wellnestparenting

10/14/2024

Welcome to the newest member of the WellNest team! Frankie is starting out as an intern therapy dog while in training. She is a four month old Golden Retriever from I know she will do amazing things for children and teens like her big brother Bandit has 🤍

02/02/2023

It's been a minute. Wow, starting a private practice and months later to be hit by a pandemic has been a whirlwind.

I don't use social media much, but wanted to come back to say hi! I'm Eva, Child, Youth & Family Therapist and Registered Social Worker in Toronto.

My practice includes virtual parent/caregiver/family support sessions as well as in person and virtual youth sessions (clients must reside in Ontario).

I've been working in mental health since 2006 and in private practice since 2019. I have space for two more families on my caseload right now before I go back to starting a waitlist, so please get in touch if you're exploring support for your family.

I'm so thankful for all the families I've supported and truly love the work I do. Say hi or reach out anytime [email protected] 🤍

11/18/2022

TEAM Dog Rescue is such a fabulous rescue. WellNest's own support doggie comes from them and we are also fostering an 'Intern' puppy currently. Check out the auction, up for bid is a Parent Support Session with Eva Wiseman!

HOLIDAY AUCTION - WE ARE LIVE!

Today our week long online auction begins. There is definitely something for everyone in our catalogue of items! With the holidays rapidly approaching, this is a great way to do some shopping without leaving your seat while supporting the dogs in our care.

Shipping / Pick Up: You will be contacted shortly after bidding closes. Please allow up to 48 hours. There are some items that are available for free delivery within Canada (please read the item description as it will tell you which items are available for this service). Other items can be emailed or picked up within the GTA (arrangements can be made once the item is won). We have volunteers who are happy to meet at a convenient spot for both parties.

Please email us if you have any questions: [email protected]. We will also continue to add items throughout the week so please make sure you keep checking.

Thank you for helping us do our part to end the plight of homeless dogs in our community.

AUCTION LINK:

http://app.galabid.com/tdr2022

05/02/2022

It's Mental Heath week and the theme is all about empathy. The last 2+ years have been tough on so many, judgement of others seems to be at an all time high recently. My hope is that we can all slow down and relate to one another more in the coming months.

Practising empathy helps regulate emotions, helps us feel less isolated and increases our connection with one another. All well paying attention to our empathy for ourselves. This means practising self compassion while managing our expectations.

Rebuilding after what children and families have been through has, and will be hard, but not impossible. Together we can do hard things 🤍

01/06/2022

Sending out love to all the parents, kids and youth out there doing the impossible right now ♥️

https://www.macleans.ca/society/the-cruel-ridiculous-reality-of-virtual-learning/?fbclid=IwAR3IIHGLmHOQkZ5_Kk5c4cTa4Ghg2B052qjJoTW5CrQCXz30qUBNMo7L8Xk

Shannon Proudfoot: What does online school actually look like? It's an impossible balancing act that's ruining kids and parents alike. And it's not okay.

01/05/2022

Here we go again. Our 4th time heading into online learning in less then two years. Kids activities, cancelled. All gatherings, cancelled. As parents and humans we have been failed.

At the beginning of the pandemic my practice was strangely quiet, then about two months in I truly got to see what many were facing, it has only gotten worse from there. In 2021 I worked with almost 98 families. They are not ok.

Declining mental health. Children, youth and parents with heightened anxiety. Parents who never get a break. Those pretending to be ok. Families in the same household disconnected from each other. Those with no family support. Those alone. Those with little or no resources. Those who can’t learn online. Those without their safe place. Those who need real daily social connections. Those who work out of the home and can’t supervise or assist with online learning. Those who work at home and have to choose between assistant teacher for multiple children or their jobs.

The reason this is so hard is because it is impossible for so many. If you are one of the many share & speak out.

WE ARE NOT OK 🌧

11/19/2021

I am excited to announce a new addition to the team and our new offering of Nutrition Support for families. Say hello to .m.cote Registered Holistic Nutritionist 🌟

Adrienne is not only a Holistic Nutritionist but also a Doula, Birth Educator and mother to an energetic toddler.

Her passion for working with families and children, began with her education and work as a Social Service Worker. It was within this role that she began developing her knowledge and skills surrounding the complexities of pregnancy and parenting, mental health and wellness as well as navigating the immense pressures that parents are under. This career led her to deepen and expand her practice by completing her certification in Holistic Nutrition with a focus on helping families and parents through hands on support, guidance and education.

With her easygoing nature, Adrienne brings a non-judgemental approach to connecting her client’s experiences with mental health and parenting with the healing power of nutrition.

If you’re looking to support your own families journey though:

*’Picky’ eating
*Fitting healthy eating into busy lifestyles
*Nutrition for ADHD, ASD, Anxiety and other mental health
*Pre/postpartum nutrition

Check out wellnestparenting.com for more info and to book your virtual session with Adrienne today!

11/04/2021

Supporting Body Confidence in Our Children

First off, this term can have a different meaning to different people. I believe body confidence is not about our appearance, it’s about how a person FEELS about how they look.

If you’ve ever heard from your child any of the following (or similar) “I’m fat” “I’m ugly” “I’m too skinny” “I don’t like my frizzy hair” you are not alone.

Avoid the urge to ‘fix’ it with a quick “you’re so beautiful!” “You are not fat!” or so on.

Try this instead:

Be curious & ask questions

Exploring the feelings, understanding more of what our child is saying helps them feel heard and understood.

If this is something new to you it takes some time and more understanding then in this post. Reach out if this is something you’d like to learn more about to support body confidence in your child.

10/13/2021

✨Bandit the support dog✨

Adopted from in 2020 Bandit started out as our foster dog but his amazing ways with my 2 & 7 year olds at the time, as well as my dream of having a support dog for my private practice came to light.

Over the past year Bandit has been joining in many in person sessions with children & youth. He has this way of relaxing right on a child’s lap and even falling asleep cuddled right in.

Over the past few months he has been routinely going to those in need. Could be a hurt from a physical fall or an emotional outburst, doesn’t matter he will be right there for comfort and assurance. His calmness in times of stress for others is truly remarkable.

Dogs like this have a way helping to stimulate conversation and alleviate anxiety. They foster relaxation which leads to increased oxytocin levels which helps with responses to stress.

I thought it was time to make him an official part of the team at he’s also waiting on his bio to be posted on the website, because who doesn’t like to be recognized for a job well done 🤍

08/22/2021

Back to school is around the corner for many. For some it’s been five months and for others it’s been over a year and a half.

Transitioning back can be tough after a regular summer, but after so much time off it can make it that much harder.

Some kids are excited to get back, others are having growing anxiety as the first day looms closer. Many have lots of mixed feelings.

Communication and listening to your child about their feelings about heading back is important. We don’t want to ‘fix’ their feelings or make them go away. What we really want to do is hear them out and support them through this.

If you feel like you may benefit from help to support your child around this big transition please reach out. Your child may also benefit from seeing a Counsellor or Therapist if they are struggling.

Parents and school age kids, you can do this!

07/15/2021

Did you know…

By age one infants are aware that their main caregivers can help them regulate their emotions. Fear is the most difficult emotion for toddlers.

Our reactions to our infants, toddlers, children and teens has a large impact on the development of emotional intelligence.

Core aspects of the regulation process include feeling seen, connected to and understood.

Seems easy enough, right? Except often it’s not. Especially if you didn’t get these things consistently as a child.

Do you struggle to help your children express and regulate their emotions? Do you find it hard to accept and work through your own emotions? You’re definitely not alone. If you think you may benefit from learning more head over to my website (link in bio) and reach out 🤳🏽

06/01/2021

🧡Every Child Matters🧡
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The hung orange shirts, the orange ribbons, the tiny shoes, the teddy bears, the lowered flags, the candles. To honour the 215 children. Today and every day.

24/7 supports:
KUU-US Crisis Line
1-800-588-8717

Indian Residential School Survivors and Family
1-866-925-4419

Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868

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