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.
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 MoreAs a cancer survivor, just hearing that six-letter word used to send a chill down my spine, stirring up feelings of fear, anxiety, and vulnerability. But here's the thing – it's because of these very emotions that we shouldn't shy away from talking about cancer. Changing the way we think and talk about this life-changing experience isn't just a good idea; it's crucial for our emotional well-being and overall healing journey.
Read MoreIf you are neurodiverse or are otherwise struggling with executive functioning – like recovering from burnout, setting a SMART goal can be really difficult even if you have assessed it as attainable. Read on for some alternative ways to goal-set that may be more supportive.
Read MoreSometimes we have responses that are just as quick when we experience a threat. Sometimes we call this a freeze response because our bodies may shut down or feel numb. In this state it is common to feel helpless, trapped, or depressed.
We also have a mammalian part of our brain which developed later. Polyvagal theory says the mammalian brain is responsible for things like co-regulation which means that how one mammal acts effects another.
Read MoreIf 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 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 MoreAs another tough year approaches it’s end, we wanted to use this platform to make room for JOY.
That’s why we asked the everwell team on their perspectives and experiences with JOY; what it is and how to find it.
Read MoreStress is a reality for all of us. There is no way to get through life without dealing with stress.
On the one hand, it is helpful to approach stress with acceptance in order to live with as much ease as possible. On the other hand, when dealing with large amounts of constant stress, it is important to realize that it doesn’t always have to be this way.
Read MoreGrief is often viewed as something that we have to “get over” in order to move on with our lives. It’s like there’s this unspoken expectation for us to heal and get rid of our grief by looking forward and tucking away the past. This perspective, however, denies the reality of our grief: we all move through grief in our own way.
Read MoreAs a therapist who has the privilege of working with grieving people, I am often asked “Why?” when I begin to work with a client on the expression of emotions associated with their grief. As a general rule, our culture doesn’t do a good job of teaching us how to deal with difficult emotions. So it’s important for us to find ways to express our loss and grief…
Read MoreWhen you hear the word grief, you often think of the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship, but with the coronavirus, we are experiencing grief due to the loss of our “regular” lives before the pandemic. We are experiencing the loss of our routines, our schedules, our relationships, our sense of security and safety.
Read MoreThere is a critical and ongoing crisis at Canadian colleges and universities: students are at increasing risk of mental health problems, and these academic institutions are struggling in their efforts to respond. This reality reflects a broader crisis in youth mental health across Canada, which has seen increasing rates of depression, anxiety and suicide among young people over the past decade. And, the pandemic has only made things worse.
Read MoreFor many of us, spending time with friends and family can feel taxing – like we are meeting the needs of the people around us but they aren’t meeting ours. Here are some relatively easy ways to begin setting better boundaries.
Read MoreAs a psychotherapist I know too well the negative effects of prioritizing productivity over all else. Heck, as a human I know the negative effects of this and how it shows up in my own life. Although life has technically slowed down for some during this time –for many it hasn’t and for most of us it has meant a much more disorganized and hectic day to day. And yet, the pressures we continue to put on ourselves to be productive are alive and well.
Read MoreOn Wednesday Nov. 6th, 2019 we will be starting a very special group offering at everwell. We are combining yoga with traditional group psychotherapy to help participants explore self-care and their relationship to themselves. The group is open to anyone who would benefit from a deep dive into self-care and the many barriers to truly knowing and caring for ourselves.
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