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.
In 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 MoreWorld 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…
Read MoreIf 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 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 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 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 MoreTry 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 MoreIf 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 MoreIf 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 MoreIf 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 MoreIf 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!
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?
This is especially true when babies are very small or are high-needs and they require so much from their primary caregivers.
Read MoreWe’d like to introduce you to the concept of sexual brakes and accelerators. We were introduced to this concept in Emily Nagoski’s incredible book Come As You Are (which we highly recommend). The concept is very simple – there are things that act as accelerators of our desire and other things that act as brakes. The “things” can be sights, sounds, ideas, memories, sensations, etc. Most people have a general sense that there are certain things that turn them on sexually and others that turn them off. But rarely do we stop to deeply consider how we can use the concepts of sexual brakes and accelerators to enhance our sexual experiences.
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.
Read More
