Finding Relief Through Stress- Therapy in Calgary: Your Path to Healing

Life in Calgary can feel overwhelming. Between professional demands, family responsibilities, and the constant pressure to keep everything together, it's easy to feel like you're running on empty. If you're experiencing persistent stress, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion, you're not alone—and more importantly, you don't have to continue carrying this burden by yourself.

As a therapist specializing in trauma and anxiety, I work with professionals and women in Calgary who appear successful on the outside but are struggling internally. My approach combines evidence-based therapies like EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy to help you move beyond just coping and toward genuine healing.

Key Takeaways

• Therapy to relieve stress addresses the root causes of anxiety and overwhelm, not just surface symptoms
• Specialized approaches like EMDR and ART can create significant change in processing trauma and reducing anxiety and stress
• Therapy is a personalized journey that respects your unique experiences and busy lifestyle
• Both online and in-person sessions are available to accommodate your schedule
• The first step begins with a simple, free 15-minute phone consultation

Understanding When You Need Support

Sometimes the hardest part is acknowledging that you're struggling—and sometimes it's recognizing when that struggle has become too much to manage alone. Many of the women I work with describe feeling like they're constantly trying to hold it all together, maintaining a professional image while internally dealing with racing thoughts, self-doubt, and exhaustion.

Recognizing Stress Beyond Bad Days

Stress isn't always obvious. It's not just about having a difficult week or feeling temporarily overwhelmed. The stress that brings people to my practice often shows up as a persistent undercurrent affecting multiple areas of life. You might notice it in your body—tension headaches, digestive issues, difficulty sleeping, or a constant feeling of being on edge. Or you might see it in your patterns—difficulty concentrating, irritability with loved ones, withdrawing from activities you once enjoyed, or an inability to relax even when you have downtime.

When these experiences become your new normal, when the strategies you've always relied on stop working, that's when professional support can make a profound difference. You deserve to feel calm, confident, and genuinely at peace—not just momentarily relieved but truly restored.

Common Patterns I See in Calgary Professionals

Calgary's professional landscape is dynamic and demanding. Many of my clients work in helping professions like nursing, teaching, and social work, or hold high-level positions in corporate environments. The common thread is often perfectionism paired with people-pleasing tendencies. You're likely excellent at your job, but you may struggle with imposter syndrome, constantly questioning whether you're good enough despite evidence of your success.

This pattern often includes:

• Difficulty saying no to additional responsibilities, even when you're already stretched thin
• Racing thoughts that keep you up at night, replaying conversations or worrying about what's next
• Physical symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, or autoimmune flare-ups that seem connected to stress
• Feeling disconnected in your relationships because you're too exhausted to be fully present
• A sense that you're giving everything to everyone else but have nothing left for yourself

The Impact of Unaddressed Anxiety and Trauma

High-functioning anxiety is particularly challenging because it's invisible. You accomplish a lot, meet deadlines, and show up for others. But internally, there's a constant hum of worry, a feeling that you're always bracing for something to go wrong. Over time, this takes a serious toll on your physical health, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Trauma compounds these challenges. Trauma isn't limited to dramatic, life-threatening events. It can result from childhood experiences where you didn't feel safe or valued, difficult relationships where your boundaries were consistently violated, or accumulation of smaller incidents that left you feeling powerless or unworthy. These experiences shape how your nervous system responds to current stressors, often keeping you in a state of hypervigilance or emotional shutdown.

When anxiety and unprocessed trauma intersect, they create patterns that are difficult to break without targeted therapeutic intervention. That's where my specialized approach comes in.

Specialized Approaches to Healing

In my practice, I don't rely on generic talk therapy. While conversation is valuable, lasting change often requires approaches that work directly with how your brain and nervous system store and process difficult experiences. I'm trained and certified in several evidence-based modalities specifically designed to address trauma and anxiety at their root.

EMDR Therapy: Reprocessing What Holds You Back

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the most effective treatments for trauma and anxiety. I've witnessed remarkable transformations through this approach. EMDR works on the premise that traumatic or distressing experiences can become "stuck" in your nervous system, continuing to trigger emotional and physical responses long after the event has passed.

During EMDR sessions, I guide you through bilateral stimulation—typically eye movements—while you process these difficult memories. This helps your brain reprocess the experience in a way that reduces its emotional intensity. The memory doesn't disappear, but it loses its power to overwhelm you. Many clients describe feeling lighter, like they've been carrying a heavy burden they can finally set down.

EMDR is particularly effective for:

• Processing past traumatic events that continue to affect your present
• Reducing anxiety and panic attacks
• Addressing negative beliefs about yourself formed during difficult experiences
• Breaking patterns of emotional reactivity
• Resolving phobias and disturbing memories

What I appreciate most about EMDR is its efficiency and gentleness. You don't need to describe traumatic events in exhaustive detail. The therapy allows your brain's natural healing processes to do the work.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy: Rapid, Lasting Change

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is another powerful tool in my practice. This approach combines elements of existing therapies with voluntary image replacement techniques to achieve rapid results. Many clients experience significant relief in just one to five sessions.

ART works by helping you replace the distressing images and sensations associated with difficult memories. Through guided eye movements and imagery techniques, I help you change how these memories are stored in your mind. The facts of what happened remain, but the emotional and physical distress connected to those facts diminishes dramatically.

This approach is especially valuable for busy professionals who need effective treatment without a lengthy time commitment. ART addresses:

• Trauma and post-traumatic stress
• Performance anxiety
• Grief and loss
• Phobias and fears
• Depression and hopelessness
• Self-defeating behaviors

The beauty of ART is that it respects your autonomy throughout the process. You remain in control, and I'm there to guide you through techniques that your brain can use to heal itself.

EMDR Intensive Sessions for Deep Work

For clients who want to make concentrated progress, I offer EMDR intensive sessions. These are longer, focused blocks of therapy—ranging from several hours in a day to full-day sessions—that allow for deeper processing without the typical week-long gaps between appointments.

Intensive sessions can be particularly effective if you're dealing with specific traumatic events, preparing for a significant life transition, or simply ready to commit to accelerated healing. The immersive nature of intensive work allows your brain to maintain momentum in processing, often leading to breakthroughs that might take months to achieve in traditional weekly sessions.

This format works well for professionals who travel frequently, have demanding schedules, or simply want to dedicate focused time to their healing journey.

My Approach to Your Care

Every person who walks into my practice—or connects with me online—arrives with a unique story. My role isn't to fit you into a predetermined treatment protocol but to understand your specific needs and tailor my approach accordingly.

Trauma-Informed and Compassionate Care

Everything I do is grounded in trauma-informed principles. This means I recognize that past experiences shape present responses, and I create a therapeutic environment where you feel genuinely safe. Safety isn't just physical—it's emotional and psychological. I work to ensure you feel heard, respected, and in control of your therapy process.

My approach honors your nervous system's responses. If you've experienced trauma, your body may be wired for self-protection, remaining on high alert even when there's no immediate threat. Together, we work to help your nervous system find regulation and calm, creating a foundation for deeper healing work.

Integrating Multiple Therapeutic Modalities

While EMDR and ART are core components of my work, I also integrate other approaches based on your needs. I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) concepts to help you understand different parts of yourself—the perfectionist part, the people-pleaser part, the inner critic—and develop compassion for all aspects of who you are.

I incorporate Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment when you need deeper skills for managing anxiety and stress before diving into deeper processing work. My training in Observed and Experiential Integration (OEI) therapy allows me to help you process present and past experiences in gentle ways.

This integrative approach means you receive personalized care that addresses your whole experience, not just isolated symptoms.

Collaborative Goal Setting

Your goals guide our work together. During your intake session, we'll have an in-depth conversation about what you want to change, what healing looks like for you, and what obstacles you've encountered in the past. From there, we develop a collaborative treatment plan that respects your timeline, preferences, and readiness for different types of work.

I believe in transparency. I'll explain what we're doing and why, helping you understand the therapeutic process so you feel empowered rather than passive in your healing.

Starting Your Journey: What to Expect

Beginning therapy can feel vulnerable. Many clients tell me they've thought about reaching out for months or even years before taking that first step. I want to make the process as straightforward and comfortable as possible.

The Free 15-Minute Consultation

Your first interaction with my practice is a brief, no-pressure phone consultation. This 15-minute conversation gives you an opportunity to share what's bringing you to therapy and ask any questions you have about my approach. It's equally important that you get a sense of whether we're a good fit. Not every therapist is right for every client, and I want you to feel confident in your choice.

During this call, we'll discuss:

• What you're currently struggling with
• What you've tried in the past
• What you're hoping therapy can help you achieve
• Whether my specialized approaches align with your needs
• Practical details about scheduling and session formats

If we both feel it's a good match, we'll schedule your intake session.

Your First Appointment: The Intake Session

The intake session lasts 50 minutes and serves as a guided conversation where I get to know you more deeply. I'll ask about your history, current challenges, and what you want to work on changing. This isn't an interrogation—think of it as the beginning of a collaborative partnership.

During this session, we'll:

• Explore your current symptoms and how they're affecting your life
• Discuss relevant background information and past experiences
• Identify your strengths and existing coping strategies
• Clarify your goals for therapy
• Create an initial treatment plan tailored to your needs

I complete all onboarding paperwork digitally, so you can fill everything out from the comfort of your own home before your first session. This streamlines the process and gives us more time to focus on you.

Ongoing Sessions and Between-Session Support

After your intake, we'll typically meet weekly or biweekly, depending on your goals and schedule. Consistency is important, especially when doing deeper work around core issues like trauma and long-standing anxiety patterns. Regular sessions help maintain momentum and allow your nervous system to integrate changes gradually.

Between sessions, I may offer practices, reflections, or homework designed to help you apply insights and skills in your everyday life. These between-session activities aren't about adding to your already full plate—they're about helping you notice changes and reinforce new patterns as they emerge.

I also regularly check in about your progress. Therapy shouldn't feel like you're wandering in the dark. We'll revisit your goals, celebrate progress, and adjust our approach if something isn't working as well as we'd hoped.

Important Note About Services

My practice focuses on scheduled therapy sessions for processing trauma, managing anxiety, and supporting personal growth. I want to be clear that I do not provide crisis services or emergency support. If you're experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact emergency services or visit your nearest emergency department.

Choosing Between Online and In-Person Sessions

One of the benefits of my practice is flexibility in how you attend sessions. I offer both online and in-person therapy, allowing you to choose the format that best supports your healing process and fits your lifestyle.

The Convenience of Online Therapy

Many of my clients prefer online sessions for their practicality. You can connect with me from your home, your office during a lunch break, or even while traveling. This eliminates commute time and the stress of Calgary traffic, giving you more flexibility to fit therapy into your busy schedule.

Online therapy is particularly valuable if:

• You have a demanding work schedule with limited flexibility
• You live outside central Calgary but want to work with a therapist specializing in EMDR and ART
• You prefer the comfort and privacy of your own space
• You want to eliminate barriers like childcare arrangements or transportation concerns

Research consistently shows that online therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions for anxiety, trauma, and most mental health concerns. The quality of the therapeutic relationship—not the format—is what drives positive outcomes.

The Benefits of In-Person Sessions

Some clients find that coming to a dedicated therapy space helps them mentally transition into their healing work. There's something about physically stepping away from your daily environment that creates a clear boundary between regular life and therapy time.

In-person sessions might be preferable if:

• You find it difficult to create quiet, private space at home
• You feel more connected through face-to-face interaction
• You want a clear separation between therapy and your daily environment
• You respond well to having a designated space for emotional processing

My practice space is designed to feel warm and welcoming, a place where you can truly let your guard down.

Finding What Works for You

During your initial consultation, we can discuss which format makes the most sense for you. Many clients start with one format and switch to another based on their circumstances. Some alternate between online and in-person sessions depending on their schedule that week. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and supported.

The Transformation That's Possible

The women I work with often come to therapy feeling stuck, exhausted, and unsure if change is really possible. What I've witnessed repeatedly is that when you have the right support and evidence-based tools, profound transformation happens.

Developing Self-Compassion

One of the most significant shifts I see is the development of genuine self-compassion. Many of my clients are incredibly kind and understanding toward others but maintain impossibly high standards for themselves. Therapy helps you extend that same compassion inward.

You learn to recognize the voice of your inner critic—that harsh internal commentary that tells you you're not good enough, not doing enough, not enough period. As you become aware of these patterns, you develop the ability to respond to yourself with kindness instead. This doesn't mean lowering your standards or becoming complacent. It means treating yourself like you would a valued friend, with understanding and encouragement rather than constant criticism.

Setting Boundaries That Protect Your Energy

Calgary's fast-paced environment can make it challenging to protect your time and energy. Therapy helps you identify where boundaries need to exist and gives you the skills to communicate them effectively. This might mean saying no to additional work projects when you're already at capacity, limiting interactions with people who drain you, or carving out non-negotiable time for rest and self-care.

Setting boundaries isn't about being rigid or unkind. It's about recognizing your limits and honoring them so you can show up fully for what truly matters. Many clients report that establishing healthier boundaries actually improves their relationships because they're less resentful and more present.

Increasing Self-Awareness and Authentic Connection

As you understand yourself more deeply through therapy, your relationships naturally shift. You become clearer about your values, needs, and desires. This self-knowledge allows you to build connections that are more genuine and fulfilling.

Instead of adapting yourself to meet others' expectations—a common pattern for people-pleasers—you begin showing up as your authentic self. This vulnerability can feel scary at first, but it ultimately leads to deeper, more satisfying relationships. You attract people who appreciate the real you, not the version of yourself you think you should be.

Moving from Surviving to Thriving

Perhaps most importantly, therapy helps you move from a state of constant survival—just getting through each day—to actually thriving. You develop a sense of inner calm that isn't dependent on external circumstances. Racing thoughts quiet. The physical tension you've carried for years begins to release. You find yourself enjoying experiences again, feeling more present with loved ones, and approaching challenges with curiosity rather than dread.

This transformation isn't about becoming a different person. It's about becoming more fully yourself, freed from the weight of unprocessed trauma, anxiety, and limiting beliefs.

Addressing Specific Challenges

My practice specifically supports women dealing with high-functioning anxiety, trauma, and the unique pressures faced by professionals in Calgary. Let me address some of the specific challenges I frequently work with.

High-Functioning Anxiety

High-functioning anxiety is paradoxical. From the outside, you appear to have everything under control. You're productive, reliable, and capable. But internally, there's constant worry, hypervigilance, and a feeling that disaster is always just around the corner.

This type of anxiety often manifests as:

• Perfectionism and inability to accept "good enough"
• Overpreparation and excessive planning
• Difficulty relaxing or being present
• Physical symptoms like tension, restlessness, or fatigue
• Fear of letting others down or being judged

Through therapy, we work to understand where this anxiety originated and what purpose it once served (often it developed as a coping mechanism during difficult times). Then we can help your nervous system learn that you're safe now, reducing the constant state of high alert.

Processing Trauma and Its Effects

Trauma comes in many forms. It might be childhood experiences where you didn't feel protected or valued, emotionally abusive relationships, workplace harassment, medical trauma, or accumulation of "smaller" incidents that individually might not seem significant but collectively shaped how you see yourself and the world.

The effects of unprocessed trauma often include:

• Hypervigilance and difficulty trusting others
• Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from yourself
• Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Chronic anxiety or depression
• Physical health issues with no clear medical cause

Using EMDR and ART, we can process these experiences without requiring you to relive them in detail. The goal is to help your brain file these memories away properly so they stop intruding on your present life.

Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome

Many successful women struggle with the feeling that they're somehow fraudulent, that they don't truly deserve their accomplishments, and that someday everyone will discover they're not as capable as they seem. This imposter syndrome often pairs with perfectionism—an exhausting drive to do everything flawlessly to prevent that imagined exposure.

These patterns are particularly common among women in male-dominated fields, people from marginalized communities, and anyone who received conditional love growing up (you were valued for what you did rather than who you were).

Therapy helps you examine where these beliefs came from and challenge their validity. You learn to recognize your genuine accomplishments, accept that imperfection is part of being human, and develop a more balanced, compassionate relationship with yourself.

Understanding My Therapeutic Framework

The way I approach therapy is grounded in several core principles that shape every aspect of our work together.

Evidence-Based Practice

Every therapeutic approach I use has substantial research supporting its effectiveness. EMDR and ART both have extensive evidence demonstrating their ability to help people heal from trauma and reduce anxiety. I'm committed to ongoing training and staying current with developments in trauma treatment because you deserve approaches that are proven to work.

This doesn't mean I follow a rigid protocol. Evidence-based practice means integrating research evidence with clinical expertise and your individual preferences and values. Your unique circumstances guide how I apply these effective approaches.

Client-Centered Philosophy

You are the expert on your own life. My role is to provide expertise in trauma and anxiety treatment while honoring your knowledge of yourself. This means I listen deeply, respect your pace, and involve you in decisions about your treatment.

If something doesn't feel right or isn't working, I want to know. Your feedback is essential. Therapy is most effective when it's truly collaborative, when you feel ownership over the process rather than like something is being done to you.

Holistic Understanding

I recognize that you're not just your symptoms. You're a whole person with strengths, relationships, responsibilities, and dreams. Your mental health doesn't exist in isolation—it's connected to your physical health, your work life, your relationships, and the broader context of living in Calgary as a professional woman.

This holistic perspective means we consider all aspects of your well-being and how they interact. Sometimes addressing sleep or boundary-setting or processing one specific memory creates ripple effects that improve multiple areas of your life.

Taking the Next Step

If you've read this far, something is resonating. Perhaps you recognize yourself in the descriptions of high-functioning anxiety or unprocessed trauma. Maybe you're tired of just coping and ready to truly heal. Or perhaps you simply sense that there's more to life than the constant stress and exhaustion you're currently experiencing.

You Don't Have to Continue Struggling Alone

The decision to reach out for therapy is a powerful act of self-care. It's acknowledging that you deserve support, that healing is possible, and that you're worth the investment of time and resources.

Many of the women I work with tell me they wish they'd started therapy sooner. They spent years thinking they should be able to handle everything on their own, that asking for help meant weakness. But reaching out isn't weakness—it's wisdom. It's recognizing that some challenges require specialized support to overcome.

Getting Started Is Simple

Beginning therapy doesn't require a major commitment. It starts with one simple step: a free 15-minute phone consultation. During this brief conversation, we'll discuss what you're experiencing and whether my approach might be a good fit for your needs. There's no pressure, no obligation—just an opportunity to explore whether working together makes sense.

From there, if we decide to move forward, you'll complete some straightforward paperwork online and schedule your first 50-minute intake session. That's where your healing journey truly begins.

What to Do Next

If you're ready to stop just surviving and start genuinely thriving, I invite you to reach out. You can contact me through my website to schedule that initial consultation. We'll find a time that works with your schedule to have a conversation about how therapy might help.

For information about scheduling and session rates, please reach out directly. I'm happy to discuss the practical details and answer any questions you have about working together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes your approach different from traditional talk therapy?

While conversation is certainly part of my work, I specialize in approaches that go beyond just talking about problems. EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy work directly with how your brain processes and stores difficult experiences, creating change at a neurological level. This often leads to more rapid and lasting results than traditional talk therapy alone, particularly for trauma and anxiety.

Do you only work with women?

My practice focuses on supporting women, as my training and experience have given me particular insight into the unique challenges women face. The issues I specialize in—high-functioning anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, imposter syndrome—are experienced across genders, but there are gender-specific aspects to how they manifest and how society responds to them that I'm particularly equipped to address.

How long does therapy typically take?

This varies significantly based on your specific needs and goals. Some clients experience meaningful change within a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support. Approaches like ART can sometimes create significant shifts in just a few sessions, while deeper, more complex work may take more time. During your intake, I'll give you a more realistic timeline based on your particular situation.

What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't help?

Previous therapy experiences vary widely depending on the approach used and the fit between therapist and client. Many people who didn't find traditional talk therapy helpful discover that specialized approaches like EMDR or ART work much better for them. Additionally, the therapeutic relationship itself is crucial—sometimes it's simply a matter of finding the right fit. During your consultation, we can discuss what worked and didn't work in the past to ensure a different outcome this time.

Can you provide a receipt for my extended health benefits?

I provide detailed receipts for all sessions that you can submit to your extended health benefits provider for potential reimbursement. However, I do not bill insurance companies directly. You'll pay for sessions at the time of service and handle any reimbursement claims independently.

What if I need support between sessions?

My practice focuses on scheduled therapy appointments rather than ongoing availability between sessions. I may offer homework or practices to support your progress, but I'm not available for crisis support or urgent contact outside of scheduled appointments. If you're experiencing an emergency, please contact emergency services or your local emergency department.

Is online therapy really as effective as meeting in person?

Research consistently demonstrates that online therapy is equally effective as in-person sessions for the majority of mental health concerns, including anxiety and trauma. The quality of the therapeutic relationship and the effectiveness of the approaches used matter far more than the format. Many clients find online sessions to be not only effective but more convenient and accessible given their busy schedules.

How do I know if EMDR or ART is right for me?

During your free consultation and intake session, I'll help you determine which approaches are best suited to your specific needs. Both EMDR and ART are highly effective for trauma and anxiety, and I'll explain how each works so you can feel informed about the process. Ultimately, the choice is collaborative, and I'll guide you based on my clinical expertise and your comfort level.

Your Path Forward Starts Here

Living with chronic stress, high-functioning anxiety, or unprocessed trauma doesn't have to be your permanent reality. The women I work with often describe feeling like they've been carrying an invisible weight for years. Through our work together, that weight gradually lifts. What replaces it is a sense of calm, confidence, and clarity that allows them to fully engage with their lives.

Healing is possible. Change is possible. And you don't have to figure it out alone.

Reach out today to schedule your free 15-minute consultation. Let's have a conversation about how therapy might help you move from where you are now to where you want to be. Your future self—the one who feels genuinely at peace, authentically confident, and truly present in her own life—is waiting.

Visit www.resilience-now.com to learn more about my practice and take that important first step toward healing.