At Anchoridge Counselling Services and Endurance Therapeutics, we believe that mental and physical health go hand in hand. Our partnership is rooted in a shared vision: to provide comprehensive support for individuals striving to achieve their best selves—both mentally and physically. To celebrate this collaboration, we asked Dr. Keirstyn Moran, Chiropractor and Owner of Endurance Therapeutics, and Kristen Turner, Registered Psychotherapist Qualifying (RPQ) at Anchoridge Counselling Services, to share their thoughts on how our services can benefit the community.
Meet Kristen Turner, RPQ at Anchoridge Counselling Services
Kristen Turner combines her passion for mental health with a love for physical fitness. At Anchoridge Counselling Services, she specializes in therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Play Therapy. Kristen serves diverse populations, including children, adolescents, and adults, helping clients navigate challenges like anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and autism spectrum disorder.
Kristen channels her energy outside the therapy room into coaching local CrossFit classes and spending time outdoors with her dog. She believes in the power of movement to boost mental health and is dedicated to helping her clients achieve balance and resilience in their lives.
Meet Dr. Keirstyn Moran, DC, BHK, Endurance Therapeutics
Dr. Keirstyn, founder of Endurance Therapeutics, is a Doctor of Chiropractic and an Endurance Coach with a lifelong passion for helping others stay strong, healthy, and injury-free. As a dedicated endurance athlete herself, she specializes in guiding her clients toward longevity in their life and their sports while optimizing mind, body, and performance.
Her holistic approach combines hands-on treatment for muscles, joints, and the nervous system with education on functional movement, stretches, and gait analysis. Dr. Keirstyn also empowers her patients with the tools to build lasting habits and maintain consistency, ensuring they reach their full potential—whether they’re training for a race or staying active for life.
Q&A with Dr. Keirstyn Moran and Kristen Turner
Q1: How do you see the relationship between mental and physical health?
Dr. Keirstyn Moran: Our bodies are governed by our nervous system. Beginning in the brain, then the spinal cord and feeding out into our muscles and joints, our nervous system is how we are able to function. Therefore our mentality toward pain and injury is just as important as the physical.
In order to make a difference with patients, I truly believe that we must incorporate both the mental and physical together. By educating patients on ways to build easy new habits and allow them to stay consistent, we can make a much bigger impact on their lives.
A few examples of how I work with my patients at Endurance both mentally and physically are as follows:
While working with my patients, I include a lot of education on the anatomy of the structures that are causing them pain. The more a patient knows about the structures and why they are causing the pain alarm to sound, the more control they will have over their injury. Allowing autonomy in my patients' health is an essential part of my practice.
Have you ever noticed when you hit your funny bone or stub your toe your first response is to rub it? The reason for this is because we have sensory nerves in our skin. When you lightly touch the area that was just hit, it calms the nerves and sends signals to the brain that everything is okay.
These are just a few examples of how I educate my patients of both mental and physical health and how they work together. This allows patients to get better quickly and stay better.
Kristen Turner:
Mental health and physical health are like long-time friends - they're constantly chatting, influencing, and sometimes even arguing with each other. The two are so tightly connected that taking care of one naturally benefits the other. Conversely, when one of the two isn’t thriving, it has the ability to drag the other one down with it. For example, when we’re extremely stressed, our body might respond with headaches, trouble sleeping, or a weakened immune system. On the flip side, if we are dealing with physical pain like chronic pain or fatigue, it can significantly impact our mood and mindset.
Physical movement doesn't just keep your body fit; it’s like a happiness booster for your brain, flooding it with feel-good chemicals. Likewise, practicing mindfulness or managing stress and anxiety levels can reduce physical symptoms like digestive issues and muscle tension. It’s all about balance. The mind and body are a part of the same system, so treating them as a team is key to feeling your best overall.
Q2: How do your respective practices help individuals overcome barriers to seeking care?
Dr. Keirstyn Moran:
As an endurance athlete myself, I have had many injuries in the past. I have had many forms of treatment and I know how hard it can be to find a practitioner that works for you. At Endurance, the aim is to be as convenient and well-rounded as possible. I also have built a network of professionals around me that I refer patients to in order for them to receive all the support they need. Working with patients is always a team approach between myself, as a practitioner, and the patient.
Kristen Turner:
Seeking care can feel overwhelming. I think this applies to more than just the therapy field, but also in physical health as well. Most people don’t start seeking care when they are at their best, they seek it when they are already in pain or going through some very difficult times. When care from any practice feels accessible and compassionate, it becomes easier for people to take that brave first step toward healing and growth.
I know I can speak on behalf of Anchoridge Counselling when I say the goal is always to create a warm, welcoming space where people can share free of judgment. By breaking down barriers and meeting each person with care, I always hope to make that first step toward support feel a little easier and a lot less lonely.
Q3: What advice would you give someone trying to balance their mental and physical health?
Dr. Keirstyn Moran:I believe that everyone is unique and it is important to listen to what your body is telling you. In a world where we are overstimulated by technology and the noise around, it is important to learn what works best for you.
Since I work with a lot of endurance athletes injuries can be very difficult mentally for them. Being able to train and get their workouts in is a large part of their mental health. If they are unable to train how they normally do, finding other forms of activity can help mentally. This can also allow them to keep their strength up so that they do not lose too much while having time off which decreases risk while returning to sport.
Kristen Turner:
Find what works for you and be kind to yourself along the way. Sometimes, life can feel like a juggling act and it’s easy to forget that both aspects of health need attention. For mental health, try to find little things that can help you unwind - whether it’s talking it out with a friend, doing something creative or just sitting quietly for a few minutes. For physical health, even a short walk can make a big difference during a very stressful day! Taking care of your mind and body doesn't mean they're always going to be in perfect sync. It’s a process, and it’s okay if it looks different every day.
Our partnership brings together the expertise of physical and mental health professionals to offer a holistic approach to wellness. Whether you’re an athlete seeking to enhance your performance or someone looking for support with chronic pain, stress, or anxiety, Anchoridge Counselling Services and Endurance Therapeutics are here to help you every step of the way.
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