ADHD doesn’t usually cause unique issues for couples, but it can intensify the things that most couples struggle with. Here are some things that couples in ADHD relationships often struggle with 1) A Pursuer/Withdrawer pattern. Often the ADHD partner tends to withdraw from conflicts, doing tasks, or arguments, and the other partner pursues (nitpicking, or…
Question: My therapist suggested I might have ADHD…it makes sense, but I am worried that is means something is wrong with me Cammi’s Answer: It is normal to feel apprehensive about the idea of having ADHD. If you do have it, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you, it just means your brain is…
Question: I am scared to take ADHD medication, do I have to take it? Cammi’s Answer: No, you certainly do not have to take medication just because you have ADHD. Although, many people find it incredibly helpful. Medication is there as a support, and the nice thing about most ADHD medication is that it is…
I Think I Might Have ADHD and I live in Edmonton…What should I do? If you think you have ADHD and you live in Edmonton you have a few options at your disposal. Firstly, remember that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. This means it is something that you struggle with at an early age, it…
ADHD in Adults and The Power of Art Can art therapy help adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? Art therapy, a specialization in the field of psychotherapy, is both an ancient and emerging specialization in the area of metal health. There isn’t as much research on art therapy compared to other specializations, but it…
Healthy Relationship Exercises Simple exercises from a couples counselor to help your relationship flourish 1) Be kind to each other. Say at least 3 nice things to your partner every day until it becomes habit. These should be genuine and the intention behind the words should be to show love and appreciation. It is recommended…
(On Doing and Being) Knowing what makes your heart sing and seeking out new things that contribute to that lovely song is incredibly important in this age of doing. When you feel joy, and your heart is singing you are BEING. You are in the moment, you are here and it is the most lovely…
What makes art therapy such a game changer in the world of counselling?
On this Journey We Call Our Life: Living the Questions By: James Hollis A lovely book exploring the first and second half of life and the questions we must ask ourselves regarding both. James Hollis has a prolific way of speaking, and an ability to challenge the unique individual in us all. In this book…
Enjoying the Holidays and Healthy, Helpful, Holiday Hacks! As the holiday season approaches the social expectations, familial expectations, and personal expectations tend to take over and flood the brain. There are often expectations regarding gifts, time away, food, hosting and many, many other things. Even if you do not celebrate the holiday season the stress…
Are You Listening? Have you ever been listened to in a way that makes you feel truly heard? Did it make you feel validated? Perhaps understood? Chances are you felt connected to who was listening to you. Why can some people makes us feel more understood than others? The answer, I believe, is because they…
Fall, the season of transition! A time to prepare.
The Grateful Future Exercise *This exercise is not to be used in place of therapy/counselling. Although I believe this exercise to be helpful and positive I must put up the following disclaimer: By engaging in this exercise you do so at your own risk.* This is one of my favorite exercises for clarifying intention, understanding…
It’s OK to take a break. As young people we are often told we can do whatever we set our minds to, that if we work hard we will succeed, and that we should reach for greatness in all that we do. This mindset, while motivating and inspiring, is also constricting and guilt inducing. If…
Distraction becomes ugly when it takes us away from connecting to ourselves, connecting to others, connection to our environment, and starts to negatively impact our lives. How Do We Know Distraction is Turning Ugly? For instance, when is binge watching so bad that it becomes ugly? I believe there are a couple of signs that…
Why choose Art Therapy over other types of therapy? Art Therapy is a specialized type of therapy that involves working with art to heal and grow. Art Therapists are professionals who have studied both art and psychology extensively. Here are 3 reasons why you might want to consider Art Therapy. Art as Transition One of…
The Bad As I discussed in my previous post, distraction can be a good thing; however, it can also can also be a bad thing. Of course, the term “bad” is subjective, but in this case, I mean it to refer to something that takes away from our sense of happiness, hinders us, and prevents…
The Good: When I used to think of distraction I would instantly think of running away from one’s problems; however, I was taught recently that distraction can be a good tool if used correctly. Of course, any tool can be used for good or for evil, something as a therapist I try to stay keenly…
One of the reasons I find dream exploration so helpful in sessions is because it allows an individual to understand themselves in a deeper, more profound way. Dream exploration allows for a greater understanding of how we see the world, what is important to us, what symbols hold meaning for us, and what patterns we…