Bloom Well Therapy

Let’s talk about Blue Monday!​​​​​​​​
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If you’re feeling blue today, it’s no surprise. The third Monday in January marks an unassuming time of sadness that many individuals may experience.​​​​​​​​
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As we experience the lull that follows the holiday season and long for warmer days and sunshine, it is imperative to learn how to identify your blues.​​​​​​​​

Check out our blog to learn some helpful strategies for coping with Blue Monday. ​​​​​​​​

Moving Through Blue Monday | Bloom Well Therapy If you’re feeling blue this particular week, or day, it’s no surprise. The third Monday in January is Blue Monday. Read on to learn what it is and what to do about it!

Read our latest blog post for tips on how to navigate the stress and exhaustion that comes with celebrating during the holiday season!

Navigating The Holidays | Bloom Well Therapy Navigating the holidays can be a difficult. Between excitement and anxiety may lie feelings of unease. Read on for tips to get through the holiday season!

“The regions associated with gratitude are part of the neural networks that light up when we socialize and experience pleasure.”

https://www.mindful.org/what-the-brain-reveals-about-gratitude/?utm_content=buffer7e3ac&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwAR1sAwibsiwQ9Du6opzbJhawwNWx1T65zIQ_INP5_LgodhH7IVuccitweZw

What Science Reveals About Gratitude's Impact on the Brain - Mindful New research sheds light on the physiology of gratitude, bringing us closer to being able to harness the health benefits of this powerful emotion.

Fernanda Villanueva, Bloom Therapy Toronto updated their address.

I could not stop raving about Bebo Mia's doula training, that I took several years back. I am so excited an honoured to be joining their team facilitating the process group for the new Maternal Support Practitioner students!

Please join us in welcoming Fernanda Villanueva to the bebo mia team as the facilitator of the Trauma Processing Group this semester!

Fernanda holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto. She completed her Maternal Support Practitioner training with bebo mia in 2016.

Fernanda has worked in community health settings for over 15 years and currently works as a therapist in private practice. She specializes in women's mental and reproductive health and supports individuals working through anxiety, depression and trauma.

We are so excited to have you on the team, Fernanda!

“Why use empathy? Because when we give and receive empathy we produce the near magical neurotransmitter oxytocin, which creates a sense of trust and cooperation—keys to negotiating and resolving conflict, whether between couples, communities, states, or countries."

https://www.mindful.org/fight-stress-empathy/?utm_content=buffer1e617&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwAR355v9HixnUup0l4PcRyIyZ0kgmMPeL4_HjMX5gPQWk6AeQwJ7qs1ic1AY

How to Fight Stress with Empathy - Mindful Psychologist Arthur Ciaramicoli argues that empathic listening may be the key to reducing stress in our lives.

How do you ground yourself? Giving yourself permission to slow down and come to the present moment can often be a good way to find balance. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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“We believe that the longer we tough it out, the tougher we are, and therefore the more successful we will be...The key to resilience is trying really hard, then stopping, recovering, and then trying again.”

https://hbr.org/2016/06/resilience-is-about-how-you-recharge-not-how-you-endure?fbclid=IwAR3aecO2mU8wkanxKxGTP68PwOYchqSy1K0vvhOstk0EcELip0TNDsZk4YE

Resilience Is About How You Recharge, Not How You Endure Try really hard, and then stop, recover, and repeat.

What an honour it was to be included in the Perinatal Mental Health Trainings Summer School Program. I had a chance to share how to identify and communicate boundary setting during the pregnancy and postpartum period.

The CPMHT are truly one of a kind and offer mental health trainings for professionals working with individuals during the perinatal period. They are the first in Canada to provide perinatal mental health trainings from a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens!

Can you believe this week is the last week of our free Summer School program? Our final session on August 9th is all about Boundary Setting: Beyond Saying 'No'.

Pregnancy and postpartum are times when people offer plenty of unsolicited advice and parents often find themselves renegotiating boundaries with those they love most.

Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist Fernanda Villanueva will show you tools for identifying, communicating, setting, and holding boundaries in the perinatal period.

Save the date and register for FREE today at: https://www.canadianperinatalmentalhealthtrainings.com/summer-school

Let yourself ease into a moment and feel pure joy. It may be a fleeting experience - but it often allows you to find a glimpse of gratitude and appreciation. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Despite how much we want to take charge and control the way our lives unfold...sometimes we have to simply surrender.

It's mid way through week and I was able to practice some and enjoy the trees in Toronto!

"Sometimes the best way to have more—time, connection, and freedom—is to commit to less."

The Power of Letting Go How letting go can help you cultivate inner stability and connect to greater meaning during uncertain times.

Happy first day of Spring!

Happy International Women's Day! To all the amazing, hardworking and inspirational women, may you enjoy your day!

Enjoy the day with your family, blended family, chosen family and friends. Happy Family Day!

Excited to be leading a workshop on mental health at my old faculty!

Today and everyday is a good time to talk about how mental health impacts us, our families and our community.

"Research shows 80% of our self-talk is negative. Turning negative thoughts into positive ones can rewire our brains to improve our mental and physical health."

How 15 Positive Affirmations Can Change Your Life

I couldn't agree more! Doing things from a place of passion and free-will can definitely keep you motivated as you work towards your goals.

Passion Will Spark Your Resolutions, Not Pressure Fuel your New Year's resolutions with intention, not nagging. Here are 7 steps to investigate what drives you, so you can hold firm to fresh habits in 2018.

With a new year around the the corner, here are some tips to ensure your New Years resolutions and intentions go as planned.

A Mindful Strategy for a Resilient New Year Making change starts with accepting imperfection and redirecting your attention.

The holidays can be a source of joy, but can also create stress and anxiety for many. If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed...remember RAIN.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Remember “RAIN” Tara Brach addresses feelings of insecurity and unworthiness through mindfulness and compassion with a meditation called the RAIN of Self-Compassion.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season! May you enjoy good food and great company, and be sure to reach out to someone who may need some extra love!

I often encourage people to 'go back to your breath' when they are feeling overwhelmed. This mindfulness practice can gently challenge stress and anxiety and bring you to a calmer and peaceful place.

As much as we try to escape, avoid or turn away from difficult experiences - the truth will always find its way out when it's finally ready to be heard.

We made it! It's the last month of the year - so make it a good one!

In a world that divides our time and attention, taking the time to focus on what you really need - is an act of self-care. It is also a form of resistance to a world that tells us too often that we are not enough.

We may not realize it, but it's the small internal pushes and shifts in perspective that move us closer to where we want to go.

Shout out to everyone that got through the week, despite any adversity you may have faced!