Port City Counselling Services Inc.

07/14/2026

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07/08/2026

An unbelievable, profound loss for his family and our community in Saint John. Nick was never afraid to speak his truth and to advocate for the well-being of those who needed it most. He will be missed dearly.

With heavy hearts, our family shares the unexpected and devastating loss of our brother, Nick Shepard. Ni… Jessica Shepard needs your support for Nick Shepard

06/01/2026

Short answer: you don’t need to be falling apart to start!

Therapy can be helpful when life feels like “too much” for too long. When you’re tired in a way sleep doesn’t fix. When your mood feels off, your motivation is low, or everything just feels a bit disconnected. It can also be that quiet sense of being stuck in the same patterns, struggling in relationships, or carrying things that are getting heavier over time.

And sometimes, it’s not even one big thing. It’s just the feeling that something needs attention - and you’re ready to talk with someone about it.

Counselling isn’t a last resort. It’s a space to slow things down, sort things out, and feel a bit more like yourself again ✨

05/25/2026

Affirmations are not about forcing yourself to “think positive” all the time. They're small reminders that the way you speak to yourself matters.

Many people carry an inner voice shaped by stress, criticism, pressure, burnout, anxiety, or past experiences. Over time, negative self talk can become automatic without us even noticing it. Affirmations help interrupt that pattern.

An affirmation won't instantly erase stress or heal every insecurity, but they can help create a healthier relationship with yourself over time ✨

05/19/2026

"If you are here, chances are life has been feeling heavy for a while. Whether this is your first time considering counselling or if you’ve had experience before, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I am here to support you in finding clarity, reconnecting with yourself, and moving toward a version of life that feels more grounded and manageable.

Many people come to counselling while carrying the pressure of holding everything together at work, at home, and within themselves. You might be navigating stress that has built up over time, life transitions, loss, self-doubt, past trauma, or emotions like anger, sadness, or hurt. Sometimes, it is simply a sense that something doesn’t feel quite right, even if it’s hard to put into words. All of these experiences are valid, and more common than you might think.

My work focuses on supporting people through some of the most vulnerable and emotionally complex chapters of their lives. While therapy is often seen as serious or structured, I believe it can also be a space that feels human, relational, and perhaps, gently light. I value the use of humor as a therapeutic tool, as I believe it empowers, offers perspective, connection, and moments of relief during difficult times." ~ Isabelle Bourque, BA, M.Ed, LCT-C

You can book with Isabelle by calling or emailing 👇
📞506-214-7227 Ext. #8
📨[email protected]

05/18/2026

Not all coping behaviour is conscious. Sometimes our bodies give us signs that our nervous system is in overdrive. Your subconscious is always trying to protect you - even in small, quiet ways.

A lot of “random” habits are actually nervous system responses designed to help you decompress, regulate, or escape overstimulation.

Sighing or long exhales throughout the day?
👉Your body releasing stress.

Yawning during conflict or overwhelm?
👉A nervous system reset.

Scrolling for hours without realizing it?
👉Your brain searching for distraction, dopamine, or emotional distance.

Sitting in the car after work before going inside?
👉Your mind trying to transition from survival mode to safety.

Fidgeting, zoning out, staring at nothing?
👉Your body pausing when your brain has processed too much.

Many subconscious decompressing habits happen because:
• your mind is overstimulated
• your emotions haven’t been processed
• your body hasn’t felt safe enough to rest
• you’ve been masking or holding tension all day
• your nervous system is trying to regulate quietly

Mindfulness can help you learn to identify what subconscious decompressing signs you naturally use. These become your cues of when it's time to take a break, make a change, or start nourishing the self.

04/28/2026

Last week we attended Chroma NB’s AGM. A big thanks to them for the invite! It was inspiring to see how far this organization has come in the past year. Executive Director Hadeel Ibrahim and her team has worked so hard on their new incredible space, enhanced programing, advocacy and strategic direction. We’re excited to see what 2026 brings for this pillar for the q***r community and allies alike in our province!

04/13/2026

“Just give it time.”
Those of us who have heard this while grieving know it’s not that simple.

Grief is one of the most universal human experiences, yet so many people feel they have to carry it in silence. If you're navigating the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or a life that changed unexpectedly, you may be carrying more than you can hold on your own.

Healing begins with a conversation. As a counselling therapist specializing in grief and bereavement, Kat offers a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can talk openly, be truly heard, and begin to make sense of what you’re carrying.

Your grief deserves care, attention, and support. You don't have to shoulder grief alone. Immediate appointments are available with Kat to support you in your grief and healing.

Give her a call or email her to book 👇
[email protected]
506-214-7227 Ext. #3

03/23/2026

Ever notice how the moment your head hits the pillow… your mind suddenly has everything to say?

Sometimes the hardest part of the day isn’t the day—it’s the night. When your mind finally slows down, everything you’ve been carrying shows up. Therapy can help you unpack those thoughts, release what’s weighing on you, and create space for real rest.

You deserve mornings that feel refreshed, not exhausted. 🌙💛

03/16/2026

We have availability in our low cost therapy program! Brittany Polchies is our low-cost therapist and she's taking on new clients at $30 an hour 👋

If you don't have insurance or you're just trying to cut costs in this ever-inflating economy, Brittany's your girl.

Brittany is a Registered Social Worker and a Master of Education in Counselling candidate. She has experience working in the public sector, the school system, and within indigenous communities. Being indigenous herself, Brittany is hoping to utilize Two-Eyed Seeing approaches in her counselling practice. She is currently still working to discover her areas of specialty, however, she has had positive experiences working with youth and young adults as well as those
struggling with intergenerational trauma, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, substance use.
Give us a call or reach out to Brittany directly to chat 👇

📞506-214-7227
📨 [email protected]