overcoming OCD

Overcoming OCD: The Role of Therapy in Breaking the Cycle

Kate KolskogOCD Leave a Comment

Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can easily feel overwhelming. It’s really more than just wanting things a certain way or checking on something again and again. There are lots of myths surrounding OCD behaviour1. Being unaware can make life harder for a difficult individual – not just for the person experiencing it, but also for those around them. You might feel frustrated by your own actions, and your loved ones may not understand what you’re actually going through. If this sounds familiar, help is available. Working with a caring OCD therapist in Calgary can make a world of difference. A skilled therapist can help you identify and understand your symptoms, and together, you can develop strategies to regain control of your life. We’ll be exploring why seeking help from a therapist is essential, along with the symptoms of OCD and knowing when it’s time to reach out for professional support. What is OCD? Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition …

adhd in adulthood

ADHD in Adulthood: Understanding Assessments and Treatment Options

Kate KolskogADHD, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

ADHD can be diagnosed at any age. While we’re used to hearing about ADHD assessments for kids, these evaluations can be just as important for adults. We can only imagine how frustrating it can be to live with undiagnosed ADHD. It might feel like a constant battle with managing your time, staying focused, and avoiding impulsive decisions. These challenges can impact your relationships, careers, and everyday life in ways that are hard to explain if you don’t know what causes them. And yet, less than two out of ten adults with ADHD actually know they have it.1 Without that awareness, people often struggle in silence, feeling like something’s off but not knowing why. Getting assessed can be the key to understanding those challenges and finding ways to manage them. In this guide, we’ll cover ADHD in adulthood – from what an assessment entails to the treatment options that can help. The more you know, the better equipped you are to …

Adolescent Counselling: Addressing Mental Health Challenges During the Teen Years

Kate KolskogChild and Adolescent

We’ve all experienced being a teen and know how tough it can be. Today’s adolescents can find life even more complicated with so many expectations and changes happening all at once. One in seven teens actually experiences a mental health disorder during this stage of their lives.1 As a parent or caregiver, there’s nothing more we’d want than to raise an emotionally healthy family. But it can be quite a challenge to know the best way to help. You might feel unsure of how you can show support. Or maybe you’re worried that your teen’s struggles are becoming more than just growing pains. One effective way to approach this is through adolescent counselling. The right Calgary therapist can give your teen a safe space to express themselves and the confidence they need to face what’s ahead.If you’re considering adolescent counselling, here’s our article that’ll break down what it’s about and how you can get involved. Let’s get started. Common Mental …

Speech therapy

The Benefits of Speech Therapy for Young Children: When To Seek Help

Kate KolskogChild and Adolescent, Speech Therapy

Your child’s voice can be a powerful way for them to connect with the world. But what if your child struggles to express themselves? As a parent, it’s really hard to see them frustrated or feeling misunderstood – all because they can’t speak well. A two-year-old is expected to use around 200 words and, by four and a half, around 2,000. If your child isn’t reaching these milestones, they could be facing a speech or language disorder.1 Poor communication skills can seriously impact their ability to speak and their confidence in interacting with others. Speech therapy could be the answer. It provides a variety of solutions for young children, and we’re here to examine each of them. By better understanding the benefits of speech therapy (and when it’s needed), you can give your child a more comfortable and fulfilling life. Early Signs of Speech and Language Delays in Children If your child seems quieter than the other children their age, …

adhd assessments

ADHD Assessments: What Parents Should Know

Kate KolskogADHD, Assessments, Child and Adolescent

Being a parent of a child with ADHD can be overwhelming without the right support. Your child might dart down the aisle and touch everything in sight, continue to roughhouse when it’s quiet time, or struggle to follow basic instructions and miss important details. These telltale scenarios, especially with the ongoing stigma towards girls’ mental health, definitely feel overwhelming. But remember that you’re not alone. ADHD is one of the most commonly occurring childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. It’s so common that it affects nearly 1 in 21 people in Canada.1 So, if you suspect your child might have ADHD, it’s only natural to have questions and concerns about what to do next. When is it time for us to seek help? What does the assessment process involve, and how should we prepare? Understanding how ADHD is evaluated can help you handle it more confidently. Here’s everything you need to know about ADHD assessments to support your child and family. What is …

Exploring the Power of Brainspotting to Heal Trauma

Kate KolskogBrainspotting, Trauma

By Kate Kolskog, Registered Psychologist The human brain is an incredible piece of machinery that controls all of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. However, when we experience trauma, our brain can become stuck in a cycle of fear, anxiety, and pain that can be difficult to break. Thankfully, there are many different forms of therapy available to help individuals who are struggling with the effects of trauma, including a relatively new method called brainspotting. Brainspotting was developed by therapist David Grand in 2003 as a way to help individuals who are struggling with traumatic memories, anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses on exploring emotions and thoughts, brainspotting focuses on identifying physical spots in the body where feelings of discomfort, tension, or pain seem to be stored. By deliberately focusing on these spots, it is possible to activate the body’s natural healing processes and release tension and pain. During a brainspotting session, the therapist will …

Electro- Equiscope

What is Electro Equiscope and How Can It Benefit You?

Kate KolskogElectro-Equiscope

By Kate Kolskog, Registered Psychologist The realm of medical technology is constantly evolving, and one revolutionary tool that has been gaining popularity in recent years is the Electro Equiscope. The Electro Equiscope is a non-invasive and drug-free therapy that helps to restore balance to the body’s tissues and promote self-healing. In this blog post, we’ll explore what the Electro Equiscope is, how it works, and how it can benefit your overall health and wellness. The Electro Equiscope is a medical device that uses a biofeedback mechanism to detect and correct imbalances within the body. It does this by reading the electrical impulses that run throughout the body and identifying areas of low or high energy flow. Once these areas are identified, the device sends mild electrical impulses back into the body to stimulate and restore balance. One of the biggest benefits of the Electro Equiscope is its ability to treat a wide range of conditions.From chronic pain to acute injuries, …

The Power of Spinal Energetics: How It Can Improve Your Overall Health

Kate KolskogSpinal Energetics

By Kate Kolskog, Registered Psychologist Spinal Energetics is a modality developed by Chiropractor and counsellor Sarah Jane. It is a practice that combines Eastern and Western thought, to interact with a person’s spine, nervous system and energetic field, to harness a person’s own innate wisdom to know and heal themselves. It is believed that energy flows through the spine and that blockages in this energy can lead to physical and emotional imbalances. By aligning and harmonizing the energy in the spine, it is possible to improve overall health and well-being. In this article, we will explore the concept of spinal energetics, its benefits, and how it can improve your life. Spinal energetics is based on the belief that the spine is the energetic center of the body and that energy flows through the spinal column. The energy rises up through the chakras, or energy centers, in the body, bringing healing and transformation. The benefits of spinal energetics are numerous. It …

Everyone Can Get Eating Disorders

You Don’t Need To Be Thin To Have An Eating Disorder

Kate KolskogEating Disorder

  A recent article published by CBC News discussed the narrow way that eating disorders are portrayed and conceptualized. I did a happy dance in my living room after browsing the first few lines of the article because yes, yes, and yes. This is such an important topic, and while I can’t say that it is timely (this isn’t a new thing), any attention it gains in the press is positive.  The idea that individuals with eating disorders are always underweight is a myth that needs to be upended. Of course, there are individuals who fall into this category and also have an eating disorder, however, there are many more individuals who have a body that is considered typical and who still live with the daily mental and emotional torture of body dysmorphia, obsessive calorie counting, ruminating food thoughts, and a lack of connection to their body. Their lives may have been taken over by an eating disorder in the …

ADHD In Girls

ADHD In Girls And Women

Kate KolskogADHD

Written by Caroline LaPierre ADHD has long been thought of as something that impacts young boys.  On TV or in movies, we are often shown boys running around, causing trouble.  This is still what many think of when they hear ADHD.  However, this could not be further from the truth.  I frequently have women come into the office wanting to know “what’s wrong with me?”  I promise you the answer is nothing!  Women have long been stigmatized when it comes to mental health.  Many women have been struggling for years with anxiety, depression or just a sense of being generally unsettled.  Some have been taking medications to help alleviate symptoms.  However, little progress is made and shame, frustration, and self-doubt remain high.   So how do you know you may be struggling with ADHD.  In women, I often hear concerns of procrastination.  Starting a task seems impossible.  Yet on the flip side, many projects are left unfinished.  Some even buy everything …