Sometimes when your “to do” lists feel unending, the idea of connecting with your partner can feel like one more thing on that list. You would love to just float away to some tropical island and have unlimited time to focus on your relationship, but when you wake up to a blaring alarm, complaining kids, or a snoring partner, the reality of life sets in. You go from task to task only to discover you are two ships passing and some days you might start to wonder, is this is all there is?

You have been thinking about your relationship lately and realized that you haven’t thought about it in a while. Without intending to, you have been taking your relationship for granted and hoping that it will all work out for the best.

Relationships are like plants. Nurture them and they grow, neglect them and they start to wither and may eventually die. Small consistent actions - water, sunlight and soil or in the case of your relationship listening, communication, commitment and acknowledging perpetual concerns can help them flourish.

If you notice that your happiness is often dependent upon your partner’s happiness, you recognize a need to be in communication with them frequently or feel panicked when they don’t return the gesture, or you notice even your behaviour changes when you feel your relationship is in any way unstable, you may have an anxious attachment style.

You may have found yourself wondering at times why you react the way you do, with your partner. Or conversely! You might wonder at times why your partner reacts or responds to you in ways that you struggle to understand. You know you love one another, so why do you have these “glitches” in your marriage at times?! It could be the attachment styles you each have.

You are not alone if the thought of sharing your emotions brings up some fear or frustration. One reason sharing deeper things about yourself can be so challenging is that you might feel you are opening yourself up to either intimacy or judgment.

The Change Triangle is a tool that can help with experiencing improved emotional health. It can support you in reconnecting with yourself in ways you may have ignored, shut down, or become even a bit anxious about through your life and past experiences.

Have you ever wondered if you should be taking vitamins or other supplements? If you are taking the right supplements? If perhaps you are taking too many, or the wrong supplements? Why are there so many different supplements? If there is a supplement out there that could help with your specific health concerns?

I do know the potential value of goal setting to provide motivation. As the calendar year flips, ushering in January, you may feel the pull to make those New Year resolutions. In the past, if setting these intentions is helpful to restart your next season, then I will cheer you along.

Navigating the demands of culture while having a voice in your own life can be challenging. My hope is that with some of the tips mentioned here, you will be able to find ways to embrace and accept parts of yourself that make you proud.

If you are a man, you may feel a bit uneasy at the thought of going to counselling and you wonder what practical benefit there could possibly be from sharing about yourself. If you are reading this, one part of you likely has a hunch that counselling could be beneficial, yet another part of you wants to stay still and not risk the unknown.

We want you to know that we believe that we value the same things you do, and that the general understanding is similar between you and your therapist. We want to answer your question – what are the values at Panorama Wellness Group?

To say that the holidays can be stressful is an understatement. Even the most well-intentioned families can get wrapped up in the materialistic consumer-driven undertones and stress of getting it right, that they forget what matters most to them. I want to help you find ways to connect with your children in a new way this holiday season.

There are many reasons your kids may not want to come home for the holidays. As a parent, it’s important to recognize your role in the relationship, and that you are simply one part of their decision. Ashleigh shares some ways to help you cope with the disappointment you might be feeling.

Grieving during the holiday season can be difficult. If you are struggling with grief during what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, then I encourage you to join me on healing through utilizing some of the measures I describe in this blog.

Perhaps this is your first Christmas with a new partner or as a married couple, and you’re wondering, how’s this going to go? The thought of sharing the holidays with a partner or spouse could bring up a myriad of emotions – excitement, relief, anxiety, curiosity, gratitude, sadness… you name it! Read on for some helpful tips for how to manage your time (and emotions) as a couple this holiday season.

Understanding the difference between disordered eating and having an eating disorder can be confusing. Christy de Jaegher sheds some light on the difference.

Boundaries are a way to do what is acceptable and satisfying for you and your relationships as opposed to only thinking of others. Setting boundaries over the holidays can help you enjoy your time, energy and relationships in a new and more authentic way.

Anxiety shows up in many different ways - you might notice it in your emotions or in the way that your body responds. Ashleigh Keizer shares five ways to manage your anxiety.

How did this happen? How did you go from feeling like this person was your soul mate to wondering who the hell you’re looking at. You’ve gone from talking for hours on end to exchanging brief conversations where you don’t really talk about anything, let alone know them and what they’re going through right now.

It’s awful. It’s discouraging. It’s scary. And it’s so lonely.

Everyone anticipates, responds and reacts in different ways when it comes to holidays…or really, any social or family gathering. You may chalk it up to a dysfunctional family (everyone has a little dysfunction in there somewhere!) or the pressure that these occasions bring. And yet, these gatherings can be positive for your mental health. Let Ashleigh show you how!