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10 Cents to See My Chest: Building Pride and Confidence in Children with Surgical Scars As a parent, it can be a courageous challenge to be present for your child when they are born with medical challenges. I cannot imagine what this was like for my family when their first child was born with ten toes, a big smile and a blue skin tone. Right after I was born, I was whisked off and my family was broadsided with the news of my congenital heart deformities. I was blessed to have a strong family and a mother and grandmother that knew how much a child needed closeness and presence. They knew this…

This week, I had the most beautiful experience that resonated deep down to my toes. I was reminded that shared stories weave a tapestry of belonging, kinship, and the knowing feeling of being truly seen. As a counsellor who specializes in supporting children, youth, and families who have experienced medical trauma, I have walked alongside many who struggle with anxiety, dysregulation, disconnection, overwhelm and other mental health challenges. I know how important community and connection to others is, but this week it truly came home to my own heart. There is something uniquely powerful…

It's not uncommon for people living with persistent pain to be reluctant about seeking help from a therapist. For some, it feels like admitting that their pain isn't real and that it is "all in their head." Others don't see how a mental health provider could help with something they see as a physical issue. This blog explores what we know about pain and how therapy can help. What do we get wrong about pain? We tend to misunderstand pain as a symptom of tissue damage. But we didn't just make this idea up. It dates back to nineteenth-century medical textbooks, which stated either that pain had…

Aging brings many changes—retirement, physical health concerns, and shifts in social circles. While some of these transitions are expected, one of the most pressing yet often overlooked challenges faced by older adults is loneliness and isolation. Research show that social isolation can significantly impact both mental and physical health, contributing to depression, cognitive decline, and even increased mortality rates. Are You Caring for an Aging Parent or Grandparent? For many middle-aged adults, the struggle isn’t just about worrying for an aging parent—it’s also about balancing caregiving…

Have you ever looked around and thought, This isn’t where I thought I’d be? Maybe you imagined a different career path, a higher position, or a greater sense of fulfillment at this stage in life. Instead, you find yourself feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or questioning your choices. If this resonates, you’re not alone. The Weight of Expectations Many of us enter adulthood with a roadmap—whether it’s one we crafted ourselves or absorbed from family, society, or education. We set timelines: By 30, I’ll have my dream job. By 40, I’ll own a home. By now, I should feel successful. When reality doesn’t…

My Heart Story Every life tells a story, and mine begins by being born "blue" with Tetralogy of Fallot, a complex congenital heart defect. As a newborn, I quickly learned how much strength I needed, even to breathe, move and eat. I was born with a mountain to climb for even simple human experiences. As I grew up, I learned to to hide my scar, both the physical one on my chest and the emotional one in my heart. I longed to blend in, to be seen as 'normal' and brave, but the truth is that my hidden story was far too powerful to remain silent. Like many others with congenital heart disease, my…

It’s easy to scoff at the word ‘addiction’ when it comes to screen time. After all, our phones, tablets, and laptops aren’t drugs or alcohol, right? But the way they engage our brains tells a different story. Dopamine, the neurotransmitter that drives pleasure and motivation, is being hijacked by the rapid-fire stimulation of notifications, endless scrolling, and instant gratification. Dr. Anna Lembke, an addiction expert, explains that smartphones are designed to be addictive, reinforcing behaviours with rewards like social media interactions, akin to a slot machine's reinforcement schedule…

As 2025 begins, I am noticing that my clients need a more resilient, generous way of repairing the disharmony they create. Saying I am sorry is not nearly enough especially if the hurtful remark, the sarcasm, the domineering posture has been ongoing. We all come into our relationships with character flaws - bad communication habits that came from childhood hurts. Ie.,” Nobody will ever get close ever again. “ “ I get to tell you everything that I think and feel just like my mother did " These reactions are defensive in nature and so automatic we barely notice the effect on our loved ones or…

I'm not so much of a "New Year Resolutions" person. I'm more of a "Create a Life you Like and Live it Everyday" kind of person. People come in to my office any time of the year, January or otherwise, to work on being happier, being more confident, being healthier, and being braver. What do you like spending your day doing? Being in nature? Being in front of a computer? Playing with your kids? And what are you actually spending your time doing? Listening to others vent? Commiserating about how hard life is? Numbing out on your phone? It's ok to do things you really want to be doing. Really. And…

Have you ever been intensely frustrated by not know what is causing you to experience nagging and uncomfortable emotions, seemingly out of the blue? We have all experienced this scenario. We are having a reasonably good day, perhaps even relaxing with friends, when we are suddenly overwhelmed by unwanted negative thoughts or emotions. Something in our mental process has caused us to become “triggered” to a negative thought or feeling, that could take hours or days to recover from. Identifying the causes of these mental triggers is a crucial first step in managing one's mental health and…