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What is Play Therapy? Real Results From Child Counseling Sessions

Play therapy turns a child’s natural way of expressing themselves into an effective treatment tool. Research shows kids of all backgrounds see major improvements. Their anxiety levels drop dramatically – from 7.8 to 3.2 in controlled studies. The results get even better when parents join the sessions, with the treatment effect size reaching 1.15.

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Why Trauma Silently Shapes Your Attachment Style

A staggering 93% of children raised by parents with Borderline Personality Disorder face neglect or abuse. Their trauma creates ripple effects through generations by disrupting attachment styles and relationships. These children often struggle to trust others, fear abandonment, and battle chronic feelings of emptiness.

Childhood emotional bonds become templates that shape our future relationships. Disrupted early connections can create attachment trauma that affects adult relationships, communication patterns, and the capacity for intimate connections. Many adults carrying attachment trauma have nervous systems programmed to expect danger or rejection. They might unconsciously push away potential partners or avoid getting close to others.

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Effects Of Workplace Harassment on Mental Health

23% of employees experience workplace harassment at some point in their careers. One in ten faces physical violence at work. Mental harassment has emerged as a major concern that disrupts both men and women in companies of all sizes.

Harassment leaves lasting damage in the workplace. Research reveals that 58% of women and 40% of men have dealt with sexual harassment at work. This takes a heavy toll on their mental health. About 11% of workers become targets of workplace bullying. They often struggle with psychological distress, poor sleep, and depression. Their productivity drops by 20% compared to employees who feel safe and happy at work.

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Borderline vs Bipolar: Key Differences You Need to Know

Bipolar disorder affects 1% to 2.8% of U.S. adults, while borderline personality disorder affects 1.4% to 5.9% of the American adult population. These conditions might appear similar at first glance, but they have unique characteristics that make them different. Research shows that about 20% of people with borderline personality disorder receive an additional bipolar disorder diagnosis. This overlap can lead to treatment plans that don’t work effectively.

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Family Counselling: Why Cell Phones Are Breaking Teen-Parent Relationships

Kids between 8 and 18 years spend 114 days per year glued to screens for entertainment. Teens and their phones have become inseparable. The average teenager now spends nine hours each day on screen activities, which has transformed family interactions.

Phone addiction creates problems that go way beyond simple distractions. Research shows that 56% of parents who use phones ignore their children’s attempts to get their attention. This behavior creates a disconnect between both generations. Phones have become a major source of family conflict, pushing many parents to seek help from professionals as their relationships with teenagers deteriorate.

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Assessment Blogs

Today’s families face a new reality – children spend over 7 hours each day on digital devices just for entertainment. This heavy tech usage worries parents, and 85% say they stress about their kids’ device habits.

Digital technology connects us online but creates distance between family members at home. A family digital detox can help solve this growing problem. Research shows that taking a break from screens cuts anxiety levels by almost 50% for people of all ages. Young adults who cut down their daily screen time from 7 hours and 45 minutes saw their anxiety and depression symptoms decrease noticeably.

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Family Digital Detox Guide: Rebuild Real Connections at Home

Today’s families face a new reality – children spend over 7 hours each day on digital devices just for entertainment. This heavy tech usage worries parents, and 85% say they stress about their kids’ device habits.

Digital technology connects us online but creates distance between family members at home. A family digital detox can help solve this growing problem. Research shows that taking a break from screens cuts anxiety levels by almost 50% for people of all ages. Young adults who cut down their daily screen time from 7 hours and 45 minutes saw their anxiety and depression symptoms decrease noticeably.

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The Hidden Power of Boundaries in Conflict De-escalation

De-escalation techniques work well in businesses of all types. Customer service teams use them to handle tough clients. Managers need these skills to resolve disputes between employees. The real success comes from understanding different cultures and setting consistent boundaries.

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The Link Between Teen Vaping and Anxiety: What Parents Need to Know

Teen vaping has emerged as a serious mental health issue. Studies show that 60% of young vapers experience anxiety symptoms, while only 40% of non-vapers face similar issues. The problem gets worse as e-cigarettes have become the most popular tobacco product among youth. About one in seven high school students now take them regularly.

Mental health problems go beyond just anxiety. More than half of young people who vape show signs of depression, and 50% have had thoughts about suicide within a year. These numbers tell a scary story for parents who want to learn about their teenager’s vaping habits. This piece looks at how vaping and anxiety connect in teenagers and gives parents practical ways to spot warning signs and help their teens find better ways to cope.

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Ways Your Parenting Style Shapes Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence

Children with authoritative parents score higher in measures of adjustment, attachment, and social competence than their peers. The relationship between emotional intelligence parenting and childhood development goes beyond immediate behavioral outcomes. A study with 610 parents showed that emotional intelligence in kids helps predict life success. Strong connections exist between emotional intelligence and positive developmental outcomes, well-being, and adaptive coping styles. This piece explains how different parenting styles shape a child’s emotional growth and provides practical strategies to encourage emotional intelligence at home.

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Why Smartphones Are Hurting Your Child’s Mental Health

American teenagers spend more time online than ever before. Statistics show that at the time of 2024, about half of them are online “almost constantly”. This number has doubled from 24% just ten years ago. These changes in digital habits come with a disturbing reality – depression and anxiety among American youth jumped over 50% between 2010 and 2019.

Recent statistics paint an even grimmer picture of smartphones’ effect on mental health. Teen suicide rates climbed 48% from 2007 to 2017. Young girls aged 10-14 faced a shocking 131% increase. Today’s average teenager dedicates five hours to social media each day. Their total screen time adds up to nine hours daily.

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The Impact of Cultural Competence in Couples Therapy

Couples who accept culturally competent counseling in their relationships are 50% more likely to feel satisfied and resilient during conflicts. The way cultural competence disrupts therapy has become vital to modern relationship counseling.

Therapists understand the value of cultural awareness, yet studies reveal they talk about cross-cultural issues with less than half their diverse clients. The lack of culturally competent therapy becomes a significant concern because research shows that clients stick to their treatment plans better when they feel culturally understood. Culturally responsive therapy makes a real difference – adapted treatments deliver notably better outcomes for clients of color compared to traditional methods.

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How to Build Strong Emotional Regulation Skills in Children

A child’s development depends on knowing how to regulate emotions. This shapes everything from making friends to performing well in school. Children who manage their emotions well connect better with their peers. Those who don’t handle their emotions face behavioral challenges and health problems.

Parents make a vital contribution to their child’s emotional growth in three ways. They model the right responses and use supportive parenting methods. They also create a positive emotional space at home. Research shows that children mirror their parent’s emotional struggles, especially when you have young kids at home.

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Why Your Attachment Style Shapes Your Parenting

Research reveals a startling fact: parents stay attuned to their children only 30 percent of the time, even when they’re trying their best. This discovery explains how attachment patterns and parenting styles work together to shape parent-child interactions.

Studies have found that 58% of adults develop secure attachments naturally, while the rest show anxious, avoidant, or disorganized patterns. These attachment patterns substantially influence how parents approach their children – from their emotional availability to their responses to their child’s needs. A parent’s attachment style is a vital predictor that determines how their child will form future relationships.

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How Attachment Theory Helps With Couples Therapy

Attachment theory therapy has become the life-blood of modern relationship counseling. Couples can explore their attachment histories and reshape their relationship patterns through attachment-based therapy. This approach has led to soaring wins – research shows that people in stable relationships enjoy better psychological well-being than those without secure attachments.

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When Past Hurts Present Love: A Guide to Trauma-Aware Couples Therapy

Research shows 50% of people seeking couples therapy struggle with unresolved generational trauma that silently affects their relationships. Past trauma creates deep ripples in relationships, and about 8% of trauma survivors develop chronic PTSD. This leads to more frequent separations and relationship problems.

Trauma-informed couples therapy provides a way to heal. The results are promising – 81% of participants show notable improvement in their PTSD symptoms, and 62% report better relationship satisfaction. This therapeutic method creates a safe space for partners to heal from past wounds. They can rebuild trust and learn better ways to communicate.

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The Gentle Art of Mindfulness in Child Therapy: What Really Works

New research from 18 complete studies with 2,387 children shows how mindfulness transforms child therapy. Studies between 2010 and 2021 highlight children’s improved emotional, behavioral, and cognitive self-regulation in a variety of socio-economic backgrounds.

Therapeutic mindfulness works well with children. It cuts depressive episodes by almost 50% and helps manage anxiety better. Children who face high stress and extra challenges show clear improvements through mindfulness-based therapy. This approach helps young clients build emotional regulation skills and creates a positive environment where they can thrive.

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Why Modern Couples Therapy Goes Beyond The Gottman Method

Couples therapy has become a vital mental health intervention, with 70% of psychotherapists now treating couples. This comes as no surprise since 40-50% of first marriages in the United States end in divorce. Research demonstrates that couples who receive therapy show better outcomes than 70-80% of those who don’t seek treatment.

The Gottman Method has offered valuable frameworks to improve relationships in the last 40 years. Modern couples therapy interventions have grown significantly. Therapists now blend various approaches that go way beyond the reach and influence of basic communication patterns and conflict management. Their work includes trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, and specialized treatment modalities.

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Do I Have OCD? The Truth About Online OCD Tests

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects up to 2.3% of the U.S. population. Most people notice their first symptoms when they turn 19. Many individuals search for quick answers through online OCD tests, but these tools cannot provide an official diagnosis.

A qualified mental health professional needs 60 to 90 minutes to get a detailed picture of your condition. Healthcare providers rely on proven diagnostic tools like the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. They look for symptoms that disrupt your daily activities for more than an hour.

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Social Anxiety Symptoms: What You Might Be Missing

Social anxiety disorder affects 15 million American adults. This makes it the third most common mental health condition, right after substance use disorder and depression. The concerning part is that less than 5% of people with social anxiety symptoms ask for help during their first year.

People with social anxiety disorder show intense fear when others might judge or evaluate them negatively in social settings. Many symptoms remain hidden or get confused with other conditions. Research shows that more than one-third of people deal with these symptoms for over ten years before they reach out to professionals. This piece reveals the hidden signs of social anxiety that could affect your daily life, from subtle behavior patterns to unexpected physical signs.

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Online Anxiety Tests: What You Need To Know

Anxiety tests play a vital role today as anxiety disorders affect more than 5% of people worldwide. Women experience these conditions twice as often as men. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) stands out as the most common anxiety condition in primary care settings, affecting 8% of patients.

Professional diagnosis remains the best way to assess anxiety. The GAD-7 test has proven remarkably accurate with an 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity rate to identify anxiety disorders. These proven assessment tools give people a good starting point to understand their mental health status.

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ADHD Screening Explained: Differences Between Screening and formal ADHD Assessment

Many adult Americans – about 4% – show ADHD behaviors regularly without getting a proper diagnosis. This reality expresses why ADHD screening matters so much. Screening helps identify potential attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms early.

ADHD screening works as an original evaluation tool that detects signs of this neurodevelopmental condition starting before age 12. The screening process is substantially different from a formal ADHD diagnosis. A diagnosis needs symptoms that last at least six months in multiple settings. Current screening tools have limitations because they don’t reliably meet acceptable sensitivity and specificity levels, especially when you have high-risk groups.

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How to Prepare Your Child for Psychoeducational Testing: Real Parent Tips

A complete psychoeducational testing session takes 5-6 hours and usually needs multiple appointments. Parents and children might feel overwhelmed by this time commitment. But knowing how to get ready for this assessment makes the whole process easier and more productive.

Psychoeducational evaluations are a great way to get insights into your child’s learning profile. These tests explore everything from cognitive abilities and executive functions to social skills and attention spans. Good preparation plays a vital role in getting accurate results. This includes keeping regular sleep schedules and talking openly with children about what to expect.

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Why Your Brain Stops Working When You’re Dehydrated: How Water Intake Affects Cognitive Function

Research reveals that mild dehydration—just 2% of body mass—substantially affects attention, executive function, and motor coordination. Studies with over 1,000 adults showed that dehydrated people have a higher risk of cognitive decline. Their performance drops in memory, concentration, and processing speed tasks. This piece explores how dehydration affects your brain. You’ll learn how proper hydration supports optimal cognitive function and discover the steps to maintain mental clarity through adequate water intake.

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Vitamin D and Depression: The Surprising Connection Between Primary Depression and Vitamin D Levels

The link between vitamin D and depression is a vital area that scientists study today, since depression stands among the top ten causes of global disability. Scientists discovered that vitamin D supplements can reduce depression symptoms by a lot, especially when blood levels measure above 50 nmol/L. The results depend on each person’s vitamin D levels, so we need to understand this relationship better. This piece breaks down everything in the vitamin D deficiency-depression connection by looking at the newest research and what it means for treating mental health.

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Art Therapy Benefits Revealed: Natural Ways to Calm Anxiety & Stress

Mental and behavioral problems make up 12% of the global disease burden, and art therapy has emerged as a powerful solution for people who need help. Research shows that depression affects about 5% of adults worldwide, but only half of them get the treatment they need.

Art therapy works as an integrated mental health approach that creates a natural path to healing through artistic expression. Studies prove that it helps reduce anxiety, decrease negative emotions, and improve psychological well-being. A study of cancer patients showed their emotional state improved and stress levels dropped after just four hours of guided creative art therapy.

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The Fear of Getting Old: Birthday Blues, Anxiety and Depression

Fear of aging affects a staggering 87% of American adults. This makes it one of our society’s most common yet unspoken worries. Physical decline leads these concerns at 23%, while memory loss accounts for 15%. Financial insecurity and chronic illness each trouble 12% of people.

Research shows a surprising fact about aging anxiety. People’s happiness levels start to climb after age 51. Older adults experience fewer mental health issues than younger people do. They report lower rates of depression and social anxiety. Different groups show varying levels of concern about getting older, and men and women often worry about different aspects of aging.

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Why Your Child Might Need a Psychoeducational Evaluation

Learning disabilities often go unnoticed in children until they reach adulthood. A psychoeducational evaluation is a vital step to spot these challenges early and help students succeed academically. The complete assessment has seven detailed sections that look at a child’s cognitive abilities, academic performance, and social-emotional functioning.

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From Paint to Peace: How Creative Arts Build Lasting Mental Resilience

Art and creativity can revolutionize your mental health. Studies show that painting reduces stress levels by 70%, and making music cuts stress by 65%. Creative activities boost emotional resilience in ways that go way beyond just relieving stress.

People of all ages benefit from artistic activities. Drawing increases positive emotions by 85%, while crafts boost self-esteem by 75%. Group art sessions build mental strength and resilience, especially among children and teens.

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The Science of Laughter Therapy: What Happens When You Laugh?

Research from 45 scientific studies with 2,547 participants shows laughter therapy creates remarkable improvements in mental, physiological, and physical health. The body responds positively to this evidence-based wellness approach. Your brain releases endorphins at the time you laugh. These natural painkillers help reduce stress and anxiety while lifting your mood.

Laughter’s benefits are way beyond just feeling good. Scientific research proves that laughter decreases stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine. The immune system gets stronger through increased natural killer cell activity. On top of that, it boosts cardiovascular health by improving blood flow and oxygen intake. These effects make laughter a powerful tool to improve overall wellbeing.

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Sex and Your Brain: How Sex Hormones Actually Boost Your Mental Health

Sexual hormones pack more punch than most people think. Beta-endorphins released during sex affect the body more powerfully than morphine.

The brain releases an impressive mix of chemicals during sex. These include endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Together, these natural compounds help reduce stress, ease pain, and create euphoric feelings. Research shows these hormones can lead to better sleep and might improve cognitive function as people grow older.

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Omega-3 and ADHD: What Science Really Says About Brain Benefits

Kids with ADHD show 38% lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids than those without the condition. This finding points to a vital connection between omega-3 and ADHD, especially since ADHD affects 7.2% of people worldwide.

The link between omega-3 fatty acids and ADHD comes from the simple workings of our brain. Fat makes up 60% of the brain’s structure, which makes dietary fats vital for optimal brain function. Research shows that kids who don’t get enough omega-3s in their diet have a 31% higher risk of getting an ADHD diagnosis.

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The Hidden Mental Benefits of Gardening: A Guide to Garden Healing

Gardening does more than just help you relax. Studies show this activity can substantially reduce anxiety and depression symptoms and boost your mental well-being. Research proves that looking at plants lowers blood pressure, relaxes muscles, and minimizes negative feelings like stress, fear, anger, and sadness.

Gardening combines physical exercise with therapeutic benefits that reduce dementia risk and help you focus better. People who participate in community gardens build strong social bonds and support systems that make their lives better. A complete meta-analysis showed gardening has a powerful positive impact on well-being, with an effect size of 0.55.

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Your Brain After Drugs: The Surprising Role of Serotonin in Addiction Recovery

Your brain’s delicate serotonin balance faces disruption from substance use, which creates a tough cycle for people battling addiction. Scientists have found that long-term drug use reduces serotonin levels and makes the early stages of recovery tough. The resulting chemical imbalance triggers mood swings, disrupts sleep, and increases impulsive behavior – these become the most important obstacles in the recovery trip.

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What is Cortisol? The Stress Hormone That’s Affecting Your Health

What is Cortisol? The Stress Hormone That’s Affecting Your Health Stress affects nearly every process in our body. Long-term stress leads to serious health problems like anxiety, depression, heart disease and neurodegeneration. The culprit behind these systemic problems is cortisol – a powerful hormone that controls our body’s stress response. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that our adrenal glands produce. It serves as the body’s main stress hormone. The real trouble starts when stress becomes chronic. High cortisol levels can cause weight gain, high blood pressure, and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Your body’s stress response system stays constantly active with sustained high cortisol, which often results in lasting heart problems and obesity. This detailed piece explains cortisol’s functions, its role in your body, and practical steps to keep your cortisol levels healthy. You’ll learn about everything you need to improve your overall health. Book a Free Consult What Does Cortisol Do in Your Body? “Stress makes a person fat primarily because of an excessive secretion of the key stress hormone, cortisol, along with a reduced secretion of key anabolic hormones, such as DHEA, testosterone, and growth hormone. This combination of highly catabolic cortisol and reduced anabolic hormones

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Internal Locus of Control: The Psychology Behind Taking Charge of Your Life

Internal Locus of Control: The Psychology Behind Taking Charge of Your Life People who believe they control their own destiny lead more successful, healthier, and happier lives. Research backs this up consistently when compared to those who think external forces shape their fate. Julian B. Rotter’s 1954 concept of internal locus of control has become the life-blood of understanding human behavior and success. Studies show that people’s coping strategies improve with this psychological trait. Their emotional stability grows stronger and they bounce back better from challenges. On top of that, it proves especially valuable during critical times. The COVID-19 pandemic showed this clearly – people with an internal locus of control took more proactive steps to protect their health. This piece explores the psychology behind internal locus of control. You’ll discover how it shapes life’s different areas and learn practical ways to develop this mindset that leads to better outcomes. Book a Free Consult What Is Internal Locus of Control in Psychology? Julian B. Rotter developed the internal locus of control concept in 1954 as part of his social learning theory. This concept shows how much power people believe they have over life events. The psychological construct reveals whether people

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How to Quiet Your Internal Dialogue and Reduce Anxiety

How to Quiet Your Internal Dialog and Reduce Anxiety Your brain processes internal dialog at an astonishing rate of 4,000 words per minute. This speed equals listening to more than 300 State of the Union addresses each day. Most people experience this constant internal monolog, but some process their thoughts without hearing them. Negative internal dialog can take a toll on your mood and self-esteem, especially when you have persistent self-criticism. This endless stream of thoughts can substantially affect how you feel about yourself. Research shows that meditation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help turn these negative thought patterns into positive ones. This piece offers practical ways to quiet your mind and reduce anxiety that will help you build a healthier connection with your inner voice. Book a Free Consult The Psychology of Internal Dialog Children start developing self-talk at the time they begin forming sentences, usually in their second or third year of life [1]. Their internal dialog starts as spoken words and becomes more internal around age five as their language skills grow. Different types of internal monolog Scientists have found three main aspects of internal dialog. The first is condensation, which shows how brief or complete

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Food and Mood: What Your Diet Really Does to Your Mental Health

Research has revealed strong links between diet and mental health through compelling evidence. Scientists analyzed 3,473 records and found 356 sources that confirm nutrition’s most important effects on psychological wellness. Diets high in refined sugars associate with impaired brain function and worsen mood disorder symptoms. Meanwhile, balanced eating patterns show positive effects on mental health consistently.

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How Your Child’s Diet Affects Their Mental Health

A landmark study of 40,566 mother-child pairs has revealed eye-opening findings about children’s mental health and nutrition. The research found that 10% of children showed high anxiety symptoms by age 8. Depression symptoms affected 11.7% of the children. These numbers highlight the vital relationship between diet and psychological well-being.

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Pets and Mental Health: What Research Really Shows

86% of pet owners say their pets make a positive difference to their mental health, which shows the deep bond between humans and their animal companions. Scientific research backs this up – spending time with animals reduces stress hormones and brings down blood pressure naturally.

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Alberta Mental Health Statistics 2025

Alberta ranks second in Canada for opioid toxicity deaths. The province’s mental health statistics paint a grim picture with 39.4 deaths per 100,000 people. These numbers are almost twice the national average of 20.8 per 100,000.

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Why Poor Sleep Ruins Your Mood: The Science Behind Sleep and Emotions

Poor sleep doesn’t just affect your daily life and social interactions – it makes negative emotions stronger while positive ones fade away. Studies reveal that people who sleep only five hours each night face growing emotional challenges. They become confused, angry, and depressed more easily. Sleep problems can also seriously impact mental health conditions like anxiety and mood disorders.

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The Hidden Truth About Doom Scrolling: Why Your Brain Can’t Stop

The Hidden Truth About Doom Scrolling: Why Your Brain Can’t Stop A shocking 80% of Brits spend their time doom scrolling and mindlessly staring at screens. They dedicate three hours every day to their devices. This behavior adds up to 46 days yearly and roughly eight years of their lifetime lost to endless scrolling. Doom scrolling is more than just a bad habit. The compulsive urge to read negative content online creates the same physical responses as addiction. This destructive pattern guides people toward increased anxiety and mood swings. Their sleep suffers too. The issue goes beyond casual browsing. Social media platforms employ complex algorithms and reward systems. These systems release dopamine and make scrolling more addictive. This piece gets into the psychology of scrolling addiction. It reveals how tech companies design their platforms to keep you hooked and offers practical ways to escape this digital trap. Book a Free Consult The Evolution of Scrolling: From Useful to Addictive Scrolling has changed from a basic navigation tool into an addictive behavior that eats up hours of our day. The original design let users view content beyond their screens, but it grew into something much more powerful. Studies show users spent

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Language Brain Rot Explained: Why Your Kids Can’t Stop Saying “Skibidi”

Language Brain Rot Explained: Why Your Kids Can’t Stop Saying “Skibidi” 92% of children aged 8 to 12 spend their time on social media. The “Skibidi Toilet” series demonstrates this trend with over 16 billion views and 41 million subscribers. Children’s communication patterns are changing because of their digital immersion. They show shorter attention spans and crave constant novelty. 65% of Gen Alpha children with access to iPhones and iPads watch this content regularly. Parents and teachers now see significant changes in their children’s language patterns and worry about their cognitive growth. This complete piece explains why kids keep using words like “Skibidi.” It looks at how this digital language progress shapes their development. Parents will learn ways to keep healthy communication with their children while making sense of this new cultural shift. Book a Free Consult What Is Language Brain Rot and Why It Matters Language Brain Rot stands out as one of the most important cultural shifts that affects how children talk online and offline. Oxford University Press calls brain rot “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial

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Exercise and Mental Health: Proven Ways to Boost Your Mood Naturally

Depression ranks as the leading cause of disability worldwide, yet only 10-25% of people get therapy. Exercise’s positive effects on mental health provide a natural, available solution to this escalating crisis. People who exercise regularly cut their risk of chronic diseases by 20-30% and boost their mood and self-esteem.

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The Hidden Mental Health Benefits of Nature: What Science Reveals

Science backs up what many people already know – nature helps our mental state. Research proves that people who spend two hours a week outdoors feel better and healthier. The benefits show up clearly. People who feel connected to nature lead more meaningful lives and struggle less with depression and anxiety.

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The Science Behind Emotional Intelligence in Children

Children with higher emotional intelligence have lower anxiety, depression, and aggression levels. Research with 410 primary school students proves how social-emotional development shapes behavior and mental well-being. Teaching emotional intelligence to children is vital to their academic success and personal growth. This piece covers science-backed strategies and age-appropriate tools that parents and educators can use to build strong emotional intelligence throughout a child’s development stages.

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How Childhood Trauma Affects Relationships and How Therapy Can Help

Childhood trauma shapes adult relationships in several ways. Survivors often question their relationship patterns and wonder about the normality of their experiences. 1 in 8 adults report childhood sexual abuse and 1 in 4 report physical abuse. These statistics tell only part of the story. Children who grow up in abusive homes tend to normalize dysfunctional behaviors. These learned patterns follow them into their adult relationships.

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Shame vs Guilt Psychology: What Science Reveals About Your Emotions

Shame and guilt are both self-conscious emotions, but they’re nowhere near similar in their effects. Guilt can push people toward positive changes and help repair relationships. Shame, however, guides people to withdraw and act antisocially. Studies of children’s behavior paint an interesting picture. Kids who feel guilty tend to take steps to fix their mistakes. Those who feel shame often avoid eye contact and display other avoidant behaviors. These patterns show how deeply these emotions shape our behavior and mental health.

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The Science Behind Hope: What Therapy Reveals About Human Resilience

Psychology defines hope as knowing how to build paths toward goals you want to achieve. This mindset stands at the heart of mental health treatment. Hope-based therapy helps reduce stress and makes people feel better mentally and physically. The results speak for themselves – patients in hope-focused therapy show better self-esteem, find more meaning in life, and feel less depressed and anxious after eight weeks.

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How to Break Up with Your Therapist Without Feeling Guilty

People often stick with therapy longer than needed. They keep going even after reaching their goals. They’re just not sure about the right way to step away. Most therapists know they won’t click with every client, and they expect their clients to move forward eventually. This piece explains when to end therapy and shows you how to prepare for that final conversation. You’ll also learn ways to handle your last session without guilt.

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How to Build a Support Network When You Feel Completely Alone

How to Build a Support Network When You Feel Completely Alone Being lonely for long periods can harm your health as much as smoking 15 cigarettes daily. Having people you can count on is vital to stay healthy. The American Psychological Association’s 2022 Stress in America survey shows that more than half of people needed extra emotional support after the pandemic began. A support system does more than fight loneliness – it helps you build relationships that last and boost your quality of life. People with strong social circles tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Social psychologist Dr. David McClelland’s research shows that the people you spend time with can shape up to 95 percent of your success or failure in life. This complete guide offers practical steps to create meaningful connections. You’ll find useful strategies to build a reliable support network, whether you feel isolated or want to grow your existing relationships. The guide covers everything from spotting signs of loneliness to keeping new connections strong. Book a Free Consult Signs You Need a Support System Understanding social support needs begins with spotting warning signals. Our bodies and emotions send clear signs when we don’t have enough

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Your Brain on Words: The Surprising Psychology Behind Language Decisions

Language’s power shapes our reality in ways we can measure. The words people choose reveal their mental health status and even predict if they’ll default on loans. Word choices don’t just affect thought patterns – they influence gene expression and the brain’s information processing. The sort of thing I love about language and psychology shows why word choice is a vital skill. This matters to journalists who shape public discussions and to anyone having daily conversations.

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Social Media and Self-Esteem: The Truth You Need to Know

The numbers are alarming. 57 percent of U.S. teen girls feel sad or hopeless most of the time. This shows how social media shapes self-esteem today. People spend 145 minutes each day on social platforms, with 4.9 billion users worldwide actively engaging on these networks.

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Adaptive vs Maladaptive Coping: Is Your Coping Strategy Helping or Hurting?

Studies prove that adaptive coping strategies directly link to better life quality and work performance. People with extroverted and conscientious personalities tend to use adaptive coping mechanisms more often. Those with neurotic traits usually fall into maladaptive patterns. The relationship between these coping mechanisms matters because research shows maladaptive coping has stronger ties to depression than adaptive methods.

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Rejection Therapy Dating Guide: Turn Your Fear Into Unshakeable Confidence

Rejection therapy has become a powerful movement on TikTok with over 72 million views. This movement helps people change their dating lives. The fear of rejection causes physical symptoms like sweating and shaking during dating interactions. Research shows that confidence plays almost as big a role as intelligence in determining life success.

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How to Protect Your Mental Health While Building a Thriving Career

Mental health and work challenges drain $1 trillion annually from the global economy through lost productivity. Companies lose 12 billion working days each year. Career success remains important to many professionals, yet mental wellbeing takes a heavy toll. Mental health issues now account for about 30% of workplace disability claims.

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The Biopsychology of Stress: What Actually Happens In Your Brain

The brain’s biopsychology of stress shows us a complex system that impacts everything from our heart rate to how we form memories. A complex chain of events triggers in our body at the time stress hits. This chain involves nervous, endocrine, and immune mechanisms that can change how our entire body works.

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Why Therapy Changed My Love Life Forever

Why Therapy Changed My Love Life Forever Adult relationship patterns stem from early attachment styles that shape our behavior without our awareness. People often get stuck in repetitive dating cycles and can’t understand why they drift toward toxic relationships instead of lasting connections. A dating therapist can help you identify these deep-rooted patterns and create positive change. Dating therapy has gained widespread acceptance as a powerful tool that drives personal growth and relationship success. The therapy process helps you recognize unhealthy patterns, deal with dating-related anxiety and depression, and build confidence to select compatible partners. Take this inspiring case – a client who once felt “unlovable” reshaped their dating life through counseling. They embraced the challenge of going on 100 first dates to break bad habits and strengthen their self-assurance. This piece examines how therapy can reshape your approach to dating and relationships. You’ll learn about attachment styles, emotional intimacy building, and ways to set healthy boundaries. Book a Free Consult My Dating Life Before Therapy My dating life followed a predictable yet destructive path before I sought professional help. Research shows 63.3% of people experience at least one instance of self-sabotaging behavior in their relationships [1]. I was certainly

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Types of Therapy Explained: A Therapist’s Guide to Finding Your Best Match

The world of therapy might look complex at first glance. Research proves that the bond between therapist and client matters more than any specific method. People struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma have several proven therapy approaches available. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) stand out as prominent options. Many therapists blend different techniques to create individual-specific treatment plans that serve their clients better.

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The Root Causes of Porn Addiction

Over 75% of people identify as recreational porn users, and nearly 12% call it compulsive consumption. The mechanisms behind porn addiction have become crucial questions. The digital world of pornography consumption has changed dramatically, and major platforms report over 100 million daily visits in 2023.

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Your Anxiety Is Affecting Your Dog

The impact of this emotional connection on pets can be serious. Dogs with ongoing anxiety face health problems of all types. These include gut issues, skin problems, breathing difficulties and shorter lives. Your pet needs a stable routine to stay healthy. Stressed owners might notice their pets eating less, throwing up unexpectedly, or showing unusual aggressive behavior.

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Is Your Parental Anxiety Affecting Your Child?

Recent research reveals that children of anxious parents are 2.26 times more likely to show serious behavioral problems. This connection between a parent’s anxiety and their child’s development reaches way beyond temporary stress periods.

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Why Your Partner Is Growing Distant: A Therapist’s Guide to Relationship Distance

Some emotional distance is natural in relationships. But when one partner constantly withdraws, it points to deeper problems. People with avoidant attachment styles don’t feel as satisfied in their relationships. They struggle to form close connections with their partners. This creates a push-pull pattern that gets harder to fix over time. The root causes include unresolved fights, different ways of communicating, and ongoing stress that damages close relationships.

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What Therapists Want You to Know About Avoidance Behaviors

People develop avoidance behaviors as a quick fix to feel better emotionally. These behaviors might help right away but end up causing problems down the road. This unhealthy way of coping can make your world smaller. You miss chances to grow, damage your relationships, and feel more anxious and frustrated.

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Why Sexual Shame can Lead to Infidelity: Embracing Your Inner Freak

Sexual shame makes people feel inadequate and guilty about their desires and experiences. These negative emotions can reduce their sex drive and create barriers that stop partners from talking openly. Partners who feel judged or unable to be themselves sexually might look elsewhere for acceptance. They often build emotional connections that turn into affairs. Research tells us that emotional affairs hurt relationships more than physical ones. Women especially see emotional cheating as a bigger threat to their relationships.

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How Exposure Therapy Actually Rewires Your Brain to Overcome Phobias

Over 90% of people who complete exposure therapy successfully overcome their specific phobias. This science-backed method ranks among the best treatments if you have anxiety disorders. It helps people conquer their fears, panic disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

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Setting Boundaries in Relationships and Life With Help From Counseling and Therapy

Clear boundaries protect you from emotional burnout and prevent feelings of resentment. They also stop manipulation in relationships. You need self-awareness and direct communication to establish these limits. This piece shows you how to create healthy boundaries in relationships of all types. You’ll learn about different boundary categories and see how professional counseling helps develop stronger personal limits.

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Toxic Positivity Examples That Mental Health Experts Want You to Stop Using

Toxic Positivity Examples That Mental Health Experts Want You to Stop Using Searches for “toxic positivity” have doubled since January 2020, suggesting people are more aware of how seemingly positive statements can actually damage mental health. Social media platforms showcase this trend, with over 100 million Instagram posts tagged with #goodvibes. These posts often feature phrases like “everything happens for a reason” or “just stay positive.” The constant push to stay positive can bring serious risks. Research proves that people who bottle up negative emotions end up feeling more guilty, ashamed, and anxious. People who hide their real feelings behind a cheerful facade often feel alone and hesitate to ask for help. This piece gets into the most common examples of toxic positivity, their psychological effects, and better ways to offer real emotional support, according to experts. Book a Free Consult What Makes Positivity Become Toxic People’s positive attitudes can become toxic when they dismiss and invalidate real human emotions [1]. Optimism and gratitude help us thrive, but problems arise when positive thinking becomes so extreme that it rejects all difficult feelings. The fine line between support and dismissal The difference between genuine support and toxic positivity comes down to

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Therapy for Perfectionism: Breaking Free From the Perfect Prison

Perfectionism traps many people in a draining cycle. They set impossible standards and constantly criticize themselves. Mental health professionals now see therapy as crucial to help break this pattern. Studies reveal that chasing perfection endlessly can trigger depression and anxiety. It also makes it harder to connect with others.

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Family Conflict Therapy: A Guide to Lasting Peace

Family conflicts that don’t get addressed lead to broken communication, emotional pain and people pulling away from each other. Family therapy gives everyone a safe and neutral place to talk about their struggles and find solutions together. It also helps catch problems early before they grow too big to fix.

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Therapy for Entrepreneurs: Why Successful Entrepreneurs Are Quietly Getting Therapy

Building a successful company needs steadfast dedication and focus. The constant pressure often strains relationships and creates isolation. Studies show that 49% of entrepreneurs deal with at least one mental health condition. Therapy proves to be an effective way to direct through these challenges. It helps business leaders create healthy boundaries, build confidence, and make smarter strategic choices.

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The Surprising Science Behind DBT Skills for Anger Control

A complete meta-analysis of 34 studies with 2,536 participants showed that DBT substantially reduced anger levels. DBT’s approach to anger management combines cognitive-behavioral therapy with dialectical philosophy and Zen practice elements. The treatment was first created to help people with borderline personality disorder. Research shows that longer DBT sessions lead to better anger control through specific skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms: A Parent’s Early Detection Guide

Medical professionals call autism a spectrum disorder because symptoms vary widely among individuals in both type and severity. The diversity of symptoms can make accurate diagnosis challenging. Early detection is significant to help children get the support they need. This detailed guide helps parents identify potential signs of autism spectrum disorder and take prompt action when needed.

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How to Improve Emotional Health

Emotional health affects every part of life by a lot – from personal relationships to work performance and physical well-being. Research proves that positive mental states lead to better physical health. People with good emotional health have lower blood pressure and face less risk of heart disease.

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How to Build a Healthy Parent Child Relationship: Therapist’s Guide for Modern Families

trong connections with children need more than just spending time together. Parents who set aside 10 minutes of focused, distraction-free interaction each day can substantially improve their communication with children. Many parents find it challenging to connect with their children emotionally in the ever-changing world. Yet understanding proven parenting techniques and communication strategies helps create lasting bonds that benefit both parents and children.

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Play Therapy for Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Healing Through Play

Research tells us that play therapy is much more than “just play” with kids. Meta-analytic reviews of over 100 studies demonstrate moderate to high positive effects when treating childhood challenges of all types.

The approach works well with children ages 3 through 12. It helps them overcome anxiety disorders, depression, and process trauma from events like parental divorce or serious medical procedures. Children learn to express their feelings naturally during systematic, therapist-guided sessions that last 30 to 50 minutes. They work through their emotions in an age-appropriate way.

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Why Marriage and Family Therapy Actually Works: An Expert’s View

Marriage and family therapy services have earned an exceptional reputation. 98% of clients rate these services as good or excellent, making them the most well-reviewed mental health interventions today. These satisfaction rates show ground results – nearly 90% of clients report better emotional health.

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The Truth About Entrepreneur Burnout: A Therapist’s Inside Perspective

Business owners face mental health challenges more often than the average person. The daily grind of making tough decisions takes its toll. Worries about funding and market changes can drain them emotionally. This affects both their business success and personal life. This piece dives into the reality of entrepreneurial burnout. You’ll find practical ways to balance work and life, explore counseling options, and learn proven recovery strategies from a professional viewpoint.

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How a Behavioral Therapist for Kids Actually Helps Your Child Succeed

Children with behavioral challenges face up to half a million negative interactions each year with parents, teachers, and peers. This startling number explains why many parents seek help from a behavioral therapist to improve their child’s coping mechanisms and social skills.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends behavioral therapy as the primary treatment for young children with ADHD. Yet only half of diagnosed children receive these essential psychological services. Behavioral therapy shows better results when children start treatment early, as younger minds respond well to intervention strategies.

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Domestic Violence Support: Getting Help Through Counselling

Domestic violence impacts people of all demographics. The numbers paint a stark picture – about 11 million women and 5 million men report experiencing intimate partner violence before turning 18. The statistics are sobering, yet support systems and resources exist to help both women and men affected by domestic violence. This piece offers vital information that helps you recognize abuse, get immediate assistance, and find long-term support for recovery and healing.

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Learning Disability Diagnosis: From First Signs to Clinical Assessment

Learning disabilities affect approximately 10% of people in the United States during their lifetime. Learning disability diagnosis is a vital part of educational and developmental healthcare. Dyslexia stands out as the most common learning disability and represents 80% of all cases, affecting about 20% of the population.

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Couples Counselling: What Therapists Wish You’d Stop Saying

Couples Counseling: What Therapists Wish You’d Stop Saying Poor communication brings most couples to counseling. Many couples don’t realize how their language patterns work against them during therapy sessions. Couples often create barriers that block their progress in counseling. Their blame statements, defensive responses, and dismissive language shut down the open dialog that therapy wants to establish. Therapists see common phrases that can derail the therapeutic process. These communication pitfalls make it harder to address relationship challenges. A better understanding of these issues helps couples work toward positive change more effectively. Book a Free Consult Common Phrases That Hurt Your Progress Couples often display destructive communication patterns during therapy sessions when they’re under emotional stress. These harmful phrases can damage relationships permanently and slow down the healing process. Blame statements that block growth Deep-seated frustration and resentment lead to blame statements. Partners get defensive when they hear phrases like “You never listen” or “You always make everything about yourself” [1]. These accusations come from unmet needs and feelings of being unsupported [2]. Partners feel unfairly judged and misunderstood when they hear generalizations like “always” or “never”. Defensive responses that create walls People use defensiveness as an automatic shield against criticism.

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Relaxation Techniques For Stress Management

Relaxation Techniques for Stress Management Psychological stress is one of the biggest health challenges we face today, according to the World Health Organization. Relaxation techniques have become more significant than ever, and research shows they can boost our overall well-being by a lot. Recent findings from healthy participants reveal that techniques like progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided imagery create noticeable improvements in psychological relaxation. These methods also help lower physical stress symptoms such as increased heart rate, muscle tension, and high cortisol levels. Book a Free Consult Understanding the Science of Relaxation The human body handles stress through a complex mix of physical and psychological mechanisms. As stressors appear, the body’s fight-or-flight response kicks in and releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol [1]. How stress affects body and mind Multiple body systems change dramatically under chronic stress. Studies show that prolonged stress exposure guides the body toward increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and problems with digestion [2]. Stress hormones impact all but one of these systems: the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system, and skeletal musculature [3]. The relaxation response mechanism The body naturally counterbalances stress through the relaxation response. Research shows this response reduces oxygen

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Calgary Psychologist Clinic - Our Services

Calgary Individual Counselling and Therapy
At the heart of our practice is a commitment to personalized care. Our experienced therapists draw from a diverse range of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and solution-focused therapy, to create tailored...
PsychoEducational Assessment Calgary
Calgary Psychoeducational assessments are comprehensive evaluations designed to gain insight into an individual's cognitive, emotional, and educational functioning. These assessments are typically conducted by experienced professionals and aim to provide a detailed understanding of a...
ADHD Assessment Calgary
ADHD assessments are comprehensive evaluations aimed at diagnosing and understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children . These assessments involve a thorough process conducted by qualified psychologists to accurately identify and assess the symptoms and challenges...
MVA Assessment & Counselling - Calgary Psychologist Clinic
Motor Vehicle Accidents are sudden and often violent events that can result in a wide range of physical injuries. However, the psychological effects can be equally significant. Individuals involved in MVAs may experience intense fear,...
Giftedness Assessment Calgary IQ Testing
Child IQ tests, also known as cognitive assessments, are comprehensive evaluations designed to measure a child's intellectual abilities and cognitive functioning. These assessments encompass various domains such as verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, memory, processing speed,...
PN7 (Practice Note 7) Assessment Calgary
PN7 assessments play a vital role in resolving high-conflict family situations, especially when parents go through divorce or separation with children. These detailed evaluations take 10 to 20 hours and help courts make better decisions...
Calgary LGBTQ Counselling and Therapy
LGBTQ+ counselling and therapy are essential services that provide support and address the unique mental health challenges faced by individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. From discrimination and stigma to identity-related concerns, our therapists are here...
Online Counselling and Therapy in Alberta
Online therapy and counselling have become increasingly popular methods of mental health support, and Best Choice Counselling is at the forefront of utilizing these technologies to provide valuable services. Through their online platform or telephone,...
Counselling Near Me
Located at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, we offer in-person counselling services. Our dedicated team is committed to providing you with personalized care and guidance, directly at our physical location. We recognize that choosing...
Calgary Biofeedback Therapy and Counselling
Some psychologists have integrated biofeedback into their practice as a valuable tool for enhancing therapeutic interventions and promoting self-regulation among their clients. Biofeedback involves the use of technology to measure physiological processes, such as heart...
Calgary Couples Counselling and Therapy
Relationships are dynamic and ever-evolving, and it’s normal to encounter bumps along the way. Couples counselling offers a safe and supportive space where you and your partner can explore your thoughts, feelings, and concerns with...
Calgary Marriage Counselling and Therapy
Marriage counseling is a form of therapy designed to assist marriages and relationships in overcoming challenges and improving overall satisfaction. It is a process that involves the participation of both partners in a safe and...
Calgary Family Counselling and Therapy
Families are often the most important parts of our lives, and having a happy family can make all the difference to the children and teens growing up in them. No family is perfect and it's...
Child Psychologist Calgary
Best Choice Counselling is committed to helping children and their families navigate through emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. We believe in a client-centered approach to therapy which is collaborative, and evidence-based, and focuses on building...
Calgary Youth Counselling and Therapy
Youth and Teen Counselling is something that many parents have sought for their children who often don't want to participate which can makes things challenging. At Best Choice Counselling we understand how difficult situations can...
Calgary Teen Counselling and Therapy
Teen counseling with a psychologist is an important resource that offers support to teens dealing with emotional and mental challenges. These counseling sessions provide a safe and confidential environment for teenagers to express their feelings,...
Calgary Womens Counselling and Therapy
Women’s counselling provides a safe and supportive space for women to explore and unpack a variety of issues, including gender-based discrimination, societal expectations, trauma, relationship dynamics, and personal identity. Our dedicated team of therapists is...
Calgary Mens Counselling Male Psychologist
For men, seeking therapy continues to be something that is highly stigmatized in society and it is often much more difficult for men to ask for help than anyone else so we commend you for...
Seniors Counselling Calgary
Seniors counselling is a crucial resource that addresses the unique mental health challenges faced by older adults. As individuals age, they may encounter a range of issues, including grief, loss, loneliness, chronic illness, caregiving responsibilities,...
Calgary Sports Psychologist and Counselling
Sports psychology fills this significant gap between physical capability and mental performance. Athletes can understand how their mindset affects performance and learn ways to train mentally for better results. The field combines psychology and sports...

Compassionate Calgary Psychologists and Counsellors Here to Support You!​

Our Calgary Psychologist Clinic works with the best Psychologists and Counsellors to meet your needs. Our therapists are proficient in a range of theoretical frameworks and each have their unique strengths. We all believe in building therapeutic relationships based on respect and trust and put the well being of our clients first and foremost. We are here to help you succeed in achieving your therapeutic goals so that, when you are ready, can move beyond therapy and face your life’s challenges with more optimism and clarity. Whether you are facing depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, family issues, anger or something else, we will do our absolute best to help you!