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.
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.
Read MoreSociety 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.
Read MoreCancer 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’.
Read MoreInternal 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.
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!
Anti-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?
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 MoreWhat I have noticed is: 1) people seek therapy for many different challenges like stress management, trauma processing, relationships issues, gender exploration and thousands of other unique reasons; and 2) there are some common themes that emerge around why someone has taken the step to actually seek assistance from a mental health professional.
Read MoreWhat I have noticed is: 1) people seek therapy for many different challenges like stress management, trauma processing, relationships issues, gender exploration and thousands of other unique reasons; and 2) there are some common themes that emerge around why someone has taken the step to actually seek assistance from a mental health professional.
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