It’s okay if your life doesn't fit like it used to, or your relationships aren’t the same. This is a sign of change and growth as a person. There’s a quiet moment that can happen in life—sometimes subtle, sometimes unmistakable—when a relationship starts to feel different. Conversations don’t flow the same way. Shared interests shift. The ease you once relied on feels a little harder to find. Often, this isn’t about something going wrong, it’s about something changing and mor

Written By: Olivia Smith, CCC, N.D, Registered Psychotherapist (Q) Many people believe therapy is something you turn to only when things are falling apart — when you’re in crisis, overwhelmed, or at a breaking point. While therapy can be incredibly supportive during difficult seasons, it’s not reserved for emergencies alone. In reality, therapy is for everyone. You don’t need a diagnosis, a major life event, or a specific “problem” to justify seeking support. Therapy can simp

Written By: Olivia Smith, CCC, N.D, Registered Psychotherapist (Q) Our world and culture celebrate productivity, getting things done everyday and working towards being a little bit better everyday. When we don’t do these things it can leave us feeling unsatisfied or even like we did something wrong or wasted our time. What we perceive as laziness can in fact actually be a reset for our nervous system helping us regulate. In a culture that rewards constant output, rest and sl

Written by Olivia Smith, MA, CCC, RP(Q), ND If you’ve ever thought “Why do I always end up here?” in your relationships, you’re not alone. Many people assume they’re simply bad at relationships or haven’t met the right person yet. Often, what’s actually happening is something much more understandable—and in some cases more flexible. Enter: Attachment Styles. Attachment theory helps explain how we connect, protect ourselves, and respond when relationships feel emotionally cha

When people talk about relationships, the focus is often on red flags—what to avoid, what to run from, what not to tolerate. We also talk about the dreaded ‘ick’, something random, small, usually unreasonable that can turn off a potential partner based on their personal preference. While that can be helpful, it can also leave us feeling hypervigilant, guarded, judged or unsure how to recognize what’s actually good and what we feel is acceptable. Let’s talk about the real gree

A Therapist’s Perspective in Newfoundland January often brings a mix of reflection and hope. As a new year begins, many of us naturally look back on the emotional highs and lows of the year before. Some people feel relieved to leave the past year behind, while others grieve parts of it. In the first few weeks of January, many individuals begin asking deeper questions in therapy: What am I doing with my life? Why do I feel stuck? What actually matters to me? If you’re feeling

Believe it or not, who you hangout and even just speak with may say more about you then you realize. Social circles significantly impact our health and wellbeing by influencing our habits & interests, providing emotional support, and affecting our physical and mental health. But this doesn’t just apply to our friends, this also includes our acquaintances, family members, colleagues and pretty much anyone else we socialize with. To totally understand how all of these people im

Believe it or not, gratitude is like magic. It has been proven to do so many amazing things such as improve mental and physical health, enhance relationships, foster resiliency and actually make you a happier person. The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. In some ways it encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is the thankful appreciation for what a person receives in their life, tangible or intangible.

What is it to be truly happy? It’s something we all want, but at times it can feel elusive or like a large abstract concept. We think we know what it is, but then what we think could change. Science has explored key pieces of the experience, such as which choices, activities, and mindsets lead to fulfillment, common misunderstandings of happiness, and theories that may explain how we become truly happy and how we succeed at reaching peak well being. What Makes People Happy? U

The University of British Columbia recently completed multinational study which results show money can buy you happiness- but it depends on what you spend your money on and where you live. It was shown that happiness achieved through spending varies significantly between higher and lower income groups. When individuals from wealthier nations spend money on gifts and time-saving services, such as housekeeping, it leads to a greater boost in happiness. However, other expenditur

We’ve all done it, held the door for someone who was slightly too far away so they did the little awkward jog so you weren’t waiting for too long. This is an example of two people who are being nice. As Canadians being nice is what we are known for; we’re actually known as being one of the ‘nicest’ countries in the world. Women waiting while holding door open But is there a time when you can be too nice? And what is this really doing to you? Nice Vs. Kind Most people don’t

Pets are the best! Currently about 58% of Canadian households have at least one pet- and the numbers continue to rise. For years the correlation between pets and having positive mental health impacts has been undeniable. So much so that animals have been included in multiple forms of therapy such as equine therapy and stress reduction therapies. Animal therapies show the best results when paired with a comprehensive treatment plan. However, pets do not have to be certified th

Tattoos have a interesting and deeply rooted history. A practice that began over 5,000 years ago is still very popular today. A study conducted by Narrative Research found that as of March 2024, 33% of Canadians have a tattoo, interestingly within that 33% it was found women are slightly more likely to have body art then men (38% women to 28% men, respectively). There are many reasons as to why someone would want a tattoo but the most popular is the formation of a narrative i

The holidays are great and provide us with time off, time spent with friends and family as well as lots of good food and not always knowing what day it is. When we’re doing it, it’s awesome. When January comes and we return to work, school and our regular schedules we experience the holiday hangover. We have to ask ourselves, ‘how do I do my job again?’ Sleep Well One of the best ways to get back on track is to sleep well. Being well rested helps our brains experience opti

Each New Year’s it seems that many people are filled with hope, excitement and anticipation for the year ahead. Frequently our goal is to become the best versions of ourselves. Therefore the gyms fill up, we pick up new hobbies or try to set better boundaries, but doing all this overnight is hard. That’s why it is suspected that 70% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions and the average resolution only lasts for about 4.7 months. However, resolutions are a form o

The holidays are just around the corner. This means increased family time, shopping, decorating, holiday parties, an abundance of snacks and for many traveling. All of these things can rack up your stress levels, especially when you are trying to fit everything in and do it well. In fact 52% of Canadians report anxiety and depression during the holiday season. Below are 4 ways the holiday can be overwhelming and ways to mitigate that stress. 1) Too much Togetherness We l

I regularly see clients who are frustrated and dissatisfied with internet dating with a particularly massive surge in the dating app industry during the 2020 pandemic. So what exactly is the deal with dating apps and why do so many people use them when we don't even like them? Swipe right culture Tinder is one of the most widely used dating apps in the world with around 75 million active users (Freire, Rema & Novais, 2023). It has also changed the culture of dating for many.

It is known that what we eat impacts our health. When I hear this, I almost immediately think physical health, which is true, but it also impacts our mental health. For a healthy mind it is vital we get a variety of nutrients and minerals to ensure proper functioning. Potentially one of the most important nutrients we need to support our mental function is magnesium. Magnesium is vital for normal functioning of all cells, nerves, muscles, bones, and heart. Interes

We live in a world where communication is everywhere and it’s instantaneous. But just because we do it all of the time doesn't mean we are good at it or that it’s satisfying. This is one of the most common topics in therapy sessions. As a therapist I hear people say; ‘they don’t listen’, ‘I don’t even know where I would begin the conversation’, ‘we have nothing to talk about anymore’. All of which are valid! The key to communicating effectively begins with you. One of the m