The Inner Solutions Podcast

High-functioning anxiety, perfectionism, and self-imposed pressure can look like success, until they don't. Registered Psychologist and Clinic Director of Exhale Psychology Group Alina Rokhman & Inner Solutions Clinical Director Jessica Heil explore how to redefine success in a way that actually supports your wellbeing. This episode is our last as we take a break for now - thank you for being here.

Alina Rokhman is a Registered Psychologist and the Founder and Clinical Director of Exhale Psychology Group, a boutique psychology practice in Calgary focused on helping people live more connected, values-driven lives.

Alina specializes in working with high functioning anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and relationship dynamics. She is passionate about helping high-achieving individuals move away from performance-based self-worth and toward sustainable success and emotional wellbeing.

In addition to her clinical work, Alina is deeply involved in supporting and mentoring clinicians in private practice and is known for her leadership and community-building within the Calgary mental health field.

Website: www.exhale-psychology.ca

Social: https://www.instagram.com/exhale.psychology/

Using insights from Gottman Therapy, Registered Psychologist Simone Swenson of Healing Journey Collective and Inner Solutions Clinical Director Jessica Heil explore how couples of all relationship structures can deepen trust, improve communication, and navigate conflict with intention.

Simone Swenson was born and raised in Jamaica and moved to Lethbridge, Alberta in 2011. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge and completed her Master of Counselling degree from Gonzaga University in 2017. She is a Registered Psychologist based in Calgary and the founder of Healing Journey Collective Inc. a boutique group therapy practice. Simone has worked in public health care, schools and has been running her private practice since 2018. She has been working with couples since 2019 and specializes in couples therapy and trauma-informed work, drawing from evidence-based approaches including being a Level 3 Gottman trained Method Couples Therapist, EMDR t, DBT, and Narrative Therapy trained. In addition to her clinical work, Simone is a professor in Master of Counselling programs, where she teaches and mentors future clinicians. She works with adult individuals and couples navigating relationship challenges, life transitions, trauma, cultural identity concerns, and attachment-related difficulties, with a strong focus on culturally responsive care and diverse relationship structures. Outside of her professional roles, Simone is a wife and mother to a daughter. She enjoys spending time outdoors through hiking, golfing, and traveling, and values balance, connection, and intentional living.

To connect with Simone, check out Healing Journey Collective at www.healingjourneycollective.ca or on instagram @healingjourneycollective

In this episode, Registered Dietitian & Canadian Certified Counsellor Jana Spindler speaks with Inner Solutions Clinical Director Jessica Heil about how nutrition impacts mental health and provides some practical ways to support mood through everyday food choices.

Read Jana's bio to hear more about her:

As a dietitian, and now counsellor, I have seen how confusing food can be for many people as it can induce big anxiety and uncertainty. I am passionate about helping my clients simplify their approach to food and working with them individualize their nutrition.

I have a particular interest in working in the areas of mental health and disordered eating/ eating disorders and emotional eating. I have additional training in advanced sport nutrition as well.

After years of working as a nutritionist, I went back to school to get my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology because I saw just how complex the relationship with food and the body can be. Mental health and physical health are so closely intertwined that I believe we must work on each in support of the other. This additional education allows me to better support my clients as they rebuild their relationship with food and their body while also using food in a way to support mood and overall quality of life.

I was a highly competitive athlete for many years, and this is where I discovered my love for food and nutrition. Since moving to Calgary in 2014, I have shifted gears a little bit and spend as much time as I can exploring the mountains, hiking and adventuring.

Find Jana at Inner Solutions (www.innersolutions.ca) or at Health Stand Nutrition (https://www.healthstandnutrition.com)

In this episode, Registered Psychologist Peter Miller talks us through his personal experiences as someone who was struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder, the challenges people can face with this diagnosis, and the hope that receiving treatment can give.

You can find Peter at both Nordic Psychology and Red Cedar Psychology, Assessment & Communication Remote Services. Peter also writes and records music, as music has been a big part of his identity and coping over the years, and his challenges with BPD are reflected in some of his songs. Check out his Spotify through the link here.

Peter's Bios:

Red Cedar Psychology, Assessment & Communication Remote Services

Peter is passionate about helping others develop a deeper understanding of life’s challenges and providing effective treatments for recurring pain and emotional distress. He specializes in treating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and is trained and certified in EMDR. With a compassionate, evidence-based approach, Peter supports clients in achieving stability, confidence, and skillfulness through tailored treatment plans.

With extensive experience working one-on-one with adults and couples, Peter integrates elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into his practice. His approach emphasizes self-reflection, skill development, and emotional intelligence to foster lasting change.

Peter understands the guilt and shame that often accompany mental health struggles. He believes that learning cultivates compassion, which in turn allows for personal growth and adjustment to life’s experiences. He encourages clients to build self-awareness and resilience through the application of essential skills.​

Peter earned his Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary in 2008. He has been studying psychology since 1997, practicing as a mental health professional since 2009, and became a Registered Psychologist in Alberta in 2012. Through years of study and hands-on experience, he has gained a profound understanding of the internal and external factors influencing mental health.

Peter recognizes that many contributing factors to mental health challenges often go unnoticed, misunderstood, or mismanaged, leading to persistent difficulties. His deep understanding of these complexities enables him to provide insightful, effective support to those in need.

Nordic Psychology, Inc

I know how tough it can feel to be stuck in patterns that don’t serve you, especially when it comes to managing intense emotions or navigating connection with others. Sometimes it can feel like no matter how hard you try, the same struggles keep showing up — in your thoughts, your relationships, or how you respond when things get hard. My goal is to help you understand these patterns, where they come from, and how to gently start changing them.

I bring both professional experience and lived experience to my work. I understand what it’s like to struggle, to feel uncertain, and to want something different. That’s why I approach therapy with honesty, empathy, and a genuine belief that growth and change is possible for everyone. I work with adults experiencing emotional dysregulation, relationship difficulties, trauma, and borderline personality disorder. In our sessions, I aim to create a space where you can be fully yourself — no judgement, just real conversation and practical support. I don’t pretend to have it all figured out either; I’m human too, and I believe that authenticity helps build the kind of connection that makes therapy meaningful. When you’re ready to start understanding yourself in a new way and making sense of what’s

An honest, relatable look at modern fatherhood and parenthood, where showing up matters more than perfection, and small moments of presence make the biggest difference.

Our newest episode features a conversation with Brad Moser, Registered Psychologist and host of the podcast Real Dads with Brad Moser. Read more about Brad in his bio and find him at any of the resources listed below.

"I have been facilitating individual, couples, and family counselling for 18 years. Having and raising my two sons has been the most difficult and rewarding experience of my life. Experiencing and working through the many challenges of being a dad has inspired me to specialize in working with dads. Currently, I’m in private practice at Associates Counselling Services in Lethbridge, Alberta. I am available for in-person, virtual, and telephone sessions for anyone living within Alberta."

Website: https://bradmoserpsychologist.ca/

Podcast, Real Dads with Brad Moser

From my website:

https://bradmoserpsychologist.ca/blog/

On Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4Okz2R6j97sspQrFdpaUod

Associates Counselling Services:

https://talkinghelps.ca/users/brad-moser

Psychology Today:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/brad-moser-registered-psychologist-inc-lethbridge-ab/1203916

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-moser-9697638a/?originalSubdomain=ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.moser.psyc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradmoserpsychologist/?hl=en

In this episode, we explore many different forms of addiction (including love!) and unpack how attachment, craving, and recovery intertwine on the path to healing with Paige Abbott of Sana Psychological.

Paige Abbott is a Registered Psychologist and the founder of Sana Psychological in Calgary, AB. Paige has been in the field since 2006 and has worked in university counselling, employee and family assistance, an outpatient addiction treatment program and has been in private practice since 2019.

Paige has been passionate about addiction psychology since 2010 and this is her main specialty. She supports individuals navigating alcohol use, other drugs, food, relationships/love, codependency, sex, work, spending, and gambling. Paige has co-authored books on the topic of addiction recovery, including 'Love, the Drug' and 'Addiction is Addiction.' 

Paige practices what she preaches and has been sober from all mood-altering substances for over 12 years. In her time outside of work, Paige is passionate about her created family, physical activity, time with friends, design/decor, laughter, and experimenting with different forms of meditation and sensory rest. 

@sana_psyc

https://sanapsychological.com/

In this episode, we explore how to best support neurodivergent individuals through the perinatal period, from pregnancy to postpartum with Maigan Birse of Encircled Therapy. Learn more about her in her bio:

"Maigan is a registered psychologist with over 17 years of experience working in a variety of mental health settings, including healthcare, non-profit, and private practice settings. Maigan's clientele over the years includes adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families. Maigan completed her Masters of Applied Counselling Psychology degree from the University of Calgary in 2012, and has been working as a registered psychologist in the province of Alberta for over twelve years.

Maigan is passionate about helping families and individuals thrive! Since becoming a mom herself (to both her son and twin daughters), Maigan has noticed the important role that therapy can play in helping parents and their young ones get through the ups and downs that life can bring, particularly in the perinatal period (pregnancy, postpartum) and the early years of parenting. She also has experienced first-hand the insight that can come with understanding more about our own, our child's, and/or partner's uniquely amazing brain.

Maigan utilizes various modalities in her work with clients, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Emotion-Focused Therapy, plus has additional training in perinatal mental health, parent-child attachment work, formalized psychological assessments, and neurodiversity."

@encircled_therapy

www.encircledtherapy.ca

In this episode, Bradley Lewis from ReThink Well Psychology unpacks the concept of cognitive defusion, a core Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) skill. Learn how separating from unhelpful thoughts can create space for clarity, flexibility, and values-based living. Read Brad's bio below to learn more about him:

My name is Bradley Lewis, and I am a Registered Psychologist serving Calgary and Airdrie, Alberta. I’m a born and raised Calgarian who still gets shocked when it’s -30 outside. I completed a master’s in social psychology in 2017 and a master’s in counselling psychology in 2020. I previously worked with Inner Solutions for several years before moving into my own private practice in downtown Calgary. 

In my practice I mostly work with people struggling with chronic anxiety and burnout, especially related to the workplace. I also work with folks with trauma and anyone who would like more skills in their tool box to regulate their emotions.  

My training expertise is in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness-based modalities, and Solution-Focused Therapy. 

I am a happy husband of 9 years and a happy fur-father of 5 years. I would consider myself an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction. I also love movies and I try my best to catch most of the new releases. In general, I would say that I am a deeply curious person, and I believe this represents both my personal and professional interests.

www.rethinkwellpsychology.net | @rethinkwellpsychology

In this episode, we're joined by Crys Vincent, therapist and founder of Playback Therapy, to explore the transformative approach of Feminist Therapy.

Crys (she/her) is a Registered Psychologist and Canadian Certified Counsellor. She has extensive training in feminist, narrative, and trauma therapy (EMDR). Her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, sexual assault, and healing childhood trauma. Crys is a queer woman and celebrates the beautiful spectrum of gender expression, identity, and orientation. She leads a team offering short and long term therapy as well as healing intensives. Crys strives to provide decolonizing support through the empowerment of her clients, with the goal of healing the barriers that get in the way of you living the life of your intention. Find Crys at www.playbackpsychology.ca.

Struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep can take a toll on every part of life. In this episode, we explore Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), the leading evidence-based approach for improving sleep without relying on medication. We explore this with Paige Rome from Common Thread Psychology. Learn more about Paige through her bio below:

"I'm Paige, a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. I was born in Ontario but now live, work and play in beautiful Alberta. I have worked with at-risk youth and their families in the Calgary area since 2015 and completed my Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology through Athabasca University in 2022. I now work with individuals, teens (13+) and couples. My area of interest and experience include anxiety, sleep issues, depression, trauma, life transitions, and perinatal mental health.

I work from a trauma-informed, client-centred and attachment-based lens. This means that I recognize the profound impact that past experiences and relationships can have on one's present well-being and overall emotional landscape.

On the personal side, I am a mom and step mom to four amazing boys and love spending my free time connecting with nature, traveling, watching live music, and creating art.

Where to find me:

social media @paigerometherapy and @commonthreadpsychology, website: www.commonthreadpsychology.com, email [email protected]"