Stacey Ellertson, B. Th., M.A.LM., M.A.CM. PACCC Associate - Counselor

Stacey understands the despair and challenges of severely debilitating anxiety. His struggle began almost immediately when he spent the first year of life in the hospital, and the next nine years in and out of hospital due to multiple surgeries.

Because of these early life experiences, Stacey’s childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood years were filled with fear, loneliness, and a sense of loss of control and inferiority. Consequently, he learned to live anxiously, expecting that bad things would continually happen to him.

Stacey did his best to try and feel better, by trying harder and harder to be better and better, however, the persistent thought of, "It's never enough," continued to pervade in his life.

To relieve the “gloom and doom” he was feeling, Stacey began to sleep excessively, because he found that his dream life was safer than his real life. As a result, he often slept sixteen hours a day. Nicotine, caffeine, and immersing himself into his work also became his drugs of choice, all in an attempt to relieve the heaviness and fear he was experiencing.

In 1991, Stacey experienced excruciating panic attacks, social anxiety, and deep depression. It was during this time that he seriously considered suicide.

That same year, Stacey sought counselling for his anxiety and depression, which began his journey back to normal and lasting health. Today, Stacey lives a life completely free of debilitating panic attacks, anxiety, and depression.

Stacey has a Bachelor of Theology degree from Gardner College in Camrose, Alberta; a Master of Arts degree in Christian Ministry majoring in Marriage and Family Counselling; and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Management with a major in Organizational Leadership.

Because of Stacey’s personal experience with anxiety and depression, he is passionate about helping others. He specializes in helping people with anxiety, depression, stress, and interpersonal relationship problems (individual, marriage, and family).

Stacey is an Associate member of the Professional Association of Canadian Christian Counsellors. He also serves as Executive Director/Senior Counsellor for a non-profit counselling centre and a City Counsellor in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

Stacey and his wife, LeeAnne, reside in Swift Current, Saskatchewan with their two daughters. They attend the East Side Church of God.