Low self-esteem

Low self-esteem

Low self-esteem can affect you by causing you to doubt your worth and abilities, often leading to negative self-talk and a lack of confidence. It can manifest in various ways, like shying away from relationships or opportunities, struggling with decision-making, feeling undeserving of success or happiness, difficulty asserting yourself, or a tendency to tolerate unhealthy situations out of fear of rejection or abandonment. As well, you might constantly seek approval from others, fear failure, and find it challenging to set and achieve goals, which can significantly impact your personal and academic or professional life. As a result, you may experience anxiety, depression, and a general sense of dissatisfaction with life. 

Mind-body psychotherapies can help you develop a healthier self-image and build greater emotional resilience. Mindfulness and self-compassion practices foster self-awareness and acceptance, encouraging a kinder, more supportive relationship with yourself. IFS can help you understand and nurture different parts of yourself, healing self-critical beliefs and fostering a more positive self-image. EMDR helps process and resolve traumatic memories that contribute to negative self-beliefs, while CBT focuses on changing unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns.

Relationship issues

Relationship issues

Difficulties with communication, trust, and intimacy, whether with family, friends, partners or colleagues, can lead to stress and dissatisfaction in relationships. For example, you might struggle with assertiveness (e.g., expressing needs or setting boundaries), leading to passive or aggressive interactions with others, which can create conflict, distance, or codependency. Additionally, you may deal with trust issues due to past betrayals, abandonment, or rejection, which can affect your ability to be vulnerable and form secure connections. These difficulties often result in increased stress, emotional pain, and dissatisfaction in personal relationships.

At our practice, we offer a safe space where you can examine your relationship dynamics, and gain the insights and tools needed to resolve conflict and build more meaningful and satisfying relationships. Mindfulness practices improve emotional awareness and presence, enhancing active listening and empathy. CBT and DBT offer strategies to change negative thought and behaviour patterns, while helping you manage emotions and enhance your communication skills. IFS can help you understand and integrate different parts of yourself to improve self-understanding and relational interactions, while EMDR can help you process and heal past attachment wounds.

Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence refers to differences in brain function and behaviour, such as those found in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, and ADHD. You could experience specific difficulties in your life due to these conditions. For example, you may have heightened sensitivities to sensory stimuli like noise or textures, which can make ordinary environments feel overwhelming. Behaviorally, you might engage in repetitive actions or have a strong preference for routines, while hyperactivity can lead to difficulty sitting still, fidgeting or tapping. Cognitive difficulties often involve issues with attention, memory, and time management, making it hard to stay organized and complete tasks.

Social interactions can be tricky, as you may struggle with understanding social cues and norms, leading to misunderstandings or impulsive actions that strain relationships. Emotional sensitivity can cause rapid mood changes and intense reactions, with increased stress and anxiety from the ongoing struggle to manage these challenges. Academically, as a neurodivergent student you may excel in certain subjects while finding others extremely difficult, especially if teaching methods aren't inclusive of diverse learning styles. In the workplace, you might bring unique strengths but require accommodations to thrive.

Child & Adolescent Issues

Child & Adolescent Issues

Youth are navigating a complex world, and the stressors of daily life are leading to a rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. We work with children and adolescents facing a variety of issues such as:

• Anxiety or overwhelm

• Depression or shutdown

• Behaviour issues
  (e.g., aggression, social withdrawal, emotional outbursts)

• Trauma-related challenges

• Avoidance or perfectionism

• Social isolation or interpersonal difficulties
  (e.g., bullying)

• Self-harm and suicidality

• Family issues
  (divorce, parental conflict)

• Neurodivergence
  (e.g,  Autism, ADHD)

• Academic struggles like poor performance, concentration issues, and school-related stress

• Overuse of gaming, social media, internet use

• Challenges related to identity
  (e.g., cultural identity, gender identity, sexual orientation)

Anxiety

Anxiety

Anxiety is a persistent feeling of worry, fear, or unease, often about situations that might not seem threatening to others. It can feel like your mind is constantly racing, filled with "what if" thoughts, making it hard to concentrate or relax. Physically, anxiety can cause symptoms like a pounding heart, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, or upset stomach. Anxiety can make you feel restless and on edge, causing you to avoid situations that trigger these uncomfortable feelings, which can interfere with your daily life and relationships and hold you back from what you love.

Healing from anxiety involves understanding and managing these symptoms. Therapy can help you discover effective methods to manage overwhelming emotions and negative thoughts and face your fears in a safe and gradual way. Through a combination of talk therapy and techniques to quiet your mind and calm your nervous system, you can reduce anxiety's impact and regain control, allowing you to live a more balanced, peaceful and fulfilling life.

Depression

Depression

Depression is more than just feeling sad or having a bad day; It can feel like an unending darkness, where the future seems bleak and hopeless. You may lose interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed. It can feel like a heavy weight pressing down on you, making even the simplest tasks seem insurmountable. You might experience changes in sleep, appetite, and energy levels, and find it hard to concentrate or make decisions. It’s common to feel deep sadness, emptiness, guilt, or shame. You may have persistent negative thoughts about yourself, feeling worthless or believing you’re a burden to others. This experience can isolate you from the people and activities that could help you feel better.

However, depression is treatable, and there is hope. At our practice, we can work together to break through the darkness and help you find hope again and reclaim joy and meaning in your life. Healing is possible, and we're here to walk with you every step of the way.

Dissociation

Dissociation

Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, body, memories, or sense of identity. This survival strategy helps you mentally disconnect during times of trauma or extreme stress. This detachment can make it easier to endure painful experiences in the moment, providing a shield against emotions that might otherwise be too intense to handle.

Dissociation can make you feel disconnected from yourself and your environment. You might feel emotionally numb, disconnected from your thoughts or actions (almost like you are on autopilot) or observe yourself from outside your body. You can also feel disconnected from others or feel like the world around you is foggy, distant, or a dream. Symptoms can also include memory lapses, an escape into vivid daydreams or fantasies, or identity confusion (e.g., being unsure of who you are or not recognizing yourself). This can be confusing and distressing, but it is important to remember that dissociation is a protective mechanism that helps you mentally escape distressing realities.

Developmental Trauma

Developmental Trauma

Developmental trauma refers to experiences of chronic stress or adversity during childhood. It can manifest in various forms, including:

• Physical Abuse

  Physical violence or harm inflicted on a child by a caregiver or authority figure.

• Emotional Abuse

  Persistent verbal abuse, threats, or constant criticism that undermines a child's self-esteem and emotional well-being.

• Neglect

  Failure of caregivers to provide basic physical or emotional needs, such as food, shelter, emotional nurturance, or supervision.

• Sexual Abuse

  Inappropriate sexual behavior or contact imposed on a child by an adult or older individual.

• Abandonment

  Physical or emotional abandonment by caregivers, leaving the child feeling unloved, unworthy, or insecure.

• Humiliation or Rejection

  Consistent experiences of shame, humiliation, or rejection by caregivers or peers, which can deeply impact self-esteem and social development.

• Inconsistent Parenting

  This can range from erratic emotional responses to changing rules and expectations to showing and withdrawing attention and affection without clear reasons. Caregivers’ unpredictability may lead to confusion and difficulty forming secure attachments.

• Witnessing Violence

  Exposure to domestic violence, community violence, or traumatic events that threaten the child's sense of safety and security.

• Grief & Loss

  The death of a loved one or another significant loss can lead to deep emotional upheaval, disturb a child’s sense of stability and security and interfere with their developmental milestones.

• War & Forms of Violence

  Exposure to conflict or violence severely impact a child’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being, compromising their sense of safety and security.

• Intergenerational trauma

  Trauma can be passed down through generations when historical injustices, discrimination, cultural displacement or family struggles with mental health or substance use affect, leading children to inherit their caregivers’ emotional pain and stress.

PTSD

PTSD

PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Here are some examples of trauma that can cause PTSD:

• Car Accidents

  Especially if there were injuries or fatalities.

• Physical Assault

  e.g., a street attack, hate crime, exposure to single severe violence at home.

• Sexual Assault

  e.g., rape or unwanted sexual contact or touching.

• Natural Disasters

  Like an earthquake, hurricane, or flood, particularly if the event resulted in significant damage and loss.

• Witnessing Violence

  Such as observing a robbery, a shooting, act of terrorism, or act of domestic violence.

• Medical Emergencies

  Such as a heart attack or severe injury, especially if the event was sudden and frightening.

• Exposure to Combat

  e.g., witnessing casualties, being under constant attack.

• War & Forms of Violence

  e.g., forced displacement, witnessing war crime

• Grief & Loss

  e.g., the death of a partner or friend, especially if it occurs under distressing circumstances or separation from a loved one

Addiction

Addiction

Compulsive behaviors and addiction can take many forms, from hours lost in online gaming, binge-watching TV shows, and scrolling through social media to more concerning behaviors like binge eating or excessive pornography use. While these activities might start off as a way to unwind or cope with stress, they can quickly spiral into something much bigger.

For adolescents, these behaviors can be particularly tempting, offering an outlet for social interaction or a break from academic pressures. Yet, excessive time spent online can lead to isolation, sleep disturbances, and difficulties in maintaining real-life relationships. Adults, too, may find themselves losing hours to compulsive behaviors as a way to deal with stress, anxiety, or even boredom, while older adults might turn to these behaviors to cope with loneliness or grief.