The Mindfulness Project
Discovering Ways to Heal & Grow.
4 Ways to Cope With the Winter Blues in 2021
“Winter blues” is a less severe form of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). People who suffer from SAD suffer from episodes of depression during the winter months, with a remission period during the summer. SAD affects up to 25% of the Canadian population. FP Counselling can help!
Are You Stuck in Negative Sentiment Override? (4 Ways to Repair A Couples Argument)
Negative Sentiment Override, also known as Negative Perspective, is the result of conflict and arguments distorting our view of our partners wherein we perceive any interaction regardless of its intention as negative. We often do not give our partner the benefit of the doubt and will not attempt to make repairs after an argument. … Gottman therapy supports the concept of bids for connection as being a pillar to a healthy relationship.
Living a Values Driven Life in 2021
Values are our heart’s deepest desires for the way we want to interact with the world, other people, and ourselves. They’re what we want to stand for in life, how we want to behave, what sort of person we want to be, what sort of strengths and qualities we want to develop.
Psychology of Missed Appointments
Therapy requires a lot of bravery, and willingness to go to potentially painful and uncomfortable places within our minds. Furthermore, taking that leap and attending a first counselling session can be very hard. Particularly leading up to the session, you might develop some worry or anxieties in anticipation of meeting your therapist.
Mindfulness and Why You Should Try It
Different therapy modalities have began to include mindfulness practice as a way of helping clients cope with a variety of difficulties. Unfortunately, there sometimes is a misconception about what mindfulness actually means, which is important to clear up.
The Art of Setting Boundaries
Boundaries allow us to make confident decisions about what we allow into our lives, and what we want to keep out. Boundaries are the way in which we define and communicate our physical, emotional and psychological space, so that we may distinguish ourselves from others.
The Effect of Exercise on Mental Health
Harvard published a study in January 2019, that indicated that by running for only 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk and likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms by 26% (Harvard Gazette, 2019). The results of this study indicated that any movement, big or small, that a person is aware of, can add up over time and is shown to reduce depressive symptoms significantly.
Mental Health and Its Effect on Productivity
The most important thing we can do is focus on our own personal needs are met prior to setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves. In a goal-oriented, success driven society this is not a widely understood or popular view. However, we must remember: how are we supposed to consider achieving unrealistic goals and reaching self-actualization, if our basic needs aren’t being met?
A Cognitive-Behavioural Approach to Coping with COVID
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is one of the most effective therapeutic interventions to address a myriad of psychological issues including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, phobias, relationship issues, major psychological challenges including losing a job or a major illness. CBT is based on the key principle that changing the way we think about a situation will ultimately change the way we feel.
Social Distancing With Your Significant Other
Let’s face it - spending 24/7 with anyone, our spouse or not, can be incredibly taxing on us. Humans love to be together, but we also truly love our space and independence. Adjusting to the new normal of social distancing means that couples, spouses, and significant others are living in closer confined spaces for the foreseeable future.
Surviving Social Distancing
Commonly experienced symptoms included; fear, anger, confusion, irritation, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, emotional disturbance, and insomnia. Experiencing these emotions is entirely normal during this period of uncertainty. There are some ways that you can address and protect your mental health during this time.
How to Get the Most Out of Couples Therapy
As is important in individual therapy, it is key that you come into couples therapy with an open mind. Therapy is meant to push you out of your comfort zone, help you to identify unhelpful patterns of thinking, and specifically in couples therapy, it will support you in identifying areas that require attention in order to strengthen your relationship. Therapy may elicit uncomfortable feelings, and may increase feelings of vulnerability and hurt between partners as the therapist may begin to ask difficult questions.
Schedule a Free 20-Minute Phone Consultation
Talk to us for free to get to know us and see if we’re the right fit. All of our therapists at FP Counselling offer free consultations. Learn about our approach to counselling and let’s talk about how we might be able to help.
