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Couples, family The Viewpoint Team Couples, family The Viewpoint Team

What Kids Really Remember About the Holidays: A Therapist's Guide to Meaningful Celebrations

Discover what kids actually remember about the holidays—and why it has nothing to do with perfect decorations or expensive gifts. Drawing on insights from Viewpoint Calgary’s therapists, this guide explores meaningful traditions, communication, managing expectations, and creating emotionally rich moments your children will cherish for years to come.

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Couples, family The Viewpoint Team Couples, family The Viewpoint Team

Breaking the Scroll: How to Stay Engaged Without Digital Exhaustion

In a world of nonstop headlines and endless scrolling, staying informed can come at a steep psychological cost. This article explores how constant exposure to distressing news fuels anxiety, vicarious trauma, and burnout—and offers therapist-backed strategies to create healthier media habits, protect your mental health, and stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed.

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Couples The Viewpoint Team Couples The Viewpoint Team

5 Things You Should Know Before Booking Your First Couples Counselling Appointment

Taking the step to book couples counselling can feel both exciting and daunting. You've recognized that your relationship could benefit from professional support, and that awareness alone is a significant step forward. Understanding these key points might help you approach couples therapy with realistic expectations and set you up for positive outcomes.

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Couples, family The Viewpoint Team Couples, family The Viewpoint Team

Navigating Back-to-School: A Therapist's Guide for Parents, Couples, and Kids

Back-to-school season can feel overwhelming for families—especially when children are struggling academically, socially, or emotionally. This article offers therapist-backed guidance on recognizing when assessments may help, supporting kids who mask at school, easing family stress, and navigating the transition with communication, realistic expectations, and small daily moments of connection.

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Couples, family The Viewpoint Team Couples, family The Viewpoint Team

Creating Healthy Traditions for Your New Family Unit

Couples often find themselves balancing the elation of this new chapter with the conflicting opinions of others. Merging your lives as a couple can introduce emotional complexity that you may not have anticipated. Your love story likely has other characters that you need to consider when blending the traditions, expectations and emotional needs of two entire families. 

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Samantha Rintoul Samantha Rintoul

Festive Season Expectations: The Christmas Spirit Reviver

When holiday expectations run high, reality often brings a few hiccups. The best way to stay sane? Let go of perfection and embrace the mess. Nobody’s Instagram-worthy holiday décor captures the behind-the-scenes stress—and that’s okay.

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Samantha Rintoul Samantha Rintoul

How Do I Tell My Partner That I Worry About Our Holiday Expenses?

Ah, the holidays—a season of twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and the occasional debate over how much tinsel is “too much.” The season promises joy, but it often comes with challenges: balancing budgets, blending traditions, and managing expectations. Whether you're a party enthusiast or a couch-loving introvert, navigating the season requires finesse and a healthy dose of humour.

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The Viewpoint Team The Viewpoint Team

Relationship Rituals

It’s only natural to be excited by the idea of spontaneity: unplanned adventures, new experiences and unexplored horizons.

Spontaneity has become very much expected in romantic relationships, especially in the social media era. We expect to be swept off our feet; to have our partner read our minds and surprise us with dinners, gifts and airplane tickets, and we go to great lengths to curate the perfect scenarios for everything from first dates to engagements to anniversaries. 

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The Viewpoint Team The Viewpoint Team

A Recipe for Emotional Intimacy

Emotional intimacy is the cornerstone of a strong and fulfilling relationship. It's more than just physical attraction or shared experiences; In simple terms, Emotional Intimacy can be defined as a deep connection between two people. It’s an essential part of any healthy and fulfilling relationship, as it helps both partners feel seen, understood and supported.

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The Viewpoint Team The Viewpoint Team

Building Effective Communication Skills - For Couples

Effective communication is the foundation on which any healthy relationship is built. In this email, we will discuss Active Listening and “I” Statements, and the role each plays in your therapy. We have also included an easy listening exercise you can try with your partner.

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The Viewpoint Team The Viewpoint Team

What Therapists Wish You Knew About Couples Therapy

Tired of the stigma surrounding couples therapy? Discover why it's a powerful tool for strengthening relationships, even when they seem healthy. In this blog post, we delve into the common misconceptions about couples therapy and share insights from therapists on what they truly want you to know.

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The Viewpoint Team The Viewpoint Team

Are You Both Actually Ready For Couples Therapy?

Unsure if you and your partner are ready to take the leap into couples therapy? This blog post provides insights into the key factors to consider. Learn about the benefits, challenges, and how to prepare for a successful therapeutic experience.

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Samantha Rintoul Samantha Rintoul

What to Expect When Starting Therapy

…it is our hope that by letting you know what to expect when working with a therapist at Viewpoint, we can make your first experience with us a bit more comfortable.

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