At Hexagon Psychology, we recognize that to be allies and mental health providers to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community it takes much more than displaying a rainbow during pride month. Our goal is to create and maintain safer spaces and practitioners that you can count on. We want the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to feel safe and supported wherever they choose to access services, so we are creating a call to action for all mental health professionals to find and access the information to provide inclusive and affirming care. While many of us may believe we and our spaces are supportive, there are small ways th ..read more

What is to follow is certainly not going to be found on some Hallmark Card nor is it written with Rose Colored Glasses. Rather, it is my attempt to outline what I have come to understand about a mother’s sacrifice and love through my own journey as a son, grandson, father, friend, as well as psychologist, who has worked with hundreds, if not thousands, of mothers over the course of my career. Motherhood, A Look Back To really appreciate and celebrate Mother’s Day, it is important we take time to look back at how we all arrived here today as a species. A brief journey through our past will all ..read more

When your child is struggling with something in their life, it can take its toll on the entire family. As a father trying to be the best parent you can be, you might not know exactly how to respond. Fathers are becoming increasingly involved in all aspects of parenting these days, meaning that they’re also taking on more responsibility for dealing with their children’s emotions and behaviours. It can be a daunting task for any father — whether you’re a full-time worker, a single dad, a stay-at-home dad, a co-parent, or your child’s primary caregiver. Although fatherhood can be a very rewardin ..read more

Anxiety is the most common mental health problem that children experience, with ,a 10% prevalence rate on average. It’s also a very normal emotion that’s essential to survival. Children tend to develop certain fears depending on their age. Babies, for instance, typically get anxious around strangers. Toddlers and preschoolers might experience separation anxiety, while older children tend to worry about imaginary things (think monsters under the bed) or real-life situations (like the potential death of a parent). You might notice your child becomes more aggressive, tries to avoid certain situa ..read more

Kids are bound to face challenges and struggle as they learn and grow. But as a parent, how do you know what a “normal” struggle is, and what might be a “red flag”? And if you suspect it’s the latter, is it serious enough that your child needs to see a psychologist? There are so many factors that influence children’s well-being, and every child deals with them differently. It isn’t always clear what to do as a parent, and many parents find themselves questioning whether or not something is worth worrying about at one point or another. If your child’s behaviour seems worrying occasionally or o ..read more

Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, despite what everybody’s photos on social media might make you think. The reality is that everybody struggles through big and small challenges throughout their lives — they’re just not sharing it online. As you face your own life challenges, you might wonder whether something you’r e struggling with is normal. Should you brush it off and keep dealing with it on your own? When do you need to see a psychologist or mental health professional? It might seem strange — even scary — to consider getting professional help for something mental health-related. The s ..read more

If you’re a parent wondering why your kid is so angry all the time, you’re not alone. Kids can have strong emotional reactions at any age, but there are a couple of distinct times during their growth and development where you may notice it more often. Seven year-olds, for instance, can be moody and hard to satisfy as they begin to grasp the concept of fairness. They can sometimes still throw tantrums or have meltdowns at their age if they experience a breakdown in learning or they have difficulty expressing themselves. Once a child reaches adolescence, they tend to spend more time exploring a ..read more

Being a parent is challenging enough at the best of times, but since the start of the pandemic, families have been dealing with a whirlwind of change and uncertainty. For many, the result has been a whole new level of stress. A recent ,national study of 3,000 Canadian adults showed that nearly half of participating parents reported increased mental health problems from the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to child-free adults, parents saw increased alcohol consumption, stress at home, negative thoughts/feelings, and negative interactions with their kids. Despite the negative impact that the pandem ..read more