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Finding yourself ruminating? Thinking about people in a negative way? Or having critical thoughts about your own behaviour? Thinking on things is normal. But if you are ruminating for so much of the day that it is getting in the way of being able to complete daily tasks like focusing at work or school, exercising, parenting or putting time into your friendships or marriage then the ruminating might be worth treating. Come in and learn what is causing the increase in rumination. Perhaps it's a feeling of being wronged. Increasing our understanding of our own thoughts and behaviour helps reduce…

Before becoming a medicine ceremonialist and just barely aware of the existence of 5-MeO-DMT, in a room with the view of a Costa Rican jungle I had my first experience with the sacrament. As a psychotherapist recently gone through a spiritual awakening, my worlds of psychology and spirituality are merging and 5-MeO-DMT has led to rapid shifts in my healing from undercovering repressed trauma to learning to open to states of ecstasy and oneness with the Infinite-Eternal-Divine in my daily life. Feeling the call to come back again and again to this medicine, I quickly recognized its potential as…

Being in pain, emotionally or relationally, is what draws many people to find a therapist. Currently, therapy is enjoying a cultural moment of popularity. You may have heard a version of “everyone needs therapy” or “therapy is for you if you have experienced childhood.” While mostly light-hearted, these prompts speak to those who notice pain in themselves and those around them. The Purpose Of A Process Group A process group is an unstructured, collaborative therapy. By joining a process group, you commit to bringing up what is going on for you and being present with others who are doing the…

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that affects many individuals who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events. While there are various therapeutic approaches to treat PTSD, Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) offers a comprehensive method that integrates principles from multiple therapeutic models. Understanding how TIST works and its benefits can provide valuable insights for those seeking effective counselling for PTSD. What is PTSD? PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms may…

It might seem like a stretch to think that experiences with your caregiver that happened as early as day one...or even hour one...of life, would influence how you might experience relationships as an adult. Those non-verbal cues like eye contact, your caregiver's tone, their presence (consistent or otherwise), whether they held you, hugged you, and so many other interactions all affected future relationship. That's not intended to sound ominous but more, to help you possibly understand how some of the strengths or maybe vulnerabilities within your relationships now, might be influenced. If…

It is common and understandable to have reactions to "parts work". It is becoming a common way of working with trauma and family dysfunction that has been made popular by Internal Family Systems (IFS). I use it a lot in my work with people. Common reactions are - I don't have parts, I am just me, or that parts are not real; we imagine them. There may be other reactions. One that comes up for me (even though I work in this way) is that I don't like to go along with the latest fad and that nothing is new. So, I want to put IFS into perspective and discuss how we might see a "part."…

The human mind has evolved to solve complex problems and navigate the environment with unmatched dexterity. This potent tool has empowered humans to innovate, build civilizations, and achieve feats that are unparalleled in the animal kingdom. However, this same capacity for thought and reflection can become a source of distress. The mind's ability to ponder the past and imagine the future can lead to anxiety, regret, and countless forms of mental suffering. In essence, the mind that has been honed to master external challenges now, at times, turns its considerable power against itself…

Do you find yourself easily thrown off? If something goes wrong at work are you ruminating for days or weeks? If you don't get a text returned do you feel so hurt that you can't study, go to the gym or even get out of bed? Making space for feelings is important, yes. In recent years, however, I see an increased number of people who are suffering from an inability to gather themselves, to muster, to gain perspective, and to carry on. If this resonates with you keep reading. How do we get grit? Here are some tools to add to your belt to help you increase your mental strength: (1) Get in their…

I am going to say something somewhat controversial. We have very few needs in our relationships. I might go as far as saying that we don’t need anything from our partner. We need air to breathe and food to eat. This is the level of need. It is associated with our survival. Language is powerful. This is why when we use the word need to express what we want in relationships it has the energy of ‘must-have urgency’ behind it. It is a demand. Let’s compare expressions for a moment. I need your attention vs I want your attention or can I have your attention? Take a moment to say each phrase out…

In today's fast-paced world, stress has become an inevitable part of our daily lives. From the moment we wake up, we are bombarded with a myriad of responsibilities and demands, be it emails, client calls, household tasks, or caregiving. As a result, our sympathetic nervous system, responsible for triggering the fight-or-flight response, is constantly triggered, leading to feelings of overwhelm and short tempers. However, there is a way to regain control and find balance amidst this chaos – mindfulness. The Sympathetic Nervous System: A Constant Trigger:Our sympathetic nervous system is a…