Knowing what to do when your child is struggling with their mental health can be overwhelming. This episode breaks down the signs of childhood depression and offers practical advice for parents.

Recognizing Symptoms: Children may not always express their feelings verbally, in this episode we walk you through some of the signs to look for, both physical and behavioural, and how these symptoms differ between young children and teens.

Starting the Conversation: Approaching your child about their mental health can be tricky. We offer age-appropriate strategies to help you talk openly, ask the right questions, and encourage emotional expression.

How to Support Your Child: We share ways parents can offer ongoing support for their child’s mental health.

When to Seek Professional Help: We highlight when it’s time to reach out for professional support and what types of therapy, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), are often recommended for childhood depression. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide a variety of therapies, including family-based approaches, to help children and their families navigate depression.

"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.

In this episode, we welcome Derek Caperton, research officer at Calgary Counselling Centre, to talk about the role of research and data in mental health counselling. He’ll give his perspective on how studies and data analysis are shaping the future of counselling. Our conversation covers how research improves counselling outcomes, how counsellors apply these insights in practice, and what limitations might exist in the field of counselling research.

"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.

In this episode of Living Fully, we explore the challenges that come with college and university life. From juggling classes, part-time jobs, and a social life to maintaining healthy habits, the demands of post-secondary education can be overwhelming. Psychologist Joel Zimmerman discusses the realities of student life and offers strategies for managing stress and time effectively. We delve into common pressures like financial worries and balancing academics with personal life, while Joel provides actionable tips to help you build resilience and maintain a positive mindset throughout your academic journey.

"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.

Couples counselling isn’t just for when your relationship is struggling. In this episode, social worker, Denis Sushkin, talks about how counselling can help couples in many ways including guiding you and your partner in making important decisions, processing feelings, and navigating the end of a relationship, especially when children are involved. The episode covers such topics as how to get the most out of couples therapy, the role of the counsellor, and breaks down some common misconceptions about counselling for your relationship.  Tune in to understand how counselling can help you create the relationship you want and grow both individually and as a couple.

"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.

In this episode, social worker Stephanie Warner, with her expertise in holistic nutrition and eating psychology, delves into the profound connection between our diet and mental health. Discover how the quality of our food impacts our mood and overall well-being, and gain insights into managing mental health issues like anxiety and depression through nutrition. Stephanie shares practical examples of beneficial foods and discusses common misconceptions about food and mental health. She also emphasizes the importance of mindful eating, positive food relationships, and the influence of cultural background. Learn strategies for healthier eating habits, managing cravings, fostering positive relationships with food in children, and much more.

Check out our website for the 4 Key Takeaways About the Connection Between Food and 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.

Finishing high school. Moving away from home, heading to university. Starting your first “real job.” These are big, exciting changes. You gain more independence but the path to adulthood can also feel overwhelming at times. In this episode, we explore the unique mental health challenges that young adults face as they transition to adulthood. Psychologist Wardah Elahi sheds light on these challenges and offers practical advice for navigating this critical phase of life. From dealing with financial stress and pressure, to gaining autonomy, to building a healthy relationship with technology, this episode covers a range of strategies to smooth the transition into adulthood. 

See links to resources on our website.

"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.

Ever notice how after a workout, you feel better, calmer, happier, and more relaxed? That’s because physical activity plays a crucial role in your mental health. Engaging in regular exercise of any form, it doesn’t need to be strenuous, and you don’t need to get an expensive gym membership, releases “feel-good” chemicals like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, elevating your mood and reducing stress. Additionally, exercise helps you process your emotions and fosters a sense of accomplishment, boosting your self-confidence and promoting mindfulness.  

On this episode of Living Fully, our host Katherine Hurtig talks with registered social worker Stephanie Warner about the impact exercise can have on our mental health, and strategies for incorporating it into our daily lives.  

"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.

Self-esteem influences how we view ourselves and the world around us, which directly impacts our mental health. Low levels of self-esteem can lead to feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness, and hopelessness, creating a cycle of self-doubt and negative thoughts. In our last episode, we explored the intricacies of self-esteem and its impact on our lives. Today, we’re taking it a step further and hearing from two CCC clients who have lived through its challenges first-hand.  

On today’s episode of Living Fully, our host Katherine Hurtig talks with clients Brad and Jessie about their personal stories, what they were going through, and their experiences with counselling and the Building Esteem group program. Katherine also speaks with Annemarie Rued-Fraser, a registered psychologist, to learn the benefits of group counselling and why it can be a beneficial tool for addressing self-esteem concerns. 

"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.

Self-esteem is essential for your mental health. The way you think and feel about yourself affects all aspects of your life. It plays a role in your relationships, your work, and how you approach your goals. When you feel good about yourself, you’re more confident in your relationships and have the passion and motivation to work towards your future. But there are many factors that can affect your self-esteem, and if you’re struggling with low self-esteem, it can be hard to know how to improve it.  

On this episode of Living Fully, our host Katherine Hurtig talks with Maggie Jiang, a registered psychologist, about the correlation of self-esteem and mental health. They explore the many factors that influence how you feel about yourself, how having good relationships with friends and family can protect your self-esteem, and much more.  

"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.

Grief is one of the most human emotions you can experience- it’s inevitable that at some point in our lives, we’ll all experience it.  Everyone experiences grief in their own way, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to coping with loss. Knowing how to navigate the complex emotions that come from grief and loss can be overwhelming.  

On this episode of Living Fully, our host Katherine Hurtig talks with registered psychologist Amy Ramler to explore the intersection of grief, loss, and mental health. Amy shares how she helps her clients navigate the grieving process, provides guidance on how to approach grief, and ways you can support someone who’s experiencing the loss of a loved one.  

"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.