Breathecounselling

As the saying goes, ‘you can choose your friends but not your family’ and we all know that at times families can be difficult to navigate through due to each member of the family bringing in their own thoughts, ideas and role. The purpose for family counseling is to mend any communication issues in a safe and controlled space that would be creating family complications that would be related to individual emotional wellbeing. Research shows that with family counselling, comes with a better understanding of each member’s role creating specific patterns and dynamics. Family sessions can also b

We can all admit that relationships are hard - marriage, friendships, parental, work colleagues. Stress, expectations, day to day activities, can create conflicts that can be difficult to work through, resolve and be hard on our mental health. If you find you are trying to sort out a disagreement, withdrawing from interactions, trouble making decisions[1] , or having a difficult time expressing feelings to the person, counselling time can be helpful to release the hard time you are having to a neutral person. Narrative therapy can provide a sense of validation that someone is hearing your sto

Therapists who work with couples can use different techniques in their practice to help the couple realign and reconnect again. It’s a known fact that no romantic relationship is easy, but when we want to figure out how to resolve an issue or clarify a misunderstanding that can form into an argument, resentment or disconnection we seek out help. Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy that can help improve a relationship when difficulties arise and feels like there’s no way out of it. Therapists who work with couples can use different techniques in their practice to help the couple realign

Change is one of the hardest things in life to accept, especially when experiencing a difficult time to cope and adjust. Through change, stress and feelings of overwhelmingness can come and the ability to perceive the benefits of the change can be difficult to see. Through narrative therapy as well as emotion focused therapy you can learn to see how difficult changes eventually can also show growth in one’s life as well as, learning on how to deal with change resulting in resilience and confidence in one’s self. By opening up about the emotions hinged on the changes, therapy sessions can al

Unfortunately, loss is something most people will experience at some point in their lives. When we are trying to cope with a loss, we may experience different emotions and feelings from sadness to anger. Some people may even experience withdrawal from day to day activities- there is no particular way to grieve, everyone is different. If you find you are either emotional and dive into your feelings over the loss or look for distraction to get away from the event that will not change, therapy can provide an outlet to discuss and be open about what you are feeling and thinking. Emotion focuse

Unfortunately, loss is something most people will experience at some point in their lives. When we are trying to cope with a loss, we may experience different emotions and feelings from sadness to anger. Some people may even experience withdrawal from day to day activities- there is no particular way to grieve, everyone is different. If you find you are either emotional and dive into your feelings over the loss or look for distraction to get away from the event that will not change, therapy can provide an outlet to discuss and be open about what you are feeling and thinking. Emotion focuse

A therapy technique to resolve uncertain feelings and insecurities by finding motivation to change the behaviour that is not serving the individual. Through this style of counselling, the intervention helps the person to find healthier choices and decisions that will provide their answer. Through a supportive manner, motivational counselling encourages people to talk about their need to change for their own reasons. This requires understanding the person’s perspective and proceeding from there. A counselling tool that is used for individuals and community work that shows respect in a non-blam

When it comes to men and their mental health, it is still encompassed with a lot of stigma due to the ‘old school’ perspective on how men ‘should’ play a role in society. Fear and shame around the preconceived beliefs of their roles and responsibilities has proven to create pressure and impact mental health. In addition, research continues to show that men often will ignore/brush off or keep difficult emotions inside them, versus opening up and talking it out to process the feelings they are experiencing. Depression, anxiety, addictions, work stress/overworked, relationship conflicts are just

When we become caregivers to a loved one who is an elder, responsibilities with your day to day activities can increase to additional duties such as; in-home care, transportation to appointments, grocery pick up, medication arrangements, escorting to medical appointments/navigating through the health care system and/or continuous emotional support and check-ins. All this while the caregiver continues to work, raise their own family whilst being mindful of their own well being. However, with the immense responsibilities unfortunately can become difficult, challenging and stressful.

Let’s face it, being a teen is a challenging time with all the changes we encompass physically, mentally and from ‘building’ an identity. For this reason, working with teens can have its own challenges where we figure out that becoming quality active listeners and mentors can help build authentic relationships with teens. Having your teen talk to someone who is neutral and can provide a safe space with a non-judgmental rapport can allow for listening, open ended questions to allow your teen open up and in return closed ended questions to help them process their thoughts and feelings without f

Being diagnosed with a chronic disease/pain can be difficult to deal with and even more challenging having to explain it to someone who may not relate or acknowledge the feeling around the disease. Some signs to seek counseling while dealing with a chronic disease are symptoms of depression, a traumatic accident that resulted in a high level of past stress, current stress, anxiety, a mindset surrounding the belief that nothing will go right and the emotional pain around the disease/pain. Counselling can help you acknowledge your thoughts, fear and uncertainty of your medical diagnosis, as wel

Life has become such that often our day to day can feel overwhelming with challenging life circumstances. Worries and fear around your health, performance at school/work, and relationships can result in on-going negative thoughts that eventually affect our daily life and wellbeing. Anxiety can also feel like you're ‘stuck’ and you continue to think and explore ways for the situation to go away. The inability to stop thinking about everything that worries you even if there is no direct solution to them can cause sleepless nights, panic or mental fatigue. Other symptoms of anxiety can be the fe

Burnout is defined as ‘exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation, usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration’. From daily demands of work and family life, one can feel pulled in different directions that may result in prolonged stress or irritability. Counseling techniques can help face concerns that affects your life. Through solution focused, strength based, narrative therapy, person centered care and mindfulness, sessions can help look at the work-related stress and help provide ways to explore ideas on how to deal with the stress or related circumstances.

From daily demands of work and family life, one can feel pulled in different directions that may result in prolonged stress or irritability. Counselling techniques can help face concerns that affects your life. and provide ways to help with the stress and burnout through leaning about what will calm your body, mind and emotions. When we become caregivers to an elder, our daily responsibilities and we may feel overwhelmed, causing anxiety and stress. Counselling that entails supportive and active listening and emotional focused therapy can provide a caregiver the space to open up to bring clar

Based in Millwoods Edmonton Alberta, my therapy practice focuses on counselling services for those experiencing anxiety, depression, work stress, elder care support, and help with life transitions. My specialties include couples counselling, culture transition challenges, and men’s therapy. Online, phone and in-person sessions now available. Counselling can provide a safe space for people who find it difficult to open up about experiences that may be uncomfortable to discuss. Opening up to someone who is neutral and trusting can allow people to feel at ease and have the opportunity to clear y

A counselling tool that is used for individuals and community work that shows respect in a non-blaming approach. As the client, you are the ‘expert’ in your own life as well as, have the skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments and abilities that will guide you to reduce the influence of problems being discussed. The sessions are considered to be interactive and collaborative as it will be a way to learn and understand your journey (past, present, future) and what path you ultimately want to take. Culturally sensitive therapy can be used in all areas of life and is included with oth