Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and many other mental health problems. EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.

EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies. For more information about this therapy please see https://www.emdria.org/ and https://emdrcanada.org/

Mindfulness based Stress reduction techniques (MBSRT) provides a treatment for anxiety. With the significant amount of research available, training the brain with mindfulness creates the opportunity for greater emotional control and clarity of thinking. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy builds upon the principles of cognitive therapy by using techniques such as meditation to teach people to consciously pay attention to their thoughts and feelings without placing any judgments upon them, or without getting caught up in what could have been or might occur in the future. It provides clarity of thought and can give you the tools needed to more easily let go of negative thoughts instead of letting them feed your depression For more information about this therapy please see https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/abl0293

"Play is the highest development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in the child’s soul...Children’s play is not mere sport. It is full of meaning and import" - Froebel, 1903, (p.22)

One of the pioneers of play therapy, and psychologist, Virginia Axline in 1950 summarized her concept of play therapy:  "A play experience is therapeutic because it provides a secure relationship between the child and the adult, so that the child has the freedom and room to state himself in his own terms, exactly as he is at that moment in his own way and in his own time." (p68)

Non directive play therapy provides a safe space for a child to express their feelings, their inner world, worries and anxieties through play and toys. Since the world of children is full of activities and movement, a therapist during play therapy has the chance to enter the child’s world. Children do not have to verbally explain what happened, rather they "can live out at the moment of the play the past experiences and associated feelings" - Gary Landreth, (p.15).

Play therapy provides opportunity for the therapist to discuss healthy expression of feelings, self regulation, and appropriate limit setting that are essential to children’s emotional development, and positive mental health.

Trauma is not what happens to us, but what happens inside us. Gabor Mate- On the biology of Loss.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after events that are loaded with strong emotions, or any stressful, frightening or distressing event that can pose a danger to our being. A few common examples of trauma can be, Motor vehicle accidents or other sever injuries, physical or emotional assault, abuse (including childhood or domestic abuse), serious health problems, child birth experiences, war and conflict, or exposure to traumatic events at work. These events can change the responses and functions of our brain. PTSD can develop in about 1 in 3 people who experience trauma. Some of symptoms of impacts of trauma can be nightmares, difficulty sleeping, flashbacks, delays to our cognition and lower verbal memory. For some individuals these symptoms can lead to unhelpful coping mechanisms such as self-medicating with alcohol and drugs or eating disorders. It is therefore very important to seek professional help as we notice the early symptoms in order to accelerate healing and recovery.

Many life transitions such as immigration, recent job change, being a new parent, going through separation or divorce, and remarriage, can be difficult, stressful, rewarding and/or exciting. Change often promises new outcomes however it is often not an easy process for most people. We generally tend to experience change with mixed feelings of stress, confusion, unsettlement, and sometimes fatigue and physical symptoms. It is common that while experiencing these emotions; some of the past experiences can be triggered and make experiencing the current situation even more difficult and therefore leaving individuals feel more helpless and confused. Counselling can be helpful in processing the challenges and therefore gaining more clarity; sometimes our brain can benefit from learning new ways of coping with stress and emotions as a result of life transitions and counselling can facilitate that process.

Pregnancy and gift of a child is sure one of life’s miracles and brings about many changes in the lives of new parents. There are many factors to consider in raising a healthy and happy child, while the focus is on providing basic needs of food and shelter and safety, it is also important to account for providing emotional safety and healthy patterns of attachment and connection withparents and caregivers. Counselling can provide support for parents as they navigate multiple challenges of work and life balance, marital issues and complicated family relations, financial distress while building connection with their new born and attending to their physical and emotional needs. During Counselling, Parents can expect to gain a better understanding of how to deal with outside influences, learn about their own emotions, thoughts, and responses, and coping with the demands of their younger child or teenager. Counselling can support the parents in understanding the emotions behind their child’s behavior and support them in facilitating changes in the household and responses to their child in order to better support the child’s mental health and wellness. We believe that establishing and maintaining a relationship based on trust, and love is the key to raining emotionally secure, confident and healthy children.