Discovering that a friend or family member is suffering with clinical depression can leave us feeling scared, worried and unsure of how to help. Learning more about depression and its treatments can help you understand what your friend or family member is going through and how to best support them. Doing some research on the signs, symptoms and treatments of depression can also help you know … [Read more...]
Should You Seek Grief Counselling for the Death of a Loved One?
Grief is a part of the human experience none of us can escape. When it comes it can feel like the world has been pulled from under us and we may never experience joy or normalcy again. Knowing this experience is universal doesn’t prevent us from feeling utterly alone. As the shock subsides and the intense rollercoaster of emotions set in, you may wonder if grief counselling will help. The Hard … [Read more...]
When Is it Time to Seek Couples Counselling?
When Is it Time to Seek Couples Counselling? If you are part of a long-term love relationship you are likely familiar with the ups and downs that accompany it. The nature of being intimately involved with someone you share your life with is that inner and outer conflict will arise as you try to meet each others needs. All relationships go through difficult seasons. Some of the time … [Read more...]
5 Ways To Feel Better Without Therapy: Part Three, Managing Emotions
Have you ever reacted to someone in the heat of the moment and afterwards looked back wishing you had responded differently? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by emotion and notice it affects your ability to focus or be present? Most of us find ourselves in these situations some of the time, but if this happens often to you, you may be having problems regulating (calming) your … [Read more...]
5 Ways To Feel Better Right Now Without Therapy: Part Two, Reframe Your Perspective
"Feel the feelings, drop the story." Pema Chodron. Studies show we have between 60,000 and 90,000 thoughts per day. That's a lot, and if they all contributed towards making ourselves into the best human we can possibly be, happiness would seem far less elusive. Unfortunately many of those thoughts are repeated multiple times throughout the day. Some of them may be checklists of things we don't … [Read more...]
5 Ways To Feel Better Right Now Without Therapy: Part One, Cultivate Awareness
I'm a therapist, so believe me when I say that therapy is good and helpful and a lifeline for many people. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be in the field. However, therapy is not always accessible. Community services out there are growing, but unfortunately we have a long way to go before mental healthcare is available to all Canadians in the same way as physical healthcare. Thankfully, … [Read more...]