Hey, I’m Theresa 

Wild Journey Recovery was born from a long personal journey in recovery. Recovery from trauma, anxiety, depression, burnout, perfectionism and coping strategies that were more harmful than helpful. This led me to pursue a professional path to support others in healing from trauma, chronic stress and addiction for the past eight years.

My perspective on recovery is that life is an ever-changing, messy path; nothing is linear, which is okay. It’s like the wild places I have been privileged to roam; the peaks and valleys are part of the depth of our human experience. The tangled earth and wooded places can be challenging to forge a path through, but the way to healing is formed with each step.

Recovery is a means to re-cover something that may have been misplaced, lost, or buried deep inside yourself. It can mean recovering from trauma, stress, habitual patterns, addiction, or any mental health disorder you may struggle with. Just like in the great outdoors, sometimes we need a guide, and I believe the same goes for navigating our internal wilderness.

I offer a space and place to recover from whatever you feel has been taken from you and support nervous system regulation to return to the life you envision for yourself. 

Theresa Rybchinski

BKin., M.S.W., R.S.W., SP., A.R.T Therapist

My Story

Professionally, I am a social worker, and a mental health and somatic practitioner working from a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens, blending somatic psychology, internal family systems, polyvagal theory and attachment theory.

I am also a human that got over some dark stuff. I leaned heavily on the wilderness to bring me home to myself.

Thank you for being here; I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to search for support, especially if your world feels dark right now. 

Secondly, although I cannot name names, I want to give gratitude to those who have supported me through the years. I deeply value community and connection and owe my life to those in my corner. I couldn’t have made it here without my community, mentors, and teachers.

My guiding principles

Safety, Dignity, Humanity, Connection, Curiosity, Respect, Empowerment, Integrity, Vulnerability, Service, Holism.

Woman standing on a fallen tree trunk in the middle of a birch tree forest

I’ve been through tough seasons that tested my energy, relationships, and sense of direction. I’ve supported a loved one through the chaos of addiction and spent years finding my way back to balance after burning out. Living with ongoing health issues and physical pain has taught me how much these struggles can quietly shape our day-to-day lives — sometimes pulling us away from the people and experiences that bring us joy.

I also know what it means to hold everything together on the outside while feeling overwhelmed inside. I’ve had to unlearn perfectionism, slow down, and make space for the parts of myself I used to ignore.

Yes my struggles helped shaped me, but I am more than that.

I’m someone who seeks out beauty and meaning in everyday moments. The sun on my face. That first sip of morning coffee. A hug from someone I love. I find peace in nature — whether it’s rock climbing and testing myself on the edge of a mountain (yes, this is peace for me!), getting lost in a new place, diving into a deep conversation, or cooking a meal with my favourite person.

I believe healing doesn’t have to look one way. It’s not about “fixing” yourself — it’s about coming back to who you really are underneath the noise. That’s the heart of how I work, and what I hope to offer you.

I’m passionate about this work because, like you, I have overcome my own health struggles and continue to constantly navigate the real human experiences and realities of life.

If you’re ready, lets work together!

Some of those neat facts about my career & education

I hold a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work, specializing in Addiction and Mental Health and am a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW).

Previously, I studied Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Calgary.

I am also a certified yoga teacher. I have accumulated numerous trainings and workshops in Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, Meditation, and mindfulness over the years.

I am a trained Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, a form of Somatic Therapy.

With my training, I consider myself a body-centred therapist, and I weave all of this knowledge and experience into my sessions with you.

Additionally, I have a decade of experience working in the healthcare profession, including working in the field of trauma and addiction at wilderness addiction treatment centers, inpatient and outpatient addiction centers, harm reduction programs and Indigenous mental health programs that support folks who have experienced various forms of trauma.