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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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Free Initial Consultation
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
How to deal with stress during the holiday season
In this article, I discuss various sources of stress linked to the holiday season and how to manage your emotional reactions to them. The Christmas holiday season is in many ways a special time of year in a positive sense. However, there are also many sources of stress which are unique to the holiday season. In the following sections, I will discuss some of these holiday season sources of stress and offer strategies to help you manage your emotional reactions when dealing with them...[more]
More on the Law of Attraction: How to change your vibrations from negative to positive
In this article, I discuss ways you can use the Law of Attraction’s concept of changing vibrations to experience positive emotions more frequently. In my last article, I discussed how you can use the Law of Attraction to enhance your life. I indicated that you can do so by striving to emit positive vibrations as often as possible and that this can be done by trying to think positive thoughts to generate positive emotions regularly. According to the law, doing so will result in your attracting more positivity as other people match your positive vibrations by experiencing positive emotions and thinking positive thoughts when they are around you. A challenge you will encounter in your attempt to emit positive vibrations regularly is that there will be many people and events you encounter which will inevitably result in your experiencing negative thoughts and emotions, thereby causing you to give off negative vibrations...[more]
The Law of Attraction: How to use it to your benefit
In this article, I discuss how you can use the principles of ‘like attracts like’ and ‘matching vibrations’ to enhance your well-being and achieve your goals. The law of attraction is a concept featured in the best-selling books The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and The Law of Attraction by Michael Losier. In both books, the authors focus on how a person’s thoughts and emotions can play a major role in their enjoyment of life in general and in whether they achieve their goals in areas such as work and relationships. Because this law is based on psychological principles and has key elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as part of it, I find it fascinating. In particular, I enjoy the easily understandable ways people are told in both books how to apply the law to their benefit...[more}
How to avoid ruminating on self-righteous anger
In this article, I discuss strategies you can use to avoid ruminating on self-righteous anger. In my last article, I compared the appeal of focusing on self-righteous anger to the lure of the sirens in Greek mythology. I then discussed the great costs of such ruminating: It takes an emotional and physical toll; it decreases ability to focus and perform well; it detracts from enjoyment of activities; it impairs social relationships; and it leads to a cycle of negativity. Because of these great costs, it is important to have strategies to avoid ruminating on self-righteous anger...[more]
The siren song of self-righteous anger
In this article, I discuss the attractiveness of ruminating on self-righteous anger and the high price of doing so. The appeal of focusing on self-righteous anger reminds me of the lure of the sirens in Greek mythology. The seductive song of the sirens was so pleasurable to sailors that they were lured to their deaths. Like the sirens, self-righteous anger can be seductive and pleasurable. It feels good internally to express to others and to yourself that you are in the right and one or more others are wrong. Being able to ‘vent’ to supportive listeners in such circumstances feels good as we are validated for our views and opinions. Unfortunately, as with the sirens there is a cost to focusing on thoughts which fuel self-righteous anger..[more]