OCD in Children, Youth, and Families Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is something that many people struggle with, from children and adolescents to older adults. It is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours, which are repetitive and serve to alleviate anxiety and prevent harm. Although OCD usually begins in childhood or adolescence, it often goes unrecognized and undiagnosed, which can lead to serious impacts on functioning for the individual and the family system. Almost everyone experiences intrusive thoughts; and they pop in and they pop out. Usually we don’t think ..read more

Longboarding for Mental Health Balance, flow state, the mind-body connection, taking brave action… these are all ideas that our clinicians explore with clients in their sessions frequently. What if we could take to the outdoors and actually experience these ideas firsthand instead of just talking about them? We are so happy to be introducing a new group that will put all of these ideas into action for 10-13 year olds in the most fun way we could think of- longboarding!   Why longboarding? We are so glad you asked. Here are some of the takeaways:   Increased Confidence and Independenc ..read more

Walk, Talk & Play Therapy: A Breath of Fresh Air In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of peace and connection can seem like an impossible feat, especially for busy parents and their children. But what if I told you that the path to healing and harmony lies just beyond your front door? Welcome to the world of Walk and Talk Therapy – a fun and impactful approach to mental health counselling that harnesses the power of nature to promote healing and growth for community members of any age. What is Walk and Talk Therapy? Walk and Talk Therapy offers a refreshing alternative to tradition ..read more

Unlocking Healing Through Play: Understanding the Magic of Play Therapy for Kids Are you considering therapy or counselling for your child? When they face challenges or struggle with their emotions, it’s natural for parents to want to help them flourish and grow. But sometimes, it can be challenging to know how to support them effectively, especially when words fail to bridge the gap between what they feel and what they can express. Enter Play Therapy, a gentle and powerful approach to counselling children that harnesses the therapeutic powers of play to facilitate healing and growth. The ..read more

Empowering Parents: A Guide to Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Treatment Is your child’s anxiety affecting how your family functions? How YOU as the parent operates on a day to day basis? Are you finding yourself changing your own behaviours to help manage your child’s distress. It’s not just you. Parents deeply love and care about their kids, and want to help them in times of distress.  Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health issues among children and adolescents. According to Anxiety Canada, upwards of 20% of children and teens are affected ..read more

How to help your child with their BIG EMOTIONS and UNHELPFUL BEHAVIOURS After helping many parents work with their children to successfully regulate their child’s emotions and unhelpful behaviours, I’m sharing how Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) can help you to provide support for your child who struggles with big emotions, and/or angry verbal and/or physical outbursts. Let’s dig into some brief science, but I promise, only for a moment… In the absence of the prefrontal cortex from being fully developed until the age of 25, you can imagine that children are generally governed by their em ..read more

Empowering Change in a Single Session: The Revolution of Single Session Therapy at Acorn Counselling In the ever-evolving landscape of mental health care, individuals seeking support often face challenges such as long waitlists and time constraints. Recognizing the need for immediate assistance, Acorn Counselling is proud to introduce Single Session Therapy (SST) as a groundbreaking solution. This innovative approach offers a swift and focused alternative to traditional long-term therapy, providing clients with immediate help and tangible solutions tailored to their unique needs. Understanding ..read more

Nurturing the Light Within: Understanding and Navigating Depression in Adults and Teens  As we approach the winter months, it’s important to recognize the unique challenges that depression poses for both adults and teens, and to explore strategies to manage symptoms and support well-being. Depression can cast a shadow over daily life, impacting not only individual mental health but also the dynamics of family, work, and school. In this blog, we seek to shed light on the symptoms of depression to monitor, and to offer insights and tips for managing depressed mood, focusing on strategies su ..read more

Art Therapy Art therapy is a unique form of therapy that combines the benefits of traditional talk therapy with the expression and creativity of art. It can be useful for children, youth, and adults who are struggling with a range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioural issues. Art therapy allows individuals to explore and express their emotions through visual and creative channels, rather than solely relying on words or verbal communication. The Canadian Art Therapy Association describes Art Therapy as a combination of the creative process and psych ..read more

Don’t sting like a bee, live like a bee: focusing on community care We’ve all heard it before, the differences between the Western individualistic culture and the Eastern collectistic culture. Let’s not beat around the bush, the perspective pushed onto us through media and text has been that the Western world and its practices are superior to that of the Eastern world. However, does that mean that the individualistic mentality is more effective and helpful than the collectivistic practices of togetherness? No, it’s not. How can I offer such a succint and direct response?  Well, humans are ..read more