Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Bragg Creek, AB.

Having served as a chaplain in an active war zone, Dr Mervin (Paraklesis Counselling) has first-hand insight into PTSD and anxiety disorders. As a psychopharmacologist he is uniquely equipped to assist you in knowing when medication is required, and when the stress can be managed without medication. Some anxiety disorders (like OCD) needs to be pharmacologically treated first before therapy will be helpful; others (like general anxiety and/or phobias) can often be effectively treated with therapy, avoiding the side-effects of the medication. Your anxiety disorders can be effectively treated!

Anxiety and stress management is my primary specialty. Anxiety takes many different forms - whether it is the constant on edge and I have to fix it feeling, the perpetual what-if and worrying cycle, your mind racing each time you try to relax, or that 'wired' feeling in the body. I draw from a variety of counselling modalities depending on what fits you best - this might include looking at your thoughts and core beliefs, getting to work more on your value system and knowing what matters, or bringing more compassion to yourself. You can expect to learn strategies you can use between sessions, so you can spend less time in therapy and more time connecting to what matters.

Anxiety and stress are sometimes helpful responses and can carry important information for us about our current lives. However, they can also be overwhelming and come with sensations that are difficult to tolerate. I can help you learn techniques to soothe your body, regain balance, and address the mind chatter that may be perpetuating your anxiety.

I have extensive experience providing evidence-based treatment for anxiety and stress, offered exclusively through secure virtual care. My approach centers on teaching practical psychological skills that help you manage worry, reduce tension, and feel more in control of your daily life. Drawing on proven methods such as EMDR, DBT, and stress-focused therapies, I tailor treatment to your unique needs. These tools are just as effective online as in person, allowing you to access support wherever you are.

Are you living your life constantly feeling on-edge? Are you a worrier who can't seem to turn it off? Does anxiety or stress keep you from being fully present for your family? As an anxiety and stress specialist, I know rough this can be. But there is hope. Together, we can deploy powerful techniques to get you feeling calm, relaxed, and emotionally thriving, so you can effectively deal with life challenges. Imagine: going about your day feeling excited rather than worried, confident rather than stressed, and focused rather than scattered. If you’re ready to stop worrying and start living, reach out.

While our bodies are perfectly designed to adapt and react to stress, modern problems mean that we tend to detect life threatening dangers in very ordinary places. Conflicts at work, arguments in our relationships and uncertainties such as the post-Covid world activate old survival mechanisms. We may be stuck in the buzzing, fear states of ‘fight-flight’ or the numb and paralyzed states of ‘freeze and shut down.’ The good news is that I have a long history of safely and successfully helping individuals and couples to reduce and release stress using a variety of CBT and mindfulness techniques, as well as trauma-informed therapy. You have my commitment to compassionate and educated care.