Smile Psychology

Managing anxiety will allow any future disorders to be better treated. In fact, when an adult comes into therapy with serious mental health concerns like bipolar, PTSD, schizophrenia, or any learning disorders, they end up needing to treat the anxiety first. Active anxiety makes it difficult to treat other disorders. It can limit the person’s ability to learn the needed interventions to improve their lives and manage additional mental health problems

Our priority with Children's Anxiety Group Therapy is to provide kids with a comfortable and familiar environment so that we can treat and recognize their anxiety.

Check out our website for more information!

Niobe Way was working toward her Ph.D. in counseling at Harvard University in the late 1980s and was told numerous times during therapy sessions by boys that they wished they had better friendships. Niobe stated that “The culture of hypermasculinity makes it harder for boys to form relationships, and that leads to a crisis of connection.”

Boys desire connection and want to speak to peers, but feel as if they can't and have to distance themselves due to social stigmas.

The early years of life are filled with heightened emotions and are a critical time of development. To read more about this article go to edutopia.org.

Core beliefs are the general standards and expectations that steer you through life. They can be positive (“I can do anything I set my mind to”) or negative and often self-limiting (“I’m not good enough”).

Common Harmful Core Beliefs
- “I am a failure”: A persistent feeling of not measuring up. This belief can lead people to overcompensate. In contrast, individuals who view themselves as failures can also be prone to procrastination.
- “The world is dangerous.”: You’re likely to restrict your activities and seek excessive reassurance to alleviate your anxiety.
- “I don’t belong.”: By avoiding engagement with others out of fear of rejection or by going to the extreme to become overly concerned with being the perfect group member.
- “I have to be perfect.”: This core belief also leads people to have unrealistically high expectations and tend to put a magnified focus on their flaws and missteps.

We know that we are social creatures. However, it can be challenging to connect with others when struggling with mental health or lack of confidence in who you are.

You will find it easier to create meaningful relationships as you gain a better sense of who you are. This means becoming more self-aware, knowing your values and decision-making processes, utilizing your strengths and weaknesses to achieve your goals, and actually knowing what your goals are.

It’s uncomfortable getting lost between what others think you should be doing and what you truly want to be doing. Counselling can help you either overcome any challenges you are currently facing or find ways to carve the path to your own success.

Interested in individual therapy? Book your free consultation today through our website!

Let us tell you what your child can expect with Children's Anxiety Group Therapy! This ten-week program will help your child overcome anxiety and become the best version of themselves!

In week one we will define anxiety, explore the "what if" thinking, share theories on anxiety, and much more.

By offering a variety of methods and different exercises we can help your child interact with others to build bonds, strengthen relationships and develop the necessary skills to deal with future problems.

Are you curious about what the other weeks look like? We would love to chat and answer any of your questions - Head over to our website!

Family is the backbone of all societies, if we make it strong, then our future generation will thrive! Happy family day!

Let us tell you why Smile Psychology is different from other psychologists!

- Triple P Parenting Program
- Assessments for Psychotherapists Workshop
- Bilingual and Culturally Competent
- Su***de Intervention Skills Training
- Diversity and Aboriginal Awareness Training
- Direct Billing

Have any questions or just want to chat? Head over to our website now!

Our minds are always trying to interpret and make sense of the world around us. Often we see the world accurately – as it really is – but sometimes, our minds take a series of alternate steps resulting in our thinking becoming biased. These biases or ‘cognitive distortions’ can have overwhelming effects on how we feel.

There are a number of cognitive distortions. Here are a few of the most common ones!
- All-or-Nothing: This distortion describes thinking or acting in extremes. Often defined as the tendency to evaluate one’s personal qualities in either a ‘black-or-white’ category.
- Overgeneralization: Describes identifying perceived patterns based on very little data.
- Mental Filter: This distortion describes only focusing attention on a select type of evidence.
- Disqualifying the Positive: This distortion describes the process of dismissing positive information. As an example, the dismissal of positive life events as merely a coincidence or saying that the events should be ignored.
- Jumping to Conclusions: This distortion is described as jumping to a negative conclusion that is not justified by fact.

Again, these are only a few common distortions. To read about the other most common distortions, head over to the blog section of our website!

There are many benefits of Children's Anxiety Group Therapy. Here are a few of them!
- Support from group
- Better social skills
- Long lasting impact
- Normalized experiences
- Increase motivation

Want more information or want to sign your child up? Go to www.smilepsychology.ca and select services on the top menu! We want to help your anxious child feel confident and comfortable in all environments and situations.

Smile Psychology wishes everyone a Happy Valentines Day!

At Smile Psychology, our mission is to help individuals find their true selves and find comfort and clarity on creating the life they want!

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or just want to chat! We are here for you.

Did you know we offer children and adolescent therapy?

Children and youth have this ability to think about things in ways that surprise us. They have a lot more fluid intelligence than they are given credit for. This also means there is a lot of potential for change and growth for our young people.

Children tend to have anxiety and problems with sleep that can be difficult for adults to understand as most parents do their best to create a safe and comforting environment for their child and don’t see any reasons for their child to worry or stress.

To support young people it is important to teach them skills and tools which can allow them to take charge and live their best life. Also, often we just don’t want our children and young people to worry so we encourage them to stop thinking about things that they are not yet responsible for. We need to explore these worries and teach young people how to plan, overcome, and cope with whatever is causing them anxiety or stress.

For more information about the children and adolescent therapy sessions offered at Smile Psychology head over to our website using the link in our bio!

Here are a few tips to aim for high self-esteem!

- Participate in activities you enjoy: Set aside time for activities that bring you joy and allow you to take your mind off less than positive thoughts.
- Engage with your social circle: Connect with friends, family, and other people that lift you up. Our connection with others helps us thrive. Don’t distance yourself from those relationships.
- Forgive others and yourself: Accept that we all make mistakes. If we hold on to grudges, the negativity we carry around is reflected in other parts of our lives. Use the lesson, learn from it, make positive changes, and move on.
- Acknowledge gratitude: Be thankful for all the positive things in your life. Acknowledge the qualities and traits that make you unique.

It’s completely normal to have good and bad days. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you rebuild your confidence and self-esteem. This process takes time and energy. When experiencing those challenging days, remind yourself that your hard work will be worth it in the end. Most importantly, you are valued and worthy of respect.

At Smile Psychology, we offer a ten-week group program that focuses on helping your child overcome anxiety. With therapy, there is a group dynamic that allows your child to challenge themselves and find healthy boundaries.

If you are interested in Children's Anxiety Group Therapy, click the link in our bio to sign your child up today!

Last month we spotlighted the different types of anxiety. Do you remember them? If not, don't worry we got your back!
The different types of anxiety are:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Separation Anxiety
- Specific Phobias

"Being able to be your true self is one of the strongest components of good mental health."
- Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy
Words to live by! Happy February!

Have you heard of the program we offer for children with anxiety?

At Smile Psychology, we provide an Anxiety Management Skills Group for ages 8-12.

This is a Ten-week Group program that starts with where your anxious child is while allowing your child to feel normal with their experiences and grow with a group of children that are all learning to overcome anxiety. This group dynamic allows your child to challenge the facilitators through open discussion and target activities to allow for the best engagement with helpful content and concepts.

Click the link in our to sign your child up today!

Children can have anxiety!

Because some children with anxiety can be quiet and eager to please, their symptoms may be overlooked.

Parents and other authority figures should be alert to the numerous signs of anxiety so they can intervene as early as possible!

At Smile Psychology, we provide an Anxiety Management Skills group, where we use tools from CBT, ACT, Narrative therapy, and Play therapy! We focus on allowing your child to feel normal with their experiences and grow with a group of children that are all learning to overcome anxiety.

For more information head over to our website! www.smilepsychology.ca

Parents tend to see changes in their children around the ages of 8-12 and may misinterpret these as behavioural problems when these could well be symptoms of anxiety. Some of the symptoms of anxiety are:
- Avoiding going out
- Avoiding doing things they used to like
- Irrational fear and worries
- Not able to accept comfort
- Trouble concentrating
- Being very self conscious
- Refusal to go to school
- Poor impulse control
- Forgetfulness
- Tantrums
- Panic
- Not sleeping

At Smile Psychology, we off Children's Anxiety Group Therapy that will support your child and teach them skills and tools which can allow them to take charge and live their best life.

If you are interested in the program or have any questions, check out our website to sign up or for more information!

Can anxiety lead to depression?

Anxiety in children often turns into depression in adolescents. Depression can lead to self-harm and substance abuse resulting in addictions. If left untreated, this can lead to psychological impairments, disabilities, and su***de.

Does your child have anxiety?

Smile Psychology offers an Anxiety Management Group for children ages 8-12!

What are the benefits of group therapy?
- Proven factors that make group therapy have a long-lasting impact on participants
- Healthy facilitated sounding board and brainstorming solutions as a group
- Increase social skills and normalizes experiences

Does this interest you? Sign up your child today for Anxiety Management Group through our website!

Do you know about the specific phobias children can have? Your child might have a phobia if they have an intense and irrational fear of a certain thing or situation. Common phobias in children include:

- Animals
- Darkness
- Medical procedures

If you believe your child is facing a specific phobia, feel free to contact us. We can help your child to have better access to their own executive functioning and decision-making areas of their mind which allows them to achieve more autonomy and fulfillment in their life!

Did you know that untreated anxiety causes a lot of stress on the body and will lead to health problems? Now you do!

Was this a surprise to you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Does your child constantly worry about something happening to a family member like an accident? Do you notice your child refusing to sleep without you being there? Is your child nervous or scared to participate in school or in any other activities?

If you answered yes to any of the following questions above, then your child may have a separation anxiety disorder.

A separation anxiety disorder is where children feel some anxiety when a parent leaves the room or their line of sight.

Smile Psychology provides resources and support to help your child build a more confident self.

Click the link in our bio to go to our website to learn more!

Sometimes, they are not just sad . . .

Does your child avoid going out? Do they no longer do the things they used to love? Do you notice your child having poor impulse control?

These are only a few symptoms of anxiety.

To learn more about symptoms of anxiety in children, and to find ways to support your child, check out our website for the resources and services we provide!

Have you heard of Social Anxiety Disorder?

It is an intense fear of social and performance situations which leads to difficulties in maintaining relationships. Do you think your child could have a social anxiety disorder?

Visit Smile Psychology for more information on how we support children facing anxiety!

"In order to help your children heal, we must understand and address the difference in their brain, body, biology, and beliefs"
- Dr. Karyn Purvis
Psychologist and co-founder of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development

What a wonderful quote to start the day off! Happy Tuesday!

Have you heard of a Panic Disorder?

Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety where someone may experience dread or fear over small things, or for no reason at all.

Managing anxiety now will allow any future disorders to be better treated.

Do you think your child has a panic disorder? Our Children's Anxiety Group Therapy may be just what they need.

Check out our website for more information about our program!

Smile Psychology offers an Anxiety Management Group for children ages 8-12!

This anxiety management group will provide interventions from various proven therapy styles, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, solutions-focused therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, narrative therapy, and play therapy. Our group is very structured and allows for experiential learning in a safe well-supported environment. Our priority is to provide kids with a comfortable and familiar environment so that we can treat and recognize their anxiety!

Check our website for more information about our Anxiety Management program and to register today!

Do you know what GAD is?

GAD stands for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which is a constant and exaggerated sense of tension and anxiety.

If you think your child has a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) book your free consultation today! We offer a free no obligation 15-minute consultation. Book a time that is convenient for you and speak to one of our Registered Psychologists.

Head over to our website today to book a session today!