Counselling & Mental Health Services in Olds, Alberta

Mental health refers to our state of wellbeing. It involves our thoughts, our emotions, our feelings of connection to others, our behaviours, and our ability to manage life’s experiences. Just like our physical health, our mental health requires our care and attention. Even so, we may experience problems and even illness with our mental health. In fact, by the time we have reached age 40, about 50% of Canadians will have experienced a significant mental health challenge (CMHA 2021). Counselling therapy can be an important way of helping ourselves address mental health concerns.

We are at risk for compassion fatigue when our daily work exposes us to others’ pain and trauma (example: caregivers, educators, social workers, medical professionals). Burnout too can stem from our work place, but can also show up from other stressors in life. Utilizing coaching support can help you clearly identify what’s happening and improve your wellbeing so that the energy and care you extend is sustainable.

Healthy relationships bring joy, support, safety, and growth to our lives. Building and maintaining relationships is one of life’s important tasks and isn’t always easy. Our way of being in relationships involves a variety of factors. It is informed by our early attachments with parents & caregivers and our experiences forming friendships & romantic relationships. Our personalities, communication styles, life experiences & self awareness all contribute as well. And then of course, the other individual in the relationship brings with them all of these influences, too. When a relationship becomes challenging, it is sometimes difficult to determine what is getting in the way and what needs to change. Whether you are working to strengthen a relationship, or experiencing changes in a relationship, counselling and coaching can help with this process.

Parenting can be incredibly rewarding as well as deeply challenging. As Dr. MacNamara says, children are a work in progress and we as parents are, too! I work from developmental science & attachment theory perspectives to encourage and empower you in your parenting. Through this process you will come to a clearer understanding of your child’s needs and how you truly are your child’s “best bet” in meeting those needs.

Trauma is the lasting physiological, mental & emotional response that may result from living through a distressing event(s). Gabor Mate reminds us that trauma means “wound”. He defines trauma as “…what happens inside of you as a result of what happens to you.” The hopeful news is that trauma can be healed. One of the ways we do this can with the support of a skilled therapist. Aaryn has advanced training in addressing trauma and does so with care, respect & optimism.

Stress…it is something we all experience. And at times in our lives it can feel overwhelming. Coaching in this area can be life changing as we dig into science of stress: the difference between our experience of stress and the stressors themselves. Learning how to both address the stressors, as well as regulate our own experience of stress, makes all the difference.