In 1999 I thought I had breast cancer. I got the dreaded call that I had a mass in my breast and I would need to have a biopsy to find out if indeed I did. Being a very optimistic person, I thought well if I do I do. I can't change what has happened … Continue reading Are You Really Living?
Music, Memory, And Therapy
The power of music is undeniable. Just a few lines in a song can transport us back to a particular time, place, and event in our lives. Research shows that those suffering dementia or traumatic brain injury who listen to familiar music from their past have triggered long, lost memories. This relationship between music and … Continue reading Music, Memory, And Therapy
Calm Capable Cognitive Distortions: How Do We Cope?
Photo by Vinicius "amnx" Amano on Unsplas Remaining calm during these past few months has become increasingly difficult. Day to day stressors that in the past, may have appeared fairly innocuous, now have become overwhelming and in some cases feel insurmountable. Our ability to previously draw on a plethora of skills and resources often leaves us frustrated and … Continue reading Calm Capable Cognitive Distortions: How Do We Cope?
Siblings In Separate Homes
Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com Growing up in a home with seven siblings, I somehow grew up under the false pretence that we all had very similar experiences and therefore would share many of the same beliefs, values, and memories. As the years went by, and we siblings grew older, we would often get … Continue reading Siblings In Separate Homes
Riding The Roller Coaster of Emotions
A roller coaster ride has never been something that has really appealed to us even in the best of times. Yet, in the day to day living during this pandemic, it has certainly replicated the highs and lows of the ride, as we deal with a plethora of emotions. Are you feeling positive one day … Continue reading Riding The Roller Coaster of Emotions
Is This Normal?
Throughout my many years working as a psychologist, countless times I have often been asked the question by friends, colleagues, and clients :"Is this normal?" They may be referring to a variety of different things from a certain feeling they are experiencing, a reaction they may have had to a particular scenario, or a situation … Continue reading Is This Normal?
Gratitude In A Difficult Time
Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com Gratitude is something that may not always be easy to feel or express, particularly of late. It seems that anytime we turn on television we are met with more tragedy and sadness, from pandemic updates, to killings in Nova Scotia, to major flooding in Fort Mc Murray Alberta, and most … Continue reading Gratitude In A Difficult Time
Postponed Pandemic Grief
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com As a native Nova Scotian, my heart is heavy with sadness at the recent loss of 22 beautiful souls. In different times, pre-covid19, our grief was often mitigated by our grieving rituals. These rituals allow us to walk beside the grieving individual and share in their most intimate moments of … Continue reading Postponed Pandemic Grief
You Have What It Takes: A- Z Coping Skills for Teens Covid19
Coping in a pandemic is not easy, but we know you have the skills. Covid19 is putting to test our coping strategies. What works for one of us may not work for all of us. We are all attempting to make the best of a situation in which no one was prepared for. You may … Continue reading You Have What It Takes: A- Z Coping Skills for Teens Covid19
Be Afraid And Do It Anyway
Photo by Melanie Wasser on Unsplash I am a wife, mom, grandma, educator and psychologist. The majority of my career has been spent working with kids and their families. I am one of those lucky people who has been able to have a 30 plus year career that I absolutely love! I have been so honoured and privileged … Continue reading Be Afraid And Do It Anyway
Two Psychologists Talk 