Something 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 MoreIt is commonly understood that good sleep is a component of a healthy lifestyle. But how does sleep tie into our mental health? Let’s take a closer look.
If you’ve ever struggled with insomnia, fatigue, or sleeplessness you know that these things can lead to low mood, irritability and difficulty managing stress.
Read MoreHappy Pride! (this month and every month beyond)
Recently in Canada there has been an important shift in language from LGBTQ+ to 2SLGBTQIA+. We thought you might be curious about why this shift has taken place and what it means. But before diving into our own (un)learning process (facilitated by none other than Google), it is important that we take a moment to recognize the impacts of power and privilege in our own process.
Read MoreFor many of us, Spring begins with an annual ritual - the spring cleaning. A chance to declutter and say goodbye to our unwanted stuff - to refresh our living space by getting neat and tidy. However, spring cleaning can actually bring about other, unexpected benefits when it comes to your mental health.
Read MoreThinking about divorce?
As a couples therapist, I have worked with many couples where divorce is “on the table”. Usually one or both partners have found themselves thinking about divorce for some time and these thoughts can be the reason for seeking couples therapy. For some, the damage to the relationship is so extensive that divorce may be the best resolution. However, for many more couples, there are ways to navigate the conflict, the unhappiness or the disengagement that allows for the relationship to stay intact. Take a look below for 5 ways that you can make sense of your current relationship difficulties.
Read MoreLooking for a Psychiatrist in Ontario? Having Trouble? This is how a Psychotherapist might be able to help.
Are you struggling with your mental health? Have you tried looking for a Psychiatrist in Ontario? If you’re having trouble finding suitable supports, you’re not alone. Psychiatrists are medial doctors and their services are covered under our provincial health insurance plan (OHIP). When people are struggling with their mental health and want professional support, their first thought is often to look for a Psychiatrist.
Read MoreInstead of thinking about what you want to change or alter in your life, think about what you want to welcome into your life.
Try naming what you want to welcome in as a noun (thing) and not a verb (action). An example is you may say you would like to welcome in health. Now, rather than a bunch of action items on your to-do list, you have an anchor for which you base the decisions in your life. When faced with a decision, you ask yourself, how will this impact my intention to welcome in health? When you plot out your day or week, ask yourself if you have built in things that will welcome in health. When you plan your meals, have your welcomed in health? When you make social plans, have your welcomed in health? The intention you set will help guide and inspire your life so that you do the things that will welcome in what you want in your life.
Read MoreTaking the time to develop a restful ritual that works with your lifestyle can mean the difference between drifting off easily and lying awake consistently.
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, you may be experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression is usually characterized by a low mood, lack of interest, and a lack of personal care. But depression is not the only reason these symptoms could be showing up for you. These are also often symptoms of burnout. It’s important to understand the origins of your symptoms so that you can find matching solutions.
Read MoreWe live in an immediate-gratification, fast-paced world. Pressures in our real life live on, multiply and swarm our social media pages. Making pressure seem all-powerful and active all the time.
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, you may be experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression is usually characterized by a low mood, lack of interest, and a lack of personal care. But depression is not the only reason these symptoms could be showing up for you. These are also often symptoms of burnout. It’s important to understand the origins of your symptoms so that you can find matching solutions.
Read MoreWhether self-doubt is a major factor in your life or only a small issue every once in a while, it’s worth understanding what’s happening for you and how you can cope.
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, you may be experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression is usually characterized by a low mood, lack of interest, and a lack of personal care. But depression is not the only reason these symptoms could be showing up for you. These are also often symptoms of burnout. It’s important to understand the origins of your symptoms so that you can find matching solutions.
Read MoreHave you been in a low mood? Can’t get off the couch? Do you cancel your social plans, or avoid making them? Do you procrastinate?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, you may be experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression is usually characterized by a low mood, lack of interest, and a lack of personal care. But depression is not the only reason these symptoms could be showing up for you. These are also often symptoms of burnout. It’s important to understand the origins of your symptoms so that you can find matching solutions.
Read MoreSo you’re interested in finding a therapist or starting therapy and then you encounter the acronyms. CBT, IFS, EMDR, EFT etc. It can feel like you need a Master’s degree in psychology just to begin your search!
It can be overwhelming and that’s exactly why we’ve created this blog full of straight-forward definitions of common therapies and therapy acronyms.
Read MoreAnti-oppressive, feminist, collaborative and so much more. There are some common terms that therapists use to describe their approaches to working with you (the client).
We’ve already covered the different types of therapies you might encounter in our blog titled “Therapy Glossary”, now it’s time to define these approaches and how they could affect your therapy journey.
Read MoreFinding the right therapist for you is an essential part of setting you up for success on your therapy journey. But how do you go about finding the right therapist? How can you assess whether you’ll click with their approach or style during a 15-minute meet-and-greet appointment?
We know that this can be a daunting part of finding a therapist.
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Most people who work with a therapist initiate contact when they are going through hard things.
When life gets tough, it makes sense that people seek additional support. Working with a therapist during life’s hard times can help people navigate stress, crisis, illness, major life transitions, etc. But most therapists know that the true healing work takes place once things have stabilized in the client’s life.
Read MoreDo you consider yourself an extrovert? An introvert? Somewhere in-between?
Have you ever considered how this impacts your friendships? Of course, we are all unique individuals and no two people are the same. Logically, no two friendships are the same. But there are interesting differences in the ways that introverts and extroverts function in friendships that can help all of us understand our own needs and the needs of our friends.
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