Crux Psychology

Crux Psychology Therapy and assessment online and in person. Founded by Dr. Sherry. Serving Canada in French and English.

A large study following teens from age 14 to 17 found that sleep problems are not just inconvenient — they meaningfully ...
02/25/2026

A large study following teens from age 14 to 17 found that sleep problems are not just inconvenient — they meaningfully shape su***de risk over time (Pawley et al., 2025).

Shorter sleep on school nights and frequent night awakenings were linked to a higher likelihood of reporting a su***de attempt three years later, even after accounting for mental health history and demographics (Pawley et al., 2025).

Decision‑making skills changed this relationship: teens who struggled with night awakenings and also had poorer decision‑making were at even higher risk (Pawley et al., 2025).

Sleep is not just a wellness habit. It is a protective factor. Supporting teens in getting consistent, uninterrupted sleep may play a meaningful role in su***de prevention.

At CRUX Psychology, we help families understand these patterns and build routines that strengthen emotional resilience. We specialize in treating teens with suicidal thoughts. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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If you or someone you know is thinking about su***de, call or text 9-8-8 (24/7) or visit 988.ca.

One of our psychologists is looking for participants for her doctoral research! Here's what she has to say about the stu...
02/25/2026

One of our psychologists is looking for participants for her doctoral research! Here's what she has to say about the study:

I'm leading a study to help share the stories of Twice-Exceptional adults, with hopeful curiosity that there is much to learn from their unique experiences.

Twice-Exceptionality is a beautiful expression of human neurodiversity; it's a term used to describe someone who is gifted AND has a second exceptionality. I'm looking to connect with gifted adults who have been identified as having ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and/or a Specific Learning Disorder.

Interested in participating? Tap the link in my bio (https://www.instagram.com/ericaa.kaathryn/) to learn more about the study, and what you can expect!

Coercive control—patterns of domination, isolation, monitoring, and psychological manipulation—is strongly linked to men...
02/23/2026

Coercive control—patterns of domination, isolation, monitoring, and psychological manipulation—is strongly linked to mental health harm (Lohmann et al., 2023).

Coercive control is linked with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression (Lohmann et al., 2023). Violence does not have to be physical to be considered abuse. Patterns of coercive control can erode a person’s sense of safety, autonomy, and identity.

Because coercive control often unfolds gradually and invisibly, survivors may minimize their experiences or struggle to name what is happening. Research reinforces a crucial point:
Coercive control is a serious form of intimate partner violence, and trauma‑informed mental health support is essential for those affected.

At CRUX Psychology, we help individuals understand these dynamics, rebuild safety, and access evidence‑based care that supports healing. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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Autistic individuals, on average, show lower accuracy and slower response times when identifying facial emotions compare...
02/19/2026

Autistic individuals, on average, show lower accuracy and slower response times when identifying facial emotions compared to neurotypical peers. The differences are not tied to any single emotion (like fear or anger) but reflect broader challenges in reading and processing emotional cues (Masoomi et al., 2025).

These findings do not reflect a lack of empathy—something often misunderstood. Instead, they highlight differences in how emotional information is processed, which can affect social interactions and quality of life (Masoomi et al., 2025).

At CRUX Psychology, we work with people with autism and their families to build practical skills, reduce social stress, and support meaningful connections. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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What helps young people recover from trauma? Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents can look d...
02/17/2026

What helps young people recover from trauma? Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents can look different than in adults—often showing up as avoidance, being emotionally overwhelmed, flashbacks, anxiety, or depression (Gkintoni et al., 2024). Because of this, treatment needs to be developmentally tailored.

Research shows several therapies have meaningful benefits, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), play‑based approaches, exposure‑based work, relaxation strategies, and psychodynamic therapy. However, one approach stood out (Gkintoni et al., 2024). Trauma‑focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF‑CBT) consistently shows the strongest evidence for reducing PTSD symptoms in both children and teens.

Psychotherapy works, and early, evidence‑based support can change a young person’s developmental trajectory.

At CRUX Psychology, we use trauma‑informed, age‑appropriate interventions to help children and adolescents rebuild safety, confidence, and emotional stability. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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Every couple fights. The ones that go the distance have just built key skills that keep them connected. 1. They regulate...
02/13/2026

Every couple fights. The ones that go the distance have just built key skills that keep them connected.

1. They regulate emotion. Staying calmer during conflict prevents escalation and aids resolution (Gottman, 2026).

2. They start gently and check-in frequently. The first minutes of a difficult conversation matter. Long‑term couples use soft start‑ups (think curious rather than accusatory) and make small repair attempts such as a joke, touch, or pause throughout (Gottman, 2026).

3. They avoid the Four Horsemen. Couples who last replace Gottman’s breakup predictors—criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling—with curiosity, responsibility, appreciation, and self‑soothing (Gottman, 2026).

Most conflicts (69%) are perpetual…i.e. inevitable (Gottman, 2026). Therefore, the key is not to eliminate differences but learning to talk about them respectfully. It is about friendship and commitment.

At CRUX Psychology, we help couples build skills so conflict becomes a place of connection, not distance. We specialize in individual and couples therapy. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is an obsession with “clean” or “healthy” eating that can become rigid and distressing. Research...
02/11/2026

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is an obsession with “clean” or “healthy” eating that can become rigid and distressing. Research, conducted by a member of our team, supports placing orthorexia on the eating disorder spectrum (Bartel et al., 2020).

Why? People with higher orthorexia symptoms were more concerned with weight and shape than with health alone. Food choices were often driven by weight‑control motives, not wellness. Also, perfectionism played only a modest role—suggesting orthorexia is not simply a form of obsessive compulsive disorder (Bartel et al., 2020).

This matters because orthorexia is often misunderstood as “just being healthy.” In reality, it can mask deeper struggles with control, body image, and anxiety around food.

At CRUX Psychology, we help people build a relationship with food that supports both physical and emotional wellbeing. We specialize in treating kids, teens, and adults with eating disorders. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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A new CDC report suggests that better access to autism screening may be driving the rise in early autism spectrum disord...
02/09/2026

A new CDC report suggests that better access to autism screening may be driving the rise in early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses (Shaw et al., 2025). In 2022, about 1 in 31 eight‑year‑olds were identified with autism—higher than in previous years.

What is especially notable is how the patterns have shifted. Earlier research found ASD was diagnosed more often in White children and those from higher‑income families. In 2022, the opposite was true. Children from racialized and lower socioeconomic status backgrounds were identified at higher rates, likely reflecting improved access to screening and services rather than a true change in prevalence (Shaw et al., 2025).

When barriers to assessment come down, more children get recognized earlier—and earlier support can make a meaningful difference for families.

If you have autism, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating and assessing kids, teens, and adults with autism. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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We still have much to learn about post‑acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) after stopping antidepressant medication. Few st...
02/05/2026

We still have much to learn about post‑acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) after stopping antidepressant medication. Few studies examine withdrawal symptoms that last longer than six weeks—and findings vary widely. Some people experience symptoms for a few months, while others report difficulties lasting much longer (Rennwald & Hengartner, 2025).

One small study suggests about 15% of people with panic disorder and agoraphobia may experience PAWS, and long‑term paroxetine use may increase risk (Rennwald & Hengartner, 2025). But overall, the evidence is limited, and no treatment approach—including restarting medication, benzodiazepines, or CBT—has strong support yet.

The takeaway is one of caution and compassion. For some individuals, withdrawal can be prolonged, and the science has not caught up to provide clear guidance. More rigorous research is urgently needed so people can make informed decisions and receive the support they deserve.

If you have depression, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating kids, teens, and adults with depression. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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ADHD does not always follow a straight line. For most, symptoms rise and fall over the years, with meaningful periods of...
02/03/2026

ADHD does not always follow a straight line. For most, symptoms rise and fall over the years, with meaningful periods of remission—often beginning in adolescence—followed by times when symptoms return (Sibley et al., 2024). These fluctuations are not random. Remission periods tend to happen when young people are managing higher demands, especially earlier in development.

Additionally, those with persistent ADHD show higher risks for mood difficulties and substance use, while those who recover fully or partially often have protective factors such as lower parental psychopathology or co‑occurring anxiety (Sibley et al., 2024).

ADHD can shift over time, and those shifts are normal. Understanding this ebb and flow helps individuals and families know when to seek support and when to lean on the strengths that carry them through periods of remission.

If you have ADHD, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating kids, teens, and adults with ADHD. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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Serving Atlantic Canada From 5547 Clyde Street
Halifax, NS
B3J3T5

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Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 7pm

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