Alysha Gurney Counselling Services

10/25/2025

There is still time to visit at the Women In Business Tradeshow happening today at the Cypress Centre in Medicine Hat. 70 vendors total supporting women in business in various ways. We are here until 3pm so stop in for a visit.

10/25/2025

Please stop by and support the many Women in Business today. A great variety of businesses all under one roof today until 3pm at the Medicine Hat Cypress Center. Hope to see you today.

🚨 VENDOR REGISTRATION OPENS TOMORROW! 🚨

The WIB Expo – Market & Tradeshow is back this fall! 🍂✨ Join us on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at the Stampede Auditorium (9AM – 3PM) as we celebrate and showcase the incredible talent, products, and services from women-owned businesses in our community.

👩‍💼 This event is open to businesses that are 50% or more female-owned, and features:
🌟 Vendor booths to showcase your business
🌟 Vendor caps by industry to ensure diversity (spots go FAST!)
🌟 Our Jr. Expo, where young female entrepreneurs pitch their businesses, sell their products, and compete for cash prizes 🎉

👉 Registration opens TOMORROW, August 22nd at 12PM!

Want to be first in line? 📩 Get the registration form delivered directly to your inbox the moment it opens by signing up for our email list TODAY - wibmedicinehat.com/newsletter-signup

🔗 Don’t wait—vendor spots fill quickly, and this is your chance to be part of one of the most empowering events of the year.

✨ Save the date, spread the word, and get ready to shine at the WIB Expo 2025!

10/22/2025

Well folks,
At this time I will only be able to accept a few clients who would have flexibility in day time appointment availability. I will be starting a wait list for individuals seeking services for afterschool, evening and weekend appointment slots.

Warmly,
Alysha Gurney

10/10/2025

09/22/2025

Teens, This One’s for You
I am not sure which teenager may need to see this today but here goes.... To often as a therapist, I’ve sat across from a teenager who says, “I’m really concerned about my friend because they told me…”—and what follows is something heavy. Maybe it’s about suicidal thoughts, self-harm, wanting to hurt someone else, or being abused.

When a friend shares something serious with you, it can feel overwhelming. You might wonder:
“Is this serious?”
“Am I overreacting?”
“Will they hate me if I tell someone?”
“What do I do now?”

Here’s the truth: sometimes, you need to break your friend’s privacy— not because you’re betraying them, but because you care enough to keep them safe.

There are three situations when you must share what you’ve been told with a trusted adult:

They’re thinking about hurting themselves
This includes suicidal thoughts or any kind of self-harm, even if they say “it’s not that bad.” Taking this seriously could save a life.

They’re thinking about hurting someone else
If they talk about wanting to harm others or have plans to act on those feelings, this is a safety issue—for them and for others.

They’re being hurt or abused
If they’re experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse—or even if you’re just not sure—tell someone. They deserve protection and support.

What to Do Next
Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult. You can even offer to go with them or provide support while they go.

Tell a trusted adult yourself. This could be a parent, school counselor, teacher, coach, or therapist. You don’t have to carry this alone.

Stay connected. Let your friend know you care and want them to be safe—even if they’re upset in the moment.

Don’t wait. Even if you’re unsure how serious it is, it’s better to speak up and be wrong than to stay silent and regret it later.

You are not responsible for fixing your friend’s problems—but you can be the reason they get help. Being a good friend sometimes means doing the hard thing.

You’re not alone—and neither is your friend.

09/17/2025

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT DIFFICULT WORLD EVENTS
In today’s fast-paced, information-saturated world, it’s more important than ever for parents, caregivers, and trusted adults to actively help children make sense of difficult world events. As a therapist, I see firsthand how exposure to unsettling news — whether through media, school discussions, or overheard adult conversations — can deeply affect children’s emotional and psychological wellbeing.

The truth is, kids are not immune to what’s happening in the world around them. Even when they don’t show it openly, many are carrying worry, fear, or confusion beneath the surface. And when children are left to process complex or frightening information on their own, they often fill in the blanks with their own interpretations. These interpretations are frequently incomplete, anxiety-provoking, or even harmful.

That’s why intentional, age-appropriate conversations are essential. When we provide kids with a safe space to ask questions, express feelings, and receive honest, calm guidance, we’re not just helping them understand the world — we’re teaching them how to regulate emotions, think critically, and trust the adults around them to support them through uncertainty.

We don’t need to have all the answers. But we do need to show up — to listen, to validate, and to guide. It’s not about shielding children from reality; it’s about walking beside them as they face it.

Let’s not leave them alone with heavy truths to carry or decode on their own. These moments of connection are opportunities — to build resilience, strengthen relationships, and plant seeds of empathy and hope.

09/07/2025

🌱 Supporting Kids & Teens Through Life’s Tough Moments 🌱

Is your child struggling with anxiety, depression, emotional outbursts, or social challenges? You’re not alone — and help is available.

As a Registered Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Social Work and specialized training in therapeutic play modalities, I provide compassionate, integrative and evidence-based therapy for children and adolescents navigating:
✔️ Anxiety & Worries
✔️ Depression & Low Self-Esteem
✔️ Social Skills & Peer Relationships
✔️ Emotional Regulation & Self-Control
Using developmentally appropriate approaches, I create a safe, supportive space where young people can express themselves, build resilience, and develop the tools they need to thrive.

🧸 Play is powerful — and healing.
Let’s help your child feel more confident, connected, and calm.
📞 Contact me today to schedule a consultation or learn more
587-528-2006 or www.alyshagurneycounsellingservices.ca

09/03/2025

08/27/2025

06/17/2025

I am excited to announce that back in April I successfully completed and passed the clinical social work examination. As a result, I have now been granted the title of RCSW in the addition to MSW.

In Alberta, RCSW stands for Registered Clinical Social Worker. This designation is granted by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and represents an advanced level of social work practice, specifically in the area of clinical mental health services.

What RCSW Means:
An RCSW is a regulated health professional who has met specific education, experience, and supervision requirements that qualify them to independently provide clinical assessments, diagnoses, and therapeutic interventions for mental health conditions. The RCSW title helps clients, employers, and the public recognize that the social worker has specialized clinical expertise and adheres to rigorous professional and ethical standards.

In the long and short of it, I have worked very hard to add an additional letter behind my name 😅

05/01/2025

Celebrating 3 Years of Healing and Growth
The month of April marks a meaningful milestone—3 years in my small but mighty private practice. Oh how time flies..... What began as a vision to create a safe, supportive space for healing and play has grown into a thriving practice rooted in compassion, connection, and transformation. Over the past three years, it has been an honour to walk alongside so many individuals on their mental health journeys—bearing witness to resilience, vulnerability, and profound growth.

To every teen and adult who has trusted me with their story, thank you. Every parent who has trusted be with your child, thank-you. And to every child who trusted me as a play partner, thank-you. Your courage continues to inspire my work every day. To my colleagues, mentors, and support system—your guidance and encouragement have made this journey possible.

As I reflect on these past three years, I am filled with gratitude and renewed purpose. Here's to continued growth, deeper healing, and the work that lies ahead.

—Alysha Gurney, M.S.W., R.C.S.W

03/14/2025

It is common for individuals to seek therapeutic counselling services due to increased stress as a result of life transitions. Life transitions can create increased stress for several reasons:

Uncertainty: Change often brings uncertainty, which can cause anxiety as people face the unknown, whether it’s a new job, moving to a new place, or a major life event like a breakup or loss.

Loss of Control: Transitions often feel beyond our control, leading to feelings of helplessness or vulnerability as people navigate the new circumstances.

Adaptation Pressure: Adjusting to new routines, roles, or environments can be mentally and physically exhausting as individuals strive to adapt.

Emotional Impact: Life changes often trigger a range of emotions, including sadness, excitement, or fear, which can be overwhelming and difficult to manage.

Increased Responsibilities: Many transitions come with added responsibilities, such as caring for others or meeting new expectations, which can lead to stress and burnout.

Loss of Familiarity: The comfort of familiar routines, environments, and relationships is disrupted, making it harder to feel secure and stable.

Social and Financial Pressure: Changes like moving cities or switching careers can come with social and financial challenges that add to stress levels.

You are not alone in the struggles of this transition. One thing is for certain in life... things change.