Bravery, History and Healing: How a Family Trip to Memphis Inspired My Work as a Psychologist in Calgary at Off the Beaten Path

I recently took a little holiday to Memphis, a city that is known as “the birthplace of rock n’ roll”, , and the “home of the blues”. The trip was a chance to make memories with family, experience some wonderful southern hospitality, and enjoy the rhythm of a place that carries so much cultural richness.

But beyond the fun and connection, one afternoon stood apart. It was sobering, deeply reflective, and transformative. That afternoon was spent at the National Civil Rights Museum, and it left an imprint on my heart and my work as a psychologist.

Housed in the historic Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the museum walks you through the painful, powerful journey of the American civil rights movement. It doesn’t just tell the story, it immerses you in it. The bravery. The heartbreak. The unrelenting hope.

Bravery and Mental Health: What Psychology Teaches Us

Bravery, in psychological terms, isn’t the absence of fear, but it’s the choice to act in spite of it. And everywhere in that museum, you see examples of people who chose courage over comfort: children entering newly desegregated schools, protestors risking arrest or worse at lunch counters, everyday citizens standing up in extraordinary ways.

One quote caught my attention and stuck with me:

"Empowered women, empower women."

This sentiment echoes something I believe to my core.  That is, when we know our worth, we naturally lift others. This is true in history, and it’s true in healing. It’s what we try to live out every day at Off the Beaten Path, our therapy practice.

Our Commitment to Inclusive Therapy at Offthe Beaten Path

At Off the Beaten Path, we’re committed to creating a space where all people feel seen, safe, and valued. That means recognizing the historical and ongoing trauma that many communities carry. It means listening with humility, honouring lived experiences, and tailoring therapy to meet each person where they are.

Therapy, like justice, isn’t linear. It's personal. It’s layered. And it requires space for truth, identity, and healing to coexist.

The Civil Rights Movement wasn’t just about changing laws, it was about demanding humanity. That same call lives in the work we do today: helping clients reclaim their stories, find their voices and move towards their wholeness. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Wisdom and the First Step Towards Healing

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”

It reminded me that therapy doesn’t require certainty, it just requires the courage to begin. And in our practice, we walk with people through those first uncertain steps. Whether you're facing trauma, grief, anxiety, identity questions, or simply the weight of being human, we’re here, alongside you.

Moving Forward: Calgary Mental Health Services

If you’ve ever wondered whether therapy is for you, if you belong, if your story matters, let us assure you: You do. It does.

We’re here for the trailblazers, the quiet fighters, the seekers, the survivors. We’re here for those ready to take the first step.

Because healing, like justice, should never be out of reach.

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At Off the Beaten Path Psychology, we provide counselling and therapy services to individuals, couples, and families in Airdrie, Calgary, and Cochrane, Alberta. Our team supports anxiety, burnout, relationship challenges, and trauma recovery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your mental health journey.