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What is Brainspotting therapy for? Brainspotting is a therapy used to treat a range of emotional, stress, anxiety and trauma-related issues.

A chronic illness diagnosis wreaks havoc not only on the physical health of a person, but also on their mental health. Research indicates that persons with chronic illness are at a higher risk for developing depressive and anxious symptoms. Additionally, they also face social obstacles of stigmatization, feeling inferior and different, and loneliness (Benedetto et al., 2014; Runions et al., 2020). Thus, it is important to take care of our emotional and mental wellbeing while

When it comes to therapy, many people have a lot of knowledge about the various therapeutic modalities (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, solution-focused therapy) and their effectiveness. One element of therapy that is often overlooked, and that plays an important role in the outcome of therapy, is the therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic relationship refers to the close and consistent relationship established between a patient and a

The brain’s happy chemicals are exactly what they sound like: chemicals that help us feel happiness. Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins are all chemicals that are released by our brains when we do something it finds rewarding, like eating delicious food or having sex. The release of these chemicals lead us to wanting more. The brain is an incredibly complex organ that is responsible for regulating our mood, thoughts, and behavior. One of the most important chemica

Most Canadians have experienced a traumatic event. In fact, according to Statistics Canada (2021), the number is close to two-thirds of Canadians. The source of trauma varies and can include child abuse, violence, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, vehicular accidents, natural disasters, military combat-related trauma, and more. But in all cases, despite the heaviness of psychological trauma, there is hope to endure. In this blog post, I want to provide a brief overvi

The recent pandemic, financial stress, wanting to escape reality for a night, peer pressure and social norms are all some reasons why people may be indulging in alcohol at higher rates than in the past. Did you know? According to the World Health Organization , alcohol is considered a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions. Worldwide, 5.3% of all deaths every year result from harmful use of alcohol. In addition to health issues, the harmful use of alcoho

“Where you look affects how you feel.” This article is part of a series of blogs that are meant to highlight the different modalities of therapy our Psychotherapists at Your Story Counselling utilize, check out our other articles to learn more about the various therapeutic models we use! Brainspotting is, in effect, holding the eye to a still position in one particular place, and while in this position, clients will be able to go to a deeper processing level that may not hav

Attachment Therapy is a therapeutic model that helps people who are struggling with the effects of trauma, abuse, or neglect that happened in their childhood. When this happens in someone's childhood, it can affect the way they interact in social relationships and with themselves throughout their life. Attachment Therapists work to help people overcome the negative effects of these traumas so they are able to live more fulfilling lives. Attachment Therapy is a type of psychot

Clinician Approved and Recommended books to transform and improve your communication skills with your partner(s). Relationships are the most important thing in our lives.They are a key factor in overall well-being and even longevity in life. More than our careers, our bank accounts, and even our health! Our relationships determine how happy we are and how much we enjoy life. But why do so many of us find it so hard to make them work? Why do we keep making the same mistakes in

Many people tend to dismiss it when they’re feeling tired. However, even when we’ve gotten more than enough sleep, how is it that we wake up feeling low on energy from the start? When you’re getting enough rest but still can’t seem to shake off that feeling of exhaustion, you’re not the only one. Sleep doesn’t always work the way we want it to, and when struggling with sleep, it can be a concept you’re well aware of. Keep reading to find out what a Registered Psychotherapist

Therapy can be expensive, and often times those expenses can really add up. As a clinician in private practice I fully recognize that for many people, financial access to services is often the biggest hurdle in accessing therapy. At the same time, therapy often is an important first step for many wanting to take control of their mental health and create positive change in their lives. Fortunately, times have changed and are continuing to change. Many psychotherapy Insuranc

Tips to help you stay resilient and maintain emotional well-being in this trying time.