Learning to slow down is a process. Some days it feels easier than others. But allowing yourself moments of pause without guilt can be an important reminder that your value is not measured by how productive you are every second of the day.
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Our Couples Therapists at The Growth and Wellness Therapy Centre in midtown, Toronto, see couples clients for a variety of reasons. Some come pre-emptively to support their relationship and communication when things are good, and others come when things feel like they’re breaking down and they need a neutral third party to support them. Regardless of what they’re going through in their relationship, our therapist are there to support them with skills, strategies, and an empathic and non-judgmental attitude.
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Growing up between two cultures can feel like living in two different worlds at the same time. A lot of bicultural people know the feeling of switching parts of themselves depending on where they are and who they’re with. This could look like constantly moving between different languages, expectations, values, and versions of yourself. Navigating a bicultural identity can feel both enriching and exhausting.
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At The Growth and Wellness Therapy Centre we support clients of all ages, including youth and teenagers. Being a teen comes with a variety of challenges including some that our adult client’s don’t have to deal with. Our Child and Youth Therapists are specially trained in working with teenagers and meeting them where they’re at, understanding the pressures they are facing, and helping them to figure things out to move safely and healthily towards adulthood. Here are 14 areas we tend to support our teenaged clients with.
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At The Growth and Wellness Therapy Centre we see clients of all ages and backgrounds around a variety of issues and topics. Some come for individual support, and some come for support in their relationship via couples or family therapy. We even work with the youngest members of the family through child or play therapy. So what are the reasons people come to see us for therapy? Here are some of the most common.
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Supporting someone through their grief can be challenging. Many people struggle to talk about death because it’s a sensitive topic that tends to be avoided, leading to uncertainty about what to say or how to deal with the intense emotions that come up. The societal taboo around discussing death only makes it more difficult. Here are five meaningful ways to help someone who is grieving.
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Walk and Talk Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that incorporates walking outdoors while talking about issues and problem-solving with your therapist. Depending on your preferences, your therapist may also incorporate aspects of mindfulness that integrates physical movement and observation of your natural surroundings.
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Sandtray can be a way to process memories, dreams, experiences and goals in session with your therapist without (or in addition to) engaging in traditional talk therapy. It can be used with individuals of all ages and backgrounds, though tends to resonate most with clients who are open to connecting with their more child-like self, who are willing to let go of addressing issues purely on a cognitive level, and who are ready to follow their instincts and senses without needing to justify or intellectualize them. Click here to learn more about this approach!
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Have 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.
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Preparing 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!
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Feelings 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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Books and other forms of literature carry the powerful potential to support our mental health and general journey through life. Reading turns the attention inward, while research suggests that our brains use the same networks when reading about an experience as when we experience a situation ourselves, while prompting inspiration towards self-development, problem solving, support cognitive growth, and processing emotional experiences. Leveraging carefully selected literary works that speak to you and your needs can help you to navigate your own healing journey. What titles are in your book-list prescription?
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The power of connection has been linked to helping people to maintain a state of mental and physical well-being, while lowering symptoms of anxiety and depression. Studies have found that fueling a connection to anything that we find value in, can help enhance our overall well-being and quality of life, enabling us to feel interconnected with the world, prompting deep sensations that make one feel ‘alive’. What lights you up?
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Have you ever found yourself in a gloomy or stressful mood, suddenly interrupted by the warm sun on your face or a quick visual of some beautiful greenery? Can you visualize how one of these subtle interruptions may have had an influence on this gloom or stress? There are scientific reasons for these natural calming and feel-good moments, and we’re here to break down how incorporating the use of nature therapy into our everyday lives can enhance our overall well-being.
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All my clients can probably tell you how encouraging I can be with the idea of using our pets to help with our mental health and self-care. I’m going to share with you some things you can do to help ground yourself in the moment with the help of your furry (or scaly or winged) friend.
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We sat down with Nicole D’Souza, MSW RSW, TCTSY Yoga Facilitator, to learn all about the world of TCTSY, the individual classes she is offering as well as the upcoming 8 week program with her!
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Sometimes clients call to inquire about services at our centre and are surprised when our intake team recommends a student clinician. Today we’re going to talk about some of the benefits of seeing a student, and some of the reasons you might want to consider it!
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Sarah is a Registered Psychotherapist at The Growth & Wellness Therapy Centre focused on issues such as maternal mental health, anxiety and depression, trauma and chronic pain.
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