For many people navigating trauma, anxiety, or difficult emotional experiences, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has become a trusted and effective therapy option. Recognized globally for its ability to help individuals process distressing memories and emotional blocks, EMDR offers a unique and empowering path toward healing.

At Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services in Calgary, we’re proud to offer EMDR as part of our trauma-informed care – and we currently have availability with Sarah Choudhry, one of our skilled psychologists trained in EMDR.

If you’re considering EMDR or looking to learn more about how it can support healing, here’s what you need to know.

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What Is EMDR Therapy?

Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR therapy has earned its reputation as a highly effective treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, phobias, and more. It’s based on the understanding that unresolved traumatic memories can become “stuck,” continuing to trigger distress in the present.

Through a structured approach involving bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones), EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity.

Today, organizations like the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization recognize EMDR as a leading treatment for trauma – a testament to the extensive clinical research supporting its use.

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How EMDR Supports Healing

Rather than focusing on traditional talk therapy alone, EMDR engages the brain’s natural ability to process and heal from disturbing experiences. Therapy typically follows an eight-phase protocol, which includes building coping strategies, identifying target memories, and facilitating reprocessing through bilateral stimulation.

Many individuals find that EMDR helps them experience emotional relief, shifts in self-beliefs, and a greater sense of closure – often without needing to retell their traumatic story in detail.

Learn more about the eight phases of EMDR from the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).

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Conditions EMDR Can Help Address

While EMDR is best known for treating trauma and PTSD, it’s also widely used to support healing from:

• Childhood abuse or neglect

• Anxiety and panic disorders

• Phobias (such as fear of flying or public speaking)

• Complicated grief

• Chronic pain with emotional components

• Low self-worth and self-esteem issues

At Solasta, we see EMDR as a flexible, empowering tool that supports healing across a wide range of experiences – not only major traumatic events.

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EMDR Therapy at Solasta Counselling in Calgary

At Solasta, we believe that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all – and neither is therapy. Sarah, one of our dedicated psychologists, offers EMDR therapy in Calgary with current openings for new clients.

Sarah’s approach integrates EMDR within a broader trauma-informed, client-centered framework, ensuring your therapy journey is both supportive and personalized. Whether you’re processing a single painful event or working through complex emotional patterns, Sarah creates a space for resilience and growth.

Learn more about our Calgary-based counsellors and psychologists.

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What to Expect from Your First EMDR Session

EMDR is a structured, collaborative process. Your first sessions will focus on building trust, strengthening coping skills, and creating a clear treatment plan. Processing distressing memories happens only once you’re ready and equipped with the tools you need to navigate it safely.

Clients often appreciate that EMDR is less about reliving trauma and more about shifting the brain’s response to it – reclaiming emotional balance and reducing the ongoing impact of past experiences.

For more detailed information about EMDR’s evidence base, resources like the National Center for PTSD and The EMDR Institute offer excellent summaries.

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Considering EMDR Therapy in Calgary?

If you’re looking for EMDR therapy in Calgary, our team at Solasta is here to help.

Learn more about our trauma and PTSD therapy services or contact us directly to schedule an appointment.

You deserve to move forward – with support that meets you exactly where you are.

At Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services, we believe in the power of sport to build confidence, resilience, and community. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that we are an official sponsor of the Calgary Blizzard Women’s soccer team for the 2025 season!

This partnership is more than just a logo on a jersey — it’s a reflection of our shared values and commitment to supporting women in sport, promoting mental wellness, and building strong, inclusive communities right here in Calgary.

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Why Sport Matters — Especially for Women

Participation in sport can have a powerful impact on mental health. Research shows that regular physical activity is linked to lower rates of anxiety and depression, better self-esteem, and improved mood and focus — benefits that are especially important for young women and girls. According to Canadian Women & Sport, one in three girls drops out of sport during adolescence, often due to lack of support, body image concerns, or mental health challenges.

As a Calgary-based mental health practice with deep expertise in supporting adolescents, athletes, and women, we see firsthand how powerful it can be when girls and women stay involved in sport. Whether it’s soccer, hockey, or track — sport provides a space for connection, leadership, and personal growth.

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A Shared Commitment to Wellness and Community

The Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club is one of the city’s most respected and community-driven athletic organizations. Their women’s team exemplifies what it means to lead with integrity, passion, and teamwork — values that deeply align with our work at Solasta.

By sponsoring the Calgary Blizzard Women, we’re not only supporting the physical side of sport, but also uplifting the mental well-being of female athletes. At Solasta, we offer specialized support for those navigating the unique mental health challenges that come with high performance, injury recovery, identity shifts, and life transitions.

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Our Passion for Mental Wellness in Athletics

As a practice, we understand that the mental side of sport is just as important as the physical. We work with athletes of all levels — from weekend warriors to elite competitors — offering services like:

• Individual Counselling for anxiety, performance pressure, or identity issues

• Adolescent Therapy for youth navigating sport, school, and self-esteem

• EMDR Therapy and trauma-informed care for athletes recovering from injury or setbacks

Our clinicians also specialize in performance anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and post-sport transitions — all common experiences among competitive athletes.

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Looking Ahead: A Season of Collaboration and Support

We’re proud to stand behind a team that uplifts women’s sport in Calgary and creates positive role models for the next generation. Throughout the 2025 season, we’ll be cheering from the sidelines — and sharing updates, insights, and reflections on how mental health and sport intersect.

If you’re attending a match this season, keep an eye out for our logo on the Calgary Blizzard Women’s jerseys — and come say hi if you see us in the crowd!

Want to know more about who we are and what we do? Meet our team of Calgary-based counsellors and psychologists, or contact us directly to learn how we can support you or your family.

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Learn More & Get Involved

To learn more about Calgary Blizzard and their incredible impact on the community, visit the Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club website. You can also explore resources like She’s4Sports to learn more about empowering women in sport across Canada.

We’re honoured to be part of this partnership — and to keep building a future where mental health and athletic excellence go hand in hand.

When it comes to understanding autism, clarity can be life-changing. Whether you’re a parent wondering about your child’s development or an adult exploring your own experiences, a comprehensive autism assessment can be the first step toward greater self-awareness, support, and empowerment.

At Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services, we are proud to be a trusted provider of autism assessments for children, teens, and adults in Calgary. Our team is trained in using the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) — widely regarded as the gold standard in autism assessment.

We offer a thoughtful, respectful, and evidence-based process designed to help individuals and families move forward with clarity and confidence.

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Why Autism Assessments Matter

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that can impact social communication, sensory processing, behaviour, and thinking patterns. It exists across a broad spectrum, meaning no two individuals experience it the same way.

Getting a formal assessment can:

• Provide answers and validation for long-standing questions

• Support access to services, accommodations, and funding

• Improve self-understanding and mental health

• Empower parents and caregivers with insight and tools

Early identification can be particularly impactful for children and teens, while more adults than ever are now seeking assessments later in life — a trend supported by growing awareness and research. Statistics Canada reports a steady increase in autism diagnoses, highlighting the need for accessible and reliable assessment services in Calgary.

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Our Process: Evidence-Based, Compassionate, and Collaborative

At Solasta, we understand that the assessment process can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re unsure of what to expect. That’s why we’ve built an approach that is not only clinically rigorous, but also warm, supportive, and tailored to each individual.

We use a combination of tools and methods, including:

• ADOS-2, the gold-standard diagnostic tool

• ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised)

• Comprehensive developmental interviews and history gathering

• Standardized questionnaires completed by parents, caregivers, or the individual

• Collaboration with teachers, physicians, or other professionals when appropriate

Our assessments are neurodiversity-affirming, which means we view autism not as a deficit, but as a valid and valuable way of experiencing the world. We focus on understanding strengths, challenges, and support needs — not simply ticking boxes.

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Why Choose Solasta for Autism Assessments in Calgary?

Solasta is quickly becoming a leader in autism assessments in Calgary, thanks to our experienced team and commitment to best practices. Here’s what sets us apart:

✅ Clinically qualified team: We currently have three trained clinicians in autism assessment, with two more in training — ensuring both expertise and availability.
✅ Comprehensive approach: We don’t cut corners. Each assessment is thorough, respectful, and grounded in the latest research and diagnostic criteria.
✅ Compassionate care: We understand how personal and vulnerable this journey can be. We meet each client where they’re at — with warmth, curiosity, and zero judgment.
✅ Local expertise: We are embedded in the Calgary community and collaborate with schools, physicians, and other service providers to support coordinated care.
✅ Clear recommendations: Our assessment reports are clear, detailed, and actionable — whether you’re seeking accommodations, services, or simply clarity.

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A Growing Need in Calgary

Autism awareness is growing, but so is the demand for assessment. A 2022 report by Autism Calgary and community partners called for increased access to high-quality diagnostic services. At Solasta, we are proud to be part of the solution — expanding our team and making assessments more accessible across the city.

We support both children and adults, recognizing that the need for clarity and support does not end at childhood. In fact, more adults than ever are discovering they may be on the spectrum — often after years of feeling different, misunderstood, or overlooked.

Curious about adult autism assessment? Visit our Adult Autism Assessment page.

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When to Consider an Autism Assessment

For children and teens, signs may include:

• Differences with back-and-forth conversations or social cues

• Repetitive behaviours or intense interests

• Sensory sensitivities

• Delays in speech or communication

• Challenges with transitions or changes in routine

For adults, signs may show up as:

• Feeling different or out of sync socially

• Burnout or masking in social situations

• Sensory overwhelm

• Difficulty understanding social rules or expectations

• A history of anxiety, depression, or misdiagnosis

If you or someone you care about resonates with these experiences, an autism assessment may be an empowering next step.

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Ready to Learn More?

If you’re seeking a child or adult autism assessment in Calgary, we’re here to help.

🔹 Learn more about our process and FAQs on our Adult Autism Assessment page and Child Autism Assessment page.
🔹 Have questions? You can contact us here or reach out directly.
🔹 Looking for general info about autism? Visit resources like Autism Speaks Canada, CAMH, or Autism Canada.

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Book an Assessment with Solasta Counselling

We’re currently accepting new clients for autism assessments in Calgary. Whether you’re a parent, an adult exploring a possible diagnosis, or a professional looking to refer, we welcome you to connect with our team.

📍 Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services
Located in NW Calgary – Get Directions
📧 Contact us: admin@solastacounselling.ca
📅 Book online: solasta.janeapp.com

Let’s move forward — together — with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Managing a household, raising children, and juggling the countless demands of daily life can leave even the strongest couples feeling overwhelmed. For many families, the “mental load” — the invisible work of keeping life organized — often falls disproportionately on one partner, which can create tension, frustration, and emotional exhaustion.

While both partners may contribute physically to chores or parenting, the mental burden — remembering dentist appointments, tracking school schedules, organizing meals, and ensuring birthday gifts are bought — can weigh heavily. When this mental load isn’t shared, resentment can build, and the emotional connection between partners can weaken.

Understanding the Mental Load

The mental load is the constant mental tracking of tasks, schedules, and responsibilities required to manage family life. This invisible work often includes:

✅ Planning and scheduling appointments, activities, and childcare.
✅ Managing household chores, grocery shopping, and meal planning.
✅ Keeping track of social engagements, school events, and extracurriculars.
✅ Emotional caregiving — ensuring the family’s emotional well-being is nurtured.

Research shows that this cognitive load disproportionately falls on women, regardless of whether they work outside the home. Studies have linked the mental load to increased stress, burnout, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.

How the Mental Load Impacts Relationships

When one partner consistently carries the mental load, frustration and resentment can quietly build. These emotions often manifest as:

❗ Arguments about fairness and division of responsibilities.
❗ Emotional withdrawal, creating disconnection.
❗ Feelings of being undervalued or overwhelmed.
❗ Decreased intimacy as stress overshadows emotional closeness.

In many cases, the partner carrying the mental load may hesitate to ask for help, believing it’s “easier to do it themselves” or feeling guilty for delegating tasks. Meanwhile, the other partner may be unaware of just how much invisible work is being done — and how much strain it’s causing.

How Couples Counselling Can Help

Couples counselling can provide the tools and guidance needed to restore balance, strengthen communication, and rebuild emotional connection. At Solasta Counselling, our therapists specialize in helping couples identify patterns of imbalance and develop practical strategies for improving teamwork and understanding.

Here’s how couples counselling can help:

✅ Improved Communication: Therapy provides a safe space for partners to express their feelings openly and honestly. Couples can learn to communicate frustrations, set boundaries, and ask for help without conflict.

✅ Emotional Awareness: Counselling helps both partners recognize emotional triggers and develop empathy for each other’s experiences.

✅ Shared Responsibilities: Therapists guide couples in creating a fairer, more balanced system for managing household tasks and family duties.

✅ Restoring Intimacy: By reducing resentment and improving connection, couples counselling can help reignite emotional and physical closeness.

✅ Building Practical Skills: Therapists may use proven strategies like the Gottman Method or Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) to strengthen communication, manage conflict, and foster deeper understanding between partners.

Practical Steps for Reducing the Mental Load

In addition to therapy, there are practical steps couples can take to reduce the mental load:

1️⃣ Create a Household Management Plan: Outline tasks, routines, and responsibilities to ensure both partners share the cognitive load.

2️⃣ Establish Check-Ins: Regular weekly conversations about family plans, responsibilities, and emotional needs can help ensure both partners are on the same page.

3️⃣ Encourage Teamwork: Treat household management as a collaborative effort rather than assigning one partner as the “manager.”

4️⃣ Delegate Without Guilt: Letting go of certain tasks and trusting your partner’s approach can reduce feelings of overwhelm.

5️⃣ Prioritize Self-Care: When stress levels are high, carving out time for rest and relaxation is essential for sustaining emotional well-being.

Meet Our Couples Counsellors

At Solasta Counselling, we have a team of experienced therapists dedicated to supporting couples through challenges like balancing family life, improving communication, and rebuilding emotional connection:

• David Tamagi — Specializes in couples counselling, men’s mental health, and relationship challenges. David works with couples to improve communication and manage conflict.
• Rainbow Wong — Focuses on attachment issues, emotion regulation, and relationship struggles. Rainbow brings warmth and understanding to couples navigating difficult seasons.
• Marissa Whalley — Provides practical support to help couples balance stress, build stronger emotional connections, and improve teamwork.
• Misha Waheed — Draws on her expertise in trauma, communication, and relationship dynamics to help couples overcome conflict and restore intimacy.
• Jocelyn Simpson — Works with couples to create meaningful change through narrative therapy, attachment theory, and evidence-based strategies.

Finding Balance Together

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the weight of responsibilities, couples counselling can help you create a more balanced, connected, and fulfilling relationship. At Solasta Counselling, our experienced therapists are here to guide you every step of the way.

 

For athletes, performance isn’t just about physical strength — mental resilience plays a crucial role in achieving success. From managing performance anxiety to coping with injury or life transitions, sports psychology can provide powerful tools to help athletes excel both on and off the field.

At Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services, Tyler Ledwos offers specialized counselling for athletes and individuals dedicated to athletic performance. As a Registered Social Worker with extensive experience in mental health, trauma, and sports psychology, Tyler combines practical strategies with a compassionate approach to empower athletes at all levels. He is currently accepting clients at low-cost/sliding scale rates — please contact tyler@solastacounselling.ca for more information.

The Mental Health Challenges Athletes Face

Athletes face a unique set of mental health challenges that can affect both their performance and well-being. Common concerns include:

✅ Performance Anxiety: The pressure to meet expectations can trigger overwhelming nerves that inhibit performance.

✅ Injury and Recovery: Physical injury can leave athletes feeling frustrated, isolated, or even questioning their identity.

✅ Transitioning Out of Sport: Ending a sports career, whether due to age, injury, or life changes, can create feelings of loss and uncertainty.

✅ Perfectionism: The constant drive to achieve peak performance may lead to burnout, anxiety, and self-criticism.

✅ Emotional Regulation: Managing stress, anger, or disappointment in high-pressure moments is essential for maintaining focus and composure.

How Sports Psychology Can Support Athletes

Sports psychology combines mental strategies with therapeutic techniques to address these challenges. Through personalized counselling, Tyler helps athletes build emotional resilience, develop mental clarity, and create sustainable performance habits.

Techniques Used in Sports Psychology with Tyler Ledwos

Tyler integrates a variety of evidence-based approaches to support athletes, including:

• Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) – An effective approach for processing trauma, injury recovery, and performance anxiety.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps athletes identify and challenge negative thought patterns that may hinder performance.
• Mindfulness – Encourages athletes to stay present and grounded, improving focus and reducing stress during high-pressure moments.
• Client-Centered Therapy – Provides a safe space for athletes to explore emotions, fears, and mental roadblocks without judgment.

The Connection Between Mental Health and Athletic Performance

Studies have shown that mental health directly impacts athletic performance. Athletes who prioritize their mental well-being are better equipped to manage stress, improve focus, and develop resilience. In fact, research highlights that mindfulness and self-compassion practices can enhance performance outcomes by reducing anxiety and promoting positive self-talk.

For example:

• Research from Canadian Women & Sport highlights the mental health struggles female athletes face, particularly during adolescence.
• Studies like those conducted by Mosewich et al. (2013) emphasize the importance of self-compassion in reducing anxiety and improving resilience in competitive sports.

Supporting Athletes with Life Transitions

For athletes who are facing retirement, injury, or identity struggles post-sport, sports psychology can be an essential tool for navigating these changes. Tyler’s approach includes:

✅ Building a renewed sense of purpose outside of sports.
✅ Developing new coping mechanisms to manage stress and uncertainty.
✅ Exploring alternative outlets for passion and achievement.

Why Choose Tyler Ledwos at Solasta Counselling in Calgary?

Tyler’s unique background as a former high-level football player, combined with his extensive mental health expertise, allows him to connect with athletes on a deeper level. His experience enables him to tailor strategies that are practical, effective, and designed to support athletic performance.

He is passionate about promoting mental wellness in sports and encouraging open conversations around mental health in athletic communities. Whether you’re an elite competitor, weekend warrior, or a coach supporting athletes, Tyler’s specialized counselling can help you thrive.

Accessible Support for Calgary Athletes

Tyler currently has low-cost/sliding scale fee openings to make sports psychology services more accessible to athletes in Calgary and virtually throughout Alberta. If you are seeking personalized support to improve mental resilience, navigate performance anxiety, or manage transitions, Tyler is here to help.

Contact Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services

Take the next step in your mental wellness journey by contacting Tyler Ledwos at Solasta Counselling. To learn more or book an appointment, reach out to tyler@solastacounselling.ca.

Your mental well-being is just as important as your physical performance — and Tyler is here to help you excel in both.

Counselling in Calgary for Those Departing and Returning from Field Work

Humanitarian aid workers dedicate their lives to helping others in some of the most challenging environments in the world. Whether preparing to leave for a field assignment or returning home after time abroad, these individuals often face unique mental health challenges that require specialized support. At Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services, we offer tailored counselling services for humanitarian aid workers, both in person and virtually throughout Alberta. Our therapist, Sarah Choudhry, specializes in supporting those in this field, drawing from her extensive experience both as a psychologist and a former aid worker.

The Unique Mental Health Challenges Faced by Humanitarian Aid Workers

Humanitarian aid work can be immensely rewarding, but it often comes with high levels of stress, trauma exposure, and intense emotional experiences. Those preparing for a field assignment may feel overwhelmed by the unknown, worried about family relationships during their absence, or anxious about adapting to challenging environments. Meanwhile, returning aid workers often struggle with reintegration, grief, or even symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Common concerns that humanitarian aid workers may face include:

• Pre-departure anxiety: Concerns about leaving loved ones, adapting to new cultures, or facing unexpected dangers in the field.
• Trauma exposure: Witnessing violence, displacement, or suffering can lead to emotional distress, even for those accustomed to high-pressure environments.
• Moral injury: Aid workers may struggle with feelings of guilt or helplessness when confronted with overwhelming needs they can’t fully address.
• Isolation and reintegration challenges: Returning home may bring feelings of disconnection, a sense of “reverse culture shock,” or difficulty relating to friends and family who may not understand their experiences.

These complex emotional experiences require compassionate and specialized therapeutic support to help aid workers build resilience and maintain their mental well-being.

How Counselling in Calgary Can Support Humanitarian Aid Workers

At Solasta, Sarah offers dedicated counselling for humanitarian aid workers in Calgary and across Alberta. Sarah’s unique background as both a Registered Provisional Psychologist and a former pharmacist with Médecins Sans Frontières allows her to deeply understand the physical, emotional, and psychological toll that this work can bring.

Sarah’s expertise includes working with trauma, anxiety, depression, and cultural concerns—issues that often overlap with the experiences of humanitarian aid workers. Her therapeutic approach integrates multiple modalities to provide personalized support, including:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A powerful trauma-focused therapy that helps clients process distressing memories and build emotional resilience.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): An effective method for helping aid workers manage difficult emotions, such as anxiety or guilt, by fostering mindfulness and self-compassion.
• Client-Centered Therapy: Sarah provides a warm, non-judgmental space where clients feel safe exploring their emotions and concerns.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This approach equips aid workers with practical coping strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.

Counselling for Aid Workers Preparing for Departure

For those about to embark on a field assignment, pre-departure counselling can provide vital mental preparation. Sarah offers guidance on:

• Developing healthy coping strategies for stress and anxiety.
• Strengthening communication skills for working in high-pressure, multicultural environments.
• Managing feelings of guilt or worry about leaving family and loved ones.

By addressing these concerns in advance, humanitarian aid workers can enter their assignments feeling more grounded and prepared for the emotional demands of their work.

Counselling for Returning Aid Workers

Returning home after a field assignment often presents unexpected challenges. Feelings of disconnection, grief, or culture shock are common. Sarah supports returning aid workers by:

• Helping them process traumatic experiences through EMDR and other trauma-informed therapies.
• Providing strategies for rebuilding relationships with loved ones after a period of separation.
• Supporting individuals as they reintegrate into everyday life, work, and social routines.

Sarah’s personal experience with humanitarian work gives her a unique ability to empathize with these challenges and provide practical tools for healing and growth.

Virtual Counselling for Humanitarian Aid Workers Across Alberta

At Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services, we recognize that humanitarian aid workers may not always be able to attend in-person sessions. For this reason, we offers secure and confidential virtual counselling for clients across Alberta. Whether you’re located in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, or a more remote community, Sarah’s services are accessible to support your mental well-being.

Why Choose Solasta Counselling for Humanitarian Aid Worker Support?

Our practice is dedicated to providing empathetic, client-focused care that prioritizes your unique experiences and mental health needs. Sarah brings a combination of psychological expertise and firsthand humanitarian experience, making her especially equipped to support those navigating the emotional complexities of this field.

If you are a humanitarian aid worker preparing for deployment, currently on a field assignment, or adjusting to life after returning home, we invite you to connect with Sarah. Together, we can build the skills and emotional resilience needed to support your well-being as you continue your vital work.

Contact Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services in Calgary

For compassionate support tailored to humanitarian aid workers, contact Solasta in Calgary. We offer both in-person and virtual therapy options to meet your unique needs.

Book an appointment today with Sarah Choudhry to start your journey toward greater emotional well-being and resilience.

ADHD Coaching – What Is It?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects both children and adults, making everyday tasks, focus, and organization more difficult. Whether you’re a parent navigating your child’s ADHD or an adult struggling with time management, coaching can help you build the skills needed to thrive.

At Solasta, we offer ADHD coaching to support individuals in developing strategies for success in school, work, and daily life.

How ADHD Coaching Helps

ADHD coaching is action-oriented and skills-based, focusing on practical solutions rather than deep emotional exploration. Coaching helps individuals understand their unique ADHD challenges while providing strategies to improve:

Time Management & Organization – Learn how to create routines, use planners effectively, and manage tasks without feeling overwhelmed.

Executive Functioning –Strengthen skills like planning, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Emotional Regulation – Develop coping strategies for frustration, impulsivity, and emotional outbursts.

Productivity & Focus – Implement techniques to reduce distractions and improve work or school performance.

Self-Esteem & Motivation – Shift from negative self-talk to self-confidence and resilience.

ADHD Coaching for Parents & Adults

For Parents

Parenting a child with ADHD can feel exhausting, especially when dealing with homework struggles, emotional meltdowns, and inconsistent routines. ADHD coaching provides parenting strategies that work with your child’s brain, helping you create structure, predictability, and positive reinforcement.

For Adults

Many adults with ADHD experience chronic procrastination, forgetfulness, and overwhelm. ADHD coaching helps adults create personalized systems for staying on track with work, managing relationships, and improving overall life balance.

ADHD Coaching in Calgary

If you or your child struggles with ADHD, structured support can make a lasting difference. At Solasta Counselling and Psychological Services, we offer ADHD coaching in Calgary to help individuals develop effective strategies for success.

Our therapist, Alyssa Scalzo, specializes in ADHD coaching, working with both children and adults to improve executive functioning, focus, and daily routines. Alyssa brings a strengths-based approach, helping individuals harness their unique abilities while addressing ADHD challenges.

Contact us to schedule an appointment.

If you’ve ever felt like quitting a sport you once loved, you’re not alone. As a counsellor in Calgary, I’ve experienced firsthand how societal expectations, gender roles, external pressures and mental health struggles shape the athletic experience.

For many adolescent girls, sports provide a sense of community, confidence, teamwork, life skills, and an outlet for stress. However, they also come with unique challenges that impact mental well-being. Despite these benefits, about 1 in 3 girls drop out of their sport by late adolescence, often driven by judgment, confidence struggles, body image concerns, academic pressure, and social expectations.

This blog explores the common struggles girls face in sports and how therapeutic approaches can help them thrive.

Challenges Girls Experience in Sport

Body Shaming and Body Image Pressure

For many girls when they reach adolescence self-esteem decreases and negative body image increases. Sport can often heighten these concerns. Girls in sport often receive harmful and conflicting messages about their bodies.

• “You must achieve a certain ideal body.”
• “You need to be fit and strong but also lean and feminine.”
• “You are too muscular” or “You don’t look like an athlete.”

These body image pressures can leave girls feeling self-conscious, distressed, anxious, and depressed. They also contribute to negative self-talk, disordered eating, and restrictive eating, and question their place in sports. Research notes approximately 60% of women in sports have had a coach, parent, or peer comment on their body.

Identity Struggles

Young athletes may feel their entire identity is tied to and defined by being an athlete which can create emotional strain and overwhelming pressure. As well as other challenges such as:

• Fear of Failure: If a girl believes her value is only in her athletic success, setbacks (like injuries or poor performance) can feel devastating, leading her to quit rather than risk not being good.
• Burnout: Over-committed to an athlete identity may lead to neglect in other interests, friendships, and passions. Over time, this lack of balance can lead to mental defeat.
• Struggles with Transition: As girls enter adolescence, they may question their future in sport. Without a strong sense of self outside of athletics, this uncertainty can sometimes make it difficult to navigate their place outside of sports.

Pressure from Coaches, Parents & Peers

Young female athletes may place a large emphasis on external validation. Feeling like their self-worth, confidence, and identity are linked to external validation from coaches, parents, and teammates. Relying on this validation and feeling like it is a determining factor of self-worth and identity may lead to self-doubt, making sports feel emotionally distressing.

Negative experiences with coaches such as verbal put-downs, punishment for mistakes, ignoring athletes when struggling, and displaying favoritism can contribute to anxiety, depression, self-doubt, low self-esteem, self-criticism, and lack of enjoyment.

Lack of Enjoyment

When the focus shifts from fun to performance, winning, and competition, sports can start to feel like a burden rather than an enjoyable activity.

• Constant pressure to perform and a fear of failure can take the joy out of playing.
• Negative experiences with coaches can contribute to anxiety, depression, self-criticism, and a lack of motivation.

Impact on Mental Health and Well-being

Through personal experience and research, these challenges and barriers faced by adolescent girls and women in sport can lead to various mental health concerns some including:

• Depression, anxiety, PTSD, poor body image, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, perfectionism, identity crisis, decreased motivation, performance anxiety, and resentment towards sports.

How Therapy Can Support and Empower Girls in Sport

Therapeutic interventions can help girls navigate these challenges, foster resilience, and build confidence.

Self-compassion and Mindfulness

Therapy can help integrate mindfulness and self-compassion which are important tools in helping young female athletes build resilience and improve mental well-being.

Research has shown that among female athletes 13-18 years old, self-compassion was helpful in reducing shame, fear of failure, worry, self-doubt, fear of making mistakes, and negative self-talk. Self-compassion was linked with an increase in self-esteem, confidence, self-acceptance, and positive body image.

• Self-compassion has been linked to reducing the impact of coaching pressure, perfectionism, and distressing emotions related to performance.
• Mindfulness can help young female athletes gain a balanced perspective on training, performance, recovery, and relationships. Helping to reduce the pressure from coaches, parents, and peers.
• Through creating a healthier relationship with thoughts, feelings, and emotions, mindfulness supports athletes in coping with stress and pressure. This can reduce anxiety about making mistakes and promote a more accurate perception of their skills and abilities.
• Mindfulness can help encourage athletes to reframe setbacks as learning opportunities, recognizing them as a natural part of growth and human experience. This perspective fosters a sense of connection with others facing similar challenges, reducing feelings of isolation and building a strong support network.
• Mindfulness and self-compassion can help young female athletes develop a sense of self both within and outside of their sport.

How YOU Can Help Empower Young Girls in Sport

As parents, coaches, and counsellors, we all have a role in creating a supportive environment for female athletes. Here are some ways to help:

1. Encourage girls to embrace their authentic selves without fear of judgment. Celebrate their strength, skill, and individuality.
2. Shift the focus from outcomes to effort, learning, and personal development.
3. Highlight stories of female athletes who embody resilience and perseverance, showing girls what’s possible.
4. Foster environments where athletes feel comfortable, empowered, and accepted when sharing their struggles.

 

Empower her game and break down barriers!

If you’re a young athlete, parent of a young athlete, or anyone navigating the world of sports, understanding these challenges can help you create a healthier and more positive athletic experience.

Let’s work together to ensure that sports remain a place where girls feel strong, confident, and empowered. Learn more about adolescent counselling in Calgary and how our team at Solasta Counselling can support you.