Calgary Psychologist Specializing in Therapy for
Loss, Life Transitions, and Difficult Adjustments
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Psychologist | Calgary, Alberta
Approach to Psychotherapy
Approach to Psychotherapy
Getting Started
with Therapy
What is Therapy?
Therapy is a transformative process that involves working closely with a registered psychologist in a safe and supportive environment. This confidential partnership is designed to address a wide spectrum of needs, from specific psychological or emotional challenges to broader, more existential questions about life's meaning and purpose. Appointments typically last 50 minutes, with follow-up appointments usually occurring weekly or biweekly to maintain momentum and foster progress. I offer expertise across various areas of mental health and personal development including, but not limited to, those listed below.
Depression
Depression goes beyond simply feeling down or experiencing a bad day. It is a serious condition that can persist over time, significantly impacting your daily life and overall functioning. If you find yourself in a prolonged state of sadness or hopelessness, or if activities that once brought you joy no longer feel enjoyable, you may be facing depression. Additional signs can include persistent feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and recurring negative thoughts about yourself. In some cases, these thoughts may even extend to self-harm or suicide. Depression can also manifest physically, with symptoms such as changes in sleep patterns, appetite, energy levels, or sex drive, as well as unexplained aches, pains, headaches, or stomach issues that do not respond to medical treatment. If you are experiencing these challenges, reaching out to a psychologist can be an important step toward understanding your symptoms and discovering effective strategies to improve your mental health and overall quality of life.
Anxiety
Feeling anxious from time to time is a natural part of life. It’s common to experience nervousness when facing a challenge, solving a problem, or making an important decision. In fact, anxiety can be helpful within certain limits—it heightens our awareness of potential dangers and sharpens our focus on achieving our goals. However, when anxiety extends beyond occasional nervousness and becomes persistent or overwhelming, it can interfere with your ability to function and manage your emotions. Stressful situations that feel particularly complex or threatening may trigger symptoms such as excessive worry, difficulty relaxing, restlessness, irritability, or an intense sense of dread that something terrible might happen. If you find yourself frequently consumed by worry that disrupts your daily life or feels impossible to control, it may be time to seek professional support.
Trauma
Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or situation that disrupts your sense of safety and security. While traumatic experiences often involve a direct threat to life or physical well-being, any event that leaves you feeling deeply overwhelmed, helpless, or isolated can result in trauma. It is natural to experience fear and anxiety during or immediately after such events, but everyone’s emotional response is unique. Some individuals may gradually recover with time, while others might continue to face lingering trauma-related symptoms. These symptoms can include fear, panic, guilt, shame, anger, avoidance behaviors, racing thoughts, sleep disturbances, or even physical manifestations of stress. Working with a psychologist can provide a supportive space to explore and process the emotions, thoughts, and beliefs shaped by your trauma. Together, you can reflect on how these experiences have impacted your view of yourself and the world while building effective coping strategies to help you move forward in a healthy and adaptive way. Healing from trauma is a journey, but with the right support, it is possible to regain a sense of safety, balance, and resilience.
Cancer Support
Cancer is not just a physical illness—it carries profound psychological and emotional effects for those it touches. A diagnosis can upend every aspect of life, bringing with it a wave of uncertainty and change. Oncology appointments written on the calendar serve as constant reminders of life’s unpredictability. Family members may feel worried, emotionally neglected, or overwhelmed, while tensions between spouses can rise under the strain. Financial challenges often worsen due to employment disruptions, adding another layer of stress. Balancing the demands of work, school, social commitments, and family life alongside a serious medical condition can feel like an insurmountable challenge. The emotional toll—manifesting as guilt, grief, anger, or sadness—can be particularly draining as cancer affects not only the body but also the heart and soul. Whether you are living with cancer or caring for someone who is, seeking psychological support can provide invaluable relief and guidance to help navigate this difficult expereince with strength and resilience.
Grief and Bereavement
Grief and bereavement are natural and deeply human responses to losing a loved one. These processes can be profoundly challenging and painful, often requiring time, patience, and care to navigate and heal. In some cases, grief may become more complicated, leading to intense yearning or longing that persists daily or even to a debilitating degree for months or years after the loss. Signs of complicated grief can include feeling stunned, dazed, or in shock over the loss; avoiding reminders of the reality of what has happened; struggling to accept the loss; finding it difficult to trust others; harboring bitterness or anger related to the loss; feeling stuck or unable to move forward in life; experiencing confusion about one’s role or a diminished sense of self; perceiving life as unfulfilling; grappling with a sense of emptiness or meaninglessness since the loss; or feeling emotionally numb or disconnected. It is important to honour and allow yourself to experience the emotions that accompany grief and bereavement. Seeking support from loved ones, friends, or a psychologist can be an invaluable step in finding comfort and healing during this difficult time.
Personality Styles
Every individual possesses a distinct personality, a intricate tapestry woven from temperament, emotional responses, psychological defenses, and unconscious beliefs about the world. While many personality traits evolve as adaptive mechanisms to early life experiences, some can become counterproductive over time. These personality style challenges may manifest as excessive perfectionism, harsh self-criticism, an inability to cope with uncertainty, or an overwhelming fear of disapproval. Such traits, once protective, can hinder personal growth and well-being in adulthood. Recognizing these patterns is the first step towards change. If you find yourself grappling with aspects of your personality that no longer serve you, seeking the guidance of a psychologist can be transformative. Through professional support, you can cultivate a more balanced and accurate self-image, develop resilience in the face of judgment or rejection, and learn to navigate life's uncertainties with greater ease.
Men's Mental Health
Men’s mental health is often overlooked, even though it can be just as vital as physical health. Men can feel pressured to suppress their emotions and and maintain a stoic facade, believing that vulnerability equates to weakness. However, seeking help when genuinely needed demonstrates accountability and sound judgment, rather than fragility. While striving to live up to traditional male roles can, at times, take a toll on men’s mental health, the loss of these roles in modern society can also create a sense of detachment from purpose and significance. This complex interplay between societal expectations, personal identity, and emotional well-being underscores the importance of addressing men's mental health with nuance and compassion, recognizing that strength can manifest in various forms, including the courage to acknowledge and confront one's inner battles. It is essential for men to take time for introspection, identify their core values and interests, and recognize what really brings meaning to their lives. Remember, it’s okay to admit when you’re struggling—seeking help from trusted friends, family members, or qualified professionals can be a practical step toward achieving a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Existential Concerns
Existential concerns revolve around profound questions and issues that touch on the meaning and purpose of life, the nature of the human condition, and our place in the broader world. These universal inquiries often arise at various points in a person’s life, prompting deep reflection and introspection. Engaging with such questions can be challenging, yet it holds the potential to foster greater self-awareness, personal growth, and a more authentic understanding of oneself. Central to existential concerns are themes such as death, identity, and personal responsibility, which often serve as the foundation for exploring these deeper aspects of existence. A closer look at these topics is provided below to offer insight into their significance and relevance to the human experience.
Fear of Death and Dying
The fear of death and dying is a universal existential concern rooted in the inevitability of mortality. The awareness of our finite existence can be both unsettling and thought-provoking, prompting questions about the meaning and purpose of life. While some find solace in religious or spiritual beliefs, others seek significance through personal experiences, relationships, or creative pursuits. Confronting the reality of death often challenges our prior assumptions about life and compels us to reevaluate what truly matters, ultimately shaping our priorities in profound ways.
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Identity
Identity is another cornerstone of existential inquiry, as it reflects how we define ourselves and how we are perceived by others. The search for identity is a lifelong journey that demands introspection, exploration, and commitment. It involves understanding who we are, what we value, and the purpose we aim to fulfill. As we navigate life's complexities, we are continually called to refine and redefine ourselves in alignment with our evolving beliefs and experiences. This ongoing process serves as a foundation for personal authenticity and a meaningful sense of self.
Personal Responsibility
Personal responsibility represents a critical existential concern closely tied to the concept of freedom. Taking responsibility for our actions and decisions is essential for personal growth, ethical living, and harmonious relationships. Without embracing personal responsibility, we cannot fully exercise our freedom or avoid causing harm to ourselves or others. This responsibility requires thoughtful reflection on our values, careful consideration of the consequences of our choices, and a willingness to own our mistakes. Though challenging at times, adopting personal responsibility enriches our lives by fostering purpose, integrity, and dignity.
Therapy isn’t curing somebody of something; it is a means of helping a person explore himself, his life, his consciousness.
- Rollo May
