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Work with a Calgary psychologist who knows how to overcome challenges… Depression, anxiety, stress & other psychological issues may seem as daunting as completing a marathon. My approach to “Plan, Take Action & Track Progress”, has helped 100s of clients. I used this approach to attain a black belt in karate and to succeed in the Boston Marathon and Ironman.Take the First Step
Meet with Dr. Pat for a FREE Initial 30-Minute ConsultationDr. Patrick Keelan, Psychologist
Counselling Offices in Calgary and Cochrane
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Available and experienced with television, radio, newspaper and magazine interviews.In the News & On Stage
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I offer a no charge initial 30 minute consultation in Calgary or Cochrane to provide you us with an opportunity to meet and discuss your needs and ensure your comfort.Take the First Step
Meet with Dr. Pat for a FREE Initial 30-Minute Consultation
Formula for Success
My approach to “Plan, Take Action & Track Progress”, has helped 100s of clients succeed.About Dr. Pat
Work with a psychologist with a record of achieving difficult results.Latest Articles From Dr. Pat’s Psychology Blog
The four horsemen: Costs of using them in relationships and in politics
In this article, I discuss how using negative communication patterns has costs in personal relationships and in election campaigns. I regularly discuss ‘the four horsemen of the apocalypse’ with clients. To clarify, I do not spend much time discussing the Biblical reference to the four signs of the end of the world. Instead, I focus on four negative communication patterns described by psychologist and relationship expert Dr. John Gottman in The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Dr. Gottman refers to these patterns as the four horsemen of the apocalypse because their ongoing use leads to the end of relationships. I recently observed that politicians who regularly use the four horsemen when communicating may pay a price on election day. I came to this realization during the Canadian federal election campaign which culminated in the election of the Liberal Party of Canada with Mark Carney as Prime Minister on April 28, 2025. Based on what I learned about the result, I believe there is evidence that Dr. Gottman’s four horsemen played a role in the victory by Mr. Carney and his fellow Liberals. I will discuss these dynamics in the following sections...[more]
Act the opposite: Breaking the negative spiral of challenging emotions
In this article, I discuss how acting opposite to how you feel like acting based on your emotions helps to break negative spirals in challenging situations. One of my favourite episodes of the classic television series Seinfeld is ‘The Opposite’. The plot focuses on Jerry observing that his friend George’s life is in disarray because the latter’s instincts have consistently led him to act in a manner which produces bad results. Jerry concludes that, if George’s acting on his instincts leads to bad results, acting opposite to his instincts should produce good results. George heeds Jerry’s advice and indeed discovers that acting opposite to his instincts is a recipe for success in his career and relationships, among other areas of his life. As bizarre as it sounds, there are real-life applications to the principle which was featured in the episode. And although it is too extreme to recommend that people act opposite to their instincts across the board, there are some situations in which following this approach produces good results. I will discuss these situations in the following sections...[more]
Affective forecasting: Challenges in predicting the intensity and durability of emotions
In this article, I discuss the poor track record people have in predicting how strong and long-lasting their emotional reactions will be to activities in which they participate. We often decide whether to participate in activities based on affective forecasting. This entails predicting the emotions we are likely to experience by engaging in activities. For example, you would be more likely to participate in an activity which you predict will lead you to experience happiness and excitement compared to an activity which you predict will lead you to experience frustration and anger. But just how accurate is this affective forecasting which guides our decisions whether to participate in activities? In the following sections, I will answer this question and discuss the implications for deciding whether to participate in activities...[more]
How to feel energized to take action on tasks and goals
In this article, I discuss how various factors affect how much energy you can channel into taking action on a task or a goal. Doing the hard work necessary to pursue a goal or accomplish a task is much easier if you are feeling energized. In turn, there are several factors which you can target to feel energized in relation to a goal or a task. I will discuss these factors in the following sections...[more]
Visualizing for success: Focus on processes more than outcomes
In this article, I discuss what you should focus on in your visualizations when your goal is to succeed at an endeavour. Visualization is a widely used strategy for people whose goal is to achieve success in an endeavour. Sports, finances, career, and relationships are just a few of the domains in which this strategy has been used to facilitate success. Although visualizing has been found to facilitate success in achieving goals, it is important to spend most of the time visualizing in a manner which is most conducive to success and spend less time visualizing in a manner which is less conducive to success. In the following sections, I will explore this topic...[more]