You don’t need more communication tips.
You need to rewire the part of you that still believes it’s unsafe to speak up.
At ShiftGrit, our approach to assertiveness therapy isn’t about scripting the “right words” — it’s about tracing the identity-level belief that taught your brain to shrink, please, or stay silent.
When Assertiveness Feels Like a Threat
If you freeze in confrontation…
Say yes when you mean no…
Or spend hours replaying what you should have said…
That’s not a lack of confidence — that’s a pattern.
And like any pattern, it was learned. Usually early. Often through non-nurturing experiences where being direct felt unsafe, selfish, or disrespectful.
In Identity-Level Therapy, we don’t just teach skills. We change the internal rules that decide whether you’re allowed to use them.
What Assertiveness Therapy Looks Like at ShiftGrit
We start by identifying the limiting belief behind your people-pleasing or conflict avoidance — something like:
- I’m not allowed to upset people
- If I take up space, I’ll be rejected
- My needs don’t matter
Then we apply our reconditioning protocol to remove the emotional charge tied to those beliefs. The result? Speaking up no longer feels like a threat.
Assertiveness becomes a natural response — not something you have to try to do.
You Don’t Need to “Fix” Your Voice. You Need to Free It.
Whether your challenge shows up at work, in relationships, or even just ordering coffee, your voice deserves to take up space.
Let us help you retrain the part of your brain that’s been holding it back.
👉 Book a consult for assertiveness therapy
💬 Not in the Loop — or Ready to Break It?
Whether you’re in Calgary or Edmonton, ShiftGrit offers therapy that does more than help you cope — it helps you repattern the beliefs and reactions that keep you stuck.