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Yes — and it is one of the most common situations in couples work. Research calls them "mixed-agenda" couples, and there are three workable paths forward: discernment counselling, couples counselling that starts with the reluctant partner's concerns, or relationship-focused individual counselling that changes the dynamic even when only one person is in the room.

You do not need a formal ADHD diagnosis to start getting meaningful help in BC. A diagnosis unlocks medication and accommodations — but skills-based counselling for attention, time, and emotion can begin now.

Have you ever replayed a conversation long after it ended, wondering if you said the right thing? Or held yourself back from sharing your thoughts because you worried about how they might be received? Many Highly Sensitive People experience the world with incredible depth. They notice subtle changes, pick up on the emotions of others, and take time to thoughtfully process their experiences. These qualities can be beautiful strengths, allowing for deep connection, empathy, creativity, and care. Yet, for many Highly Sensitive People, these same qualities can sometimes make confidence feel more…

Many people pride themselves on being caring, reliable, and emotionally supportive. They are the person others turn to when they need help, reassurance, or understanding. Being someone who notices others’ needs can be a meaningful strength. But what happens when caring for others begins to come at the expense of caring for yourself? For some people, support slowly turns into responsibility. Someone else’s disappointment feels like a personal failure. Another person’s stress becomes something you need to fix. Conflict feels unbearable because you feel responsible for restoring peace. You may…

Have you ever had a moment where you felt like you were beginning to find your footing after a loss, only to suddenly feel overwhelmed by grief again? Maybe a song comes on that reminds you of them. Maybe you walk past a familiar place. Maybe a holiday, birthday, or meaningful date arrives. Or perhaps you simply have a quiet moment where the reality of what has changed feels heavy again. Grief is not a straight path. It does not move neatly from pain to healing, with each day becoming easier than the last. Grief moves in waves because love, attachment, and connection are not things we simply…

Focus is not disappearing, it is Fragmenting For many people, focus no longer feels like a stable state. It feels temporary. Brief. Fragile. A task starts, then attention slips. Another tab opens. A message is checked. A new idea appears. The original task is still there, but it now feels heavier than it did a moment ago. This is often interpreted as distraction or lack of discipline. But underneath it is a more consistent pattern: attention is being pulled by a loop between effort, friction, and escape. The core mechanism: the friction–escape loop Attention tends to break at a predictable…

If you are like many of the high-achieving people who find their way to my practice, you have already done a profound amount of work. You have read the books, perhaps spent years in therapy, and understand your personal history inside out. You know exactly where your patterns come from, and you understand your anxiety intellectually. Yet, when evening comes, or when you are standing in a crowded room, you might still find yourself whispering: "I can’t turn it off," or "I am so tired of surviving." It is a deeply frustrating place to be—when the gap between understanding your anxiety and…

Are you in a relationship where you are not getting any of your needs met? Are you wondering if you are being fair in thinking that way? Are these thoughts so consuming that you are wondering whether to stay in the relationship? Worrying about the health of a relationship can be a lot. Ruminating on whether to stay in a negative relationship can impact one's health and ability to focus at work or school. You are right to worry if you are constantly tired from doing everything. In a relationship you aren't going to have 100% of your needs met all of the time. However, you should be able to feel…

As a clinical counsellor, I often meet clients who appear successful, responsible, and capable on the outside, yet privately struggle with constant worry, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion. Many of them are managing careers, relationships, and daily responsibilities effectively, which makes it difficult for others—and sometimes even themselves to recognize that anxiety is playing a significant role in their lives. This experience is often referred to as high-functioning anxiety. While it is not a formal mental health diagnosis, it describes a pattern I frequently see in my practice in port…