5 Tips for Overcoming Issues in a Blended Family  Maintaining a happy and healthy relationship in any kind of family has its challenges, but blending two or more families comes with its own set of unique problems. It can take a long time for stepfamilies to get used to each other and this new family unit.  The beginning years can be especially challenging since the new couples are getting to know each other and developing their own relationship, as well as their relationship with their biological children and their step children. That’s a lot going on! However there are steps that yo ..read more

Have you been thinking of couples therapy but putting it off? Couples counselling unfortunately carries a stigma in our society. It can sometimes be associated with failure to succeed in maintaining a good relationship. It can also be intimidating because you or your partner don’t know what to expect. Because couples counselling is more effective when one has an open mind to it, overcoming this stigma is important. It is essential that you let your partner know that therapy is a safe and intentional space where you work through your issues and move towards a better future. Unlike family membe ..read more

The human brain is made of more than 100 billion neurons that communicate with each other using trillions of connections. Holding this 3 pound organ, it’s humbling to realize how this bundle of cells defines our existence. The brilliance of this structure is its ability to soak up the information from our surroundings consciously (explicitly) and subconsciously (implicitly) to adapt and learn. This ability of the brain is defined as neuroplasticity, achieved by new or changed electrochemical connections.  Neurofeedback harnesses the principles of neuroplasticity to help you take control o ..read more

While there are a lot of therapists offering their services, finding someone you like can take a lot of effort, especially if you have never seen a therapist before. Here are some of the more important issues you should consider when picking a new therapist: Is the therapist licensed? Each province is responsible for making sure therapists are competent to provide their services. Only those with proper training receive a license. If you have health insurance, will it cover the therapy from this provider? Are there limits to the number of sessions covered by your insurance? A good website for ..read more

A recent survey done by Pollara Strategic Insights on behalf of Mental Health Research Canada has found that anxiety levels among Canadians has quadrupled since the beginning of the pandemic. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, 61% of those surveyed said that they have experienced some or more anxiety, which is a jump from the 28% who said that they had some anxiety before COVID-19.  In times like these, it is more important than ever to be diligent about your mental health. ACT therapy is a well known method used to treat stress and anxiety.  It is a mindfulness-based behavioural therapy w ..read more

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy that utilizes a cognitive-behavioural approach in helping people learn new skills and strategies so they can build better lives. It is an evidence-based method for treating several mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Through DBT, you can learn how to change the behaviour patterns that you are struggling with by applying the following strategies: 1.       Distress Tolerance By working with a DBT therapist, you can develop distress tolerance, which is an essential skill for coping with a str ..read more

It is normal to have feelings of stress, being constantly on edge or being hyper vigilant during the outbreak of corona virus (COVID-19). Whether your children are out of school or you are out of work, making the best decision for you and your family is key to managing anxiety during this time. Here are 6 strategies that can help you reduce anxiety as you deal with the  COVID-19 pandemic:  Keep A Routine During these uncertain times, it can be very helpful to have a sense of control of what is going on in your daily life. Keeping a routine can cultivate positive daily habits for prio ..read more

Many individuals are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on a daily basis. The experience of a trauma can be difficult to process and can lead to feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, sadness, fear, and panic, an inability to focus and concentrate, loss of self-control, avoidance behaviour and social withdrawal, flashbacks to the traumatic event, and in severe cases thoughts of suicide. Treatment to reduce symptoms can help individuals return to normal functioning and prevent symptoms from worsening over time. At the Toronto Neurofeedback and Psychotherapy Centre we offer Cogni ..read more

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects the lives of many across the world. In Canada alone 9.2% of individuals will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetimes and many more will suffer from symptoms associated with trauma exposure. Experiencing a trauma can leave an impression on the brain and body triggering emotional and physiological responses. These can include feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, sadness, fear, and panic, an inability to focus and concentrate, loss of self-control, avoidance behaviour and social withdrawal, flashbacks to the traumatic event, and in severe cas ..read more

Play has always been an essential part of child development and is the main communication tool for children. Since play is a natural form of self-expression it can be utilized as a way of working therapeutically with children that are experiencing behavioural and emotional difficulties. Play therapy incorporates many activities called ‘tools’ for children to utilize which help them express themselves and process events in their lives. Some of these ‘tools’ include art, sand, role play, and music. Using these tools, play therapy allows the child the opportunity to play out their feelings an ..read more