Whether we like it or not, we're all therapists. We provide support and intervention to our friends, family, co-workers, those we interact with each day. If we teach, we provide counsel to students. Bartenders and hair stylists have played a critical role in the field since the beginning of time. Wanted or not, we're all therapists. But where do we learn how to cope? Our parents? Were they happy people? Did they seem to manage life with relative ease? Fabulous. If we grew up with parents who made mental health a priority, we're well fortified with valuable insights worth sharing. If we weren ..read more

And just like that, we are over a year into this global pandemic. You've survived. But it's time to rest, recharge and reimagine the road ahead. Let's wire-up the "pause" in parenting. Here's why: Children adapt effortlessly. They simply haven't been wired-up with old habits that must be unlearned in order to upload a new operating system, like the insanity of this pandemic. This malleable state was by design, it happens to work well with surviving childhood. Adults don't adapt with the same ease, at least not without practice. As we increase our responsibilities with age, our brains wire-up ..read more

Well it seems our "Walk Therapy" sessions aren't only found in East City Peterborough. This article was such encouraging news and while "walk therapy" isn't well suited to couples or family counselling sessions, for obvious reasons, we have built an entire thriving Practice around our strolls down "the happy trail", Peterborough's Rotary Trail. When I first began the Counselling Practice in 1997 at St. Joseph's Hospital in East City Peterborough, I was looking for a way to break free from the more clinical setting that can sometimes inhibit those looking to feel safe and comfortable talking a ..read more

It's time we normalize therapy. I live in the land of people creating meaningful change, on the daily. But as I speak with new couples seeking help, I realize there is still a stigma attached. Somehow, in some way, many couples feel as though they've failed. When our car is making funny noises, we call a mechanic. A toothache? We call a dentist. We think nothing of routine medical appointments that draw blood and check reflexes. And yet, the most common of all the challenges.... and we argue and suffer and argue and suffer, and needlessly so. What can couples therapy do for my relationship? W ..read more

Prior to arriving in Peterborough at St. Joseph's Hospital to begin my Clinical Counselling Practice, I had completed my Internship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Adolescent Medicine. The program continues today to treat all manner of angst, and its tell-tale signs that include substance abuse, risk-taking behaviours and clinical depression. In 1997, teenagers who struggled appeared to be the exception to the rule. In recent years, we've seen a shift. We know that anxiety and depression continue to rise and parenting a teenager can provoke a lot of fear. When is being quiet, sullen or w ..read more

Canadian Family Health Counselling is located at 155 Hunter Street East in East City Peterborough ON.  We provide counselling in Peterborough and beyond in our online services and work with kids, teens and adults. It's that time of year again.  We're all crawling out of hibernation into a bit of a frenzy as the natural world comes alive around us.  Harnessing this burst of motivation can prove both practical and productive, if we know how. Our Reptilian Brain is also known as our Caveman Brain, and it's there to respond to intensity to keep us safe from harm.  Life is ..read more

We are heading into the dark days of winter in Canada and while the days grow shorter, our energies dip.   Why? For many, it’s from dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD contributes to an increase or beginning of depression, anxiety, and more symptoms. Some quick tips and tricks for beating the winter blues include: Purchase SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lighting and begin using each morning to suppress the sleepy melatonin hormone with a good dose of morning light.  When the sun goes down, melatonin will rise again and it's best to keep artificial lights indoo ..read more

Photo retrieved from @thefabstory. Well, the dark days of winter have descended upon us… It is my firm contention that everyone who lives in Canada suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder.  For people who are high-energy types, the slowing down into a winter’s pace may feel rather refreshing.  For those who suffer from a lack of energy, winter’s approach may feel like a life sentence in a cold prison.  What’s it all about?  Light.  When we wake in the morning and it’s bright and sunny, the light penetrates through our systems and suppresses melatonin levels.  Me ..read more

Image retrieved from Squarespace We live an absurdly paced life and overtime we have learned to tolerate buzzing, beeping, ringing, honking, siren’s flaring, flashing lights and so on… But this does not mean our tolerance should be mistaken for acceptance.  We are not capable of holding two emotional states at one time.  If we are in fear (What if I can’t get to the doctor’s appointment on time?  Will I ever get the loan approved?  Is my boss going to go easy on my latest blunder?  Did I feed the cat?), we cannot be simultaneously in appreciation (That gentle breeze f ..read more

Photo retrieved from Squarespace To increase energy levels and elevate mood, take an inventory of your mental diet.  Don’t make changes just yet.  Compile a list on your phone or weekly calendar, some place that you have with you regularly.  What shows do you choose when you sit down to watch TV?  Are they humourous?  Reality-based and dramatic?  Do you hone in on the world in crisis or are you fuelled by life in the wild?  When you are driving or walking or riding... Are you listening to Top 40 hits?  Country?  Classical?  Does your toe tap t ..read more