When people think about chronic pain or chronic illness, they often focus on the physical symptoms. The pain. The fatigue. The appointments. The medications. The limitations. What is talked about less often are the losses that can come with living in a body that no longer functions the way it once did. Many people living […]
When people think about addiction or substance use, the conversation often focuses on what needs to stop. Stop drinking. Stop using. Stop gambling. Stop smoking. Stop numbing. While these conversations can be important, they sometimes miss a critical question: What is the substance or behaviour doing for you? This question is not about making excuses. […]
Have you ever looked around and wondered how everyone else seems to be managing while you are barely keeping your head above water? Many of us have learned to survive difficult experiences by pushing through, staying busy, taking care of everyone else, or telling ourselves to “just get over it.” or “I am strong.” We […]
Life doesn’t always unfold the way we hope. Divorce, the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or a major family transition can shake the foundation of a child’s world. As parents and caregivers, we often want to shield our children from pain—but the truth is, kids are perceptive. They notice when something is […]
Toronto’s senior population continues to grow rapidly, with adults over 65 now representing a significant part of the city’s population. As seniors live longer, there is also increasing awareness about the emotional, cognitive, and social challenges that can come with aging, including loneliness, memory loss, anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s-related conditions. Research shows that […]
Emotions are the paints to life’s blank canvas, in my opinion. When you discover a new one, you’ve discovered a new color. Similarly to paints, there is a basic emotional palette, and then endless variations and combinations. In the art of contemplative psychotherapy, we practice meeting each emotional experience with present awareness and compassionate witnessing, […]
Anger in children can be confusing and overwhelming for both parents and caregivers. This blog explores how children develop anger, how to recognize the signs, and how early support can make a meaningful difference. We will also look at how working with a psychotherapist in Toronto, using approaches like art therapy for children, can help […]
We love the idea of newness. A fresh start. A clean slate. A sudden burst of motivation that finally makes everything in our lives line up. In faith spaces, “newness” can sound even more immediate—like once you pray the right prayer, choose the right habits, or “let it go,” you should feel different right away. […]
CLICK HERE TO OPEN Recognition Loops Substack
A lot of people come into therapy thinking something in them is wrong. It’s a place I’ve sat in myself. It’s not always spoken so directly… Often, it sounds more like: “I don’t know why I react like this.” “I understand it… but I still can’t change it.” “I don’t understand why I keep […]
