Understanding OCD in Children and Teens: How Symptoms Change with Age Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can affect individuals of all ages, but its presentation often shifts as children grow into teenagers. While younger children may struggle to articulate their thoughts and feelings, teens often attempt to hide their symptoms due to embarrassment or shame. Recognizing these […] The post OCD in Children and Teens appeared first on Acorn Counselling Centre ..read more

ADHD in Women: Impacts on Self-Esteem Women with ADHD often face a unique set of challenges when it comes to self-esteem. The combination of ADHD symptoms such as distractibility, forgetfulness, and impulsivity, and societal expectations can create a cycle of self-doubt, frustration, and isolation. However, within these struggles lies an incredible potential for growth, resilience, […] The post Women with ADHD appeared first on Acorn Counselling Centre ..read more

Guest Blog: Uncovering the Root Causes of Mental Health Concerns in Kids At Acorn Counselling, we take a whole-person approach to supporting children, youth, and families. This means looking at both the mind and body, as they are closely connected. When we meet with families, we often talk about medical history and may suggest checking […] The post Kids Blood Test Alternatives appeared first on Acorn Counselling Centre ..read more

Safer Internet Day: Protecting Kids from Online Dangers The internet is an amazing tool for learning, socializing, and entertainment. However, it also presents serious risks, especially for children and teens. As someone who has worked in emergency and acute mental health, I have seen firsthand how online dangers like grooming, trafficking, and blackmail can devastate […] The post Internet Safety appeared first on Acorn Counselling Centre ..read more

Men’s Mental Health Breaking the Stigma Despite so many strides to eradicate the stigma of mental health struggles, mental health can still elicit feelings of shame and weakness. Men, in particular, still struggle to escape the enculturated beliefs that expressing their emotions are unmanly, leaning into viewpoints that ADHD, anxiety, depression or many of the […] The post Men’s Mental Health appeared first on Acorn Counselling Centre ..read more

Setting New Year’s Goals: Honouring Winter and Tuning into Yourself Every January, the world seems to shout, “New Year, New You!” The pressure to reinvent ourselves can feel overwhelming, with promises of transformation and productivity filling every corner of our lives. But what if we took a different approach this year? What if we paused, […] The post New Year’s Goals appeared first on Acorn Counselling Centre ..read more

Navigating Grief During the Holidays: Finding Hope and Healing Amidst Loss As a mental health professional, I often hear from clients about the unique challenges the holiday season brings when grief is part of their journey. As someone who has navigated complex grief in my own life, I have also learned that grief doesn’t always […] The post Navigating Grief During the Holidays: Finding Hope and Healing Amidst Loss appeared first on Acorn Counselling Centre ..read more

Is Your Teen Struggling with Social Anxiety?  Adolescence is a time of significant change and development, but for many teens, it can also be a time of increased anxiety, especially when it comes to social interactions. Social anxiety is more than just being shy or nervous; it can manifest as a deep fear of being […] The post Is Your Teen Struggling with Social Anxiety? appeared first on Acorn Counselling Centre ..read more

What is ARFID? ARFID stands for “avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder” and is classified as a fairly new eating disorder in the DSM-5. When most of us think of an eating disorder, we believe it to be related to negative body image. ARFID has nothing to do with an individual’s negative self-image of their body, but […] The post What is ARFID? appeared first on Acorn Counselling Centre ..read more

Navigating Friendships for Kids with ADHD: A Guide for Parents For teens with ADHD, friendships can be a unique but essential part of life. While neurodivergent teens often encounter social challenges, they also benefit immensely from meaningful friendships, which can provide a sense of belonging, boost self-esteem, and act as a buffer against bullying and […] The post Friendships for Kids with ADHD: A Guide for Parents appeared first on Acorn Counselling Centre ..read more