ShiftGrit Psychology & Counselling

04/30/2025

🧠 Why Do You Keep Sabotaging Your Own Progress?
You know what to do.
You want to change.
And yet... you keep falling into the same patterns.
Procrastinating. Bingeing. Snapping at people you love.

🔁 This isn’t about motivation. It’s not about willpower.
It’s about identity-level patterns quietly running in the background — until your “pressure cooker” overflows.

At ShiftGrit, we use a structured, evidence-based method to recondition those old emotional loops so you can finally:

✅ Stop the sabotage
✅ Stay consistent without trying harder
✅ Actually feel free to choose how you show up

💬 “I didn’t even feel like I was fighting it anymore. I just didn’t react that way.” — a ShiftGrit client

📍 Therapy available online or in-person across Alberta

👉 Read the blog:
https://bit.ly/self-sabotage-therapy-calgary

Think self-sabotage is about willpower? It’s not. Learn how shame-based patterns drive it—and how therapy in Calgary can rewire them for good.

04/21/2025

What if your struggle with ADHD wasn’t about focus—but about internal patterns your brain learned to survive?

Discover how our identity-level therapy protocol helps rewire the loops behind procrastination, distraction, and self-sabotage.

📍 ADHD therapy and assessments available in Calgary, Edmonton, and virtually across Alberta.

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Struggling with focus, follow-through, or self-sabotage? Discover a new approach to ADHD therapy Calgary that targets the identity-level patterns behind it.

04/12/2025

Why Am I Reacting Like That? Even When I Know I’m Safe…

Ever felt triggered by something small... a tone of voice, a look, a delay, and thought: “Why am I reacting so strongly?”

There’s a reason. And it’s not a weakness. It’s wiring.

In this post, we explain it through one of our favourite metaphors at ShiftGrit: The Dog and the Work Boots 🐾

Just like a rescue dog that flinches when it sees work boots (even in a safe home), your nervous system can be trained to react — even when your cognitive brain knows better.

This is why traditional talk therapy often falls short. It speaks to the logical brain, not the emotional system that still thinks you’re in danger.

At ShiftGrit Psychology & Counselling in Calgary & Edmonton, we do it differently.
We help recondition the threat patterns, not just talk about them.

👇 Read the full story and learn how real change starts below the surface: 👉

The Dog and the Work Boots: Why You’re Still Triggered and What to Do About It Imagine a rescue dog. She’s been taken in from a bad situa...

03/27/2025

🚨 NEW PODCAST EPISODE ALERT 🚨

Rewiring Trauma: How to Break Free from Limiting Beliefs

In this brand-new episode of The Shift Show, we hand over the mic to Matteo Sestito and dive deep into one of the most powerful forces shaping our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours: trauma.

Joined by ShiftGrit’s own psychologist Andrea McTague, this episode unpacks: 🔍 What trauma really is (spoiler: it’s not just the big stuff)
🧠 How the brain stores trauma—and why logic doesn’t always help
🧱 How limiting beliefs are formed and how to actually kill them
⚡ Real-world examples that make you go, “Wait... that’s me!”
🔥 Plus—how trauma sometimes gives us a superpower

Whether you’re on your own healing journey, curious about human behaviour, or just love honest, eye-opening conversation—this one's for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PV-EAyhC8g

🎙 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Rewiring Trauma – How to Break Free from Limiting Beliefs In our latest episode of The Shift Show, we’re flipping the script and diving into the deeply personal and universally relevant topic of trauma. Hosted by Matteo Sestito with guest expert Andrea McTague, Register...

02/14/2025

✨ Struggling with Focus, Organization, or Impulse Control? Our ADHD Assessments in Calgary Can Help! ✨

ADHD affects both children and adults, making tasks like concentrating, staying organized, or managing emotions more challenging. If you or your child are experiencing these struggles, an ADHD assessment can offer valuable insights and a clear path forward.

At ShiftGrit Psychology & Counselling, we provide comprehensive ADHD testing in Calgary, using evidence-based tools to assess attention, impulse control, and co-existing conditions like anxiety or learning challenges.

📌 Why Consider an ADHD Assessment?
✔️ Get a deeper understanding of your symptoms
✔️ Identify strengths and areas for support
✔️ Develop personalized strategies to improve focus and organization

💡 Meet Our ADHD Assessor – Jessica Van Mill
Jessica is a dedicated and experienced therapist passionate about helping individuals gain clarity about their cognitive and emotional patterns. She ensures every assessment provides meaningful insights and tailored strategies for success.

📅 Book an ADHD Assessment Today!
If ADHD symptoms are impacting daily life, taking this step can be life-changing. We’re here to help!

🔗 Learn more & schedule an assessment: https://shiftgrit.com/adhd-assessments-calgary/

02/14/2025

Meet Alberto Medeiros: A Results-Driven Psychologist in Calgary Focused on Meaningful Change

At ShiftGrit, all of our Calgary therapists are trained in the ShiftGrit Therapy Program—a structured approach that uses counter-conditioning and evidence-based techniques to rewire unhelpful patterns and create lasting change.

One of Alberto’s core modalities is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a powerful method that helps clients break free from negative thought loops, develop psychological flexibility, and take values-driven action.

ACT is particularly effective in treating:
✔️ Anxiety & Depression – Moving from avoidance to acceptance to create meaningful change.
✔️ ADHD & Impulse Control – Strengthening focus and emotional regulation.
✔️ Technology-Based Addictions – Replacing compulsive behaviours with more fulfilling alternatives.
✔️ Self-Esteem & Confidence Issues – Shifting from self-judgment to self-compassion and growth.

🔥 Why Clients Work With Alberto:
If you're looking for a psychologist in Calgary who takes a direct, results-driven approach, Alberto ensures therapy is collaborative, actionable, and tailored to each client’s unique challenges. His sessions go beyond surface-level conversations, providing practical tools for long-term change.

🌎 Culturally Informed Therapy:
With Brazilian heritage and fluency in Portuguese, Alberto integrates cultural awareness into therapy, making sure clients feel truly understood and supported.

📌 Specialties & Focus Areas:
✅ Anxiety, depression, ADHD, & life transitions
✅ Technology-based addictions (gaming, internet, po*******hy)
✅ Family violence & relationship struggles
✅ Personality concerns (narcissism, antisocial tendencies)
✅ Emotional resilience & building confidence

🚀 A Bit More About Alberto:
When he’s not working with clients, you’ll find him hiking, gaming, traveling, and exploring existential philosophy and personality psychology.

💡 Looking for a Calgary Therapist?
Book a session with Alberto today and take the first step toward meaningful change.
🔗 https://shiftgrit.com/alberto-medeiros/

02/11/2025

Breaking Parenting Patterns Starts with You 💙
Ever catch yourself reacting to your child just like your parents did—even when you swore you’d do things differently? 😬 You’re not alone. Many of our parenting habits aren’t conscious choices—they’re automatic responses wired into the brain from childhood.

But here’s the good news: you can break the cycle—and it’s not just about willpower. True change happens when you rewire those emotional triggers at the source. That means shifting from reactive to intentional parenting so you can raise your kids with more calm, connection, and confidence.

Break Free from Automatic Parenting Patterns! Ever find yourself parenting exactly like your parents did—even when you swore you’d do things differently? 😬 Many of our parenting reactions aren’t conscious choices; they’re deeply wired emotional responses shaped by our upbringing. If you s...

02/03/2025

The Science Behind Tantrums: Understanding Your Child’s Brain & How to Respond

🚼 Ever wonder what’s happening in your child’s brain during a tantrum? Their limbic system (“walnut brain”) is in overdrive, while their prefrontal cortex—the part that helps with self-control—is still developing. That’s why big emotions can feel overwhelming!

💡 How Can You Help?
✅ Stay calm—your child absorbs your emotions.
✅ Validate their feelings: "I know you're upset because we have to leave."
✅ Set firm but loving boundaries.
✅ Teach emotional regulation strategies like deep breathing.

Understanding the science behind tantrums helps parents support their child’s emotional growth while building a stronger parent-child connection.

📖 Read the full article to learn more!
🔗 https://shiftgrit.com/why-do-kids-have-tantrums/

📍 Visit us at:
ShiftGrit Psychology & Counselling
Address: 815 17 Ave SW #210, Calgary, AB T2T 0A1
Phone: (587) 352-6463

ShiftGrit Psychology & Counselling
10445 124 St, Edmonton, AB T5N 1R7
Phone: (780) 705-6463

Discover why do kids have tantrums and how to respond effectively. Learn about child brain development and manage those challenging moments.

01/30/2025

In this episode, Andrea McTague and Sharilyn Theriault delve into the complexities of parenting, discussing the challenges parents face, the importance of understanding child behaviour, and effective strategies for fostering emotional intelligence and resilience in children. They explore the significance of co-regulation, attachment, and the three C's of parenting: calm, connection, and correction. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentionality in parenting and the impact of parental behaviour on children's development and future relationships.

👶 Struggling with tantrums, bedtime battles, or parenting stress? You're not alone! In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep into the psychology of parenting with Registered Psychologist Sharilyn Theriault. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Why co-regulation is the key to calming tantrums ✅ How...

01/14/2025

Trauma can disrupt every part of life, but building a structured routine can be a powerful step toward healing. For veterans and first responders, establishing stability and control through daily habits can make a world of difference. 🛡️

💙 Trauma Recovery for Veterans and First Responders 💙 Trauma can disrupt every part of life, but building a structured routine can be a powerful step toward healing. For veterans and first responders, establishing stability and control through daily habits can make a world of difference. 🛡 ...

12/20/2024

🚨 Trauma Counselling for Veterans & First Responders 🚨

Trauma doesn’t just stay in the past—it can show up in your relationships, work, and even your day-to-day life. For veterans and first responders, the weight of high-stakes environments and repeated exposure to trauma can feel overwhelming. But healing IS possible. 💙

In our latest blog, we explore:
✔️ How trauma impacts veterans and first responders uniquely
✔️ The difference between civilian PTSD and non-civilian PTSD
✔️ Strategies for reframing limiting beliefs like “I’m weak” or “I’m responsible for everyone”
✔️ Why reaching out for support can lead to healthier, more fulfilling lives

💡 You don’t have to carry this alone. Start your journey to healing with insights and resources tailored for you.

Discover innovative trauma counselling Calgary for veterans and first responders. Heal and transform with ShiftGrit Psychology & Counselling.

12/16/2024

We're a new Registered Psychologist, Registered Provisional Psychologist, or Social Worker for our Calgary & Edmonton locations. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're a new Registered Psychologist, Registered Provisional Psychologist, or Social Worker for our Calgary & Edmonton locations. Apply today or share…