This is a great article by Beverly Engel about shame. She provides a great description of shame and how it can develop from our childhood experiences. As children we were vulnerable to the experiences of powerlessness and helplessness. Usually these experiences were tied to shame teaching us to learn ways to defend ourselves from ever having to experience shame again. These learned behaviours may have helped us as children to survive but in adulthood they affect our relationships to othe...

This is a great short video on helping kids (or adults) deal with their emotions. In the midst of our emotions of fear, hurt, or shame we can react with feelings of anger. Breathing allows our thinking brain to catch up to our emotional brain and to self-soothe these emotional states.

http://amysmartgirls.com/short-film-just-breathe-helps-kids-deal-with-emotions/

I have been asked the question as to what therapy is about and what it is like. This article about Holding Space is an accurate description of what therapy can be like. Therapy can be perceived as a shaming, controling and humiliating experience but life healing therapy is never meant to do any of this. In many ways it is these experiences of shame, control and humiliation that create the many struggles we face in our lives. Therapy is about holding and creating a different space for peo...

A funny animated short by Brene Brown on Blame.

http://vimeo.com/117375823

An interesting study on the link between brain inflammation and depression.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150128113824.htm

This youtube video is a great summary of the science behind pornography addiction. The neural pathways for reward can become hijacked by the repetitive use of pornography leading to a state where the person loses control and cannot stop despite the consequences and losses in life. If you would like to talk about this more or are concerned that there maybe a problem, please do not hesitate to call or contact me.

The Science of Pornography Addiction -

This is a great animated short narrated by Brene Brown about the difference between empathy and sympathy. Empathy is feeling with other people and creating connection. Sympathy separates us from one another. The four qualities of empathy are perspective taking, non-judgement of others, recognizing emotions in the other person, and communicating that to the other person.

http://youtu.be/1Evwgu369Jw

The Serenity Prayer is frequently used in 12 Step addiction recovery groups for good reason.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot control.

The courage to change the things I can and

The wisdom to know the difference.

Many times when addictions are involved, the focus becomes what the addict ought to do. Loved one's are legitimately concerned for the well being of the addict as their behaviours can progressively endanger their careers, relation...

What is Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy?

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) is a couples therapy developed by Drs. Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg. EFT utilizes attachment theory to help guide couples therapy in order to re-organize the interactional patterns and emotional responses in couple relationships.

http://www.iceeft.com/index.php/about-us/what-is-eft

Various Drug and Alcohol Recovery Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous

http://www.aa.org/

https://area78.org/ - AA in Alberta and Northwest Territories

Narcotics Anonymous

http://www.na.org/

http://www.canaacna.org/area_meetings.php?id=99 - NA meetings in Central Alberta

Gamblers Anonymous

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/

Recovery Groups for Family M...