We know it can be hard for people who are struggling with their own -or a loved one’s - mental health to find the resources they need. Whether you are looking for a safe space to anonymously explore your feelings or research your options, we hope to provide you with the knowledge that you are not alone.
I am a therapist and a therapy client and I can say from both perspectives, that one of the most special yet daunting parts of therapy for me is the first session. The first session is important because this is the first chance a client and a therapist get to spend time together getting to know each other to see if they truly connect.
Read MoreCompassion fatigue found me while I was doing emotionally taxing, empathetic, and caring work without caring enough for myself. I tried to attend to my needs; I finally used some of my vacation days and lieu hours that had piled up. I tried self-care; working out, seeing friends, painting my nails, taking baths and any other self-care activity I could think of, or afford. The problem was that these steps came too late.
Read MoreDuring these uncertain times, we do need ideas for coping, but we also need to identify our uncomfortable feelings and possibly even allow those feelings to inform how we move forward. If that sounds a little daunting, it’s because it is a huge responsibility both to ourselves and to the world around us.
Read MoreSomething about the holidays can make emotions feel heavier, and to-do lists more urgent — a phenomenon that can make otherwise manageable triggers feel harder to hold. Giving ourselves permission to be especially compassionate to our needs during these times is the greatest gift we can give.
Read MoreIn a perfect world, mental health would be treated the same as physical health in Canada and it would be covered by a national health system supporting both body and mind. But at this point it is not the case. Many people either pay for their therapy sessions out of pocket or through their work’s benefits programs. Recognizing that sometimes the cost of therapy can be a barrier to a person reaching out for support, many therapists offer affordable counselling to make therapy accessible to as many people as possible.
Read MoreHygge (pronounced "hoo-ga") is a Danish term that refers to a cozy, comfortable, and contented state of being. It is often associated with a sense of well-being, warmth, and togetherness, particularly during the colder months. Journaling about hygge and mental health can be a deeply reflective and calming practice.
Read MoreCultural adjustment goes beyond learning new customs or language. It can bring up deep emotional struggles, particularly when you feel caught between family traditions and the need to adapt to a new culture.
Read MoreIn the wake of the U.S. election news, it would make sense if women, BIPOC, queer, and other equity seeking individuals were feeling some amount of emotional discomfort today. That discomfort could be stress, grief, anger, hopelessness, etc. If this is happening to you, know that you are not alone and that there are other people out there who are also feeling low, or feeling emotionally activated today.
Read MoreMy divorce wasn’t the solution to a mistake, it was the response to evolution. Separating didn’t negate my marriage or challenge the love that carried it for years, it was the necessary next step to ensure my partner and I - and our children - continued to be in our best space possible.
Read MoreSelf-care is not an activity to be checked off a list. It’s a practice of slowing down, tuning in, and responding to our inner needs with compassion. In a culture that values speed and productivity, true self-care often requires us to move in the opposite direction.
Read MoreWhile OCD is often associated with behaviours like needing a clean desk or arranging items symmetrically, many people with OCD face struggles that are less visible but equally distressing.
Read MoreAs parents, this is what all that work of raising our kids has been for - to get them to the point where they are ready to launch and to create an independent life of their own.
Read MoreMindfulness and meditation are two therapeutic powerhouses that can help you reframe your reality, even if not one thing changes in how busy you are this summer.
Read MoreSo much around money fear and shame relates back to the concept of scarcity both in finances and in our lives in general. A scarcity mindset goes beyond fear related to money, and is often expressed as a broader feeling of lack in a person’s life - they might focus mainly on the lack in their life in areas such as time, opportunities, or possessions.
Read MoreWhen I started to explore offering couples therapy it became important to me that the approach I use be affirming and that it would help me honour brain differences not rail against them. I was skeptical of modalities that asked partners to learn communication techniques or relied heavily on conforming to a certain version of what a relationship should look like.
Read MoreWhen caring for a person with cancer, the focus is being there for the person you love, witnessing their pain, their fears, and their uncertainty about the future. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, and as a caregiver, you're right there beside them, holding their hand through it all.
Read MoreCancer isn't just a disease; sometimes it can feel like a collection of traumatic experiences – from the stigma and misconceptions that surround it to the sheer terror of the unknown. It's a journey marked by loss – of health, of identity, of the illusion of invincibility. Yet within this, seeds of resilience can be sown, and from them can sprout moments of profound personal growth, illustrating the transformative power of post-traumatic growth, leading to newfound strength, purpose, and fortitude.
Social anxiety is more than just feeling shy. It is “an intense and persistent fear of being watched and judged by others.” These feelings can come up when doing every-day activities such as going to a restaurant or going to the grocery store, speaking up in class or at a meeting, and involve the fear of being judged or being on display while being with others, by doing things like sharing your thoughts, answering a question or giving a presentation.
For the vast majority of adults diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), medication management is the first line of treatment. The good news is that medication is highly effective and can be revolutionary in the lives of people with ADHD. Adding psychotherapy to the management of ADHD, along with medication, can impact the trajectory of treatment in an incredibly positive way.
World Cancer Day is an important opportunity to reflect on how cancer has impacted our own lives, the lives of our loved ones and the lives of people within our community. Carly Fleming wanted to help raise awareness by writing this blog and sharing some of her experiences working with people affected by cancer. There are five things she wants you to know…
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