The issue of body image shows up in my counselling room daily. It's not the pain point that usually brings clients in, but it is one we more often than not uncover over the course of treatment. It lurks in the background insidiously, often appearing in the form of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and disordered eating. According to DoSomething.org, a whopping 91% of women are not happy … [Read more...]
safe haven counselling
Childhood Trauma: Why You’re Struggling to Move On
Fact: people who experience trauma in childhood are three times more likely to struggle with a mental disorder in adulthood. Also fact: it is possible to heal from childhood trauma and to not have it overrun your life. Trauma is not a lifelong diagnosis. Defining Childhood Trauma Childhood trauma refers to any experience during childhood that is emotionally or physically distressing and has … [Read more...]
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS): The Therapy Everyone is Talking About
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) is a relatively new and innovative form of therapy, developed by psychotherapist Richard Schwartz, that has been gaining increasing popularity in recent years. This approach to therapy helps individuals to understand and resolve the inner conflicts and traumas that exist within their mind, soul, and body. What is Internal Family Systems Therapy? There … [Read more...]
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Living with and Understanding a Complex Mental Illness
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition. It affects approximately 1-2% of the general population and is characterized by intense and unstable emotions, impulsive behaviour, and a distorted sense of self-identity. Living with this mental illness can be a challenging and isolating experience, but with the right support and treatment it is … [Read more...]
How to Help Someone Through Depression
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...]
Understanding Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based approach to couples counselling which focuses on understanding and managing the emotional states of clients. In particular, EFT looks at the attachment relationships that clients have with the people in their lives. This approach seeks to help couples understand their own emotions, as well as their relationship to their partner. At the … [Read more...]