Research has shown that having structure in your CBT sessions, especially setting an agenda, is an important element to effective therapy. This skill of structuring sessions can be quite helpful to both client and therapist as it provides order and organization to the therapy session. It helps to ensure your goals are being met, and that your time in therapy is used effectively.
Read MoreFear is a regular and common emotion - we might feel it when we have a presentation, when we meet a new person, or when we think we’ve made a mistake. Emotions can be felt in our bodies and influence the way we think and act. We can have positive or negative emotions, but all of them are useful. Emotions can tell us something about ourselves or tell us what to do next. They are here to take care of us! If you need help talking about this with your kids, Toni has some tips and information that might help!
Read MoreHeather Bray, RD, is one of the newest members of our team! We sat down with her to understand more about her practice, her philosophy, and her experiences as both a human and a mind-body practitioner. Heather provides support around intuitive eating, nutrition planning, the intersection of nutrition and mental health, and more.
Read MoreWhen seeking out support around nutrition and eating habits, you might notice there are a variety of professionals that advertise they can support you. Two of the designations we see most frequently are “dietitians” and “nutritionists.” What’s the difference? Is one better than the other? Who should you see if you’re looking for support? We’re here to help answer these questions.
Read MoreThere are several theories as to why getting adequate sleep is required: for body rejuvenation and repair, memory consolidation, and energy conservation and restoration. To put it simply, sleep is required to keep the body healthy and functional. In this article Aleena breaks down for us the impacts of sleep deprivation, and the importance of addressing it if it’s a concern you’re finding yourself dealing with.
Read MoreWhen clients come to therapy for the first time they can be uncertain of what their treatment might look like. One of the common reasons individuals seek out therapy at The Growth & Wellness Therapy Centre is to get support in managing their depression. This article will give you some more understand of what you might experience throughout the therapeutic process when seeking out support for managing depression with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Read MoreHaving grown up with two brothers on the spectrum, autism has always been an important area of focus for me. From walking alongside my parents and facilitating a support group for families of children on the autism spectrum, I know that parenting a child on the spectrum can sometimes feel like an isolating experience, especially at the beginning when you are just beginning to learn about the world of autism. Here are four helpful pieces to remember along your autism parenting journey.
Read MoreHave you heard all the recent talk about how if you’re noticing a panic attack starting up, one of the things you can reach for in addition to breathing and grounding strategies is sour candy? Well, we’re here to let you know that the talk is true, this absolutely can be an effective strategy for some people! Read more below to learn how to use candy (and other grounding strategies) to cope with panic and activate your parasympathetic nervous system.
Read MoreHave you ever found yourself ruminating on negative thoughts, constantly worrying, or mentally creating false scenarios as if on autopilot in your mind? Negative thoughts entering your mind as if on a never-ending cycle, perpetuating your stress, is often referred to as intrusive thoughts. Learn here about a technique called thought-stopping which helps increase an individual’s ability to block a response sequence in the brain.
Read MoreIf you’ve been to our office, one of the things you may have noticed for sale in our retail section is the gorgeous display of cards described as being reiki infused. We get a lot of questions about what that means. So we’re here with Marie Tran RCST®, Reiki Master and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist to find out more!
Read MoreMeet Mabel, our warm and supportive life coach! Mabel helps individuals move from anxiety, stress, overwhelm, feeling stuck or in conflict to a life of well-being, connection, joy, and aliveness.
Read MoreSelf care is a popular buzzword. Have you ever been confused about what it means? It can be hard to define because it means different things to different people. This article covers four pillars of self-care that can be considered and implemented into daily practice.
Read MoreAlejandra offers Individual, Couples and Family Psychotherapy, as well as Clinical Supervision. Alejandra focuses on helping clients cultivate their own self love, collaborating with clients in find an approach that works for them which combines evidence based treatment, intuition and traditional wisdom.
Read MorePreparing for an initial meeting with a therapist might feel intimidating, especially if the experience is unfamiliar. Getting ready to reach out to a therapist is an opportunity to explore your ‘why’, your reason for seeking therapy and what you hope to accomplish, all while ensuring that you feel comfortable and emotionally safe. Check out our blog for some prompts to spark your brainstorming and help guide your thought processes!
Read MoreIf you have ever been curious about what our Coping with Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness Group entails, our blog aims to answer all of our most frequently asked questions! We cover (a) how the group functions, (b) how to join, (c) group requirements, (d) group agreements and (d) optional payment.
Read MoreAnger is often viewed as a negative emotion; however, all of our feelings are valid clues to helping us understand our patterns as well as which of our underlying needs are not being met. Taking time to understand our feelings can help us learn what our underlying unmet needs might be. With this understanding, we can begin the untangling process of our emotionally reactive patterns, as well as develop coping strategies or tools to relate to and respond from.
Read MoreNicole practices both Psychotherapy as well as Trauma Sensitive Yoga, and is very involve in many activities. In her interview, Nicole shares what sparked her interest in trauma processing and its connection to the body. She also sheds some insight for people who have considered yoga, but might be intimidated to try.
Read MoreMost of us have heard of Autism, and have also likely heard some misunderstandings that are commonly believed about the neurodevelopmental disorder. Toni Lui, MSW RSW, is one of our wonderful clinicians who provides support to families navigating the system and reflecting on the impact of their child receiving a new diagnosis related to autism or disability issue. We asked her to shed light on some of these misunderstandings to help educate us further!
Read MorePets play a very important part in the lives of their owners. They become part of the family, provide a social connection and a place of comfort. The consistent presence, non-judgement, and outlet for caregiving that they provide can create a relationship that is among the safest and purest we experience. As a result, the grief felt after a pet passes away (or in anticipation of them passing away) can cause a person to feel distress, deep sadness, and to have difficulty coping. Read our blog to learn more about our online support group, for those experiencing the difficult loss of your beloved pet.
Read MoreFeelings of anxiousness, overwhelm, sadness, anger and confusion can often be mentally consuming, lead to overthinking and cause us to remain stuck in our narrative. Learning to recognize our unhelpful thought patterns is a powerful step in working towards a sense of overall wellbeing, as it provides the opportunity to reframe these thought patterns over time. Check out our blog to explore the concept of perception in day-to-day situations and how it can be adapted to a more productive or positive manner.
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