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As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, many people notice a subtle change within themselves. For some, it’s simply the natural slowing of autumn’s rhythm — a pull toward warmth, reflection, and rest. But for others, the shift in seasons brings something heavier: low mood, fatigue, irritability, and a loss of motivation. This experience is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — a form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most often appearing in fall and winter when daylight hours decrease. The Science Behind the Seasonal Shift Our bodies and minds are deeply attuned…

Sometimes emotional pain doesn’t show up as tears or outbursts. It shows up as nothing at all — a sense of numbness, disconnection, or being “shut down.” You might go through the motions of life but feel flat inside. Or you may sense there’s something you need to feel or express but can’t quite reach it. This isn’t a personal weakness. It’s often a sign your nervous system has been overwhelmed and gone into a protective “freeze” response. The body does this to keep you safe when emotions or events feel too intense to process. The good news is that you’re not broken — and healing is possible…

Every couple experiences moments of tension, misunderstanding, or distance. These struggles don’t necessarily mean something is wrong with your relationship — they often signal that something important is happening under the surface. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps couples look beyond the arguments about dishes or schedules to see what’s really going on: a longing for connection, safety, and reassurance. 1. Recognize the Cycle — Not Just the Conflict When we argue, it’s easy to focus on the words or actions that hurt. EFT teaches us to look at the pattern instead. Does one of you tend…

Most couples don’t come to counselling because of one single fight — they come because they feel caught in the same painful pattern over and over again. You might recognize it in your own relationship: One of you shuts down when there’s conflict, while the other pursues and raises the volume. A simple disagreement turns into days of silence or resentment. You feel like you’re talking, but not really hearing each other. These cycles are exhausting — and they often leave both partners feeling lonely and unheard. Understanding the Cycle When couples get stuck, it’s not because they don’t love…

From Self-Criticism to Self-Compassion: Healing Shame Through Therapy Many of us are our own harshest critics. The voice inside our head might say things like: “You should have known better.” “You always mess things up.” “You’re not good enough.” This inner critic can feel relentless—and often, it’s rooted in shame. The Roots of Shame Shame often begins early, in the context of relationships. When children feel unsafe, unloved, or that they have to perform to be accepted, they may start to believe something is wrong with them. These early experiences can create deep attachment wounds and leave…

Many people begin counselling hoping that talking about their struggles will bring relief. And often, talking helps—it can provide clarity, insight, and a sense of being heard. But sometimes, even after sharing your story, the anxiety, tension, or sense of being “stuck” doesn’t go away. This can be confusing and discouraging. You might think, “I understand what happened—so why do I still feel like this?” Trauma Lives in the Body When we go through overwhelming experiences, our nervous system responds with automatic survival strategies: fight, flight, or freeze. These are built-in ways the body…

Have you ever thought, “I know what happened to me is in the past, so why do I still feel anxious, tense, or disconnected?” Many people who seek counselling have already tried talking through their story. They may have gained insight, but their body still carries the imprint of what they went through. Trauma doesn’t just live in our memories—it often lives in the body. As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explains in The Body Keeps the Score: “Trauma is not just an event that took place in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body.” Why Talking Isn’t Always Enough…

“Being validated by feeling heard and seen is a precondition for feeling safe, which is critical when we explore the dangerous territory of trauma and abandonment.” – Besser Van Der Kolk