Holidays can be a special time when there is joy in spending time with friends and family. It can be a time of joy with giving and gratitude. Unfortunately, for many people, the holidays can be a challenging time that can be a struggle to get through. These struggles can include dealing with the lossContinue reading “Coping with Challenges During the Holidays”
Category Archives: Psychoeducation
The Grief of Chronic Pain
Unfortunately, grief usually ends up being a part of the chronic pain experience. It’s the grief of things you lost to the pain and the process of moving through life within your new circumstance. As you move through the grief process and gain acceptance of your pain, it can get easier, and you can startContinue reading “The Grief of Chronic Pain”
The Benefits of Gratitude Practices
Gratitude can have many benefits to your health. It can be done in many ways. There are some pitfalls that can happen with gratitude practices which can change a beneficial experience into a harmful one. Overall, gratitude practices are simple ways to bring some benefit into your life. What is Gratitude? Gratitude is a positiveContinue reading “The Benefits of Gratitude Practices”
My Approach to Problematic Substance Use and Behaviours
My approach to problematic substance use and behaviours starts with understanding the root cause and the role that the substance use or problematic behaviour has for you. I can work with you from either an abstinence or harm reduction model. I will focus on working with you to understand their relationship to the substance orContinue reading “My Approach to Problematic Substance Use and Behaviours”
The Connection Between Trauma and Chronic Pain
Trauma and Chronic Pain are difficult to live with; they often occur together and exacerbate each other. This can make recovery more difficult and your experience with each condition worse. Some treatments can bring healing and reduce your suffering for both conditions. How Trauma Can Influence Chronic Pain Trauma and Chronic Pain can influence eachContinue reading “The Connection Between Trauma and Chronic Pain”
What is the Default Mode Network (DMN)?
The Default Mode Network (DMN) is a system of connected brain areas that influences what you think about when you are not focused on a specific task. It can influence your pattern of reactions to social situations and what you think about yourself. It can be behind problems with rumination. There are ways to calmContinue reading “What is the Default Mode Network (DMN)?”
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of fully attending to the present moment without judgment. The options of how to practice mindfulness are almost limitless. Additionally, there are many benefits to a regular mindfulness practice. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of fully attending to what’s happening, to what you’re doing, and what is happening inContinue reading “What is Mindfulness?”
What is Gaslighting?
Gaslighting is a form of manipulation and psychological abuse that can be very damaging to the victim. It can appear in many aspects of life and can really affect your health and well-being. There are ways to recover from gaslighting. What is Gaslighting? Gaslighting is a form of psychological or emotional abuse that manipulates someoneContinue reading “What is Gaslighting?”
What is Reconciliation?
Reconciliation is the process of restoring harmony to a relationship. It is not a fast process but a slow one of renewing trust and intimacy. You may not be able to find reconciliation with every relationship as reconciliation takes two sides coming together with honesty and a willingness to work together to make the relationshipContinue reading “What is Reconciliation?”
Why Your Coping Techniques May Not Be Working for You?
You may find it frustrating when you do something that is recommended or are told that it will help you and it doesn’t work for you. There are reasons why your coping techniques may not be working for you. There are things that therapists sometimes do that can play into this. As well as barriersContinue reading “Why Your Coping Techniques May Not Be Working for You?”