Thanks to the cognitive process called negativity bias in us humans, we tend to focus more on controversial and negative events and information. Fuelled by social media and our affliction for being consumed by screens than spending time living in the present moment, we unknowingly orient our minds to being overcritical and/or overwhelm it with the aim of protecting ourselves. As a result, we are quick to judge and spend most of our energy on noticing the red flags or deal-breakers in a relationship. We fail to see the good in others and do not value the green flags enough, which signal positive actions or traits required to build a strong foundation for a thriving relationship.

Before I became a therapist, I worked as a social worker among women and children in for over six years. During this time, I often felt frustrated because many of the people I helped were stuck in their situations due to trauma or their inability to overcome fears and emotions. My role involved helping people meet their needs, improve their quality of life, and make a positive impact. However, I noticed that many of my clients couldn't fully benefit from the resources available to them because their mental health issues hindered their progress. This frustration led me to feel a bit lost, and I decided to become a mental health therapist.

Many people live with anxiety and struggle to understand why. They might feel on edge, overwhelmed, or easily panicked even in situations that seem safe. Often, this anxiety is not rooted in the present moment but in something that happened in the past, a traumatic event that the body has not fully let go of.

If you’ve ever thought, “I should be over this by now” or “Why does my body react this way even when I know I’m safe?” you’re not alone. As a counsellor, this is something I hear often.
Trauma doesn’t just live in our memories, it lives in the body. Even after we’ve talked about it or tried to make sense of it, our nervous system might still be holding onto the effects of what happened.

It’s 9:30 PM. Dinner’s done, the kitchen’s clean, and you’ve finally sat down to relax when the cravings hit out of nowhere. Chocolate, chips, ice cream, cereal… whatever your go-to is, it’s calling your name, and saying no feels nearly impossible.

Before you beat yourself up or assume you "lack willpower," let’s pause and look at what your nighttime cravings might actually be trying to tell you. Because the truth is: cravings are information. They’re not something to fight, but something to listen to.

When we experience something positive—like receiving a dream birthday cake—our senses help us take in the full experience. You might remember the bright colours, the smell of the frosting, the joy in your chest. Your brain, especially the hippocampus, organizes all that information into a coherent story: “On my sixth birthday, I got a unicorn cake with white icing. It tasted like cotton candy. I was so happy.”

But when something traumatic happens—a car accident, a fall, an assault, or even chronic stress—the process is very different.

It is very important for us to pay conscious attention to both our minds and our bodies.  Understanding that the body can hold onto things and react automatically helps us be gentler and more aware as we try to release the burdens from the past.

Maintaining consistent and healthy family bonds can be difficult in today’s fast-paced world with everyone busy with their own schedule and varied priorities. To get the whole family to eat together can also be challenging at times. Read on to know about how you can improve your dinner table conversations and strengthen your familial ties.

Grounding supports the mind-body connection, which is particularly important during times of stress. When we feel triggered or overwhelmed, our fight-flight-freeze response may activate, even if there is no real danger. While this response is designed to protect us, it can sometimes leave us feeling anxious, stuck, or disconnected. Grounding techniques help regulate this response by calming the nervous system and inviting a sense of safety back into the body. Reconnecting with the body is key in reducing fear, anger, or dissociation and fostering emotional balance (Van der Kolk, 2014).

Martin is a trauma survivor. Growing up, he experienced extreme violence at home. His father was an alcoholic, and his mother endured relentless abuse. Many days, Martin dreaded coming home from school, never knowing if his mother would be alive when he returned. As a boy, he was taught that expressing fear or sadness was a sign of weakness. "Men don’t cry," he was told. "Be strong, swallow your pain." So, he did—until the weight of it nearly crushed him.

Effective clinical supervision is foundational to the development of competent and confident therapists. We believe that supervision should be a supportive and reflective process, fostering the therapist's professional and personal growth. By creating a safe and trusting environment, we encourage therapists to explore their clinical work, develop self-awareness, and enhance their therapeutic skills.

In that moment, I was reminded that compassion - especially for ourselves - can be difficult to practice. It often feels like it should be a natural thing to do, yet when we’re in the throes of frustration or discomfort, it can be incredibly challenging. But there it was, the gentle invitation to soften, to embrace compassion in the face of my impatience. But how?

When it comes to healing from trauma—whether physical, emotional, or both - the journey often starts by tuning into the body. As a massage therapist, I’ve seen first hand how the simple act of touch can create a powerful shift. It’s not just about relieving muscle tension; it’s about helping the nervous system find its balance again, especially for those healing from challenging experiences.

Taking the first step toward therapy can feel like a lot, but it’s also a powerful decision toward healing and growth. Whether you’re dealing with overwhelming emotions or simply seeking clarity, here are three things to know before you begin.

As the seasons shift, so do our bodies' needs. Whether it’s the transition from warm summer days to crisp autumn air, or the jump from winter’s chill to spring’s renewal, these changes can impact our energy levels, immune system, and even our mood. The good news? What you eat can help you adapt and feel your best.

It is completely normal to feel exhausted and wanting to disengage from time to time when you enter motherhood. One can face postpartum challenges even with their partner and with approaching intimacy as new parents. Read on to know about how you can work together as a team and focus better on your relationship during the trying post-pregnancy phase.                

Dr. John Gottman reminds us of something important: connecting with your partner doesn't have to be complicated or costly, and that’s a comforting thought for many of us. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the notion that we need to impress our loved ones with grand gestures, but the truth is, a relationship can truly flourish when we embrace intentionality in the small, everyday moments. We all have a deep-seated need to feel seen and valued, especially by the person closest to us, and often it’s the little things offered with intention that feel significant.

Neurodivergence describes the natural differences in how people think, learn, communicate, and experience the world. These differences shape how individuals engage in relationships and daily life (Singer, 1990).

“Does Qi (vital energy) flow influence mental health?” a client asked me.  The short answer is yes.  From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it absolutely matters. Qi is the central concept of TCM – it permeates everything and connects all things, from our cells to the universe itself.  Everything is manifestations of Qi.

According to theory, all habits are equally hard to break, whether bad or good. But there is debate and uncertainty regarding this assumption in the mental health community. Though the facts remain that it is certainly easier to succumb to habits than to overcome them. And that destroying old habits is relatively more difficult than forming new ones. So, whether it is improving your diet or establishing a better sleep hygiene, your habits are the fundamental blocks that you must focus on changing.