A Tailored Approach for Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety profoundly impacts an individual's emotional and psychological health, often disrupting their sense of normalcy and peace.
At Aspen Psychology in Calgary, our dedicated anxiety therapy services provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore and understand their anxiety experiences. We employ therapeutic techniques tailored to each person’s unique needs, facilitating a path toward calm.
Our skilled therapists work closely with clients to develop coping strategies that enhance resilience and aid in recovery. This process not only addresses the symptoms of anxiety but also helps rebuild a sense of control and self-worth, which are often eroded by anxious feelings.
A Tailored Approach for Anxiety Therapy
Living with anxiety can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Whether you're dealing with persistent worry, panic attacks, or the lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, support is available. Our approach to therapy for anxiety is grounded in evidence-based practices and therapy, which is tailored to help you regain a sense of control and calm.
We work with individuals experiencing a wide range of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms. If you're noticing symptoms like restlessness, racing thoughts, or physical tension, it may be time to explore a new path forward.
Our team is passionate about **treating anxiety** in a way that respects your story and empowers your growth. With the right support, you can **overcome anxiety** and reconnect with the parts of life that bring you joy.
If you’ve been silently coping or wondering if things will ever get better, know this: change is possible — and it starts with reaching out.
Meet The Team
Melissa Sawers
Registered Psychologist
Melissa is a Registered Psychologist with a Master of Counselling.
Melissa believes that engaging in a collaborative, therapeutic process can help people live happier, healthier, more productive lives.
Lisa Thompson
Registered Psychologist
Lisa is a Registered Psychologist, with a Master of Counselling and Art Therapy.
Lisa works with children, youth, couples, and families. Lisa works from a collaborative, strength-based perspective.
Mary-Lou Carlyle
Registered Psychologist
Mary-Lou is a Registered Psychologist with a Master of Counselling.
Mary-Lou recognizes that making the decision to reach out for extra support can sometimes be an overwhelming experience.
Kate Dinning
Registered Psychologist
Kate is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with a Master of Counselling Psychology.
Kate has experience in helping individuals and couples tackle a number of presenting concerns.
Alanna Kelly
Registered Psychologist
Alanna is a Registered Psychologist. She graduated from Athabasca University with a Master of Counselling Psychology.
She has completed EMDR training.
Alanna is experienced in working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples
Meghan McDonald
Registered Psychologist
Meghan is a Registered Psychologist. She graduated from Athabasca University with a Master of Counselling Psychology.
She has completed ART training.
Meghan is passionate working with individuals, families, couples, and the LGBTQ+ community.
We have a new Practicum Student!
Low-cost therapy, both in-person and virtual, is available as Aspen Leung works to complete her graduate-level training. She is supervised by one of our Registered Psychologists.
Aspen Leung
Graduate Student, Masters of Counselling Psychology
Aspen works with youth (16+), adults, seniors, and couples.
She draws from the following modalities:
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- CBT
- Narrative Therapy
Techniques and Specialities for Anxiety Therapy:
For one experiencing anxiety, our skilled therapist will support your transformative journey.
Therapeutic Modalities:
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)
- Narrative Therapy
- ART Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Anxiety and the Specific Challenges
- Depression
- Peer Pressure
- Identity Crisis
- School Struggles
- Sexual Assault
- Bullying
- Self-esteem
- Trauma
- Family Conflicts
- Coping Skills
- Transition to Adulthood
- Body Image
- Friendship Challenges
- Social Anxiety
FAQ
How do I know if I need Anxiety Counselling?
Recognizing when you might need anxiety counselling or if you are struggling with anxiety disorders can be crucial for your mental well-being. Mental health disorders are not something that will "just go away," and anxiety treatments do work. Here are some signs that you might benefit from counselling services and seeking help:
- Persistent Worry: Constantly feeling anxious or worrying excessively about various aspects of life.
- Physical Symptoms: Experiencing physical signs like a racing heart, sweating, panic attacks, trembling, or shortness of breath without a medical cause.
- Sleep Issues: Difficulty falling or staying asleep due to anxiety.
- Avoidance: Avoiding situations or activities that trigger anxiety.
- Impact on Daily Life: Anxiety significantly interferes with your work, social interactions, or daily activities.
- Social Phobia: this is one of the most common anxiety disorders and it is felt when being exposed to social or performance situations and can often feel intense and carry a sense of rejection.
- Negative Thought Patterns: Frequent negative or catastrophic thinking.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Struggling to focus or complete tasks due to anxiety.
If you experience any of these symptoms, consider consulting with a mental health professional for evaluation and potential therapy.
What Does Anxiety Treatment Look Like?
Treatment for anxiety or anxiety disorders typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Mental health isn't a straight line, and often will require nuanced treatment including counselling services, medication and other treatments. Here’s an overview:
- Therapy:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours.
- Exposure Therapy: Gradually exposes individuals to anxiety triggers in a controlled manner to reduce fear.
- Medication:
- Antidepressants: SSRIs and SNRIs are commonly prescribed.
- Anti-Anxiety Medications: Benzodiazepines may be used for short-term relief.
- Lifestyle Changes:
- Exercise: Regular physical activity can reduce anxiety symptoms, and help with stress management.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices like meditation and deep breathing to manage anxiety through emotional regulation can help manage stress.
- Healthy Diet and Sleep: Ensuring proper nutrition and rest supports overall mental health.
Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual's specific needs and mental health issues, and may include a combination of these approaches. Consulting with a healthcare professional is essential for determining the best treatment strategy.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and how does it relate to Anxiety
Common mental health concerns often take various forms. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions are time-consuming and cause significant distress or impairment. Your mental health journey can be affected by these issues.
OCD is related to other anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and can affect your self esteem, sense of worth and everyday living. People with OCD often experience anxiety symptoms, such as excessive worry and physical symptoms like increased heart rate, chest pain and sweating. OCD is part of the broader category of anxiety disorders, which also includes generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder. These disorders share common features of excessive fear and anxiety that impact daily functioning.
ASPEN PSYCHOLOGY GROUP INC.
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