Learning to Give Empathy
A personal journey into listening, holding, and being held. A few months ago, I wrote about receiving empathy. Today, I’m writing about giving it, which, I’m realizing, is a whole other challenge. The more I think...
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Probono Counselling
Because we all need it I really wanted to write something this week, but time flies… I’ve had lots of work with clients (in my other specialty: building websites and doing SEO) over the past two...
What if Joy is on the Other Side of Fear?
Unpacking the fear of joy, old beliefs, and the journey back to self-trust A few weeks ago, I was trying to use a new technique we’re learning at school: the DBT “chain analysis”, to understand...
Grieving the Time It Took Me to Heal
Did it really have to take that long? ⚠️ Suicidal ideation mention Last week, in class, we started learning about DBT - Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It’s a therapy model that includes mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance,...
Did You Remember to Have Fun This Summer?
A gentle reminder to savour the sunny days, and say yes to joy while it lasts Since the end of last week, something shifted. I felt a little distant from my thoughts, which felt unusual…...
Am I Overanalyzing My Triggers?
My triggers show me where I’m vulnerable, but that doesn’t mean the other person is blameless Lately, I’ve been wondering: Have I gone too far with the idea that if I get triggered, it’s never...
Sometimes We Just Need to Place a Boundary
…Until We’re Ready to Do the Work Fully I used to think that if you were truly doing the work (the deep, emotional, inner work) you wouldn’t need boundaries. You’d just keep breathing through the...
The Struggle to Show the Ugly Part Is Real
Wanting to be seen whole, and not criticized for it Last week in class, we watched Finding Joe, the documentary on Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. I’d seen it before, probably several times, but this time...
To All of You, My Friends, Who Are Presently Suffering
A letter from the other side of survival mode I wish I had a magic wand to heal you, or better yet, to show you your way out. I wish you could get out of this...
When Someone Talks Too Much… and It Gets Under My Skin
How a small trigger turned into an insight about me Let’s talk about a trigger that came up last week, a small one, but persistent. I just started a new class in my counselling diploma. It’s...