Have you ever wondered why therapists play with children? Aren’t they supposed to be talking to them? You may be surprised to find out that this is exactly what they’re doing! Play is the most natural and comfortable way for children to communicate. Think of play as a channel through which children can express a full range of thoughts and feelings. Depending on age, children may have difficulty thinking about abstract things like grief that they cannot see or have a limited vocabulary to express their emotions. Non-directive play allows them to show us what’s going on inside and is the most de ..read more

Is my partner, ok? Now that you can recognize the signs of depression, you may be wondering if your partner is struggling with it. You may be feeling frustrated that your efforts to get them going are not yielding lasting results. It feels like two steps forward and then we are right back to where we started. Don’t blame yourself. When symptoms last for more than two weeks, then it is possible your partner is struggling with depression. And they will need some help. What can you do? Encourage them to seek mental health support. Research and help them find a psychologist, support group, psychi ..read more

With the onset of fall and getting back to school and work cycles, there is often change in the air, in our homes and in the way we sometimes feel. Schedules move from summer’s ‘whatever happens happens’ to we have to be out of the house by 7am and not forget to feed the cat, or the kids, or ourselves! We may feel ourselves adjusting to these changes in so many ways. Some of us may want to sleep in just a little longer, we may become irritable while driving or we may commit to working out more at the gym. Others may find themselves quickly getting overwhelmed and pulling out of activities and ..read more

Frequently Asked Questions about Hypnotherapy     Does hypnotherapy work? Scientific evidence supporting the benefits of hypnotherapy has been limited but is growing. The research on hypnosis for treating pain, irritable bowel syndrome and post traumatic stress disorder symptoms has shown strong evidence. Can anyone be hypnotized? Each person differs in their ability to be hypnotized. A person’s fears or concerns about hypnosis may interfere with their ability to be hypnotized. What is the experience of an individual during hypnosis? People describe the experience of hypnosis in d ..read more

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event that recognizes the importance of emotional, mental, and psychological well-being. For over two decades, this week has promoted techniques for reducing stress, highlighting the value of mental health support, and educating the public about various types of mental illness. In addition, mental health advocacy has developed over the years, to promote the human rights of persons with mental disorders and reduce hurtful mindsets, stigma and discrimination towards those that struggle with maintaining good mental health. Worldwide, health is one of the ..read more

Every year all over the world, the month of April is observed as Autism Awareness Month. We take this time to focus on providing and sharing knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorder. The goal of spreading awareness is to convey the message that people with Autism are often misread, misinterpreted and dismissed in our society when they should be acknowledged, included and celebrated. Autism is not a disease, it is a condition. It is a developmental disorder which cannot be diagnosed in the early days of birth, but is rather determined through the habits and behaviours of adolescence as growth ..read more

  “Women are the real architects of society” – Laura Formisano    Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day is observed and celebrated to spread the message of gender equality to create a better society, free of gender bias. This day celebrates and empowers women, addressing issues such as women’s equality, violence and abuse against women, and reproductive rights. This year, the United Nations declared the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” to emphasize the importance of technology in bringing gender issues to light. As well as UNESCO’s mess ..read more

Every February, the people of Canada come together to honour all African American and Canadians from the times of slavery, to the present day. It is a time to think back and reflect upon the hardships faced by people of colour. In 1915, historian Carter. G Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in response to the lack of data and acknowledgment given to the achievements of black people that are presented to the public. Then, in 1926, to acknowledge the contribution of African Americans and Canadians, it was announced that the second week of February was Neg ..read more

500,000. That is approximately how many deaths worldwide are caused by drug use, with more than 30% of those deaths attributable to overdose. In Canada, 6,214 apparent opioid toxicity deaths occurred in 2020 (approximately 17 deaths per day). Drug overdose continues to be a public health crisis in Alberta, where more Albertans are being lost to overdoses than homicides and motor vehicle collisions combined.     International Overdose Awareness Day, observed on August 31st, is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. The day is recognized around the world and focuses ..read more

We are excited to welcome Suzanne Weeks to the Journey team! Suzanne is a Registered Provisional Psychologist and a Canadian Certified Counsellor practicing under the supervision of Charles Coleman. She graduated from City University of Seattle with her Master of Counselling Psychology before acquiring advanced level training at the Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy. She is currently working toward registration as a Certified Gottman Therapist. She is a member of the College of Alberta Psychologists. Suzanne practices from a Narrative approach, and draws from Family Systems, Solution-Focu ..read more