Living Fully

AI is showing up in more and more parts of daily life, including how people look for support when they’re feeling anxious, alone, or overwhelmed. In this episode, counsellors Sarah Rosenfeld and Denis Sushkin talk about how artificial intelligence is being used in relation to mental health, why it can feel appealing, and where its limits really matter. They talk about the accessibility and convenience of AI, the “illusion of connection” it can create, and why tools that are designed to be validating and agreeable can miss the complexity, nuance, warning signs and lack the human response that real support requires. They also explore privacy concerns and the risks of relying on AI in moments of crisis. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

This episode originally aired February 6, 2024. Beyond allowing us to pay the bills, the way we make our living can fill us with purpose and can be a part of our identity. But it’s not uncommon for our work life to bring up feelings of worry and anxiety. The pressures of longer hours, inflexible schedules, and demanding workloads can contribute to increased stress, creating a delicate balance between professional fulfilment and emotional well-being. On this episode of Living Fully, registered social worker Kelsey Bradley talks about the relationship between work and anxiety, unravelling its sources and offering valuable insights on how you can navigate these challenges. We explore various aspects of workplace anxiety, from distinguishing between regular everyday stress and prolonged anxiety, to addressing performance-based anxiety and imposter syndrome. Download a copy of seven activities you can try for easing workplace anxiety. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

What if your worth isn’t measured by your productivity? So many of us move through life chasing the next milestone — the next promotion, the next goal, the next improvement — believing that if we just achieve a little more, we’ll finally feel like enough. But that constant striving often comes at a cost.In this conversation, we talk with registered psychologist, Lisa McIsaac about how perfectionism and productivity culture shape the way we see ourselves. Larn how the drive to always perform can fuel burnout, anxiety, dissatisfaction, and tension in relationships — and why the bar for “enough” keeps moving no matter how much you accomplish.Lisa shares practical ways to begin shifting your mindset, including:How to recognize when your self-worth is tied to achievementWhere perfectionistic patterns often beginWhy progress matters more than perfectionSimple ways to celebrate what you’ve done instead of focusing on what you haven’tHow to practice rest and self-compassion without feeling guilty "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Good mental health isn’t the absence of pain. It’s how we respond to it.In this episode we’re joined by Claire Masikewich, who shares her experience navigating her daughter Sloan’s cancer diagnosis, treatment, and relapse — and how her family continues to cope through uncertainty, grief, and fear.Claire speaks candidly about the early shock of diagnosis, the ongoing emotional toll, and the practical routines that help her get through the hardest days — from movement and gratitude to asking for help and leaning on community. Counsellor Ashley Enzie from Calgary Counselling Centre adds clinical insight throughout the conversation, helping listeners understand:why grief isn’t limited to deathhow resilience is built why compassion and community matter so much during prolonged stresshow to hold pain without minimizing it or forcing positivity "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

The holidays can be meaningful and memorable—but they can also be exhausting. Between family expectations, packed calendars, gift exchanges, and tighter budgets, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.In this episode, counsellor Denis Shushkin shares practical strategies for managing holiday stress and maintaining healthy relationships.Denis shares how to:Set boundaries with family around gatherings, conversations, and routinesTalk about money and gift-giving when finances are tightFigure out how to blend or re-imagine traditions when you’re sharing the holidays with a partner and extended familyProtect your time and be realistic about how much you can take onTalk to kids about changes in a way that keeps the season warm, steady, and reassuringIf the holidays tend to leave you drained, this conversation provide tools to help you navigate the season with ease. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Breakups are a common reason people reach out for counselling. In this episode, counsellor Rasha Taha joins Katherine to discuss what make breakups so painful. They talk about what healthy grieving looks like, how to rebuild confidence and self-worth, and the small daily habits that can help you recover and feel like yourself again. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Social connection is one of the strongest protectors against depression. In this episode, we talk with registered social worker, Sarah Rosenfeld about why human connection is so important for our mental health, and how to keep relationships alive when motivation is thin. We also hear from Maddi, a Calgary Counselling Centre client, who shares how individual and group counselling helped her feel less alone and build day-to-day tools.From October 6–12, take the free, confidential depression screening quiz at areyoufeelingok.com. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

We often hear the word “trauma,” but what does it actually mean? In this episode, we talk with counsellor Ashley Enzie about what trauma is, how it can show up in our thoughts, emotions, and bodies, and why each person’s experience is unique. We cover common signs, the role of triggers, and ways to start building safety and support—whether you’re ready for counselling or just beginning to explore your experience. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

In this episode we continue the conversation with counsellors Aja Manning and Nicole Ward about helping kids navigate big emotions. We explore what happens in children’s counselling, the role of parents, and what behaviours or changes might signal that it’s time to reach out for help. You’ll also hear about the importance of validation, play therapy, and what to do when parenting doesn’t go as planned.Head to our website to find the following free resources to help your kids:Feelings identification posterRainbow breathing exercise4 ways to help your child with their emotionsChildren’s counselling FAQs "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

The early days of a relationship are often full of excitement, ease, and spark — but what happens when things settle down? In this episode, Calgary Counselling Centre counsellor Kyle Ho talks about how relationships evolve over time and what helps keep them strong. Learn how to stay close with your partner, communicate openly, and keep the relationship fresh, even when life gets busy. From navigating change to building deeper connection, this conversation offers simple, meaningful ways to support long-term love. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

What happens when life doesn’t go according to plan? In this episode of Living Fully, Paula shares how her journey from Colombia to Canada, and her efforts to build a successful life, led to burnout, anxiety, and chronic stress. Paula opens up about the pressure of cultural expectations, the experience of being an immigrant navigating unfamiliar systems, and how counselling helped her reflect, regroup, and rebuild. Her story is a powerful reminder that progress isn’t always linear—and that support can make all the difference. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.

Change is part of life—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Whether it’s something positive like starting a new job, or something more difficult like financial instability or big world events, uncertainty can be hard to sit with. So how do we know when normal stress tips into anxiety? And what can we do to feel more steady during unpredictable times?In this episode, social worker Rasha Taha joins host Katherine Hurtig to explore how change affects our mental health and what we can do about it. They talk about the pull of worst-case-scenario thinking, the importance of self-awareness, and how small grounding strategies—like checking in with your breath—can make a difference. You’ll also hear about ways to stay flexible, build confidence in your ability to cope, and move through change with more self-compassion and clarity. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment. Calgary Counselling Centre and Counselling Alberta provide effective counselling for anyone in Alberta with no wait list and no financial barriers.For help across Canada and the United States, call 211. If you are outside Canada and the U.S., seek help from your general medical practitioner.