Pride Month, identity, and supporting your mental health – part 1

Pride Month, identity, and supporting your mental health – part 1

Pride Month is both a celebration and a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by 2SLGBTQ+ communities. In this episode of Living Fully, counsellor Rasha Taha explores the history of Pride, the importance of visibility, and how identity is shaped by both personal experiences and the world around us.  This episode also touches on how identity develops over time, the role curiosity and support plays in early self-discovery, and how mental health and identity are closely connected. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment.  Calgary Counselling Centre [https://calgarycounselling.com] and Counselling Alberta [https://www.counsellingalberta.com] 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.

Coping with uncertainty in an overwhelming world

The world can feel overwhelming right now. Between constant news updates, political tension, financial stress, and social media, many people are carrying anxiety, exhaustion, and uncertainty. In this episode of Living Fully, we talk to counsellor Krystal Blacklock about the mental health impact of living in a constantly connected world. We explore why so many people are feeling powerless right now, and how connection, joy, and moments of awe can help us feel more grounded. This episode also touches on navigating divided opinions in relationships, protecting your mental well-being while staying informed, and finding meaningful ways to cope during uncertain times. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment.  Calgary Counselling Centre [https://calgarycounselling.com] and Counselling Alberta [https://www.counsellingalberta.com] 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.

Everything you wanted to ask about counselling

For many people, starting counselling can feel unfamiliar, intimidating, or even a little overwhelming. You might wonder what to say, whether your problems are “serious enough,” or how your information stays private and confidential. In this episode, we talk with psychologist Jelena Radan and social worker Laura McNeil about the realities of counselling, from first sessions and confidentiality to the counsellor-client relationship, communication, and boundaries. The conversation also explores couples counselling, counselling for children and teens, what happens if a counsellor doesn’t feel like the right fit, and why reaching out for support doesn’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment.  Calgary Counselling Centre [https://calgarycounselling.com] and Counselling Alberta [https://www.counsellingalberta.com] 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 mental and emotional toll of caregiving

Caregiving can be one of the most meaningful roles we take on, but it can also be one of the most demanding. Registered social worker, Camille Kim explores the mental and emotional toll of caregiving. Whether you’re supporting an aging parent, a partner, or a child, caregiving often comes with a complex mix of responsibility, love, stress, and exhaustion. Camille shares how burnout can show up over time, what happens to our nervous system when we’re constantly “on,” and why so many caregivers struggle to balance their own needs with the needs of others. We also explore the wide range of emotions that can come up, and why all of them are more common (and more normal) than you might think. Learn practical, realistic ways to care for yourself while caring for someone else. "Living Fully" is not a substitute or alternative for professional care or treatment.  Calgary Counselling Centre [https://calgarycounselling.com] and Counselling Alberta [https://www.counsellingalberta.com] 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.

AI and mental health: risks, limits, and possibilities

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 [https://calgarycounselling.com] and Counselling Alberta [https://www.counsellingalberta.com] 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.