The holiday season often brings with it joyful reunions, warm traditions, and cherished moments. But for many, it also means navigating challenging dynamics in relationships—awkward questions, unexpected emotions, and moments when you’re left unsure how to respond. As an honourable mention, we all have that person in our lives who it’s mind-bendingly-hard to write a Christmas card for. IYKYK.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Life presents us with countless challenges that can push us to our limits. Developing resilience is crucial not only for weathering these storms but also for emerging stronger and more empowered. In this blog post, we explore the importance of resilience and how a counsellor can play a pivotal role in helping individuals cultivate this invaluable trait.

How often have you gotten stuck in a conversation where someone refuses to see your point of view? Perhaps you’ve been the one who can’t seem to understand where the other person is coming from. Or has someone ever told you to think outside the box, or that the story you’re telling yourself may not be the full story?

The hard truth is, many individuals suffer in silence after childbirth, unaware that their childbirth experience can be viewed as traumatic. Birth trauma can come from adverse physical experiences, mental and emotional experiences, and interpersonal experiences. No one can label your experience other than you.