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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…

Feeling Unsure About Therapy? You’re Not Alone Maybe you’ve thought about therapy but held back. Maybe you’re unsure if it’s the right fit or have heard things that made you skeptical. The truth is, you’re not alone in feeling this way. Many people hesitate to reach out because of common myths and misunderstandings about what therapy really is. These myths can make therapy seem scary, ineffective, or only for people with “big” problems. If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking “therapy isn’t for me” or “I don’t need that,” this post is here to gently challenge those beliefs and open the door to…

You are not alone in your struggles. Whether you're caught in cycles of overthinking, feeling lost in anxiety or depression, or wrestling with big questions about your purpose, there are many psychological models that can help you make sense of what you're going through. Each model—whether it's Buddhist Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Psychodynamic Therapy, ACT, CBT, or Internal Family Systems—offers a unique lens. In this guide, you'll learn how each approach understands six common concerns and discover insights to support your healing journey. 1. RUMINATION : "Why can’t I stop thinking about…

Finding Meaning and Purpose Through Your Values Many people come to therapy feeling lost, uncertain, or stuck in their lives. They may ask, "What is my purpose?" or "Why do I feel unfulfilled despite doing everything 'right'?" While these questions can feel overwhelming, the answers often lie in a deeper exploration of personal values. What Are Values? Values are the guiding principles that shape our decisions, behaviors, and sense of fulfillment. Unlike goals, which are specific achievements, values are ongoing and provide direction in life. For example, a person may value kindness, honesty…

Watching your child struggle with anxiety can be one of the most heart-wrenching experiences as a parent. You want to fix it, to make it disappear, to offer the reassurance that everything will be okay. But anxiety doesn’t simply go away because we wish it would. Common Childhood Anxieties Anxiety can show up in many ways, and while every child is different, some common childhood fears include: Fear of separation from parents (separation anxiety) Worries about school, tests, or social situations Fear of the dark or sleeping alone Intense fear of specific things (e.g., dogs, insects, germs)…

Work stress has become an increasingly prevalent issue in today’s demanding professional world. Tight deadlines, overwhelming workloads, high expectations, and workplace dynamics can all contribute to stress that affects our overall well-being. However, while stress in the workplace is almost inevitable, it is crucial to address it in ways that prevent burnout and ensure long-term productivity and health. What is Work Stress? Work stress refers to the strain or pressure people experience when job demands exceed their ability to cope with those demands. It can arise from various sources within…

"I find too often we just go from one thing to the next without pausing to integrate along the way. " Lisa Dion The constant rush of daily life often leaves little time for introspection although there is a hum of conversation on social media to make resolutions and set goals for the new year. I read a blog by Lisa Dion the other day where she articulated the importance of what she called 'conscious endings'. This inspired to be to think about how many times I don't take a moment to breath before jumping back into the rush of my own checklist. This blog post is an invitation for you and I to…

It's not uncommon for people living with persistent pain to be reluctant about seeking help from a therapist. For some, it feels like admitting that their pain isn't real and that it is "all in their head." Others don't see how a mental health provider could help with something they see as a physical issue. This blog explores what we know about pain and how therapy can help. What do we get wrong about pain? We tend to misunderstand pain as a symptom of tissue damage. But we didn't just make this idea up. It dates back to nineteenth-century medical textbooks, which stated either that pain had…

I remember 10 years ago training in Internal Family Systems and using it for myself and for my clients. It wasn't a technique that was on many people's radar. But I found it very helpful personally as well as professionally. It was great to have a positive silver lining for all the parts of the clients that they were not fully proud of. It was great to have a compassion-based method that worked to help people be more present and themselves. And it helped to process trauma. In Internal Family Systems we are looking at the individual as a sum of parts. It's kind of like that movie, Inside Out…