Welcome to the OBP Psychology Blog

When work burnout leaves you exhausted, cynical, and disconnected from your life, it is not a personal failure. This article explains what burnout actually is, why it is a systems issue rather than weakness, and how values mismatch and invisible labor contribute. Learn why burnout is not depression and how meaningful work changes and EMDR therapy can help you recover.

January can feel heavy, especially for parents and caregivers navigating anxiety, burnout, and an overwhelming news cycle. This compassionate mental health reflection explores what your nervous system is really telling you, why toxic positivity does not help, and how small acts of kindness, connection, and hope can support emotional regulation during hard seasons.

You want to help your anxious child, but sometimes it feels like the more you try, the worse things get. The SPACE Program teaches parents evidence-based strategies to support childhood anxiety without traditional child therapy. Developed at Yale, SPACE is as effective as CBT and helps you respond with confidence instead of accommodation. Discover how helping doesn't mean rescuing — it means trusting your child can cope.

At Off the Beaten Path Psychology in Airdrie, Calgary, and Cochrane, our therapists know the power of pets in mental health. From daily walks to quiet cuddles, our dogs and cats help us regulate, connect, and recharge. Learn how animals complement therapy, from walk-and-talk sessions to EMDR support, and discover why healing sometimes comes with four legs and a tail.

School's out, but instead of relief you're feeling... weird? Restless but tired, excited but melancholy? Welcome to the summer funk. Your nervous system is just recalibrating after months of hyperarousal. Nothing's wrong with you - you're exactly where you need to be.

We all know the perpetual "sweetie pie" who'd rather eat glass than upset their partner. On the surface, having someone so agreeable sounds wonderful. But here's the surprising truth: people pleasing can actually sabotage the very relationships these well-meaning folks are trying to protect.

Ted Lasso delivers more than feel-good moments—it's a masterclass in emotional intelligence. From Ted's hidden struggles to his therapy journey, the show mirrors the trauma-informed, compassionate care we provide at Off the Beaten Path Psychology in Calgary, Cochrane & Airdrie.

Are you caught in the cycle of anxiety, burnout, and people-pleasing? Learn how your perception of stress shapes your reality and discover why finding harmony is more sustainable than seeking perfect balance. Plus, download our "Saying NO" journal prompts inspired by Gabor Maté's questions from the EMDR conference—a practical tool to help you reclaim your energy and set healthier boundaries starting today.

Ever felt like you're just not good enough? That nagging feeling that others are somehow better, smarter, or more capable than you?...

Healing isn't about uprooting everything. It's planting new coping skills so we rely less on what no longer serves us. Free journal prompt!