Posts in VIRTUAL THERAPY
Setting Holiday Boundaries – Coping Strategy or Avoidance?

One of the things that may come up for people around this time of the year is setting boundaries and coping with environments or interactions that are uncomfortable. The holidays can be a very joyful time, but that joy can also be uncomfortable or come along with other uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. But how do we know how to cope? How do we know when our coping strategies are healthy?

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Communicating About Finances as a Couple

Many couples attempt to communicate about money but find themselves in familiar, unhelpful patterns each time they try. Instead of giving up hope and sweeping these conversations under the rug, it can be really helpful to understand what’s going on under the surface.

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Mental Health and Cancer: Nurturing the Inner Self During the Unseen Journey

As 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.

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When setting a SMART goal might be counter-productive

If 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.

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How Polyvagal Theory explains why we do what we do

Sometimes 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.

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Improved sleep can lead to improved mental health. Here’s how.

It 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.

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Why 2SLGBTQIA+ and not LGBTQ anymore?

Happy 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.

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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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New Year’s Intentions - An Intentions versus Resolutions Approach

Instead 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.

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Restful Rituals

Taking 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.

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Pausing in the Pressure

We 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.

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Struggling with self-doubt? You're not alone.

Whether 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.

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Depression or Burnout - What's the Difference?

Have 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.

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Understanding the Different Types of Therapy Used by Psychotherapists and Counsellors

So 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.

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Understanding the Different Approaches to Therapy Used by Psychotherapists and Counsellors

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.

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6+ Questions to Ask When Interviewing a New Therapist

Finding 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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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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