SHIRLEY PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
About Derrick Shirley, R.Psych
Hi there! My name is Derrick Shirley. I'm a Calgary-based Registered Psychologist and the Director of Shirley Psychological Services. I completed my masters degree at University of Calgary in Counselling Psychology in 2006 and have maintained a private practice ever since.
I'm extremely passionate about mental health, particularly, men's mental health which led me to create MensMentalHealth.ca, an online platform and resource for men of all ages.
In my work as a therapist at SPS, I typically work with adult clients in Calgary and across Alberta struggling with mental health related issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, and other common mental health challenges. My client work is significantly informed by attachment theory, nervous system regulation, emotion focused therapy, and body-centered therapy.
My Areas of Focus
Counselling & Therapy for Men
Men's Mental Health
I focus on helping men navigate feelings such as stress, anger, shame, self-criticism and the pressure to always “hold it all together.” Many of the men I work with have learned to minimize their own needs or carry things alone. In our work, I help create a space where you don’t have to do that anymore.
Together, we focus on building emotional awareness, strengthening communication, and developing healthier ways to cope with stress, anger, and difficult experiences. Men often leave therapy with greater self-compassion, stronger emotional regulation, and tools to show up more fully in their relationships and daily lives.
Marriage and Relationship Health
Support through relationship challenges
My work with relationship health is grounded in attachment theory, nervous system regulation, and emotion-focused therapy, which in combination, help us understand how we connect (or struggle to connect) with the people who matter most. Through my own experiences as a husband, divorced father, long-distance parent, and step-parent, I've learned that relationships require vulnerability, honest communication, and the willingness to repair when things go wrong.
While I do not provide couples counselling, I work individually with men who want to improve their relationship patterns, emotional availability, and ability to navigate conflict, trust, and intimacy more effectively. I do, however, offer couples consults, which are one-off sessions with my client and their partners and often work with men individually, who are engaged in couples counselling elsewhere.*
*Please note, you are required to book an individual MMH Intake session before booking a couples consultation.
Transitioning to
Adulthood
Counselling support for teens (18+) and young adults
Becoming an "adult" is one of the most challenging periods of life. Young people today face unprecedented pressures around education, career choices, relationships, identity formation and independence (all while their brains are still developing and they're figuring out who they want to become!)
I offer counselling services for youth and young adults in Alberta who are navigating the transition into adulthood and the emotional, relational, and life challenges that often come with it. This stage can bring pressure around independence, identity, motivation, family expectations, and finding direction and many young people (and their parents) feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward.
In our work together, I provide a supportive space to build confidence, develop emotional awareness, and strengthen coping and decision-making skills. I also support parents and families by helping clarify boundaries and communication when appropriate, while keeping the focus on the young person’s growth and independence.
Career Transitions, Stress & Burnout
Work-related counselling for men in Alberta
For over 15 years as a Certified Career Consultant, I work with men in Calgary and surrounding areas who are experiencing stress, burnout, career transitions, or challenges related to work and professional identity. Whether you’re facing job changes, feeling stuck, questioning direction, or struggling with work-related pressure, my goal is to provide a space to gain clarity and regain a sense of control.
In our work, we focus on managing stress and workplace relationships, strengthening confidence, and addressing the emotional and psychological factors that impact motivation, decision-making, and performance. Many men carry work stress silently, which can affect their performance at work, their relationships, mental health, and overall well-being.
Men often gain greater clarity around their goals, healthier boundaries with work, improved stress management, and practical tools to navigate career changes with confidence and resilience.
Separation & Divorce Counselling
Support with transitions, parenting changes, and emotional regulation.
I provide individual counselling for men who are navigating separation, divorce, or the emotional impact of relationship breakdown. This stage can bring grief, anger, shame, uncertainty, and major life changes — especially when parenting, identity, and future relationships are involved.
My approach offers a supportive space to process these emotions, understand relationship patterns, and rebuild a sense of stability and self-worth. While I do not provide couples counselling, I help men work through the personal and relational impact of separation so they can move forward with greater clarity and emotional strength.
Men often leave this work with improved emotional regulation, healthier coping strategies and boundaries, and tools to rebuild confidence, co-parent more effectively, and approach future relationships with greater awareness and security.
My Story
What influences my work in equally significant ways has been the journey and transitions I have experienced in becoming a parent and step-parent. From parenting inside a marriage, to being a long-distance single dad (my son grew up in France), to step-parenting twin tweens (say that 5x fast) in my new relationship, raising children has taught me many things, most importantly: it's not what I had envisioned it was going to be, and it's a lot harder than I thought!
I have also come to understand the need for deep and fulfilling connections with those I love, asking for help when I’m stuck (which is often and I still don't do very well), finding support and helpful resources when I’m feeling lost, laughing with my partner (not at her), kids (or them), and friends (okay sometimes, but it's reciprocal), about absolutely anything; being honest in my self-reflections and letting down my guard (we all have one), and mucking through situations that have literally brought me to my knees from stress, grief, and sadness.
People who have known me for a few years also know that I used to weigh over 400 pounds and struggled with weight management for almost 20 years. But back in 2006, after 18 months of better eating habits, healthier food choices, and regular exercise, I lost 180 pounds and went on to become a podium-position triathlete, Ironman competitor, and in 2013 a cross-Canada cyclist. Now I prefer to stay a little closer to home and enjoy home renos, digging fence post holes (Who doesn’t like digging a hole?), mountain and road biking, hiking, and I recently bought an acoustic guitar which I am excited to learn how to play (which currently sits in the corner, but I water it occasionally).
My professional history also includes work as a former sessional instructor for the Department of Psychology and Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary, certification in career consulting and transition, and two years counselling Indigenous clients in central and northern Alberta. For 5 years, I also facilitated Parenting After Separation (PAS), Parenting After Separation High Conflict (PASHC), and Focus on Communication in Separation (FOCIS) workshops for parents with Alberta Justice.
