Joanna Zieminski – Registered Psychologist, Edmonton
About Joanna Zieminski, M.A., Registered Psychologist
Joanna is a Registered Psychologist and Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist with 20 years of clinical experience. After completing her Master’s Degree in Psychology in Poland, she has dedicated her career to supporting adults in navigating challenges and improving their overall well-being.
Although Joanna draws from a variety of approaches—including Sensorimotor Therapy, Gottman Therapy, and EMDR—her primary focus is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She helps clients understand how their thoughts influence their moods, behaviors, and perceptions, and guides them in learning practical strategies to manage stress and regain a sense of control in their lives. Joanna works with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, and trauma.
In addition, Joanna specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), the gold-standard treatment for chronic insomnia. Research shows that insomnia affects 15–33% of the population, and CBT-I leads to improvement in 70–80% of clients. This approach is more effective than sleeping medication, eliminates or reduces the need for sedatives in most cases, and avoids the risks and side effects associated with medication. CBT-I has also been shown to improve mood, reduce depression, and support clients managing co-occurring conditions such as PTSD, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, substance use, and menopausal symptoms.
Through her work, Joanna combines evidence-based strategies with compassion, empowering clients to create meaningful, lasting changes in their lives.
How Our Minds Can Spiral So Quickly
A while back I heard a joke about a guy, let’s call him Bill, who needed to borrow a lawn mower from his neighbor. One day, Bill realized his grass was way too long and decided it was time to mow. The problem was, his own lawn mower was broken. So he decided to borrow one from his neighbor, let’s call him Jim.
As Bill walked across the street, his mind started racing. “I’ll say hello, he’ll say hello back. I’ll ask how he’s doing, he’ll say okay. Then I’ll ask if I can borrow his mower. He’ll probably ask why. I’ll explain mine is broken and of course I’ll pay for the fuel. But wait, last time we saw each other, he gave me a weird look. Is he mad at me? What if he gives me a hard time? After all, I’m only asking.”
By the time Bill reached Jim’s door, he was so anxious he knocked and, the moment Jim opened the door, Bill blurted out, “Forget it, keep your blasted lawn mower, I didn’t even want it anyway.”
Sound familiar? It is amazing how our minds can take a simple ask and turn it into a full blown drama before anything even happens.
Are you tired of overthinking, overanalyzing every decision, every interaction, every conversation you had?
- Are you tired of overthinking, overanalyzing every decision, every interaction, every conversation you had?
- Are you tired of worrying about what may happen? How will people see you? What others will think?
- Do you second guess every decision you need to make?
- Do you feel like you can’t afford to make a mistake? That everything must be perfect?
- Do you feel like you don’t want years of therapy, you just want to feel better?
- Do you struggle with sleep? Do you struggle with falling asleep and/or staying asleep?
- Do you notice that poor sleep is affecting your mood and overall wellbeing?
Who Do I Help? Am I the Right
Therapist for You?
Choosing a therapist is a very personal decision. Feeling comfortable and at ease with the person you’re working with can make a real difference in how effective therapy feels. Every therapist has their own style, and the relationship you build with them often matters just as much as the tools or techniques used. That’s why it’s worth taking a moment to consider whether working with me feels like the right fit for you.
I work with adult clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, sleep difficulties, and overthinking that can feel overwhelming or paralyzing. Many of my clients find themselves stuck, unable to make decisions or take action because they want everything to be perfect, or they feel trapped in cycles of worry and self-criticism.
I work well with clients who “just want to feel better” but may not be ready to dive deeply into therapy right away. I meet clients where they are and guide them at a pace that feels manageable. Some are looking for “resolution,” practical tools to manage symptoms and cope more effectively without months of deep work, while others are seeking “revolution,” engaging in more in-depth exploration and growth. It’s common for goals to shift as we work together, and I adapt alongside your needs.
If your primary goal is improving sleep without exploring deeper personal history, I offer CBT-I, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. I am very passionate about this approach and have seen it make a meaningful difference for clients struggling with chronic sleep difficulties.
I work best with clients who appreciate a direct, practical, and research-based approach. My primary framework is CBT, but with over 20 years of clinical experience, I know the value of flexibility. I tailor my methods to your specific goals, challenges, and what feels most helpful in the moment, combining evidence-based techniques with a personalized approach.
Therapy is not a magic cure. Meaningful change requires effort and active participation, both during and outside of sessions. Progress comes from practicing the strategies, tools, and insights we discuss and applying them in your daily life.
I also hope you are curious and willing to question, rather than simply accepting something because I say it works. I encourage experimentation, trying new approaches, and giving feedback on what feels helpful. Together, we will discover what works, adjust what doesn’t, and build strategies that make sense for your life. I believe everyone is the expert in their own life, even if it’s sometimes challenging to follow their own wisdom without guidance.
If this approach resonates with you, we may be a strong fit to work together.
We May Not Be a Good Fit If:
We might not be the best fit if you’re not ready to be an active participant in therapy. If you’re not ready to do homework, try assignments, or practice new skills between sessions, progress is likely to stall. Similarly, if you’re not ready to explore your thought patterns or identify the goals you want to work toward, it may be difficult to make meaningful changes in our work together.
I’m also not the right therapist if your main focus is couples therapy, legal assessments, or standardized testing. My work centers on understanding what’s happening for you, your symptoms, patterns, and experiences, to guide therapy, rather than producing formal reports or evaluations.
I’m not the right therapist if you are under 18 years, as I work exclusively with adult clients.
If you need evening or weekend appointments, our schedules likely won’t align. I offer sessions during the day and see clients in person as well as through telehealth, either virtually or by phone.
How Do I Help? My Therapy Style and What You Can Expect.
When we are in session, I am fully present, focused, grounded, and respectful. Your best interests guide everything I do. I am direct and straightforward, and I hope you will be too. I often use stories and analogies to help explain ideas, and I enjoy bringing humor and lightness into our work to create balance. My goal is to work with you until you feel you no longer need me, so in that sense, I may not be the best businessperson, I aim to work myself out of a job.
I believe in creating a safe space where you feel heard and understood. At the same time, I will challenge your thinking and interpretations to offer new perspectives, because meaningful change often requires looking at things differently, especially when what you’ve been doing so far hasn’t been working as well as you’d like.
I’m not perfect. I make mistakes and sometimes miss important points. There are times I fumble or fail to communicate clearly, even if it all made sense in my head. I welcome and appreciate constructive feedback from you and value being held accountable.
English is my second language, and even after 20 years in Canada, I still mispronounce words. I don’t mind being corrected, it’s a chance for me to learn.
Most clients describe me as warm, approachable, funny, and straightforward. They often say that therapy feels less intimidating and more manageable when working with me. Many also mention that they sense I am genuine and truly invested in their well-being and progress.
What You Might Notice After Working With Me (Result)
I can’t promise that after our work together you will never feel anxious, depressed, or struggle with sleep. I wish I had that kind of power, it’s hard to see anyone in pain. What I can promise is that I will support you in learning tools, strategies, and ways of thinking that can help you cope when challenges arise.
My hope is that you will feel empowered and confident in your ability to handle difficult situations life may bring. Together, we will create a plan tailored to your goals, develop practical skills, and build strategies for meaningful change.
Therapy isn’t just about talking about problems; we will also acknowledge progress, celebrate successes, and focus on solutions that fit your life. Depending on your needs, I will use strategies from different approaches (CBT, EMDR, SFT, mindfulness, somatic work).
My hope is that while we are working together you will feel like you have a supportive ally to guide you in taking meaningful steps forward.
Areas of Interest & Specialty
Client Focus
Individual Adults | WCB | VAC | MVA & Personal Injury Clients
Service Language(s):
- English
- Polish
Areas of Specialty
ADHD | Anxiety | | CBT | CBT for Insomnia | Chronic Pain | Depression | Divorce |Grief | Individual Relationship Counselling (not Couples) |MVA Injury | OCD | Personal Injury | Return to Work | Trauma | Work Performance
Joanna at the H4L Conference 2026
Listen to Joanna share why sleep cannot be forced, and how trying harder to fall asleep often makes it more difficult. In this brief interview from the 2026 International Health for Longevity Conference, Joanna explains what to do instead and shares her passion for making this highly effective, evidence based treatment more accessible to individuals struggling with chronic sleep difficulties.
Originally presented at the Health for Longevity (H4L) International Conference 2026, hosted by Health for Longevity. Shared with permission from H4L.
Listen to Joanna's H4L Presentation
Listen to Joanna's presentation from the 2026 International Health for Longevity Conference to learn about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia, or CBT-I, an evidence based first line treatment for chronic insomnia. Discover how CBT-I helps improve sleep, reduce reliance on sleep medication, and support lasting improvements in overall mental and physical well being.
Originally presented at the Health for Longevity (H4L) International Conference 2026, hosted by Health for Longevity. Shared with permission from H4L.
Types of Therapy Approaches
That I Offer
How Services Can Be Accessed
Clients can access services privately or through the following plans:
- Extended Health Care Plan (Blue Cross, Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Greenshield, and others)
- Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB)
- Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC)
Training & Qualifications
Joanna Zieminski is a Registered Psychologist and a Silesian University graduate with a master’s degree in psychology. She has over 20 years of experience supporting clients with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationships, and insomnia, and has worked in a variety of clinical and professional settings.