In my line of work, I hear a lot of stories about people being bullied during their childhood and teen years. I consider it an honour to help people heal from past bullying along with the long-lasting effects it has played in their lives. However, our experience of being bullied often doesn't stop when we … [Read more...] about How Do I Deal With Bullies as an Adult?
Healthy Relationships
How to Reframe Family Gatherings as a Chance to Grow
I am well aware by witnessing the angst all around me, that the winter festivities and get-togethers are in full swing. Between obligatory work parties, friends’ gatherings, and family dinners, some people feel like running off to the woods and holing up in a cabin until the whole thing is over. I’ve spoken … [Read more...] about How to Reframe Family Gatherings as a Chance to Grow
How to tell the difference between a toxic and a healthy relationship
I felt the need to write this article because unfortunately, a number of my clients are in abusive relationships looking for a way out. In the majority of these cases, there is extreme narcissistic behaviour in the person they are with. See this article I wrote in order to assess whether you are with a … [Read more...] about How to tell the difference between a toxic and a healthy relationship
The Five Love Languages
Confession: I’m a self-help book junkie. One title that many of my clients refer to time and time again is The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Dr. Gary Chapman. I would nod my head sagely as clients told me what their ‘primary love language’ was and think to myself, “What exactly are … [Read more...] about The Five Love Languages
Choosing the Right Partner
I was in London, England visiting my relatives a number of years ago and walked to Camden Market which was close to my granny's home. In one of the kiosks, something caught my eye. Oddly enough, it was a plain tea towel. I'm not one to get excited by tea towels by any stretch, but this one had something … [Read more...] about Choosing the Right Partner
How Can I Deal with my Anger in a Healthy Way?
Therapeutic Letter-Writing: Part 2 As promised from last week’s post, The Magic of the Unsent Letter, I am following up with Part 2: The Sweet Release of Writing a Rant Letter. Every time I give this letter-writing homework, I send them the links to two of my blog posts I’ve written on the subject. … [Read more...] about How Can I Deal with my Anger in a Healthy Way?
What to do when a family member shuts you out
During my 20+ years as a therapist, I cannot count how many times clients have shared heartbreaking stories of being cut off from family members. What I am referring to specifically is the conscious decision a person makes to cut off contact from another family member for a time- this can range from a few … [Read more...] about What to do when a family member shuts you out
How to Put Closure on the Past
As a therapist, I spend most of my time helping clients release and let go of ‘unfinished business’ from the past; whether it’s an old romance that still niggles away at their psyche, healing from a past trauma, or coming to terms with one’s family-of-origin and learning to reposition oneself in our families … [Read more...] about How to Put Closure on the Past