Living Fully

Relationship abuse isn't always easy to recognize. While physical violence is often what comes to mind, abuse can also involve emotional manipulation, financial control, intimidation, and other behaviours that gradually undermine someone's confidence and independence.In recognition of Family Violence Prevention Month, we're joined by Calgary Counselling Centre psychologist Ashley Enzie and social worker Kyle Ho to explore the many forms relationship abuse can take, the warning signs to watch for, and why leaving an abusive relationship isn't always straightforward.We also discuss how abuse can affect someone's mental health and sense of self, what recovery can look like, and how friends and family can offer meaningful support without judgment. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

With so much uncertainty and change happening in the world, it can be difficult to keep up with everything going on without feeling overwhelmed. From distressing news and financial pressures to political uncertainty and global events, the constant flow of information can take a toll on our mental health.In this special bonus episode of Living Fully, we're sharing a live panel discussion recorded at the Calgary Central Library on October 8 as part of National Depression Screening Day.Host Katherine Hurtig is joined by Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta's Sarah Rosenfeld and Long Zhou to explore how current events can affect our mental health and what we can do to manage stress, worry and uncertainty. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

We all experience difficult emotions – those might include frustration, sadness, anxiety, or anger. But sometimes those feelings can become overwhelming, making it harder to think clearly, communicate effectively, or respond in ways we're comfortable with.In this episode, psychologist Long Zhou talks about emotional regulation: what it means, why it can be challenging, and how we can get better at managing difficult emotions. Long also shares strategies for navigating intense emotions in the moment, along with everyday habits that can help us build emotional regulation skills over time. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Depression can affect much more than our mood. It can change the way we see ourselves, other people and the world around us, making it harder to recognize possibilities, find motivation or imagine that things could get better.In this episode of Living Fully, Marcus Cheung, Registered Social Worker and Associate Director at Calgary Counselling Centre, talks about the connection between depression and our thoughts. He discusses the common thinking patterns that can keep people feeling stuck, as well as how depression can contribute to isolation and affect our relationships and everyday lives.If you’ve been wondering how you’re doing, take a few minutes to check in with yourself. Visit areyoufeelingok.com from October 5-11 to take the free, anonymous depression screening quiz. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Each October, Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta host National Depression Screening Day, a week-long initiative that encourages people to check in with their mental health. This year, from October 5–11, anyone can take a free, confidential online depression screening quiz at areyoufeelingok.com that looks for common signs of depression.It’s not always easy to recognize when changes in how we’re feeling, thinking or functioning may be signs of something more. In this episode of Living Fully, counsellor Sarah Rosenfeld takes a closer look at the depression screening quiz, exploring what it can help us understand, what the questions are really asking, and how it can be used as a first step toward recognizing when it may be time to seek support. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.