These are the stones that sit by my window. They were given to me by my parents as they downsized. Unbeknowst to me, or at least to my conscious mind,…
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I’ve been learning lately about polyvagal theory, developed by Stephen Porges. I find it to be a really clear and helpful way of thinking about our feeling states that can…
I’ve been studying Internal Family Systems (a modality developed by Richard Swartz) lately. Today I decided to practice this new parts work on myself, to help get to the bottom…
A man in his mid-life came for counselling to help with anger that wells up inside him playing certain sports. He had a sense that it’s deep and old anger….
A bird flying upside down. A tightly wound coil. An open lake. A powerful dragon getting flight and exploring the world for the first time. What do these have in…
Anger is a normal part of grief but expressing it can be hard because we tend not to like to feel angry. Anger can be taboo especially for women, and especially as part of…
Whilst I’m no hardliner Cognitive Behavioural therapist, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be a useful tool. I recently found a freely available workbook that is well organised and practical. I would recommend it…
Do you wonder what’s at play when you, or others around you, get stuck in conflict or in wonky relationship dynamics? Perhaps you feel pulled into a caretaker role, or…
Adults who grew up in homes where one or both parents were alcoholics (aka Children of Alcoholics or COAs), or where there was other significant dysfunction, often have the hardest time navigating…
People seeking help with their mental and emotional health are often understandably confused about where they should go. Psychologists? Social Workers? Psychotherapists? Counsellors? Psychiatrists? What’s the difference? What’s covered by Ontario…