Divorce Doesn’t Have to Be a Battle: Exploring Collaborative Solutions
Getting married can feel like a dream come true, but facing the reality of separation or divorce can be overwhelming and emotionally draining. You may find yourself struggling with feelings of loss, grief, frustration, sadness, and anxiety—sometimes all at once. When children are involved, the situation can feel even more daunting. You want to protect […]
Supporting Your Child Through the School Year
If your household is anything like mine, you may wonder how it can already be September! Back-to-school season is officially here. You might notice your child is feeling worried, stressed, or anxious about the new school year, which is natural after spending so much time with their families during the summer break. Luckily, there are […]
Navigating Parental Anxiety
Most parents and caregivers, including myself, want to raise independent, healthy, and happy children; however, this may feel as difficult as ever in today’s fast-changing world. We are highly connected through social media, and societal expectations of what “good” parenting and children should look like, which can contribute to the stress and anxiety caregivers experience. […]
Connection & Disconnection in Family Relationships
“We are never so vulnerable as when we love.” (Siegmund Freud) Human beings are social creatures with an innate need for connection with others. It is as essential to our survival as our need for water, food, and shelter. We flourish when our connection with others is secured, and we suffer when this connection breaks apart. […]
Benefits of Art or Play Therapy for Kids and Teens
Throughout history, art has been used by humans to tell stories, express ourselves, and communicate with one another. From cave paintings to modern art, drawing pictures is one of the most natural forms of expression for humans, even when language has not been available to us. It is a unique communication tool that has played […]
Supporting Trans Youth: Parental Anxiety
One of the main challenges parents of trans and nonbinary youth express to me is something they often share with their kids: feeling alone and unsupported. That feeling has changed in recent years. It’s hard to separate parental reactions to a child coming out, or asking for support with names, pronouns, clothes, and other kinds […]
Managing Back-To-School Stress and Anxiety
Fall is usually a sign that children are back at school, which can be exciting as kids are seeing friends and engaging in school activities again. However, it’s also common for children to feel worried or stressed during this season. Depending on their age, children may feel anxious about being away from their parents or […]
Dealing with Depression
Depression is more than being “down in the dumps”. Dealing with depression can feel like falling deeper and deeper into a dark hole, and not knowing how to get out. Many people may not even realize they are struggling with depression until they slow down and notice how far down that hole they really are. […]
Navigating Medical Trauma: Understanding and Coping with Healthcare-Related Distress
As a registered clinical counsellor specializing in chronic illness, I am well acquainted with the concept of “medical trauma.” Unfortunately, it is an all-too-common experience for individuals living with chronic conditions. In this blog post, we will delve into what medical trauma entails and explore strategies for navigating its impact. What is Medical Trauma? Medical […]
Battling Burnout: Strategies for Replenishing Your Energy and Well-Being
In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, battling burnout has become an all-too-common experience for many individuals. Juggling multiple responsibilities, managing workloads, and dealing with personal challenges can leave us feeling emotionally and physically exhausted. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of burnout, its signs and symptoms, and effective strategies to combat it […]