Living Fully

Relationship abuse isn't always easy to recognize. While physical violence is often what comes to mind, abuse can also involve emotional manipulation, financial control, intimidation, and other behaviours that gradually undermine someone's confidence and independence.

In recognition of Family Violence Prevention Month, we're joined by Calgary Counselling Centre psychologist Ashley Enzie and social worker Kyle Ho to explore the many forms relationship abuse can take, the warning signs to watch for, and why leaving an abusive relationship isn't always straightforward.

We also discuss how abuse can affect someone's mental health and sense of self, what recovery can look like, and how friends and family can offer meaningful support without judgment.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

With so much uncertainty and change happening in the world, it can be difficult to keep up with everything going on without feeling overwhelmed. From distressing news and financial pressures to political uncertainty and global events, the constant flow of information can take a toll on our mental health.

In this special bonus episode of Living Fully, we're sharing a live panel discussion recorded at the Calgary Central Library on October 8 as part of National Depression Screening Day.

Host Katherine Hurtig is joined by Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta's Sarah Rosenfeld and Long Zhou to explore how current events can affect our mental health and what we can do to manage stress, worry and uncertainty.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

We all experience difficult emotions – those might include frustration, sadness, anxiety, or anger. But sometimes those feelings can become overwhelming, making it harder to think clearly, communicate effectively, or respond in ways we're comfortable with.

In this episode, psychologist Long Zhou talks about emotional regulation: what it means, why it can be challenging, and how we can get better at managing difficult emotions. Long also shares strategies for navigating intense emotions in the moment, along with everyday habits that can help us build emotional regulation skills over time.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Depression can affect much more than our mood. It can change the way we see ourselves, other people and the world around us, making it harder to recognize possibilities, find motivation or imagine that things could get better.

In this episode of Living Fully, Marcus Cheung, Registered Social Worker and Associate Director at Calgary Counselling Centre, talks about the connection between depression and our thoughts. He discusses the common thinking patterns that can keep people feeling stuck, as well as how depression can contribute to isolation and affect our relationships and everyday lives.

If you’ve been wondering how you’re doing, take a few minutes to check in with yourself. Visit areyoufeelingok.com from October 5-11 to take the free, anonymous depression screening quiz.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Each October, Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta host National Depression Screening Day, a week-long initiative that encourages people to check in with their mental health. This year, from October 5–11, anyone can take a free, confidential online depression screening quiz at areyoufeelingok.com that looks for common signs of depression.

It’s not always easy to recognize when changes in how we’re feeling, thinking or functioning may be signs of something more. In this episode of Living Fully, counsellor Sarah Rosenfeld takes a closer look at the depression screening quiz, exploring what it can help us understand, what the questions are really asking, and how it can be used as a first step toward recognizing when it may be time to seek support.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

When you’re stressed, your kids may be feeling it too — even if they don’t fully understand what’s going on.

Registered social worker Jacqueline Aja Manning joins Living Fully host, Katherine Hurtig to talk about how children pick up on stress at home and how their responses can look different depending on their age. From trouble sleeping and stomach aches to irritability, withdrawal or big emotions, stress can show up in many ways.

Aja shares practical strategies for helping kids manage those feelings, including co-regulation, validating emotions, talking openly about stress and modelling healthy coping skills. They also discuss how parents can reflect on their own responses to stress, strengthen connection with their children and give themselves some compassion along the way.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Therapy isn't always a straight path. Some weeks feel encouraging, while others can feel heavier than when you started. That doesn't necessarily mean counselling isn't helping.

In this episode, psychologists Michael Barrett and Jelena Radan explain what real progress looks like, why change often happens gradually, and how Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta use feedback tools like the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ) and Session Rating Scale (SRS) to make sure therapy stays focused on what matters most to each client.

Whether you're currently in counselling or considering starting, this conversation offers reassurance that meaningful change often happens in small, lasting ways.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Pride Month is often centred on visibility and celebration, but many queer folks continue to face stigma, discrimination, and uncertainty. 

In this episode of Living Fully, we continue the conversation with counsellor Rasha Taha, exploring how these experiences show up in everyday life, from microaggressions to more direct forms of exclusion, and their impact on mental health over time.

We also look at how curiosity, language, and awareness can reduce harm, as well as the importance of community, connection, and support in protecting mental health.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Pride Month is both a celebration and a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

In this episode of Living Fully, counsellor Rasha Taha explores the history of Pride, the importance of visibility, and how identity is shaped by both personal experiences and the world around us. 

This episode also touches on how identity develops over time, the role curiosity and support plays in early self-discovery, and how mental health and identity are closely connected.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

The world can feel overwhelming right now. Between constant news updates, political tension, financial stress, and social media, many people are carrying anxiety, exhaustion, and uncertainty.

In this episode of Living Fully, we talk to counsellor Krystal Blacklock about the mental health impact of living in a constantly connected world. We explore why so many people are feeling powerless right now, and how connection, joy, and moments of awe can help us feel more grounded.

This episode also touches on navigating divided opinions in relationships, protecting your mental well-being while staying informed, and finding meaningful ways to cope during uncertain times.

"Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. 

Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.

For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.