People often ask me, “Isn’t it hard listening to people’s pain all day?” and yes, it can be. Sitting with grief, anxiety, trauma, or long-held emotional wounds isn’t light work…and what people don’t always see is the other side of it: the human connection, the quiet strength, and the small but powerful shifts that happen in the counselling space.

   Thanks to the cognitive process called negativity bias in us humans, we tend to focus more on controversial and negative events and information. Fuelled by social media and our affliction for being consumed by screens than spending time living in the present moment, we unknowingly orient our minds to being overcritical and/or overwhelm it with the aim of protecting ourselves. As a result, we are quick to judge and spend most of our energy on noticing the red flags or deal-breakers in a relationship. We fail to see the good in others and do not value the green flags enough, which signal positive actions or traits required to build a strong foundation for a thriving relationship.

Before I became a therapist, I worked as a social worker among women and children in for over six years. During this time, I often felt frustrated because many of the people I helped were stuck in their situations due to trauma or their inability to overcome fears and emotions. My role involved helping people meet their needs, improve their quality of life, and make a positive impact. However, I noticed that many of my clients couldn't fully benefit from the resources available to them because their mental health issues hindered their progress. This frustration led me to feel a bit lost, and I decided to become a mental health therapist.

If you’ve ever thought, “I should be over this by now” or “Why does my body react this way even when I know I’m safe?” you’re not alone. As a counsellor, this is something I hear often.
Trauma doesn’t just live in our memories, it lives in the body. Even after we’ve talked about it or tried to make sense of it, our nervous system might still be holding onto the effects of what happened.

Grounding supports the mind-body connection, which is particularly important during times of stress. When we feel triggered or overwhelmed, our fight-flight-freeze response may activate, even if there is no real danger. While this response is designed to protect us, it can sometimes leave us feeling anxious, stuck, or disconnected. Grounding techniques help regulate this response by calming the nervous system and inviting a sense of safety back into the body. Reconnecting with the body is key in reducing fear, anger, or dissociation and fostering emotional balance (Van der Kolk, 2014).

Martin is a trauma survivor. Growing up, he experienced extreme violence at home. His father was an alcoholic, and his mother endured relentless abuse. Many days, Martin dreaded coming home from school, never knowing if his mother would be alive when he returned. As a boy, he was taught that expressing fear or sadness was a sign of weakness. "Men don’t cry," he was told. "Be strong, swallow your pain." So, he did—until the weight of it nearly crushed him.

Effective clinical supervision is foundational to the development of competent and confident therapists. We believe that supervision should be a supportive and reflective process, fostering the therapist's professional and personal growth. By creating a safe and trusting environment, we encourage therapists to explore their clinical work, develop self-awareness, and enhance their therapeutic skills.

In that moment, I was reminded that compassion - especially for ourselves - can be difficult to practice. It often feels like it should be a natural thing to do, yet when we’re in the throes of frustration or discomfort, it can be incredibly challenging. But there it was, the gentle invitation to soften, to embrace compassion in the face of my impatience. But how?

Taking the first step toward therapy can feel like a lot, but it’s also a powerful decision toward healing and growth. Whether you’re dealing with overwhelming emotions or simply seeking clarity, here are three things to know before you begin.

It is completely normal to feel exhausted and wanting to disengage from time to time when you enter motherhood. One can face postpartum challenges even with their partner and with approaching intimacy as new parents. Read on to know about how you can work together as a team and focus better on your relationship during the trying post-pregnancy phase.                

Neurodivergence describes the natural differences in how people think, learn, communicate, and experience the world. These differences shape how individuals engage in relationships and daily life (Singer, 1990).

“Does Qi (vital energy) flow influence mental health?” a client asked me.  The short answer is yes.  From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it absolutely matters. Qi is the central concept of TCM – it permeates everything and connects all things, from our cells to the universe itself.  Everything is manifestations of Qi.

According to theory, all habits are equally hard to break, whether bad or good. But there is debate and uncertainty regarding this assumption in the mental health community. Though the facts remain that it is certainly easier to succumb to habits than to overcome them. And that destroying old habits is relatively more difficult than forming new ones. So, whether it is improving your diet or establishing a better sleep hygiene, your habits are the fundamental blocks that you must focus on changing. 

In today’s fast-paced world, navigating the maze of health advice and conflicting nutrition trends can be overwhelming. But health isn’t about following the latest fad or jumping on the trend bandwagon. It is about understanding your unique body, your specific needs, and nourishing it in a holistic, evidence-based way that promotes long-term vitality and balance. A personalized, holistic health plan is the key to unlocking optimal health and wellness, and here’s how it can help you thrive.

In the pursuit of overall well-being, the link between our eating habits and mental health is an important aspect that is often overlooked. Beyond physical health, the foods we consume play a crucial role in nurturing our mental and emotional states. This blog explores the intricate relationship between dietary choices and mental well-being, shedding light on the impact of blood sugar, gut health, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and mindful eating.

If you are a man, you may feel a bit uneasy at the thought of going to counselling and you wonder what practical benefit there could possibly be from sharing about yourself. If you are reading this, one part of you likely has a hunch that counselling could be beneficial, yet another part of you wants to stay still and not risk the unknown.

If nature calls to you and you have a family, you may want to think about how you can pass on your love of the outdoors. Getting your kids outside when they’re young is ideal and helping them associate outdoor adventures with fun is essential.

When you have a family member who has been injured, it can often feel like you’re going through some things that others don’t understand.  You now have a role to fill, and you might be wondering how best to do that. Serena Graf shares some practical ways of navigating this.