Crux Psychology

Crux Psychology Therapy and assessment online and in person. Founded by Dr. Sherry. Serving Canada in French and English.

Psychosocial therapies are effective, evidence‑based treatments for schizophrenia and early psychosis (Solmi et al., 202...
04/16/2026

Psychosocial therapies are effective, evidence‑based treatments for schizophrenia and early psychosis (Solmi et al., 2023). Early Intervention Services consistently reduce overall symptoms and improve functioning for young people experiencing first‑episode psychosis. For individuals with schizophrenia, cognitive behavioral therapy shows meaningful improvements in total symptoms, positive and negative symptoms, relapse rates, functioning, and quality of life (Solmi et al., 2023). Cognitive remediation therapy improves cognition and daily functioning, while family‑based interventions reduce relapse risk.

These findings reinforce a clear message: therapy is not an “add‑on” in psychosis care. It is a core component of effective treatment. While different approaches target different needs, the overall evidence strongly supports integrating psychosocial interventions alongside medical care to improve outcomes and support long‑term recovery.

If you have schizophrenia, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating teens and adults with schizophrenia and psychosis. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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Not all forms of rumination affect teens in the same way. In a study of adolescents aged 13 to 14 by CRUX psychologist R...
04/14/2026

Not all forms of rumination affect teens in the same way. In a study of adolescents aged 13 to 14 by CRUX psychologist Rebecca Burwell, two types of rumination emerged: brooding and self‑reflection (Burwell & Shirk, 2007). Brooding—repetitive, negative thinking—predicted increases in depressive symptoms over time, especially for girls. In contrast, reflective rumination was linked with healthier coping strategies and did not predict worsening mood.

These findings highlight an important message: thinking about emotions is not inherently harmful, but the style of thinking matters (Burwell & Shirk, 2007). Helping teens shift from brooding to more constructive reflection may reduce risk for depression and support stronger emotional coping.

If you or your teen want to improve your emotional coping skills, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating teens with unhealthy thought patterns. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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As the days grow longer and spring light returns, many people notice a lift in mood. Research shows more sunlight on a g...
04/10/2026

As the days grow longer and spring light returns, many people notice a lift in mood. Research shows more sunlight on a given day is linked with slightly higher life satisfaction, and sunshine over the past week shows a small but meaningful relationship with lower depressive symptoms (Liu et al., 2025). The effects are modest, but real—sunlight can offer a gentle boost to well‑being.

Spring is a natural invitation to step outside, reconnect with the world, and let your body and mind benefit from brighter days. While sunlight is not a standalone treatment for low mood, it can be one helpful ingredient in a broader approach to mental health.

If your mental health is suffering, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating kids, teens, and adults with depression and feelings of sadness. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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Connecting with peers can be tough for many autistic adolescents—especially in busy school environments. However, well-d...
04/08/2026

Connecting with peers can be tough for many autistic adolescents—especially in busy school environments. However, well-designed school-based interventions can meaningfully improve social interaction for teens with autism (Babb et al., 2021).

Peer-focused, learner-focused, and combined approaches all help increase social interaction (Babb et al., 2021). A wide range of strategies are effective, including explicit instruction, cue cards, and video modeling.

Whether targeting basic skills, such as starting or responding in conversation, or higher level skills, such as asking follow-up questions or showing interest in others, research shows adolescents can make meaningful gains (Babb et al., 2021). More research is needed to support the complex communication skills that matter in real adolescent life, but current evidence shows structured, supportive interventions can help autistic teens build stronger, more confident social connections.

If you or your teen has autism, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating and assessing kids, teens, and adults with autism. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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What best treats depression? Psychotherapy and medication work at similar levels on their own, but the combination of bo...
04/06/2026

What best treats depression? Psychotherapy and medication work at similar levels on their own, but the combination of both offers the strongest chance of meaningful improvement. For adults with mostly moderate to severe depression, combined treatment leads to higher response and remission rates than either psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy alone (Cuijpers et al., 2020). Individually, psychotherapy and medication performed equally well when compared head‑to‑head, but psychotherapy was more acceptable to patients, with fewer dropouts.

For children and adolescents, interpersonal therapy (IPT) and cognitive‑behavioural therapy (CBT) stand out as the most effective and reliable psychotherapies—both at post‑treatment and follow‑up (Zhou et al., 2015).

If you have depression, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating kids, teens, and adults with depression. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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High levels of social media use may be linked to something we talk about far less than anxiety or depression: irritabili...
04/02/2026

High levels of social media use may be linked to something we talk about far less than anxiety or depression: irritability (Perlis et al., 2025). In a survey of more than 42,000 US adults, people who used social media frequently—especially those who posted often—reported higher irritability scores than those who used it rarely or not at all. These patterns held even after accounting for political engagement and other factors.

Irritability is more than a bad mood; it is associated with challenges like stress sensitivity, interpersonal conflict, and increased risk for depression and suicidality (Perlis et al., 2025). This study does not prove that social media causes irritability, but it highlights a meaningful association that deserves attention as we think about digital habits and emotional health.

If you are feeling irritable, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating those with problematic social media habits. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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A growing body of research highlights early, evidence‑informed support for people with paraphilic disorders can reduce t...
03/31/2026

A growing body of research highlights early, evidence‑informed support for people with paraphilic disorders can reduce the risk of child sexual abuse before harm occurs (Rodrigues et al., 2023). Many individuals with sexual interest toward prepubescents and pubescents (pe******ia and hebephilia) seek help voluntarily. Research suggests combining psychotherapy—especially cognitive‑behavioural therapy (CBT)—with certain pharmacologic options can meaningfully reduce harmful urges, fantasies, and behaviours (Rodrigues et al., 2023).

Yet the field still faces major gaps, and more research is needed to develop stronger, safer, more targeted treatments and expanding primary and secondary prevention programs.

Protecting children requires not only legal responses, but accessible, ethical, and evidence‑based clinical pathways that intervene before abuse happens.

If you have sexual concerns, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating individuals with various sexual problems. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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Emotional wellbeing may play a meaningful role in long‑term brain health. People who report a stronger sense of purpose ...
03/27/2026

Emotional wellbeing may play a meaningful role in long‑term brain health. People who report a stronger sense of purpose in life have a 28% lower risk of developing cognitive impairment—even after accounting for age, education, depressive symptoms, and genetic risk factors (Howard et al., 2025). Those with higher purpose do not just have lower risk; they also experienced a later onset of cognitive decline compared to peers with lower purpose.

Purpose in life is a broad construct—feeling that your activities matter, having goals that guide you, and experiencing meaning in daily life. These findings suggest purpose in life may function as a protective factor across racial and ethnic groups, potentially buffering against cognitive vulnerability over time (Howard et al., 2025). While “purpose” is not a medical treatment, fostering it through meaningful roles, relationships, routines, and values‑aligned activities may be one promising pathway for supporting healthy cognitive aging.

If you or your loved one is noticing signs of dementia, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in assessing cognition. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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Support for service members and veterans means understanding not just who seeks care, but what helps them stay in it. A ...
03/25/2026

Support for service members and veterans means understanding not just who seeks care, but what helps them stay in it. A large meta-analysis of more than 719,000 service members and veterans shows that about one in four clients discontinue outpatient psychotherapy, with dropout especially common among younger adults, those in weekly outpatient formats, and those receiving individual therapy (Penix-Smith et al., 2025). Intensive outpatient programs, however, had far lower dropout—under 10%—suggesting that structure, intensity, and support can make a meaningful difference.

For military and veteran communities, these findings underscore how essential it is to build treatment environments that feel safe, consistent, and responsive to the realities of service‑related stress. Reducing dropout is not just a systems issue—it is a way to honour the commitment of those who step forward for help and ensure they receive the continuity of care they deserve.

If you are a veteran seeking care, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating veterans and service members with trauma, PTSD, depression, and more. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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Two ideas we often talk about separately—self‑esteem and self‑compassion—are more closely connected than they seem (Muri...
03/23/2026

Two ideas we often talk about separately—self‑esteem and self‑compassion—are more closely connected than they seem (Muris & Otgaar, 2023). People who score high in one tend to score high in the other. Both self-esteem and self-compassion are linked to better well‑being and fewer psychological difficulties, and each offer unique protective benefits even after accounting for their shared features.

Rather than choosing between building confidence or practicing kindness toward ourselves, these two concepts function best together (Muris & Otgaar, 2023). Self‑esteem supports a sense of worth, while self‑compassion helps people respond to struggles with warmth instead of harsh self‑criticism. They are complementary tools that can strengthen resilience and support mental health across many contexts (Muris & Otgaar, 2023).

If you want to build your resilience, CRUX Psychology can help. We specialize in treating low self-esteem and harsh self-criticism. You can reach us at 1-844-888-2789 or info@cruxpsychology.ca. To learn more about our psychologists and how we can help you, visit https://cruxpsychology.ca/
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Serving Atlantic Canada From 5547 Clyde Street
Halifax, NS
B3J3T5

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Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
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