Psychotherapy - AdvanceHealth.ca

02/01/2024

07/01/2022

Emotional Regulation

Researchers, who like fancy terms, found that “maladaptive emotion regulation” leads to worse coping in times of stress.

What does it mean?

The tendency to blame yourself for a negative event (self-blame), dwelling on your negative thoughts (rumination), and thinking something is worse than it is (catastrophizing) leads to more anxiety and depression.

What to do?

Here are two strategies that work. First, in stressful situations, chose to remain calm instead of reacting in anger (the power of choice). Secondly, think about the potential upside or benefit to what you are going through (positive reappraisal).

These two strategies lead to improvement in anxiety and depression. Talk to your therapist it!

It’s good for your mind. It’s good for the world.

05/06/2022

Empathy Is In Decline!

People are finding it more difficult to understand and share the feelings of others. People are tired, feel isolated, and worry about losing their social connections. This leads to poor mental health.

The good news! Empathy is skill you can cultivate. Practice listening to others, without providing answers, while also expressing care and concern. This is a powerful way to reduce feelings of isolation and improve mental health.

It’s good for your mind. It’s good for the world.

Do You Agree?

04/29/2022

Smartphone Use

You are likely using your smartphone to read this. Do you spend too much time looking at your phone? Excessive smartphone use can lead to weight issues, neck pain, and addictive behavior. There is no need to throw your phone out. Research shows that consciously reducing your phone use, for example, one hour less per day, leads to less stress and better quality of life.

It’s good for your mind. It’s good for the world.

Do You Agree?

Contact us now for therapy with one of our Practicum Students, Counsellors, Social Workers, Registered Psychotherapists, Clinical Associates, Psychological Associates, or Psychologists. They are ready to help.

04/22/2022

Heart Failure and Psychological Stress

Emotional difficulties can trigger heart problems and can also make it more difficult to recover. Psychological risk factors for cardiac problems include depression, social isolation, loneliness, and the traumatic effects of heart disease itself.

Psychotherapy for individuals with cardiac problems can be preventative and can help in treating those with heart problems.

It’s good for your mind. It’s good for the world.

Do You Agree?

Contact us now for therapy with one of our Practicum Students, Counsellors, Social Workers, Registered Psychotherapists, Clinical Associates, Psychological Associates, or Psychologists. They are ready to help.

04/15/2022

Embrace the Pain

Emotional difficulties are a part of life. Sometimes we need to sit and acknowledge the reality of our circumstances before we can begin to move forward. Embracing the difficulty of the moment helps us to take true stock of where we are, evaluate our priorities, and gather the strength and resolve needed to make the changes needed to move in the right direction.

Contact us now for therapy with one of our Practicum Students, Counsellors, Social Workers, Registered Psychotherapists, Clinical Associates, Psychological Associates, or Psychologists. They are ready to help.

It’s good for your mind. It’s good for the world.

04/08/2022

Take Steps Now to Protect Your Mental Health in the Future

It’s worth it!

Learning how to cope with stress and finding meaning in your life – leads to better mental health and a higher quality of life.
Learning how to thrive after negative events, referred to as posttraumatic growth, leads to a lower chance of developing mental health problems and a higher chance of positive outcomes after future challenges.

It’s good for your mind! It’s good for the world!

Contact us now for therapy from a practicum student, counsellor, social worker, psychotherapist, clinical associate, psychological associate, or psychologist.

03/31/2022

Interrupt The Stress Cycle

Reducing the stress you feel when exposed to emotionally troubling events can provide psychological protection. Chronic stress changes your emotions and behaviors – and also causes physiologic changes in your body and brain. This reduces your ability to regulate your emotions.

Techniques such as mindfulness and breathing/relaxation exercises can change brain regions responsible for attention, emotions, and self-awareness. This helps to interrupt the negative emotional progression (e.g., from anxiety to fear) and can restore emotional wellbeing.

It’s good for your mind! It’s good for the world!

03/25/2022

Cultivate Positivity in Tough Times

Were you born a pessimist? Did you know optimism is a skill you can learn. Humor, relaxation, and optimistic thinking can trigger positivity and help us cope in tough times. Try one or two of these: 1/ Settle in with friends or family for the evening to watch a favorite comedy. 2/ Stop to ask after a stressful period - what have we learned? - and how can we make a fresh start? 3/ Deliberately help someone else in need. These actions can trigger a positive perspective, make us more resilient, and help us start something new. Yes, we are in tough times! But don't take the good stuff for granted!

It's good for your mind. It's good for the world.

03/17/2022

Find Moments for Optimism.

Stressful events in the world around you can disrupt your sleep and concentration and make you feel depressed. At the same time, stressful events can leave you feeling stronger in your relationships and with greater affection for loved ones. Gratitude, love, and other positive emotions in the weeks after stressful events provide a buffer against depression.

To cultivate positivity, you can seek comfort in spiritual practices, do enjoyable activities and talk about the best of times — in therapy, if needed.

Get Started Now - See a Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Counsellor Help For Anxiety Panic Depression PTSD Grief Relationships Stress

03/12/2022

Build a Strong Social Network.

You may feel bombarded by stressful events - changing COVID-19 policies, job insecurity, or world wars. This may cause you to feel that life has lost some of its meaning. However, social support and interaction can help to protect you. Find a way to connect socially by initiating contact with others, offering to help, or expressing feelings of warmth and kindness.

It's good for your mind. It's good for the world.

Get Started Now - See a Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Counsellor Help For Anxiety Panic Depression PTSD Grief Relationships Stress

01/12/2022

Looking to The Future – Ideas for 2022:

1. Be kind to yourself. Resist being a perfectionist – or living by others’ expectations.

2. Don’t take failure too personally. We all make mistakes. And we can try again.

3. Set realistic goals - with plans based on a sense of purpose and meaning for your Life.