Welcome to the OBP Psychology Blog

Shift from anxious “what if” thinking to confident “even if” resilience. This post explores the psychology behind the confidence loop and your Window of Tolerance, explaining how small, brave actions expand your nervous system’s capacity for challenge and growth. Learn how tools like EMDR therapy can help process past experiences, reduce fear responses, and build the self-trust needed to handle life’s uncertainties.

Super Bowl Sunday reminds us that counselling is not about going it alone. At Off the Beaten Path Psychology and Wellness, we offer counselling and EMDR therapy in Calgary, Airdrie, and Cochrane that focuses on strategy, teamwork, and flexibility. Whether you are navigating trauma, stress, or burnout, therapy can help you build resilience, adjust your game plan, and move forward with support.

Curious about EMDR therapy as an older adult? At Off the Beaten Path, EMDR sessions move at a gentle, respectful pace, honor your boundaries, and build on your strengths. You don’t have to share every detail—therapy helps process memories safely, reduce emotional intensity, and support lasting healing at any age

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is gaining attention as celebrities like Prince Harry, Sandra Bullock, Miley Cyrus, and Lil Jon share their healing journeys. Learn how EMDR supports trauma, anxiety, stress, and self-worth, and why it is not just for “big T” trauma. Discover how EMDR therapy is offered in Calgary, Airdrie, and Cochrane at Off the Beaten Path Psychology.

Explore how outdoor EMDR therapy can support trauma healing beyond the office. In this podcast episode, OBP founder and registered psychologist Kristy McConnell shares how nature, movement, and EMDR work together to support nervous system regulation and trauma recovery. Learn how outdoor therapy offers a grounded, evidence-based approach for trauma survivors in Alberta and beyond.

Struggling with holiday loneliness? The real healing doesn't come from fixing your schedule. It comes from processing the beliefs about yourself that make solitude feel like proof of your unworthiness.

Tears aren’t weakness. They’re wisdom. As a trauma-informed psychologist in Calgary, I believe crying is communication, not a problem to fix. At Off the Beaten Path Psychology, we help clients feel safe to express emotion, build nervous system capacity, and reconnect with their true selves. Therapy isn’t about holding it together, it’s about healing through authenticity and compassion.

Wondering if it's okay to switch therapists within the same practice? At Off the Beaten Path Psychology in Calgary, Airdrie, and Cochrane, we think it's brave. Finding the right therapeutic fit matters, and we'd rather you stay in therapy with someone who works for you than drop out.

Visiting Memphis offered music, history, and reflection. At the National Civil Rights Museum, I was reminded of the power of bravery—choosing courage over fear. As psychologists at Off the Beaten Path, we carry this lesson forward, creating inclusive therapy spaces in Calgary, Cochrane, and Airdrie where healing, identity, and resilience can thrive.

The elephant in the therapy room? My clients are secretly using ChatGPT between sessions. Plot twist: I love it! AI is like that enthusiastic, well-read friend who's available 24/7... but sometimes gives advice like your drunk buddy. Here's how to harness AI for mental health without losing what makes us beautifully human.