Mindfulness is a word you hear everywhere, and most of us have a general idea of what it is. But it’s also an easy word to brush off. When someone recommends trying mindfulness, meditation, or breath work, a common internal response is often, “Yeah, yeah, got it”—and we mentally move on to the next thing. In fact, our booking team often hears requests like, “Please don’t book me with someone who’s just going to tell me to breathe.” The first truth is, mindfulness is both an art and a science, and it’s profoundly effective. However, without understanding the science-based, and neurobiological reasons behind it, people often overlook its potential as a powerful resource both in and outside of therapy. The second truth is, forming helpful coping strategies is HARD—it takes time, patience, and deliberate practice every day to see changes and develop new habits. It may be an important question to ask yourself if you’ve given mindfulness an honest shot.

In Japanese culture, we have a concept called "Kotodama," the belief that words hold a spiritual power that can influence reality. This belief aligns with an interesting study conducted by Japanese researcher Masaru Emoto. Dr. Emoto and his team utilized words like “thank you” and “you fool” on different containers of water. The research demonstrated that positive phrases created beautiful, symmetrical crystals in water, while negative words resulted in chaotic, disorganized structures.

Linguistic racism occurs when people are judged or excluded based on how they speak, write, or use a particular language. Language is deeply connected to a person's identity, and being excluded for speaking differently can cause lasting psychological damage. Linguistic racism denies individuals their fundamental linguistic rights, leading to what some scholars call a “linguistic inferiority complex.” Students, immigrants, and refugees may feel ashamed or insecure about their language abilities, even if their language skills are proficient. This constant judgment based on how someone communicates creates emotional scars that can parallel racial discrimination.

Every year, as the seasons change and the days get shorter, many of us notice a dip in our mood. We may feel more tired, less motivated to leave the house, and for some, feelings of sadness or even depressive moods can emerge. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during specific seasons, most commonly in the winter, due to reduced sunlight and shorter days.

For years, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) reigned as the go-to modality in psychotherapy. However, a new approach is gaining momentum: Somatic Therapy.

With nearly a decade of experience, I’ve worked extensively with clients grappling with trauma, especially those who’ve endured multiple or complex traumatic events, often from childhood. Early in my practice, I became intrigued—albeit skeptical—about Somatic Therapy. It was a word that was veiled in mystery to me - what did it mean and entail?

Do you find yourself stuck in repeated patterns and struggle to break the cycle on your own? If you could picture yourself 6 months from now, what do you want to see for your life?

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook our mental and emotional well-being. We invest in our physical health, education, and careers, but often neglect the importance of our mental health. Counselling, however, is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance our quality of life. Engaging in counselling or therapy can lead to numerous positive gains, feelings, and behaviors. Here are some of the most common ones…

It’s finally (almost) here! In an exciting development for mental health care in British Columbia (BC), direct billing for registered clinical counsellors is soon to be available. This change marks a significant step forward in making mental health services more accessible and affordable for clients across the province. By reducing the financial and administrative burden on clients, direct billing is set to improve the overall experience of seeking mental health support.

EMDR therapy is a structured psychotherapy approach that aims to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on the reprocessing of traumatic events through specific procedures and techniques. The therapy is based on the premise that traumatic experiences can overwhelm the brain's natural ability to process information, leading to the persistence of distressing symptoms.

Following through on a personal boundary can be incredibly painful. It can mean saying goodbye to someone in our life.

What is a personal boundary? A personal boundary defines the limits of what actions are acceptable and comfortable for an individual. Boundaries are the lines we set for ourselves in various aspects of life, including the realms of emotional, physical, sexual, workplace, material, and time.

Following through on a boundary can be crucial for mental, emotional, physical, or sexual well-being.

Imagine stepping into a clinic, seeking guidance and support, only to be paired randomly with a counsellor who may not understand your unique needs and struggles. Such encounters can be discouraging and counterproductive, potentially deterring individuals from seeking help altogether. This is where the importance of a best-match approach becomes evident.

At the heart of the best-match approach is the recognition that every individual is unique, with distinct experiences, preferences, and goals. Therefore, the one-size-fits-all approach to counselling simply doesn't suffice. Instead, a personalized approach that takes into account the specific needs and characteristics of each client is essential.

Seeking counseling or therapy is a courageous and proactive step toward addressing personal challenges, fostering growth, and enhancing overall well-being. From navigating mental health issues to coping with life's stressors and seeking support during times of transition, therapy offers a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In this guide, we'll explore the top 10 reasons why people seek counseling/therapy, along with how therapy can help individuals overcome obstacles, build resilience, and lead happier, more fulfilling lives.

Chronic pain is a formidable adversary that can significantly diminish one's quality of life, impacting physical health, mental well-being, and overall functionality. Conventional treatments often focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes, leaving many individuals searching for more holistic approaches to find relief. In recent years, Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) has emerged as a promising modality, offering hope and healing to those burdened by persistent pain. In this article, we'll delve into what PRT entails and explore how it can be a transformative tool for clients grappling with chronic pain.

In the ever-evolving landscape of mental health and well-being, and with the evolution of widespread information on TikTok and social media (and no - that’s not a good replacement for professional help!), individuals are more aware of the types of therapy options available to them than ever before. As we step into 2024, various therapy modalities have gained immense popularity, catering to the unique needs and preferences of clients. Let's delve into the top eight most client-requested counselling therapy modalities that we are noticing trending at our Vancouver, Surrey, Chilliwack and Telehealth counselling clinics this year.

Racial trauma is ongoing collective and individual injuries from ongoing exposure to racism, oppression, racial stress, and race-based discrimination. Racial trauma includes the emotional and physical symptoms experienced by Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) due to racism, as well as the collective trauma that may be carried by an individual. 

As an immigrant parent, you may have concerns about how your child will acquire language skills in the new country, and also about how they will keep the connection to your own native tongue. This post aims to provide you with insights and practical ideas to support your child's language acquisition journey and help them thrive as bilingual individuals.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a term used to describe a profile of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), characterized by extreme resistance to everyday demands and requests. Although it is commonly understood as a subtype of ASD, we are still in the early stages of our understanding of PDA and research is still in its infancy.

It is important to distinguish shame from guilt. While both emotions can lead to introspection and relational shifts, as well as similar outcomes (depression, anxiety, withdrawal, low self-esteem, etc.), the messages they carry are different.

Being vulnerable can look different for different people, from voicing your needs to creating an original piece of art, from confessing romantic feelings towards someone to speaking up at a meeting, from standing up for your beliefs to trusting someone.

Growing up in a nurturing and supportive environment is vital for a child's emotional well-being and development. However, for those who have endured parental narcissistic abuse, their formative years may have been marked by manipulation, control, and emotional devastation. Below we will explore the insidious nature of this abuse, its profound impact on individuals, and the therapeutic pathways that can guide survivors toward reclaiming their lives and building fulfilling relationships.

Sleep is as basic a need as food, water, or shelter. Despite what the pressures of our increasingly productivity-focused world would suggest, we physically and mentally cannot survive without rest.