Too Much of a Good Thing – Toxic Positivity Part 1

Positivity is something that we are all seeking it seems, and with good reason. A more positive mindset has been associated with better resiliency, lower distress, healthier relationships, and generally better mental and physical health. In fact, creating a more positive mindset is often a goal of therapy. However, like all things, we can go […]

Grief and Loss: Discussing Death with Children

Talking to children about death can feel overwhelming and intimidating. Many parents, relatives, and caregivers have the desire to protect their children from the heavy feelings associated with death. However, children should be given the opportunity to grieve just as we do when faced with the death of someone close to them. Choosing not to […]

The Importance of Distress Tolerance

Distress is uncomfortable. Whether it’s anxiety when meeting new people, fear that your partner doesn’t care, or disappointment in missing out on something you want, “distress” does not feel good. Because that visceral unpleasantness is a fundamental characteristic of distress, we tend to try to avoid it and want to protect our loved ones from […]

Psychology for Kids: What is the Fight/Flight/Freeze Response?

Your brain is wired in a certain way to protect you from danger. When there is a threat, your brain triggers what is known as the fight/flight/freeze response. This response changes the way your body feels in an effort to keep you safe. Imagine for a minute that you are walking through the woods, and […]

How Much Self-Help is Too Much Self-Help? (Part 3)

So, if self-help has so many pitfalls should you just cut it out completely? Definitely not. Self-help can be a great tool in your mental health journey, it’s just a matter of learning to choose the right one for you, and learning how best to interact with this type of material. Here are some tips […]

How Much Self-Help is Too Much Self-Help? (Part 2)

Again, self-improvement is a great goal. This post is not intended to discourage you from taking charge of your own growth with established programs. It is simply intended to flag a few flaws in most self-help programs that are actually detrimental to our mental health. In part 2, we finish off the list of things […]

The Problem with Self-Help? (Part 1)

Improving ourselves is a great goal. In fact, my belief is that the purpose of therapy is positive change. Self-help can be an important avenue to engage in to make meaningful changes in our lives. In fact, I encourage everyone to take an active role in their improvement and self-help can be a great tool […]

Simply Sleep – Improving Sleep Hygiene

Sleep is a vital part of our well-being. It’s our body’s way of re-energizing, restoring, and repairing itself. When we sleep poorly, it can be harder for us to make-decisions, deal with our emotions, remember things, and focus. On top of that, it can be extremely frustrating when we struggle to fall asleep. Lying in […]

Therapy Speak – What “Codependent” really means

One psychological term that has entered the popular vocabulary is “codependent”. On social media, this term often describes someone who is overly invested in their relationship, having gotten to the point where they “need” their partner.  Often, the popular use of this term implies that any reliance on your partner for emotional support and stability […]

Therapy Speak – What “Narcissist” Really Means

This seems like the most commonly misused psychological term these days. You may have even heard it in the last few weeks while someone was describing a conflict at work or in their romantic relationship. But what does “narcissist” really mean? First, it’s important to say that narcissism is a collection of traits that exist […]