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About Fazilah | Professional Portfolio
2023-2026
Fazilah Shariff is a Calgary therapist and Certified Personal Training Specialist who works with women through therapy that can incorporate fitness and strength training, walk-and-talk therapy, and conversation.
A little more about the work behind the practice.
Mind-Body Practice with Fazilah brings together parts of my professional life that have shaped how I work today; clinical practice, movement and fitness, women's health, education, leadership, and community work.
This is a collection of some of the experiences, projects, and conversations that have shaped me as a therapist and continue to influence my practice.
Personal Training Certification
Because I Couldn't Stop Talking About Squats
June 2026
Strength training has become an important part of my own life, challenging me in ways that extend beyond the gym. Along the way, I found myself informally supporting and encouraging friends as they built confidence in the weight room and worked toward their own fitness goals. Their encouragement to pursue this interest more formally inspired me to become a Certified Personal Training Specialist.
The certification included in-person instruction, CPR certification, practical examination, and a comprehensive written examination, with an ongoing commitment to continuing education and evidence-informed practice. I am excited to continue developing my knowledge of exercise science and apply this training alongside my clinical expertise to support women's health, wellbeing, and lifelong movement.
Rising Girls: Identity, Confidence & Media In Their Lives
She Rises: A Women's Health Series
June 2026
Together with Dr. Angelique Jenney from the University of Calgary and Wood's Home's, I co-created and co-facilitated Raising Girls in partnership with Kickstand. Designed for parents and caregivers, the evening explored how media and social media influence girls' confidence, identity, relationships, and mental wellbeing. The discussion blended clinical expertise with lived experience, including valuable insights from Mariam, a local high school student, whose perspective brought an authentic youth voice to the conversation.
The event brought together families, clinicians, educators, and community members for an engaging evening of conversation, practical strategies, and shared learning. By combining research, real-world experience, and audience discussion, the evening highlighted the value of community partnerships in supporting girls as they navigate today's increasingly complex world.
Menopause, Body & Mind
She Rises: A Women's Health Series
May 2026
Menopause: Body & Mind brought together family physician Dr. Shafeena Premji, psychiatrist Dr. Zahra Mohamed and Women's Therapist, Fazilah Shariff, for an evening of evidence-informed discussion on the menopause transition. Both physicians are certified through the Canadian Menopause Society, and together we explored the physical, emotional, and psychological changes associated with menopause, including hormonal health, mental wellbeing, exercise, nutrition, sleep, and practical strategies for thriving through this stage of life.
The event brought together expertise from medicine and mental health in an engaging, accessible format that encouraged conversation, questions, and shared learning. By connecting research with practical, everyday strategies, the evening demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in supporting women's health.
Career Day Panel
Youth Central | From "What Do I Want to Be?" to "Let's Figure It Out"
April 2026
I was invited to return as a panelist for Youth Central's Career Day, marking the second time I had been asked to participate in this event. Alongside Amal Remu, Associate Director for Western Quarantine and Border Health Services, Dr. Stephen Wilton, Cardiologist and Associate Professor with the University of Calgary, and several other healthcare professionals, I shared my career journey, discussed the realities of working in healthcare and leadership, and answered questions from youth exploring future education and career pathways. Having previously served on Youth Central's Board of Directors, it was especially meaningful to continue supporting the organization in this capacity.
The panel encouraged honest conversations about career development, leadership, resilience, and the many paths that can lead to meaningful work. It was an opportunity to connect with young people, share practical insights, and encourage them to approach their futures with curiosity, confidence, and an openness to unexpected opportunities.
Girls Talk Healthy Aging Podcast
Women's Health
April 2026
I joined the Girls Talk Healthy Aging podcast for a conversation about navigating midlife with confidence, curiosity, and intention. Together, we explored the evolving roles, expectations, and opportunities that often emerge during our 40s and beyond, including identity, purpose, confidence, relationships, and personal growth.
The conversation highlighted the importance of embracing change as an opportunity for growth rather than something to fear. Blending clinical insights with practical reflections, the episode offered an honest and encouraging perspective on creating a life that feels authentic, meaningful, and aligned with your values.
Where Innovation Meets Practice
Wood's Homes
March 2026
I was invited by Woods Homes to serve as a panelist at the Single Session Therapy Symposium, bringing together clinicians and leaders to explore innovative approaches to delivering timely, accessible mental health care. As an organization recognized for its leadership in single session therapy, it was an honour to contribute to the conversation alongside professionals advancing this work across Canada.
The panel explored the practical application of single session therapy, opportunities for innovation, and the impact of brief, goal-focused interventions in improving access to care. The experience reinforced the value of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and reimagining how mental health services can better meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities.
School Refusal: It's Complicated
University of Calgary
March 2026
At the invitation of Dr, Monica Sesma Vázquez, I delivered a guest lecture for graduate students at the University of Calgary on supporting children and adolescents experiencing school refusal. The session explored assessment, evidence-informed interventions, and the complexity of school refusal, recognizing that it often sits at the intersection of a child's mental health, family relationships, school environment, and broader support systems.
Teaching is one of my favourite ways to engage with the profession. I enjoy the thoughtful questions, the exchange of ideas, and the opportunity to explore complex clinical challenges with curious learners. School refusal is a particularly rewarding topic because there is rarely a single answer—it requires collaboration, systems thinking, and balancing the perspectives of children, families, educators, and healthcare providers.
It Started With a Question
Launching She Rises: A Women's Health Series
February 2026
What if we created a space where women could come together to have honest conversations about health, hear from trusted experts, and leave feeling more informed, connected, and empowered? That question became She Rises, a community initiative bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, and local organizations to explore topics that matter to women throughout every stage of life.
Since launching the series, I've had the opportunity to share the vision for She Rises with a variety of organizations, including the Calgary Health Foundation, while building partnerships with clinicians, community leaders, and advocates who share a passion for women's health. Creating She Rises has combined many of the things I enjoy most: connecting people, bringing ideas to life, and creating opportunities for meaningful conversations that continue long after the event ends.
Not Your Typical Leadership Panel
Healthcare Meets Community Leadership
May 2025
I joined Pat White and Tim Stauft, both retired senior executives in the oil and gas industry and active community leaders, as a panelist for Thriving Through the Magic of Community. Facilitated by leadership coach Tammy Arseneault, the discussion explored how meaningful relationships, purpose, and community involvement contribute to resilience, wellbeing, and a fulfilling life.
Bringing together perspectives from healthcare, business, and community leadership, the panel highlighted the many ways connection shapes our lives and communities. It was an engaging conversation about giving back, finding purpose beyond our careers, and the lasting impact of investing in the people and places around us.
Health is a Family Afair
Supporting Health Across Every Stage of Life
March 2025
I participated in an interdisciplinary community panel exploring how health needs evolve across the lifespan and the important role families play in supporting wellbeing at every stage of life. Together with two physician colleagues, we discussed the physical, emotional, and relational factors that influence health from childhood through older adulthood, highlighting the value of collaborative, whole-person care.
The conversation emphasized that no stage of life exists in isolation—our health is shaped by the relationships, families, and communities around us. Bringing together perspectives from medicine and mental health created an engaging discussion that encouraged participants to think broadly about prevention, resilience, and supporting wellbeing across generations.
Career Paths Are Rarely Straight Lines
Youth Central Career Day
March 2025
I was invited to participate as a panelist for Youth Central’s Career Day 2025, where I shared my professional journey with youth exploring their own future possibilities. The conversation focused on the realities of building a career—the decisions, unexpected turns, lessons learned, and experiences that shape where we end up.
What I enjoy most about these conversations is the curiosity behind the questions. Young people bring fresh perspectives and often ask the questions that make us reflect on our own paths: How do you know when to take a new opportunity? What happens when plans change? How do you build a career that feels meaningful? Career Day was an opportunity to share that careers are not always linear, and that growth often comes from staying curious, open, and willing to explore new possibilities.
Five Years at the Board Table
Brenda Strafford Foundation Board of Directors
January 2025
For five years, I had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors for the Brenda Strafford Foundation, a large healthcare organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults. Serving in a governance role provided a unique opportunity to step beyond day-to-day operations and contribute to conversations about strategy, sustainability, accountability, and the future direction of the organization.
Board governance taught me the importance of asking thoughtful questions, listening to diverse perspectives, and balancing the needs of today with the vision for tomorrow. Working alongside experienced leaders from a variety of backgrounds deepened my understanding of how strong governance supports meaningful impact within complex healthcare systems.
This experience continues to influence how I approach leadership, collaboration, and decision-making—recognizing that lasting change is built through thoughtful conversations, shared responsibility, and a clear commitment to purpose.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
Couple & Family Therapy Training | University of Calgary
April 2025
I completed the University of Calgary’s two-year Couple and Family Therapy Certificate programs, deepening my understanding of how relationships, family systems, and broader contexts shape the way people experience challenges and create change.
This training expanded the way I approach clinical work, looking beyond the individual to understand patterns, connections, and the systems that influence wellbeing. Through coursework, clinical application, and thoughtful conversations with fellow practitioners, I developed a stronger appreciation for the complexity of human relationships and the power of working collaboratively toward change.
Expanding My Governance Lens
Institute of Corporate Directors-Rotman Governance Essentials Program
October 2024
Building on my experience serving on social service and healthcare governance boards, I completed the Governance Essentials Program through the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management to further strengthen my understanding of effective governance, strategy, and leadership.
This program was one of those experiences that reminded me how much I enjoy being surrounded by thoughtful leaders and engaging in conversations that challenge the way we think. Learning alongside professionals from diverse sectors deepened my appreciation for the complexity of governance, the importance of asking the right questions, and the responsibility that comes with helping guide organizations forward.
The experience added another layer to my understanding of leadership—one grounded in curiosity, accountability, collaboration, and a commitment to meaningful impact.
Future Therapists Welcome
Guest Lecturer | Briercrest College
April 2024
I was invited to deliver a guest lecture for graduate students at Briercrest College, sharing clinical perspectives and practical insights to help bridge the gap between theory and everyday practice. Together, we explored the realities of working with individuals, couples, and families, while discussing the opportunities, challenges, and continual learning that shape the profession.
One of the things I enjoy most about teaching graduate students is their willingness to ask thoughtful questions and wrestle with complex ideas. These conversations are a reminder that becoming a therapist is about more than developing clinical skills, it's about learning to stay curious, think critically, and approach each person with humility and compassion.
Building More Than Homes
Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta | Board of Directors
March 2024
Serving on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta was an opportunity to contribute to an organization that creates lasting impact through affordable homeownership and stronger communities. As a governance board member, I worked alongside a dedicated group of leaders committed to strategic decision-making, organizational sustainability, and advancing Habitat's mission across Southern Alberta.
This experience reinforced my belief that healthy communities are built through collaboration, thoughtful leadership, and a shared sense of purpose. It also broadened my perspective on the important role governance plays in helping organizations create meaningful and lasting change.
From the Therapy Room to the Conference Stage
Canadian Association for Couple and Family Therapy Conference
March 2023
Together with Dr. Monica Sesma Vázquez, I presented at the Canadian Association for Couple and Family Therapy national conference on the principles and practice of single-session therapy. Our presentation explored the theory behind this approach, the evidence supporting it, and practical strategies clinicians can use to create meaningful therapeutic conversations, even when they may only have one opportunity to meet with a client.
One of the things I enjoy most about presenting is the opportunity to connect research with real world practice. Sharing ideas with clinicians from across Canada, exchanging perspectives, and discussing how to translate evidence into everyday clinical work made this a particularly rewarding experience. It was a reminder that some of the most impactful conversations happen when we're willing to learn from one another.
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