Naomi is passionate about engaging with a diverse population of people and considers it a privilege to walk alongside people throughout their therapy journey. She has a diverse skill set and always strives to provide strategies that best meet the needs of the individual or couple she is working with. Naomi has specific training in Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT), Dialectical Therapy (DBT), Polyvagal Theory, the Gottman Method and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

Naomi Paton is a Registered Psychologist who brings over 20 years of experience in mental health,... Read More