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Mindset Solutions Counselling

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Canada
Calgary, Alberta
Mindset Solutions Counselling

I am a registered provisional psychologist with The College of Alberta Psychologist, under the supervision of registered psychologist Kate Harper.

I offer in-person, online counselling services across two Calgary and Strathmore locations.

09/14/2025

🔎 Pondering Sunday: The Many Faces of ADHD

ADHD is often painted with a narrow brush — as if it only looks like hyperactive children who can’t sit still. But in reality, ADHD has many faces, and it doesn’t always look the way we expect.

For some, ADHD shows up as restless energy, fidgeting hands, or racing thoughts that never quite slow down. For others, it’s missing appointments, forgetting where the keys went (again), or staring at a to-do list so overwhelming that nothing gets done at all. Sometimes ADHD is loud and visible; sometimes it’s quiet and hidden.

What makes ADHD so complex is that it impacts more than just “attention.” It involves executive functioning — the brain’s management system. That means planning, organizing, regulating emotions, shifting focus, and remembering information are all part of the picture. When these processes don’t run smoothly, everyday tasks can feel like climbing a mountain without proper gear.

And yet, many people with ADHD go unnoticed for years. They are told they’re lazy, careless, or not living up to their potential. Over time, these messages turn inward, shaping a painful story of self-doubt: “What’s wrong with me?” The truth is — nothing is “wrong” with them. Their brains simply process information differently.

This Sunday, I invite you to pause and reflect: What if the struggles you’ve been blaming yourself for weren’t character flaws at all, but signs of a brain that works differently? What if compassion — for yourself or for someone you love — could shift the whole story?

So today, if you recognize yourself in these words, or if someone close to you comes to mind, remember this: ADHD has many faces. And none of them are defined by weakness.

📌 If you’ve ever wondered whether ADHD may be part of your story, I’d be honoured to walk with you:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

09/09/2025

🌸✨ The BeaYOUtiful Foundation ✨🌸

I’ve had the privilege of volunteering with this incredible organization in the past, and I can honestly say it’s something truly special. 💕 hosts free events that empower young girls to build confidence, embrace who they are, and step into their power with strength and self-love.

Watching these girls light up as they connect, learn, and grow together is something I’ll never forget. 💖 If you know a young girl who could benefit from a safe and uplifting space like this, I can’t recommend it enough.

👉 Follow to see upcoming events and learn how you can get involved. Let’s continue to empower the next generation of strong, confident women. 🌟

09/07/2025

🔬 Pondering Sunday: What the Latest Anxiety Research Tells Us

Science is always evolving — and so is our understanding of anxiety.

Recent research highlights that anxiety is not just a mental experience — it’s deeply embodied.
Neuroscience now tells us that dysregulated nervous systems, past trauma, and even gut health can all influence our anxiety levels.

Here are a few promising findings:

Vagus nerve stimulation and breathwork can reduce physiological symptoms of panic.

Polyvagal theory is helping us understand how to calm the body before addressing the mind.

Microbiome research suggests that what we eat affects how anxious we feel.

And excitingly, individualized therapy + medication + lifestyle changes are proving more effective than any one treatment alone.

This Sunday, take heart in this:
If nothing has worked yet — it doesn’t mean nothing will. It just means we haven’t found your fit.

Science is catching up to what many people have always known: anxiety is complex, layered, and treatable.

📌 If you're ready to work with someone who stays up to date with the research — I’d be honoured to walk with you:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

09/01/2025

🌱 Pondering Sunday: What Actually Works for Anxiety?

With so many wellness tips out there — yoga, supplements, breathwork, cold plunges — it can feel overwhelming to figure out what actually works for anxiety.

Here’s the evidence-based truth:
✔ Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
✔ Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Approaches (like ACT)
✔ Somatic therapies and nervous system regulation
✔ Sometimes… medication

Research shows that a combination of therapy and (if needed) pharmacological support provides the best long-term outcomes for moderate to severe anxiety.

But even more important than the method?
The relationship you have with your therapist.
Feeling safe, seen, and supported is what allows your brain to begin rewiring.

This Sunday, ask yourself:
Am I getting the right kind of help — or just trying to do this alone?

There’s no shame in needing more support. You don’t have to trial-and-error your way through this.

💬 Let’s create a treatment plan that actually fits you: www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

08/24/2025

💊 Pondering Sunday: Is Medication a Cop-Out?
It’s a question I hear often in therapy:
“Do I really need medication… or should I be able to handle this on my own?”

The stigma is real. Somewhere along the way, we learned that taking medication for our mental health means we’re not trying hard enough. That we’ve failed.

But here’s the truth:
You wouldn’t shame someone with diabetes for using insulin. You wouldn’t ask someone with a broken bone to just “try harder.” Anxiety affects the brain, body, and nervous system — and for some, medication is part of the healing process.

Not a replacement for therapy. Not a quick fix.
But a tool.

Medication can help quiet the noise just enough so you can do the work — not avoid it.

This Sunday, reflect on this:
Are my beliefs about medication helping or harming me?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But you deserve to explore your options without guilt.

🧠 If you’re wondering whether meds might support your healing, I can help you navigate that decision:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

08/17/2025

🌫️ Pondering Sunday: The Hippocampus & the Past That Won’t Let Go
The hippocampus helps store and retrieve memories.
In anxiety — especially when it’s linked to trauma or chronic stress — the hippocampus can become overactivated, constantly recalling past fears in the present moment.

That’s why your body might panic during situations that seem fine — but resemble something painful from your past.
Your hippocampus is saying:
“This feels familiar. Be careful.”

This makes it hard to distinguish between now and then.

But here’s the key:
Your brain isn’t broken. It’s remembering — just too vividly.

This Sunday, try this grounding thought:
I’m safe now. I wasn’t then — but I am now.

Naming the difference between past and present helps rewire the brain.
Over time, with support and safety, the hippocampus can begin to calm its vigilance.

🧠 Want help making peace with your past? I’m here: www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

08/10/2025

💭 Pondering Sunday: The Prefrontal Cortex & Anxiety’s Hijack
Have you ever felt like you couldn’t think clearly when anxious?
That’s because the part of your brain responsible for logic, planning, and problem-solving — the prefrontal cortex — shuts down when your amygdala takes over.

It’s not that you’re being irrational. It’s that your brain has shifted into survival mode.
In those moments, you’re not wired to think clearly — you’re wired to react.

This can show up in couples too:
A partner says something triggering, and suddenly you're defensive, panicked, or shut down. Later, you might think, “Why did I react that way?”

It wasn’t just emotional — it was neurological.

This Sunday, reflect on this question:
When I’m anxious, how can I pause before reacting?

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is take one breath — just long enough for your prefrontal cortex to come back online.

💬 Want to strengthen your response system? Let’s work together: www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

08/03/2025

🧠 Pondering Sunday: When the Amygdala Sounds the Alarm

The amygdala is like your brain’s smoke detector — always scanning for danger.
When it senses a threat (real or imagined), it sounds the alarm, sending your body into fight, flight, or freeze.

In someone with anxiety, that alarm system is overactive.
It goes off too often, too loudly, even when nothing dangerous is happening.

Maybe you’re just opening your inbox, and suddenly your heart races.
Or you’re driving and feel a wave of dread for no clear reason.

That’s not weakness.
That’s your amygdala trying to protect you — just a little too intensely.

This Sunday, instead of criticizing yourself for being “too sensitive,” ask:
What is my brain trying to protect me from right now?
And can I remind it, gently, that I’m safe?

You can’t turn off the amygdala — but with therapy, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation, you can teach it when to quiet down.

🌿 Ready to calm the alarm? I’d love to help: www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

07/27/2025

🌧 Pondering Sunday: When Others Don’t Understand Your Grief

One of the hardest parts of grief is feeling misunderstood.

Maybe they say,
“At least they lived a long life.”
“Everything happens for a reason.”
Or worse — they stop bringing it up altogether.

People often mean well, but discomfort with grief can make them rush past your pain. And that can make you feel even more alone.

Here’s what I want to remind you of:
You don’t need permission to feel your grief deeply.
You don’t need to justify your sadness.
And you don’t need to explain why you’re still hurting.

Your grief is valid — even if others don’t know how to hold it with you.

This Sunday, ask:
Who in my life truly sees me?
And if that list feels short — know that therapy can be one of those sacred spaces.

You deserve a place where your pain isn’t rushed, explained away, or silenced.

🕊 If you need a witness to your grief, I offer that space: www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

07/20/2025

🕊 Pondering Sunday: Grieving a Life That Could Have Been

Not all grief is about death.
Sometimes we grieve a version of our life that didn’t unfold — the child we didn’t have, the relationship that ended, the career path we left behind.

This kind of grief can feel invisible.
There’s no funeral. No sympathy cards. No rituals.
Just a quiet ache for the what ifs.

You may feel guilt for mourning something intangible. But I want you to know: your grief is real. You are allowed to miss a life you imagined.

This Sunday, pause and ask:
What dream am I grieving?
And more importantly — can I offer myself compassion in that space?

Grieving unmet expectations is a way of honoring the depth of your hope. It means you cared. It means you dared to imagine.

And slowly, in time, space can open for new dreams — not replacements, but companions to the ones you’ve lost.

💬 If you're carrying a quiet grief, you don’t have to do it alone: www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

You may feel guilty for mourning something intangible. But I want you to know: your grief is real. You are allowed to miss a life you imagined.

07/13/2025

🕯 Pondering Sunday: Grief Has No Timeline

Grief is not a season with a clear end. It doesn’t follow a straight line.
And yet, the world often expects us to “move on” — to return to normal, to smile more, to stop mentioning the person we’ve lost.

But here’s what I want you to know:
Grief is not something you finish. It’s something you learn to carry.

There will be days when the memory feels sharp. Other days, it will sit quietly beside you. Both are normal. Both are valid.

Grief isn’t about forgetting — it’s about finding ways to live while still remembering. It’s the quiet ache in your chest when their favorite song plays. The reflex to pick up the phone before remembering they’re not there.

This Sunday, release the pressure to “get over it.”
Instead, ask:
What would it look like to honor my grief today?

That might mean lighting a candle.
Sitting in silence.
Or simply saying their name out loud.

Healing isn’t about closure. It’s about connection — even when that connection shifts form.

🌿 If you're grieving and want space to feel it all, I’m here: www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

07/06/2025

🌫️ Pondering Sunday: Anxiety’s Favourite Question — “What If?”

Anxiety loves to future-trip.
What if I fail?
What if I embarrass myself?
What if something bad happens?

These questions spin like a carousel in your mind, exhausting your body even when nothing has happened yet.

The brain does this to keep you safe — it’s trying to predict and prepare. But anxiety doesn’t play fair. It convinces you that worrying is protecting. And that’s where we get stuck.

Here’s the counter-question I often use in therapy:
“What else could be true?”

What if you succeed?
What if you handle it?
What if this is just a thought — and not a prediction?

You can’t silence anxiety by force. But you can learn to question it with kindness.

Take a breath. Place your feet on the ground. You are here — not in the imagined future.
You’ve survived 100% of your hardest days so far. This moment is no different.

📌 I’d love to walk beside you as you reclaim calm: www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

Address

2804 16 ST SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2T 4G4

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 3pm
Tuesday	9am - 3pm
Wednesday	9am - 3pm
Sunday	11am - 2pm

Telephone

+15878092356

Website

http://www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca/

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