In this article, I discuss one of the benefits of discussing traumatic events as analogous to organizing books in a bookcase. Estimated reading time: 3 minutes. Although it is a challenging task, discussing the details of traumatic events leads to many benefits which facilitate healing for clients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One of the benefits is that discussing traumatic events facilitates the organization of these events in a person’s memory. In the following sections, I will discuss why organizing the details of traumatic events in memory is fundamental to healing from PT ..read more

In this article, I discuss criteria you can use to determine whether you are being defensive and how to proceed once you have determined this. Estimated reading time: 3 minutes. I encounter the terms defensive and defensiveness often. For example, they arise frequently when I work with couples on how to communicate constructively about issues. In that regard, one of the negative communication patterns known as the ‘four horsemen of the apocalypse’ identified by relationship expert Dr. John Gottman is defensiveness. I also often hear one person tell another person in a discussion that they ar ..read more

In this article, I discuss three laws you can follow to master your management of emotions. Estimated reading time: 3 minutes. One of the most impactful articles I have read is The Three Laws of Emotional Mastery. Written by Noam Shpancer, PhD, it appeared in the May 4, 2021 edition of Psychology Today. I have used the concepts discussed in the article to help many clients with the challenging task of managing their emotions. In the following sections, I will discuss the three laws of emotional mastery and how they can benefit you in different areas of your life. The first law: Think accurat ..read more

In this article, I discuss how to feel good about yourself without having negative effects on your relationships. Estimated reading time: 4 minutes. I sometimes work with clients who are ambivalent about working on the goal of building good self-esteem. You might wonder why someone would be ambivalent about pursuing an apparently unequivocally positive goal. The reason for these clients’ ambivalence is typically concern over good self-esteem leading to egotism or even narcissism. Such concerns often extend to putting oneself ahead of  others so that their relationships may suffer. Fortu ..read more

In this article, I discuss life lessons displayed by participants in the National Football League’s championship game. Estimated reading time: 6 minutes. Like millions of football fans, each year I look forward to watching the championship game of the National Football League (NFL) known as the Super Bowl. I am particularly excited to watch this year’s game as it features the American Football Conference champion Kansas City Chiefs battling my favourite team—the National Football Conference champion San Francisco 49ers. My fondness for the 49ers grew when my younger brother and I travelled t ..read more

In this article, I discuss the thought-provoking messages contained in an episode of an old television series. Estimated reading time: 5 minutes. Recently, I have been enjoying watching reruns of episodes of the landmark television series The Twilight Zone. Created by Rod Serling, the series began airing before I was born so I was unable to catch the episodes in their first run. Most episodes of the half-hour drama featured unusual scenarios which stimulated viewers to think outside the box and provided important life lessons. In the following sections, I will discuss the lessons provided by ..read more

In this article, I discuss how I committed the fundamental attribution error in my perception of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Estimated reading time: 4 minutes. The day before I started writing this article, the iconic Bill Belichick stepped down from his duties as head coach of the National Football League’s New England Patriots after a storied run which included a record six Super Bowl titles. What led me to write this article about Mr. Belichick was not his unrivalled success. Instead, it was my long-standing view of him and how it recently changed. I had a fixed percep ..read more

Dr. Pat, was recently interviewed by Laurice Gomes for the Calgary Herald. In a compelling article titled “Five ways Calgarians can tackle their 2024 fitness goals,” Dr. Keelan offers his expert advice on setting and achieving fitness objectives. Emphasizing the importance of choosing enjoyable exercise forms and setting specific, moderately challenging goals, Dr. Keelan’s insights are a must-read for anyone looking to make their fitness journey successful and sustainable. The article also explores various fitness approaches and tips from other local experts, making it a comprehensive guide f ..read more

In this article, I discuss how to use your five senses to benefit your mental health. Estimated reading time: 4 minutes. Over the Christmas holiday season, I derived enjoyment from various activities I engaged in by myself and with friends and family. On reflection, my enjoyment typically was the result of activities which had positive effects on one or more of the five senses. For example, my sight was positively stimulated by gazing at a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and at the lights on people’s homes; my sense of hearing was treated to carols and other songs associated with this t ..read more

In a segment with CTV News Calgary’s Teri Fikowski, Dr. Pat sheds light on the concerning trend of aggressive driving behaviors and offers expert advice on managing road rage. Although rare, extreme cases can lead to fatalities, making the rising anger and hostility on the roads a significant concern. Dr. Pat shares essential strategies to remain calm and composed while driving, emphasizing the crucial role of emotional regulation during stressful situations on the road. This post is essential reading for anyone seeking to drive more peacefully and safely. The post Steering Clear of Road Rage ..read more