Posts in PSYCHOTHERAPY
Learning how to process emotions (difficult but worth it!)

If you grew up in a family anything like mine, feelings were ignored or stuffed down in an attempt to seem stoic and strong. I took pride in holding back tears or fleeing uncomfortable emotions. Feelings got in the way of work. Emotions made communication more difficult and deflated your argument. Even comfortable emotions were discouraged.

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Executive Dysfunction - What is it and how do I manage it?

Society puts a lot of pressure on us to meet executive functioning demands. If we have a lot of these demands on us at work, for example, then we may not have the energy left over for this kind of functioning at home. When the dishes have piled up for 3 days and the laundry has sat in the washer overnight, plus maybe there was a conflict at work, or there is tension in a personal relationship, things can feel very overwhelming and frustrating.

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Internal Family Systems (IFS) and the Cancer Journey

Cancer can have a profound impact on one’s identity. From the outset, cancer confronts us with a loss of “normality.” Diagnosis often comes as a shock and life can grind to a halt. It can be helpful to consider this experience through the lens of ‘parts’ or ‘internal family systems’.

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Thinking about divorce? Let’s look at 5 ways you can make sense of these thoughts.

Thinking 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.

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Internal Family System (IFS) – What is “parts work” in therapy?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) identifies that we are all made up of parts. There is a complex system of beliefs, thoughts, emotions and physical feelings that exist inside all of us, and they persistently compete for our attention. All parts are shaped by external forces, and they in turn influence the way we navigate, or cope with, our outer worlds.

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Looking for a Psychiatrist in Ontario? A Psychotherapist might be able to help.

Looking 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.

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Should I start therapy during the summer?

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.

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Intimacy in Parenthood - Sex After Baby

Exhaustion, body changes, pregnancy fears, interruptions from baby, and feeling touched out could all serve to activate the inhibitory sexual response system that just says “No way, I can’t get there right now.”

This is especially true when babies are very small or are high-needs and they require so much from their primary caregivers.

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Top 3 Signs of Early Depression

When clients come to see me for depression counselling, I often observe that they are in what I call early depression. These are folks who just aren’t feeling quite right. There’s a sense of going through the motions and not being able to experience life to it’s fullest. Here are my top 3 warning signs of early depression to keep an eye out for.

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