NU PSYCHOLOGY BLOG
Insights For Your Next Chapter.
Explore articles from NU Psychology on therapy, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, trauma, EMDR, depression, relationships, burnout, neurodiversity, and psychological assessments. Our Calgary psychologists share practical, evidence-informed resources to help adults, older teens, couples, and families better understand mental health and take meaningful next steps.
Relapse in Recovery: What a Slip Means, and What It Doesn't
The morning after a slip, the mind reaches for a verdict: all that time, gone. For National Recovery Awareness Month, we look at why shame after a lapse can pull people back toward using, how a lapse differs from a relapse, what recovery keeps even after a slip, and when it makes sense to reach for more support.
Adult Autism: Recognizing It Later in Life in Calgary
A growing number of adults are discovering, often after a child's diagnosis or a late-night thread that named their whole life, that they may be autistic. This is a look at why autism was missed for so long, the hidden cost of masking, and what a later-in-life understanding can offer the person who spent years feeling broken.
Health Anxiety: The Worry That Never Quite Settles
A headache becomes a tumour by bedtime, and no amount of googling or reassurance settles it for long. This is a look at health anxiety, why it is rarely about the symptom itself, why the checking and reassurance that bring relief actually keep it going, and how therapy helps you step off the cycle.
Adult ADHD Assessment in Calgary: What to Expect
A lot of adults arrive at the same late-night question: is this ADHD, or am I just failing to try hard enough? This is a look at why ADHD is so often missed until adulthood, what an assessment actually involves, and what a diagnosis can and cannot do for the person who has spent years wondering.
Intrusive Thoughts: Why They Stick and How ERP Helps
Almost everyone has had a thought so disturbing or out of character that it left them shaken and afraid of what it might mean. This is a look at what intrusive thoughts actually are, why the content is the opposite of what you fear, why trying to push them away makes them louder, and how a therapy called ERP helps people get unstuck.
Compassion Fatigue: When Caring for Others Runs You Empty
If you work or live in a role built around caring for others, you may notice a strange flatness creeping in, a numbness where concern used to be, and a guilt about feeling it. This is a look at compassion fatigue, how it differs from ordinary burnout, why it targets the people who care most, and how the capacity to care can be restored.
Grief Counselling in Calgary: When Loss Takes Its Time
Months after a loss, a wave can arrive out of nowhere, in a grocery aisle or a familiar song, long after everyone assumed you were through the worst of it. This is a look at why grief does not follow a schedule, why the idea of neat stages misleads us, and what grief support actually offers when the loss will not settle. Keywords: grief counselling Calgary, how long does grief last, grief comes in waves, prolonged grief, complicated grief, grief therapy Calgary, coping with loss, grief that won't go away
When the Sky Is Hazy and So Is Your Mood
Some August mornings in Calgary begin behind a grey haze and a sun the colour of a warning light. If your mood dips on smoke days and you cannot quite say why, there is a reason for it. This is a look at how wildfire season affects mental health, why the heaviness is real rather than imagined, and what actually helps when you cannot change the sky.
The Quiet House: When Your Child Leaves for University
The house goes quiet, and something in you does too. For many parents, sending a child to university brings a grief that is hard to name, partly because it arrives tangled up with pride. This is a closer look at what that ache actually is, why it lands so hard, and how the relationship you built does not end here.
Disability Pride Month: Moving Beyond Awareness Toward Inclusion
Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to move beyond awareness and explore what true inclusion looks like. Learn how strengths-based perspectives, accessibility, and understanding can help create communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Belonging Matters: Mental Health, Culture, and the Power of Being Understood
Belonging is more than fitting in—it's feeling seen, understood, and accepted for who you are. Discover how connection, culture, and supportive relationships shape mental health and why finding spaces where you truly belong can make a meaningful difference to your wellbeing.
Self-Care Isn't Selfish: Rethinking What It Really Means
Self-care isn't about luxury or indulgence—it's about protecting your mental health before burnout takes over. Discover how small, consistent habits can strengthen resilience, improve wellbeing, and help you show up more fully for yourself and the people around you.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves: How Our Inner Narrative Shapes Mental Health
The stories we tell ourselves influence how we see the world, respond to challenges, and relate to others. Learn how your inner narrative develops, why it matters, and how greater self-awareness can help you create a healthier, more compassionate perspective.
Feeling Behind in Life: The Pressure of Watching Everyone Else Move Forward
Many people worry they're falling behind in life, whether it's their career, relationships, finances, or personal goals. Discover why these feelings are so common, how invisible timelines shape our thinking, and how to find confidence in your own journey.
Doing Everything Yourself: When Asking for Help Feels Harder Than It Should
Many people find it easier to carry everything alone than ask for support. Learn the psychology behind self-reliance, vulnerability, and building healthier, more connected relationships.
When Slowing Down Feels Impossible
Ever wonder why relaxing feels harder than staying busy? Explore the psychology behind constant productivity, nervous system activation, and how to build a healthier relationship with rest.
The Other Side of Summer: Understanding Mental Health During the Season
Summer is often portrayed as the happiest time of year—a season filled with vacations, sunshine, and opportunities to recharge. Yet for many people, summer can also bring unexpected challenges. Changes in routine, social pressure, loneliness, financial stress, and the expectation to make the most of the season can all affect mental wellbeing. This article explores the often-overlooked side of summer and offers practical ways to support your mental health throughout the season.
What Pride Month Reminds Us About Identity, Courage, and Mental Health
Pride Month is about more than celebrations and visibility. At its heart, it is a reminder of the importance of belonging, authenticity, and human connection. This article explores how acceptance, community, and the freedom to be yourself can influence mental health, while highlighting the resilience and courage found throughout LGBTQ+ experiences.
Coming Out Is a Process, Not a Moment
Coming out is often portrayed as a single conversation, but for many LGBTQ+ individuals, it is a journey that unfolds over time. From self-discovery and identity exploration to acceptance and belonging, the process can bring both challenges and growth. This article explores the connection between coming out and mental health, highlighting why authenticity, support, and self-compassion matter at every stage of the journey.
Father’s Day and Men’s Mental Health: The Story Behind the Strength
Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the fathers and father figures who support, guide, and care for their families. Yet behind the role of provider, protector, and problem-solver is a person navigating their own challenges, pressures, and emotions. This article explores the connection between fatherhood and men's mental health, the unseen demands many fathers carry, and why creating space for support, vulnerability, and emotional wellbeing benefits fathers, children, and families alike.