CALGARY COUNSELLING & THERAPY SERVICES
When Emotions Overwhelm Your Life,
We Help You Feel Like Yourself Again
FINDING YOUR WAY BACK
You know something needs to change when emotions start making your decisions. When anxiety cancels plans, anger damages relationships, or grief keeps you stuck. When you can't remember the last time you felt truly okay.
Maybe you've tried pushing through it. Maybe you've even tried therapy before. But here's what we know: logic and willpower aren't enough when your nervous system is hijacked. These patterns run deeper than conscious thought.
Our expert team understands the psychology of overwhelming emotions - why traditional approaches fall short, why your body overrides your mind, and most importantly, how to actually break free. Using approaches like EMDR, somatic therapy, and neuroscience-based techniques, we help you get unstuck when nothing else has worked.
You deserve more than generic therapy. You deserve therapists with the expertise to actually help.
What We Help With
Stop letting anger damage what matters most. Develop emotional control without suppressing healthy feelings.
Break free from worry and racing thoughts using neuroscience-based counselling that actually works.
Move beyond numbness and exhaustion to rediscover meaning, energy, and genuine connection.
Process bereavement and complex loss without getting stuck. Honor your grief while learning to live fully again.
Specialized trauma and PTSD counselling that helps your nervous system finally recognize the danger has passed.
Stop burnout before it stops you. Build sustainable stress management strategies for high-pressure lives.
How We Help
Identify and rewire thought patterns that keep you stuck in anxiety, depression, or self-sabotage.
Process traumatic memories without reliving them. Watch triggers lose their power over you.
Body-centered healing for what talk therapy can't reach. Release physical tension and stored trauma.
Mental Health Services Calgary Trusts
“Helped me to grow as a professional and to be a better person.”
“The best therapist I have ever used.”
“Fantastic to work with.”
“Professional, reliable, compassionate.”
“Easy to speak to and non-judgmental.”
“I would refer a family member in a heartbeat!”
Meet Our Counsellors
Rod Mitchell, MC, MSc, Registered Psychologist
Hi! I'm Rod, the founder of Emotions Therapy Calgary.
My team of counsellors and I understand that overwhelming emotions can affect every part of your life - your relationships, your work, even how you see yourself. We specialize in helping you transform your relationship with difficult emotions so they stop controlling your decisions.
Together, we'll help you move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling empowered and in control. Our evidence-based mental health services are tailored to your unique needs, delivered with the warmth and understanding you deserve.
Ready to break free from the emotions holding you back? Start with a free 20-minute counselling consultation.
Let's talk about how we can help you thrive, not just survive.
Alexis (Alya) Serghanuk, MSc, Registered Provisional Psychologist
Hi, I'm Alya! If your body feels like a stranger to you - constantly on edge, shut down, or somewhere you can't quite trust - you're not broken. You've just been in survival mode for too long.
I specialize in helping people reconnect with their bodies through trauma-informed somatic therapy. Using approaches like polyvagal theory and body-based techniques, we'll gently guide your nervous system back to safety. This isn't just about managing symptoms - it's about reclaiming your right to feel at home in your own skin.
With specialized training in neuroscience and trauma, I blend cutting-edge counselling services with warm, collaborative care.
Your body holds wisdom your mind hasn't accessed yet. Let's listen together.
Yuchen Zhong, MC, Registered Provisional Psychologist
Hi, I'm Yuchen! If you're reading this, you might be fighting battles no one else can see - racing thoughts that steal your sleep, heavy emptiness that makes everything hard, or walls you can't stop building with people you love.
I help people heal from anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship struggles that keep them feeling trapped. With specialized training in EMDR therapy and couples counselling, I offer a gentle approach that honors where you've been while guiding you toward where you want to go.
Your symptoms aren't flaws - they're outdated survival strategies that once protected you. Together, we'll transform them into healthier ways of being.
Relief is possible, and it starts with reaching out.
AS FEATURED IN
What Sets Our Calgary Counselling Services Apart
Beyond Surface Level
Our counsellors dive deep into your unique story and emotional patterns - because lasting change requires complete understanding.
Advanced, Proven Methods
Specialized counselling techniques like EMDR, somatic therapy, and neuroscience-based approaches that create real neural change, not just coping strategies.
Emotions as Messengers
Learn to decode what anger, anxiety, or sadness are actually telling you. When you understand the message, you can address the cause.
Real-World Tools
Walk away with sophisticated mental health strategies that work in high-pressure moments - whether that's a triggering conversation or an anxiety spike.
Your Pace, Your Way
Need intensive counselling services? We can do that. Prefer gradual exploration? That works too. Your therapy adapts to your life and goals.
Who We Serve
Individual Therapy
Expert Calgary counselling that goes deeper than surface-level mental health strategies.
Rebuild trust and intimacy when communication has completely broken down.
Family Therapy
Break destructive cycles and create healthier patterns for generations to come.
Common Questions About Therapy
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There's no fixed timeline - and that's intentional. Your mental health journey is unique to you and what you're working through.
Short-term support (2-4 months) often works well for:
Navigating specific life challenges
Work stress or burnout
Relationship difficulties
Adjustment to life changes
Longer-term counselling might be helpful for:
Processing complex trauma
Breaking long-standing patterns
Ongoing mental wellness support
Deeper personal growth
You're always in control. During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss your goals and create a flexible framework for our work together. As therapy progresses, our compassionate registered counsellors will check in regularly about:
How you're feeling about the pace
Whether you're seeing the changes you want
When you might be ready to wrap up
Some clients find relief in just a few sessions. Others discover that regular counselling becomes a valuable part of their self-care routine for months or even years.
There's no rush, no pressure, and no "right" length of time. We're here to support you for as long as you find it helpful.
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Yes, your privacy is protected. Everything you share in therapy stays strictly between you and your therapist.
What you discuss during counselling sessions is your information. We won't share it with family, friends, employers, or anyone else without your written permission. This includes:
Your personal stories and mental health struggles
Session notes and records
Even the fact that you're in therapy
Legal exceptions are rare but important to understand. Therapists are required by law to break confidentiality only when:
There's immediate risk of harm to yourself or others
There's suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult
Court orders require specific information
Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during your first session - no surprises.
Your records are secure. They're kept separate from other medical files and protected with strict security measures. Even within our practice, any team consultations about your care remain completely confidential.
Many clients worry about privacy outside the office. Rest assured, if we happen to see each other in public, we'll follow your lead - we won't acknowledge you unless you approach us first.
Your decision to seek counselling is personal, and we honor that by protecting your privacy at every step.
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Yes, we work with most major insurance providers in Calgary. We offer direct billing to make therapy and assessments as accessible and stress-free as possible.
Direct billing available for:
Most extended health benefit plans
Employee assistance programs (EAP)
First Nations and Métis clients with Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
Many other insurance providers across Alberta
How it works: During your initial consultation, we'll help you understand your coverage and handle the paperwork. Simply bring your insurance information, and we'll:
Verify your benefits
Submit claims directly to your provider
Let you know if there's any remaining balance
Good to know: Most insurance plans cover sessions with our registered psychologists and provisional psychologists. Coverage typically includes individual counselling, couples therapy, and family sessions.
Not sure about your coverage? Give us a call before booking. We're happy to help you navigate your benefits and understand what's covered. If direct billing isn't available for your specific provider, we'll provide detailed receipts for you to submit yourself.
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Therapy doesn't stop when you leave our office. Your counsellor will equip you with practical tools to help you keep making progress throughout the week.
Personalized resources:
Worksheets and exercises to practice new skills
Recommended readings that resonate with your situation
Mindfulness techniques for managing difficult moments
Journaling prompts to deepen self-reflection
Real-world application is key. Whether you're working through anxiety, strengthening your relationship, or navigating life transitions, we'll help you bridge the gap between counselling sessions and daily life. You might practice:
Communication techniques before a difficult conversation
Coping strategies for stressful work situations
Boundary-setting exercises with family
Additional support when needed:
Email check-ins for quick questions
Referrals to other specialists or services
Psychological assessment referrals if helpful
Resources for urgent situations
These between-session tools aren't homework or obligations. They're optional supports designed to help you get the most from your therapy journey. Use what works, leave what doesn't.
Your growth happens in real life, not just in our office. We're here to make sure you feel supported every step of the way.
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If you're asking this question, therapy might be worth exploring. People seek counselling for all sorts of reasons - there's no "right" level of struggle required.
Consider therapy if you're experiencing:
Feeling stuck or overwhelmed
Anxiety, sadness, or mood swings that won't shift
Relationship patterns you want to change
Difficulty coping with life changes
Past experiences affecting your present
Simply wanting someone to talk to
You don't need to be in crisis. Many clients come to counselling because they want to:
Understand themselves better
Improve their relationships
Build healthier coping skills
Work through decisions
Invest in their mental health
Still unsure? That's what consultations are for. We offer a free initial conversation where you can:
Share what's on your mind
Ask questions about the therapy process
Get a feel for whether we're a good fit
Decide if you're ready to start
There's no pressure to commit. Sometimes just having that first conversation helps clarify whether counselling feels right for you right now.
Bottom line: If something in your life feels harder than it needs to be, therapy can help. You deserve support, and we're here when you're ready.
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Yes, we provide online counselling throughout Alberta. You can access the same quality care from the comfort of your home, office, or wherever feels right for you.
Research shows online therapy is just as effective as in-person. Studies consistently find that the therapeutic relationship - the foundation of successful counselling - develops equally well through video sessions. What matters most is:
Your connection with your therapist
Your commitment to the process
Having a private, comfortable space
Benefits our clients love about online sessions:
No commute means easier scheduling
Therapy from your safe space can feel less intimidating
Consistency when you're travelling or can't leave home
Access to specialized therapists regardless of location
Same techniques and approaches as in-person counselling
How online therapy works:
Secure, encrypted video platform
Clear audio and video connection
Screen-sharing for worksheets or exercises
Easy scheduling and reminders
Technical support if needed
Is online right for you? Many clients find they open up more readily from familiar surroundings. Others prefer the intentional space of coming to an office. Some switch between both options based on their needs.
We'll help you decide during your consultation. Whether you choose online or in-person counselling (or a mix of both), you'll receive the same compassionate, professional support.
"If you're finding it hard to manage your emotions, we're here to help. Our approach isn't just about coping – it's about understanding your feelings and using them to create positive change in your life."
- Rod Mitchell, Registered Psychologist