Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback

Unlock the Power of Forgiveness in Your Relationship: Check Out Our Latest Blog Post!

Hey everyone,

We're excited to share the latest installment in our "Hold Me Tight" series: "Forgiving Injuries - Conversation 5." In this post, we dive deep into one of the most transformative aspects of any relationship – forgiveness.

Why Forgiveness Matters

Forgiveness is more than just letting go of grudges; it's about restoring the emotional connection that injuries can damage. When we talk about forgiveness, we're addressing the heart of what it means to heal and move forward together. Unresolved hurts can create barriers to intimacy, trust, and communication. By understanding and practicing forgiveness, couples can break down these barriers and foster a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.

Understanding Forgiveness in Relationships

Forgiveness in the context of intimate relationships involves several key steps:

Acknowledging the Hurt: Recognize the pain that has been caused. This isn't about blaming but about understanding the impact of the hurt.
Expressing Emotions: Share your feelings constructively. Use "I" statements to avoid blame and focus on your own emotional experience.
Understanding the Context: Explore the circumstances that led to the injury. This helps build empathy and understanding between partners.
Rebuilding Trust: Trust is often the first casualty of an injury. Rebuilding it requires consistent, trustworthy behavior over time.
Committing to Change: Discuss and agree on specific actions to prevent future injuries and to support each other in making these changes.
The Impact of Unresolved Injuries

Unresolved injuries can lead to resentment, anxiety, and emotional withdrawal. These negative feelings can simmer beneath the surface, affecting the overall health of the relationship. By addressing and healing these hurts, couples can restore trust and intimacy. Our blog post explores these impacts in detail, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness for emotional well-being.

Practical Exercise: The Forgiveness Dialogue

To help couples navigate the forgiveness process, we’ve included a detailed exercise called the Forgiveness Dialogue. This exercise provides a structured approach to help partners share their perspectives, listen actively, express empathy, and work towards rebuilding trust. Here’s a snapshot of what the exercise involves:

Setting the Scene: Each partner takes turns sharing their perspective on the injury.
Active Listening: While one partner speaks, the other listens attentively and summarizes what they heard.
Expressing Empathy: Each partner expresses empathy for the other's feelings and perspective.
Discussing the Context: Share underlying reasons or circumstances that contributed to the hurtful behavior.
Forgiveness and Recommitment: Express a desire to forgive and move forward, and agree on actions to rebuild trust.

Why Professional Support Can Be Invaluable

If you find the process of forgiveness challenging, seeking professional support can be incredibly helpful. Our skilled therapists at Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback are here to guide you through this journey. They offer personalized support and tools to help you and your partner heal and strengthen your relationship.

Ready to start your healing journey? Visit our online booking site to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced therapists. They can provide the guidance and support you need to navigate the forgiveness process and build a healthier, more connected relationship.

Join the Conversation

We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on forgiveness in relationships. Have you faced challenges with forgiveness? What strategies have worked for you and your partner? Share your stories in the comments below and let’s support each other on this journey.

Don’t forget to check out our full blog post for an in-depth look at forgiving injuries and practical steps you can take to heal and reconnect with your partner.

Stay Connected

For more insights, tips, and resources on building strong, healthy relationships, follow our page and subscribe to our blog. Stay tuned for the next post in our "Hold Me Tight" series, where we’ll continue exploring the essential conversations that can transform your relationship.

Strengthen Your Relationship with Emotional Engagement Tips

We're thrilled to announce the latest installment in our blog series. This time, we explore the theme of "Engaging and Connecting." If you're looking to deepen your emotional bond and enhance intimacy with your partner, check out this post!

Why Emotional Engagement Matters
Emotional engagement is the cornerstone of a thriving relationship. It's about being fully present and responsive to your partner's feelings, ensuring both partners feel seen, heard, and valued. By practicing Accessibility, Responsiveness, and Engagement (A.R.E.), you can strengthen your connection and build a secure, loving relationship.

Practical Steps to Deepen Your Connection
Our blog provides a step-by-step exercise designed to help you and your partner engage in meaningful conversations. Here's a sneak peek:

Set the Scene: Find a quiet, comfortable space and agree on a time to talk without interruptions.
Start with Intentions: Share your intention to connect on a deeper level and commit to listening and understanding each other.
Share and Listen: Take turns sharing recent experiences that evoked strong emotions, using "I" statements to express your feelings.
Reflect and Validate: Reflect back what you heard to validate your partner's feelings, ensuring they feel understood and supported.
Switch Roles: Repeat the process with your partner sharing and you listening.
Discuss and Connect: Discuss any insights or feelings that emerged, and identify ways to support each other emotionally.
End with Appreciation: Express gratitude for each other's openness and reinforce your commitment to emotional engagement.
Activities to Foster Intimacy
We also suggest a variety of activities to help deepen your emotional connection, such as:

Daily Check-ins: Spend a few minutes each day discussing the highs and lows of your day.
Date Nights: Regularly schedule time for romantic and fun activities together.
Shared Hobbies: Engage in activities you both enjoy, like cooking, hiking, or painting.
Mindfulness Practices: Practice mindfulness or meditation together to enhance emotional regulation and connection.
Reading Together: Choose a book to read together and discuss.
Explore Professional Support
Professional therapy can provide invaluable support in enhancing emotional engagement. At Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback, our therapists are trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to guide couples in building stronger bonds. We offer a range of services, including individual and couples therapy, workshops, and seminars.

Join Us on This Journey
Don't miss out on these detailed insights and practical tips to strengthen your relationship. Visit our blog for the full article and start your journey toward a more secure and fulfilling bond today. For personalized support, explore our therapy options and workshops at Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback. Click the link below to read more!

Read the Full Article: https://www.sojourncounselling.com/blog/1158939-building-emotional-connection

Let's Connect
We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. How have you and your partner worked on emotional engagement? What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them? Join the conversation and help us build a community of support and understanding.

🌟 Exciting News from Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback! 🌟

We are thrilled to introduce the third installment of our enlightening blog series based on Dr. Sue Johnson's revolutionary "Hold Me Tight" program. This series is dedicated to helping couples explore deep emotional connections and repair past hurts, and the latest post focuses on Conversation 3: "Revisiting a Rocky Moment." Whether you’re facing current relationship challenges or seeking to enhance the bond with your partner, this post provides crucial insights into turning conflicts into opportunities for growth.

🔍 What You’ll Discover in the Blog:

Understanding 'Revisiting a Rocky Moment': Learn why it's so crucial for couples to address past conflicts and how these moments, when revisited and properly understood, can strengthen relationships rather than weaken them.
Guided Steps for Engagement: We offer a detailed, step-by-step approach on how to select a significant moment to revisit, delve into the emotions involved, and share these feelings with your partner without casting blame.
Empathetic Listening Techniques: Our post emphasizes the importance of listening to understand—not just to respond—ensuring that both partners feel heard and valued.
Practical Exercise Included: To help couples apply these concepts, we've included an interactive exercise designed to foster understanding, empathy, and constructive dialogue. This hands-on approach helps partners see each other’s perspectives and work together towards healing.
The Role of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Discover how EFT can be instrumental in breaking negative interaction patterns and fostering a secure, loving bond between partners.
💡 Why This Matters:
Addressing and revisiting rocky moments are more than just rehashing old disputes—it’s about understanding the underlying emotions and needs that were unmet during these times. By transforming how we view and discuss these moments, couples can build a more secure foundation, reduce the recurrence of harmful patterns, and enhance intimacy and understanding.

👥 Engage With Us:
We encourage you to read the blog, reflect on your relationship experiences, and share your thoughts and questions. Have you and your partner attempted to revisit and resolve a rocky moment? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? Your stories inspire us and help build a community of support and learning.

📝 Looking Ahead:
Stay tuned for more posts in this series as we continue to explore each conversation outlined in the "Hold Me Tight" program. Our goal is to provide you with resources, knowledge, and support as you navigate the complexities of relationships and personal growth.

🔗 Visit Our Blog:
Dive deeper into the insights and exercises we’ve discussed by visiting our blog. Each post is crafted with care by our team of experts at Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback, who are dedicated to supporting your journey towards a healthier, more fulfilling relationship.

💌 Join Our Community:
Like, share, and comment to join our growing community. Follow us for regular updates, tips, and discussions about maintaining healthy relationships and overall mental well-being. Your engagement helps us reach others who can benefit from our resources.

👉 Click the link in our bio to read the full blog post and explore our services, workshops, and upcoming events. Whether you’re seeking guidance for specific challenges or interested in general relationship enhancement, Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback is here to support you every step of the way.



This comprehensive Facebook post aims to engage the audience with a blend of educational content, practical resources, and community interaction, encouraging readers to delve into the valuable teachings of the "Hold Me Tight" program and to connect with our clinic for further support and guidance.

Welcome back to our blog series inspired by Sue Johnson's "Hold Me Tight." Today, we delve into our second conversation, "Finding the Raw Spots," exploring the sensitive areas in relationships that, when triggered, lead to conflict but also offer profound potential for connection and healing.

Understanding and addressing these raw spots—emotional wounds sensitive to touch—is crucial. They often stem from past experiences and can cause misunderstandings and hurt when triggered. Recognizing and working through these spots fosters empathy and strengthens bonds, breaking cycles of conflict and building trust.

In this post, we guide you through identifying your own raw spots with a practical exercise designed to foster understanding and empathy between partners. This involves reflecting on moments of disconnection, engaging in open, non-judgmental communication, and sharing vulnerabilities. The exercise aims to help you and your partner discover patterns in your reactions, understand each other's emotional triggers, and commit to responding with care in the future.

Additionally, we offer strategies for integrating this new understanding into your daily interactions to ensure lasting positive change. Regular check-ins, fostering an environment of openness, and developing responsive action plans are part of this ongoing nurturing process.

Embarking on this journey is a testament to the commitment you share in your relationship. It’s about turning vulnerabilities into strengths and conflicts into opportunities for deeper connection.

If challenges arise that require professional support, remember that our team at Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback is here to help. Visit our online booking system to schedule an appointment and start your journey towards a healthier, happier relationship. Together, we can explore the paths that lead to a stronger bond and a brighter future for your partnership.

https://www.sojourncounselling.com/blog/1132153-can-couples-fall-back-in-love-navigating-past-pain

Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll offer another activity to strengthen your bond at home.

Aelaf, holding a Master's Degree in Public Health and currently pursuing a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy at Trinity Western University, offers a wealth of experience in supporting vulnerable children and families, with a focus on trauma-responsive and strength-based approaches. As an immigrant woman fluent in English and Amharic, she provides culturally sensitive services at a significantly reduced rate, aiming to enhance access for marginalized communities. Her therapeutic practice, drawing from various approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy, is dedicated to fostering safe, collaborative relationships that support individuals and families in their healing journeys.

Book a free session with Aelaf at: https://sojourncounselling.janeapp.com/ #/staff_member/12/bio

Are you looking to enhance communication and deepen your connection with your partner? Our latest blog article delves into the transformative concepts of enhancing emotional bonding in relationships. 📖💑

We explore conversations crucial for strengthening your partnership and offer a practical activity to help you and your partner recognize and break free from negative communication patterns. This is just the beginning of a journey toward a more fulfilling and intimate connection. 🌱❤️

But we understand that every relationship is unique, and sometimes, personalized guidance is needed to navigate the complexities of love and communication. That's why we're here to help. If you're looking for support tailored specifically to your relationship, we encourage you to book a couples counselling appointment with us. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you and your partner build a stronger, more resilient bond. 🤝🌟

Don't wait to take the first step toward a deeper connection. Read our blog article and discover how you can transform your relationship. And when you're ready for a more personalized approach, we're just an appointment away. 💖🔗

https://sojourncounselling.janeapp.com/ #/list

Navigating the cost of counselling in Surrey, BC, can be complex, with several factors influencing prices. At Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback, we recognize the importance of transparency in this matter.

At Sojourn we offer various pricing models, varying by practitioner, including reduced rates with Masters' Degree students. Fees at our clinic do not differ by type of service offered by the same practitioner. For those with financial constraints, intern-provided counselling at reduced rates are available and some services may be covered by insurance.

For a detailed understanding of counselling costs, visit our blog article on this topic where we take a deep dive on the topic of counselling fees in Surrey at https://www.sojourncounselling.com/blog/1068013-how-much-does-a-counsellor-cost-in-surrey-bc.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family Focused 👨‍👩‍👦
Meet Katherine, a Registered Clinical Counsellor at Sojourn, providing a range of clinical services for children, youth, and their families. Her multi-faceted experience of over 25 years makes her a perfect fit for family-focused therapy. 👪

Ready for a natural approach to improve cognitive function? Neuroptimal Neurofeedback uses real-time feedback to help the brain adjust and improve. 🧠🌱

Meet Amandeep, our intern counsellor with a multicultural approach. Now welcoming new clients at special rates.

The journey to mental wellness often requires more than one tool. Find out how therapy can support your medication in our new blog post: https://www.sojourncounselling.com/blog/999853-medication-or-psychotherapy-unpacking-treatment-options-for-mental-health

Navigating Mental Health Treatments: Medication vs. Psychotherapy Guid Explore the pros and cons of medication and psychotherapy in treating mental health conditions. Learn how to find the right therapist and the essential role of community support in your mental health journey.

No more feeding the worry monster! Time for some neurofeedback nourishment. Book your appointment and let's start your journey.

Your mind matters. So does your wallet. Let's take care of both with our intern therapy sessions!

Accessing quality counselling services shouldn't be a luxury. Find out how low-cost counselling with intern therapists can make therapy affordable and effective for you.

❤️ Seeking guidance in your relationship journey? Couples Counselling offers a supportive environment to address challenges, improve understanding, and foster emotional connection. Take the courageous step towards a brighter future—book your appointment now.

https://sojourncounselling.janeapp.com/ #/list

Affordable mental health support is within reach. Explore our guide on low-cost counselling and intern therapists to find the perfect balance between quality care and financial sustainability.

🌟 Invest in your relationship and book an appointment for Couples Counselling! 🌟 Discover effective communication techniques, resolve conflicts, and build a stronger, more fulfilling partnership. Take the first step towards a happier future together.

https://www.sojourncounselling.com/couples-counselling

💑 Is your relationship going through a rough patch? Don't struggle alone. Couples Counselling can provide the support and guidance you need. Take the leap and book an appointment today to reconnect, heal, and rebuild your love.
https://www.sojourncounselling.com/couples-counselling

Depression makes the tasks of daily life like even getting out of bed difficult. Depression is an illness, not a choice or weakness. In Andrew's latest blog post, he writes about the origins of depression, some common symptoms, and treatment methods available.

https://www.sojourncounselling.com/blog/928398-why-cant-i-get-out-of-bed

What is Depression and How is it Treated? Depression is a pervasive illness that affects mood, motivation, relationships, and sleep. Treatment often involves both counselling and medication.

Love them or hate them, new year resolutions are something of a tradition for most. With January comes the opportunity to start afresh, and people around the world resolve to change something in their lives for the better. But while so many people aspire to achieve ambitious goals, only 12% will ever experience the taste of victory.

In most cases, our resolutions fail because:
It’s a resolution created based on what someone else (or society) is telling you to change.
It’s too vague
we don’t have a realistic plan for achieving our resolution.

Read Shahrzad's article on how to set SMART goals that fit with your values:
https://www.sojourncounselling.com/blog/894173-setting-achievable-goals-you-can-feel-good-about

The holidays can be a tough time for a variety of reasons. Even those with loved ones and the means to spend a little extra may find themselves feeling overwhelmed by all of the family, social and work expectations. Those who don’t have family nearby can find themselves missing home, and isolation and depression can sink in.

For tips on how to care for your mental health this holiday season have a look at Andrew's new blog article.

https://www.sojourncounselling.com/blog/864253-5-ways-to-care-for-your-mental-health-during-the-holidays

One thing you can count on from your therapist is unconditional acceptance. Katherine's recent article on our blog describes what a person-centered therapist is and what you can expect from your counsellor.



https://www.sojourncounselling.com/blog/844148-what-to-expect-from-your-therapist

Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving and World Mental Health Day. We are thankful for to those who share their vulnerability and strength to improve their mental health and to those who support others' self care with compassion and kindness. Happy Thanksgiving and World Mental Health Day.

The last few days of posts have been about cycle breaking. It is a rich and gradual process. Reach out to us if you are seeking support for your cycle breaking process.

The final step of cycle breaking is of creation. Setting goals, creating a plan, and much more can be a challenging work.

Here's step three of cycle breaking. Working with a therapist for support in shifting patterns can help with the healing process.

Step two of cycle breaking is investigative work. Therapists and clients can work together to identify patterns and investigate the impact of experiences.