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?
Toxic Relationships
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
What is a Narcissist?
It seems we've hit the cooler weather with grey skies that often keeps us hiding indoors wrapped in a blanket by the fireplace. It is during these months that my husband and I turn to playing board games when we cannot enjoy walking outside much or riding our bikes, let alone sunbathing. I often fantasize … [Read more...] about What is a Narcissist?
How to Protect Yourself from Emotional Vampires
What is an Emotional Vampire? This is a topic very near and dear to my heart. And based on how often it comes up in therapy sessions, I thought you might find it useful to have a primer on how to deal with emotional vampires (now referred to as EVs throughout the rest of this article). To test the waters … [Read more...] about How to Protect Yourself from Emotional Vampires
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?
Therapeutic Letter-Writing: The Unsent Letter
I’ve decided to write a two-part series on the magic of a form of homework I give to practically ALL of my clients at one or more points on their healing journeys — THE UNSENT 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. The … [Read more...] about Therapeutic Letter-Writing: The Unsent Letter
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
Digital Dating 101
I’ll start with a disclaimer: I am one of those rare women who is very happily married and been with the same guy for over twenty years and who is still blissfully in love. I also admit that my heart still flutters when I see my hubby at the end of a workday. I would even go as far as to say I still have a … [Read more...] about Digital Dating 101