Alberta Counselling Centre

28/02/2025

Sandra Bullock discussing her healing journey with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Alberta Counselling Centre has many Psychologists who specialize in trauma therapy and EMDR. We offer sessions from 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week. To book, call, text, email, or use our convenient online booking (.ca).

Who's excited for our Somatic EMDR Therapy Certificate that launched this week? If you missed it, head here: https://www.theembodylab.com/somatic-emdr-therap...

28/09/2024

Classical conditioning isn't just for dogs—it's a fundamental concept in how we learn and adapt. Whether it's for learning new habits or just keeping your hair soft, it’s all about consistent, repeated actions.

18/09/2024

⚠️ Children who were pressured to be “perfect” to gain approval or avoid criticism grow into adults who carry these patterns into their everyday life. 😔💔

As psychologists who specialize in childhood trauma, we can help clients uncover the roots of these behaviors and learn to embrace self-compassion. Healing starts with understanding. 💚

👌Perfectionism & Childhood Wounds: Breaking the Cycle

Many who struggle with perfectionism grew up in environments where they felt pressured to meet high standards in order to gain validation and love. As children, they may have learned that mistakes were unacceptable, and their self-worth became tied to being "perfect." This creates deep-rooted beliefs like "I’m not good enough" or "I must be perfect to be loved."

These early experiences shape how we view ourselves, driving us to constantly seek external approval while feeling a persistent sense of inadequacy.

How EMDR Can Help
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy addresses these childhood wounds at their core. By processing the emotional memories associated with early pressure to be perfect, EMDR helps rewire negative beliefs and release the need for external validation. This process allows individuals to develop healthier self-worth, grounded in self-acceptance rather than perfection.

Ready to heal the root of your perfectionism? EMDR therapy can help you break free from the cycle of striving and find peace in imperfection.

Many clients view the EMDR Video Library on our site for additional information about EMDR (documentaries, sample sessions, and client testimonials) and to see EMDR in action. To view EMDR videos, go to the ACC site at alberta counselling.ca, click Trauma & EMDR, and select videos.

02/08/2023

Ever wondered how repeating positive affirmations can impact our minds? Let's dive into the psychology behind it!

1️⃣ Rewiring Neural Pathways: Affirmations help create new neural connections, reinforcing positive thoughts and reducing negative self-talk. It's like building a bridge to a more confident and self-assured you!

2️⃣ Boosting Self-Efficacy: By repeating affirmations, we enhance our self-belief and confidence in achieving our goals. This psychological boost can fuel our motivation to overcome challenges.

3️⃣ Shifting Perspectives: Daily affirmations challenge limiting beliefs, gradually reshaping how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. A positive mindset opens doors to new possibilities!

4️⃣ Creating a Growth Mindset: Embracing affirmations fosters a growth mindset, allowing us to embrace failures as learning experiences and continually evolve.

5️⃣ Emotional Regulation: Affirmations can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting emotional well-being by soothing our nervous system.

YES,this stuff can actually be extremely helpful as just one tool in your arsenal of strategies to rewire your brain. Share your favorite affirmations in the comments below and inspire others on their journey of self-discovery. ♥️

26/07/2023

📚 If you're interested in trauma therapy and its profound impact on the human psyche, "The Body Keeps The Score" by Bessel van der Kolk is an absolute must-read!

Every trauma therapist at ACC regards this book as groundbreaking. We recommend this book to many of our trauma therapy clients, most of which are receiving EMDR therapy. In "The Body Keeps The Score", Bessel van der Kolk, a renowned psychiatrist and expert on trauma, delves deep into the ways in which traumatic experiences shape our minds and bodies. Drawing upon decades of research and clinical expertise, he highlights the significant role that trauma plays in various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. By exploring the intricate relationship between the mind, body, and brain, van der Kolk guides readers on a journey through innovative approaches to trauma therapy and healing.

✅ Concepts that are explained and explored:

🌱 The Mind-Body Connection: discusses the undeniable connection between our physical sensations and emotional experiences. It sheds light on how unprocessed trauma can manifest in our bodies, leading to chronic pain and various somatic symptoms.

🌱 Neuroscientific Insights: delves into the latest exciting advancements in neuroscience, the book presents compelling evidence of how trauma affects the brain's structure and functioning. It explains how these changes can contribute to emotional dysregulation and difficulty in forming meaningful relationships.

🌱 Cutting-Edge Therapeutic Techniques: introduces readers to a range of alternative therapeutic approaches that have shown promising results in helping trauma survivors heal. These include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), somatic experiencing, yoga, and mindfulness practices.

This book offers hope, emphasizing the incredible resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of transformative healing through trauma-focused therapy. 🌈

24/07/2023

🌈Child Therapy with Kimochis!

Our child therapists often use along with play therapy, sand tray therapy, and other techniques as a tool to help children express their feelings and emotions in therapy! This helps to:

Build Trust - Fostering a safe and comfortable environment for them to open up and express emotions.

Foster Emotional Expression - Encouraging children to identify and share their emotions through play and storytelling in a non-threatening, safe way with their Kimochis buddies.

💕 Support Empathy & Communication and Boosts Emotional Intelligence (EQ) - Teaching children about empathy, active listening, and effective communication skills.

Teach Coping Strategies - Helping children develop healthy coping strategies by exploring solutions with their Kimochis friends.

👪 Create Family Involvement - Engaging parents and caregivers in the therapy process, using Kimochis to facilitate open conversations that can be generalized to different environments.

Big shout out to for creating these amazing tools for psychologists to use with children in therapy! 👏 ❤️

22/07/2023

🔄 Steps Intergenerational Trauma Cycle-Breakers Can Take:

1. Awareness: Recognize the presence of intergenerational trauma in your family's history. Understanding its impact is crucial to dismantling its hold. Remember that this didn't start with you; it has persisted for decades.

2. Educate: Learn about the trauma's effects on mental and emotional well-being. Knowledge motivates and empowers us to make informed decisions for change.

3️. Open Dialogue: Encourage open conversations within your family about past traumas. Honest sharing can lead to healing and connection. Be prepared for potential pushback, denial, and even anger.

4️. Seek Therapy: Professional support from a therapist specializing in intergenerational trauma can be transformative. They'll guide and support you through the healing process.

5️. Break Silence: Challenge the "family secrets" that perpetuate trauma. Speak up about the issues and promote a culture of open communication.

6️. Positive Parenting: Practice nurturing and non-violent parenting. Create a safe and loving environment for your children to break the cycle.

7️. Cultural Connection: Embrace and celebrate your cultural roots. Reconnecting with positive aspects of your heritage strengthens resilience.

8️. Self-Care: Prioritize self-care practices that promote mental and emotional well-being. Nurturing ourselves helps us heal and be better role models.

18/07/2023

A Benefit of EMDR is how it transforms core negative beliefs.

Negative Core beliefs are generalized judgements you have formed about yourself from experiences you have had in your early developmental years.

Your core beliefs are like a pair of glasses you wear; everything you view is seen through these lenses.

Can you imagine how much your life would be different if your negative core beliefs were replaced by more positive, adaptive beliefs?

➡️Which core belief would you want to shift?

18/07/2023

Alberta Counselling Centre is located in the heart of Lake Midnapore in southeast Calgary. Our psychologists are bookable online and offer sessions online or in-office 7 days a week, daytime and evenings.

Reception answers calls, texts, and emails Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

18/07/2023

06/07/2023

Learning to self-validate takes practice. Mindfulness and self-validation go hand in hand. Being mindful of the thoughts you are having and the feelings you are experiencing is necessary before you can validate that internal experience.