Cynthia Johnston Counselling and Consulting Services

Cynthia Johnston Counselling and Consulting Services Cynthia Johnston is a registered clinical counsellor and a registered social worker who has specialized in eating disorders for 25+ years. www.cjccs.com

I am a registered clinical counsellor and registered social worker who has trained and specialized in psychotherapy and eating disorder treatment for over 25 years. However, I also see clients who struggle with a diversity of other concerns, including narcissistic abuse, mild drug and alcohol abuse disorder, sexual assault and abuse, workplace harassment, depression and anxiety. I have worked in

a variety of capacities in both in the public and private sectors, including having been Clinical Director of Sheena's Place; Clinical Counsellor for Toronto Metropolitan University, the Fraser South Eating Disorder Program and the Dr. Peter Centre for People with AIDS; and the Director of the Eating Disorder Resource Centre of British Columbia. I am a member of the Eating Disorder Association of Canada, and I am registered member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
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Cynthia Johnston Counselling and Consulting Services
Annex, Toronto / Video Everywhere
Website: www.cjccs.com

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08/10/2026
08/07/2026

Why one in five patients develop malnutrition within a year.

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08/04/2026

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Let's talk about AVOIDANCE
Avoidance is what happens when your nervous system decides, “We're not doing that again.”
Avoidance is a survival strategy. Your brain learned that avoiding reminders of the trauma keeps you from being triggered or anxious. It’s trying to protect you by steering you away from anything that might trigger another surge of fear, panic, or overwhelm.
Avoidance can take many forms, like steering clear of certain people, places, or even our own memories and emotions. We may find ourselves going to great lengths to dodge anything that reminds us of our trauma, and it's okay. It's a natural response that helps us cope.
But...
This cycle can become a loop that’s hard to break.
Avoiding things might feel safe in the moment, but it actually reinforces fear and distress in the long run.
The more you avoid, the more your world shrinks
Recognizing avoidance behaviors starts with being really honest with yourself.
Once you notice the ways you might be avoiding things, you can begin to understand how it’s affecting your life.
Want to learn more? Check out the PTSD Recovery Series Book https://bit.ly/PTSDRecovery

08/03/2026

If someone repeatedly makes you question your memory, feelings, or reality, it may not be “just a misunderstanding.”

“You’re too sensitive.”
“That never happened.”
“You’re imagining things.”
“You always remember it wrong.”
“You’re overreacting.”

Anyone can say the wrong thing once. But when these comments become a pattern—especially when they are used to dismiss your experiences, avoid accountability, or leave you feeling confused and unsure of yourself—it can be a sign of gaslighting and emotional abuse.

Your feelings deserve to be heard. Your memories deserve respect. Healthy relationships make room for honest conversations; they do not rely on fear, confusion, or constant self-doubt.

If this feels familiar, talk to someone you trust. You are not “too much” for wanting to be treated with care.

FREE GASLIGHTING PHRASES POSTER FOR ABUSE AWARENESS WORK

LIKE the photo and comment "GAS" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

08/03/2026

You cannot heal what you cannot name.

Many of us grew up learning to hide our emotions rather than understand them.

So we say we're "fine" when we feel overwhelmed. We call it "anger" when it's really hurt. We think we're "lazy" when we're exhausted. We push people away when what we really need is comfort.

The more accurately we can identify what we're feeling, the easier it becomes to understand ourselves, communicate with others, and make healthier choices. Naming emotions is not a small skill - it's one of the foundations of good mental health, strong relationships, and emotional resilience.

Imagine if every child grew up with the words to describe what was happening inside them. Imagine how many conflicts, misunderstandings, and silent struggles could be prevented.

Free HOW EMOTIONS SHOW UP WHEN… – FEELINGS WHEEL POSTER

LIKE the photo and comment "EMOTIONS" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

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