Change can be difficult, especially when you are dealing with it on your own. For the past year and a half, our lives have changed drastically with the sudden outbreak of COVID-19. The virus has affected several aspects of our lives: childcare, education, employment, healthcare, and relationships. With these changes, we have been forced to find a “new normal” and establish a balance. During these times, we have lost more than our sense of autonomy – we have lost our friends, family, celebrations as well

Welcome to our very first blog of 2021! As we transition into Spring and continue to navigate the changes of living in a pandemic, it is important to establish healthy practices and routines; especially as most of us have experienced challenges, loss, and frustration over the last year. So what exactly is mindfulness? Mindfulness refers to a state of awareness and attention with a focus of being present. This is done by becoming aware of one’s surroundings and inner experiences (e.g., sensations, thoughts, and feelings)

Trauma is common. About 75% of North Americans have experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime (e.g., Ameringen and colleagues, 2008). Traumatic events can overwhelm our ability to cope. Some common difficulties after a trauma are feelings of sadness and agitation, as well as thoughts of helplessness and powerlessness. The good news is that more often than not, these upsetting thoughts and feelings lessen after a month or two. In fact, only a small percentage of people who experience a trauma go on to develop

Beginning Monday, March 16, our office is suspending in-person sessions for the foreseeable future. Therapy sessions will be held by phone or online. All late cancelation fees will be waived so that you can cancel appointments if necessary. If you have an upcoming therapy session, your clinician will call you at the time of your appointment. During that phone session, if you’d like to do online sessions in the future, your therapist will walk you through the next steps. If you are scheduled for a psychological assessment with our office, it

In 2016, Toronto hosted the NBA All-Star game. Canadian basketball fans were ecstatic. The best basketball players in the world were making their way north to celebrate the game of basketball. My son and I attended the All-Star game practice. We arrived early to soak in the All-Star atmosphere. Shortly after we arrived, we were very lucky to have been spotted by one of the event coordinators, who asked if we wanted front row seats. My son and I excitedly said yes and quickly followed

All parents want their children to succeed, but many may struggle with how to provide the appropriate amount of support to their child as they experience challenging situations. In an article by Dr. Ester Cole and John Hoffman (https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/good-enough-parenting-and-how-it-will-help-build-resiliency-in-kids), the authors describe a variety of everyday strategies that parents can use to support their child. These strategies fall into the categories of relationships, emotional skills, competence, and optimism. These strategies are aimed at building a child’s resiliency, through assisting and supporting them as they overcome

Caregivers are an incredibly diverse group. As a result of this diversity, it can often be challenging to find resources that apply to a caregiver’s unique circumstances. The first resource provided below contains articles, books, and websites that cover a wide range of caregiving topics. The second resource provides practical tips for engaging in a self-care routine, which covers both physical and mental health approaches. Ken Pope: Caregiver Resources   https://www.caregiversolutions.ca/caregiving/wise-advice/tips-for-taking-time-for-yourself/ Guest blogger, Spencer Talbot   

Dywane Wade will soon be wrapping up an illustrious 15-year NBA career. He will retire as a three-time NBA champion and 13-time NBA All-Star. As a player, I will remember him for making hard things look easy, getting up after getting knocked down, and stepping up in big moments. Recently, Dywane made news by announcing he will go to therapy to help his transition into retirement. Kudos to Dywane for recognizing the enormity of the change he faces, and more importantly, for displaying the courage

We have all experienced pain. Usually our pain is short-lived. When pain is prolonged, it can affect our mood, relationships, and outlook. In the 1960s, Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall introduced the gate control theory, which is a theory of pain and pain management. Melzack and Wall proposed that a gate exists between where the pain is occurring in the body and where the pain is processed in the brain. While certain activities, thoughts, and emotions open the gate (intensify pain), other experiences close the

I love to golf. I enjoy being outside in warm weather and spending 3-4 hours with my son or friends. I also think there are few things as fulfilling as hitting a solid shot. Last month, I had the good fortune and pleasure of playing two major championship golf courses with long-time friends. In anticipation of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, I set out to get my golf game in top shape. This included spending time at indoor golf simulators in the late winter and early spring.