Sea Light Counselling

I'm pleased to announce I am now registered with Telus Health eClaims. This means I can provide direct billing with Manulife and many other insurance providers in addition to Blue Cross and NIHB. Call 902-473-9514 or email [email protected] for more information.

Call now to connect with business.

Thank you Charlottetown, PEI for hosting this year's Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) Conference. The event was excellent and inspiring. Thanks to all the volunteers and presenters for their hard work and effort to provide such an educational, engaging and insightful weekend. Some words that resonated with me from Tareq Hadhad's (CEO Peace by Chocolate) keynote speaking from this past weekend's theme on Navigating Trauma, Finding Connection were 'Kindness', 'Family', 'Hope', 'Curiosity, 'Loneliness', 'Afraid' and 'Grateful'. Look forward to the next national CCPA Conference!

Share everything.
Play fair.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Say your sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
These are just some anecdotes from author Robert Fulghum from what he recalls that he learned in his kindergarten experiences.

Blog post: 5 Tips for a Mentally Healthy Time Change https://sealightcounselling.wordpress.com/blog/

In order to take a chance, sometimes we can let those feelings in our body rather than just thoughts in our mind to help us make a decision. And then we can explore and let the adventure unfold.

It is important to get outside when we can and enjoy the natural surroundings that are freely available to us.

Take some time to explore a little. There may be an adventure out there worth seeking big or small.

The days are getting a bit longer now. Notice the skies as you go outside and enjoy the natural scenery.

A little self-care can go a long way towards feeling and bringing more energy, connectedness and kindness into our world.

The increasing daylight this time of year is energizing - it's a great time to take stock and make goals with these "Spring Cleaning for your Mental Health" tips via CAMH

Spring Cleaning for Your Mental Health Centralized information, intake and scheduling. Access CAMH makes it easy to find support – simply call 416-535-8501, option 2.

A gentle reminder about why you are utterly exhausted…

No one I know began this year on a full tank. Given the vicious onslaught of the previous two years (let’s just call it what it was) most of us dragged ourselves across the finish line of 2021… frazzled, spent, running on aged adrenaline fumes…

We crawled into 2022 still carrying shock, trauma, grief, heaviness, disbelief… The memories of a surreal existence…
And then it began… The fastest hurricane year we could ever have imagined. Whether we have consciously processed it or not, this has been a year of more pressure, more stress, and a race to “catch up” in all departments… Every. Single. One. Work, school, sports, relationships, life…

Though not intentionally aware, perhaps hopeful that the busier we are, the more readily we will forget… the more easily we will undo the emotional tangle… the more permanently we will wipe away the scarring wounds…
We can’t.

And attempts to re-create some semblance of “normal” on steroids while disregarding that for almost two years our sympathetic nervous systems were on full alert, has left our collective mental health in tatters. Our children and teens are not exempt. The natural byproduct of fighting a hurricane is complete and utter exhaustion…

So before you begin questioning the absolutely depleted and wrung-dry state you are in- Pause. Breathe. Remind yourself of who you are and what you have endured. And then remind yourself of what you have overcome.
Despite it all, you’re still going. (Even on the days you stumble and find yourself face down in a pile of dirt).
Understanding brings compassion…

Most of the world’s citizens are in need of a little extra TLC at the moment. Most are donning invisible “Handle with care” posters around their necks and “Fragile” tattoos on their bodies…
Instead of racing to the finish line of this year, tread gently. Go slowly.

Amidst the chaos, find small pockets of silence. Find compassion. Allow the healing. And most of all… Be kind. There’s no human being on earth who couldn’t use just a little bit more of the healing salve of kindness.

With love ♥️

Naomi Holdt - Psychologist and Speaker

www.raisingvibrations.com.au

Did you know that the Government of Canada requires registered counselling therapists to charge GST, while other professionals like social workers and psychologists are exempt? If you have a moment to sign this petition to help change this situation and make mental health care more accessible for Canadians please consider signing this petition:

Petition e-4126 - Petitions There is no obligation on the part of the House of Commons or any Member of Parliament to authorize the publication of an e-petition or to present an e-petition or a paper petition to the House of Commons. Neither the House of Commons nor any Member of Parliament authorizing the publication of an e-...

My son and many of his peers begin their post secondary education this week. It's an exciting time - and also a good time to plan on how to cope when things get stressful. Wishing all the best to all students this week!

5 ways students can foster positive mental health at university The transition to a new school year will be an important time for students to focus on strategies for fostering positive mental health and well-being, and recognizing signs that help may be needed.

"And it isn’t like declining cases of COVID-19 and shifting guidelines wave a magic wand and erase everything that happened to us. A week of vacation won’t cure our exhaustion, either. Most of us are carrying unprocessed grief, stress, and trauma. That’s why any email we receive about rising cases or travel restrictions or a news alert about COVID can trigger our previous experiences—which only compounds our existing stress".

https://www.self.com/story/reasons-pandemic-fatigue

Why Your Pandemic Fatigue Is At an All-Time High (Even as Cases Dwindle) I'm a psychiatrist and I'm exhausted, too.

It's also normal to feel happy about the positive stuff that's happening in your life, and anxious, and in need of a reassuring routine, and preoccupied with your own problems, and numb, and hopeless, and overwhelmed, and tired, and excited about your plans... we are human being and can feel many very different things at the same time.

My first blog post for the Sea Light website, inspired by one of my family's favourite films:
https://sealightcounselling.wordpress.com/2022/02/24/four-ways-to-empower-change-from-into-the-spider-verse/

Four Ways to Empower Change from Into the Spider-Verse Image by eduardo merino from Pixabay Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse came out on Netflix a few months ago.  It is one of my favourite Spider-Man movies because of its writing and its brillia…

In the age of instant news it's almost impossible to shield children from frightening world events. Parents can help by providing reassurance, accurate, age-appropriate information, context, and keeping to routines.

"Hughesman divides children into two groups. Those younger than seven, who are still in the “monsters in the cupboard” phase, need to be soothed then distracted with the continuation of everyday routines. Older children, however, need reassurance through information and context. “Talk to them about the Bay of Pigs and other conflicts. Tell them that people had the same fears and anxieties then but those crisies blew over,” he said".

‘A delicate balance’: experts’ tips on dealing with Ukraine anxiety in children Psychologists and teachers suggest ways to give reassurance – and say strategies are age-dependent

So true!

Love this one!

Via: https://thejenkinscomic.wordpress.com/

The holidays can be stressful even during "normal" times. This year it feels really discouraging to be heading into another holiday season of cancellations and tightening restrictions. If it's all getting you down please reach out for help - you don't have to face it all alone when we have so many resources out there.

https://novascotia.cmha.ca/community-capacity/coping-covid-19/

Coping with COVID-19 - CMHA Nova Scotia Division COVID 19 Mental Health/Well Being Toolkits Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook Covid 19 Health and Wellbeing Toolkit Keeping Mentally Healthy Mental-Health-and-Wellbeing-Toolkit-COVID Taking Charge of What You Can How is COVID-19 impacting mental health? The new mental health research on coronavirus Managi...

This sounds like an amazing initiative - right here on the Eastern Shore of N.S.!

"Their goats receive frequent visits from injured veterans, clients of the Dartmouth Adult Services Centre, and members of the Eastern Shore Mental Health Association, who are welcome to pet and cuddle the friendly, people-loving goats.

They also do free weekend tours for anyone who signs up on their website".

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/therapy-goats-ataraxy-farms-anxiety-ptsd-1.6224395

These therapy goats are changing people's lives | CBC News Kim and Blair Davis of Lawrencetown, N.S., started with one goat and now have 48 therapy goats that can help people work through many mental health issues, from PTSD to anxiety.

The news of recent tragic events in Cumberland County weigh heavy on all of us, particularly the families, friends and first responders directly affected. The county and its residents have experienced a lot of loss over the past couple years.

We also know there are many others across the province dealing with individual losses or other life stresses.

Anyone in need of support is encouraged to reach out, whether you need to speak with someone or are looking for tools to help someone else, help is available.

Mental health crisis line - 1-888-429-8167

Kids Help phone - 1-800-668-6868,
Text- CONNECT to 686868,
or visit https://kidshelpphone.ca/

Mental health intake line - 1-855-922-1122

E Mental Health tools are also available at www.mhahelpns.ca

Hello friends! I am moving to a new office which will allow me to be more flexible with my appointment times.

As of October 12 I will be located on the 2nd floor of 2632 Windsor St., right above East Coast Hearing.

If you are looking to take steps to make positive change please contact me to discuss how I can help. Making therapy affordable is a top priority so I offer a sliding scale for those without insurance.

I'd also like to express many thanks to my friend Robin Hunter for making her counselling office available on Saturdays as I got things going with my counselling practice.

https://sealightcounselling.ca/

Sea Light Counselling Counselling and therapy in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Sea Light Counselling updated their address.