Dr. Michelle Emmerling

Dr. Michelle Emmerling Registered Psychologist. Red Tree Psychology Founding Partner. Emotion Focused Skills Training Clini

Trans Day of RemembranceToday, we honour the trans lives that have been taken by violence, discrimination, and systems t...
11/20/2025

Trans Day of Remembrance

Today, we honour the trans lives that have been taken by violence, discrimination, and systems that were never built with their safety in mind. As we hold space for grief, we also name the reality that in our current political climate, creating safety is not optional—it is essential.

At Emmerling Psychology, we recognize how systems of oppression and privilege shape mental health, access to care, and the daily experiences of trans and gender-diverse people. More than ever, our commitment is to provide spaces where people are believed, affirmed, protected, and met with dignity.

Today and every day, we remember. We listen. We advocate. And we stand firmly with the trans community in the ongoing work toward safety, justice, and healing.

So many of our physical and emotional struggles come from a nervous system that’s been living in fight, flight, freeze, ...
11/14/2025

So many of our physical and emotional struggles come from a nervous system that’s been living in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn for far too long—often without us even realizing it.

When our bodies don’t have many experiences of true safety, they stay on alert, bracing for the next thing. Over time, that constant activation can shape how we think, feel, respond, and relate.

At Emmerling Psychology, we honour that healing isn’t just about changing thoughts—it’s about helping the body and nervous system learn what safety actually feels like.
Slow breaths. Steady connection. Moments where we feel supported instead of guarded. These experiences teach the nervous system that it’s okay to soften.

You deserve a life where your body doesn’t feel like it has to protect you all the time.

Learning safety is not simple or fast—but it is possible. And you don’t have to do it alone.









11/11/2025

🕊️ Remembrance Day: Honouring Service, Supporting Healing

Today, we pause to remember the courage and sacrifice of those who have served — and those who continue to serve.
Remembrance Day is not only about honouring history; it’s also about acknowledging the ongoing mental and emotional impact that service can carry.

For many veterans and active members, the weight of their experiences doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Support, understanding, and access to mental health care are vital parts of truly honouring their service.

At Emmerling Psychology, we hold deep gratitude for all who have given of themselves — and we stand with those continuing to navigate the unseen battles.

Today, we remember. Always, we care. ❤️


🎃 Happy Halloween from Emmerling Psychology! 👻Days like today can be filled with excitement, creativity, and connection ...
10/31/2025

🎃 Happy Halloween from Emmerling Psychology! 👻

Days like today can be filled with excitement, creativity, and connection — but they can also bring up discomfort, sensory overload, social pressure, or memories that make the day more complex for some.

As we celebrate, let’s remember:
✨ Not everyone experiences Halloween the same way — and that’s okay.
✨ Costumes and candy aren’t for everyone, and inclusion means creating space for all kinds of participation (or non-participation).
✨ Kindness and curiosity go a long way — ask before commenting or assuming.
✨ Sometimes, the best treat we can offer is understanding.

Here’s to a day filled with gentleness, respect, and a little bit of spooky joy — in whatever way feels right for you.

🎃 Halloween and Food Freedom 🍬Halloween can bring up a lot of noise from diet culture — messages about “good” and “bad” ...
10/30/2025

🎃 Halloween and Food Freedom 🍬

Halloween can bring up a lot of noise from diet culture — messages about “good” and “bad” foods, or guilt around candy. But at Alberta Wellness Center for Eating Disorders, we believe that food — even candy — is not a moral issue. It’s nourishment, joy, and connection.

Let’s remind ourselves and our kids that holidays like this aren’t about control or compensation — they’re about fun, community, and allowing ourselves to be present.

💬 Try this instead of diet talk:
✨ “Candy is part of Halloween fun.”
✨ “You get to listen to your body and decide what feels good.”
✨ “All foods fit — even chocolate and gummies!”

By letting go of diet rules, we model trust, flexibility, and peace with food — gifts that last far longer than the Halloween treats. 🧡

10/29/2025

There’s a lot of emotion in the air right now.
Many of us are feeling the weight of the political tensions and injustices unfolding in our province — the uncertainty, the sadness, the anger, the fear.

If you’re feeling heavy, you’re not alone.
These feelings are a sign that you care deeply — that your heart is awake to what’s happening around you.

You don’t need to push those emotions away or make them smaller.
You can hold them gently, alongside compassion for yourself.

It’s okay to take breaks.
It’s okay to cry, to rest, to disconnect for a while, to feel numb, or to not know what you feel at all.

Let’s keep reminding ourselves and one another: we are doing our best in an uncertain time.
And that is enough.

At Emmerling Psychology, we help parents understand the emotions beneath the behaviour — both theirs and their child’s.B...
10/20/2025

At Emmerling Psychology, we help parents understand the emotions beneath the behaviour — both theirs and their child’s.
Because awareness isn’t just a parenting tool — it’s the foundation for connection.


🍂 Navigating Thanksgiving and Family Relationships Holidays can bring joy — but they can also stir up stress, old patter...
10/12/2025

🍂 Navigating Thanksgiving and Family Relationships

Holidays can bring joy — but they can also stir up stress, old patterns, and complicated emotions. Thanksgiving can feel especially overwhelming when family dynamics, co-parenting relationships, or unhealed wounds are part of the mix.

It’s okay if gratitude feels hard to access this weekend. It’s okay if your focus is simply on staying grounded and keeping peace where you can.

At Emmerling Psychology, we specialize in supporting individuals, couples, and families navigating these layers — from co-parenting challenges to rebuilding connection and finding healing in relationships that feel stuck or painful.

This season, remember:
💛 You can choose boundaries and still choose love.
💛 You can care for others without abandoning yourself.
💛 You can redefine what “family” and “togetherness” mean for you.

You’re not alone in wanting healthier patterns and calmer holidays — we’re here to help you find your way there.

World Mental Health Day 2025Theme: Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and EmergenciesIn times of crisis —...
10/10/2025

World Mental Health Day 2025
Theme: Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies

In times of crisis — whether it’s a natural disaster, conflict, or community emergency — mental health is often one of the first things to be overlooked, yet one of the most essential pieces of recovery.

At Emmerling Psychology, we know that during catastrophes, people don’t just lose stability — they lose connection, safety, and a sense of control. Supporting mental health in these moments is not optional; it’s life-saving.

We stand with those working to ensure mental health care is accessible for all, especially when life feels most uncertain. Every person deserves to be seen, supported, and cared for — in crisis and beyond.

Let’s continue the conversation:
🌍 Mental health is health.
🤝 Access matters.
🕊️ Compassion heals.

The ongoing teachers’ strike can bring up a lot of emotions — frustration, worry, exhaustion, and fear about our kids’ r...
10/09/2025

The ongoing teachers’ strike can bring up a lot of emotions — frustration, worry, exhaustion, and fear about our kids’ routines and learning being disrupted. For many parents, these feelings are real and valid.

But sometimes, when we’re overwhelmed by our own emotions, it can be hard to hold space for our children’s. We may find ourselves reacting from our stress rather than responding to theirs.

This is a good moment to pause and ask:
“Is this my fear or frustration talking — or is this their experience I need to help hold?”

Validating our kids doesn’t mean pretending everything is okay. It means showing up with empathy — “I know this is hard,” “It’s okay to be sad,” “I’m here with you.”

When we take a breath, recognize what’s ours, and gently turn toward them, we create safety in the uncertainty. 💛

We know this time is challenging. Our psychologists are here to support parents, kids, and teens as we all navigate the emotional impact of this disruption together.

📣 Support for Teens & Youth During the StrikeAs we navigate this teacher strike, we know how deeply changes in routine, ...
10/06/2025

📣 Support for Teens & Youth During the Strike

As we navigate this teacher strike, we know how deeply changes in routine, structure, and peer connection can impact our youth — something we all witnessed during Covid.

Our psychologists Lenore and Maddy are here to support teens, youth, and their caregivers through the uncertainty and emotional challenges this time may bring.

💛 Check in on your kids.
💬 Create space for their feelings.
🤝 And know that we’re here to offer a steady, compassionate presence when things feel unsettled.

If your teen is struggling, reach out — support is available.

Supporting Our Teachers During the Strike 🧡At Emmerling Psychology, we see the incredible dedication, care, and hard wor...
10/01/2025

Supporting Our Teachers During the Strike 🧡

At Emmerling Psychology, we see the incredible dedication, care, and hard work that teachers bring to their students and communities every single day. We also know that this strike may be a stressful and uncertain time for many.

To show our support, we’re offering sliding scale rates for teachers throughout the strike period. Our hope is to provide a safe, welcoming space to land — a place to talk, process, and be supported during this challenging time.

You show up for our kids every day. We want you to know — we’ve got your back. 💛

📩 Send us a message or visit our website to learn more about our services and book a session.

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620, 10055 106 Street
Edmonton, AB
T5J2Y2

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