In an age of constant mass media and social media access, we are seeing an increased interest in understanding how that access affects our psychological well-being. One area of interest, and possible concern, pertains to the access and exposure we can readily have to traumatic world-wide events, such as disasters or violence. Particularly with increased 24- hour news cycles and/or access to live footage, what do we know so far […]
For all of you with your mind in the gutter you can jump on out. This blog is not about that particular topic, but rather another word/biological response that while ever present seems to have been forgotten. Most have heard of the Flight or Fight Response, yet many do not know that there is another third and quite common response known as Freezing. These biological responses are a result of […]
Martin Seligman, a leading researcher in the field of positive psychology, has worked towards a better understanding of what makes life more fulfilling. In his work on well-being, Seligman has indicated that 40 percent of our potential for happiness lies within our control. That means that, although we cannot easily change our circumstances or our genes, there are things we can learn that can improve our outlook on life and […]
It’s April and the winter is behind us. There may still be remnants of snow on the ground but the season has passed; it’s somewhere off in the distance. The lows that come with the darkness of winter are slowly shifting and the sun is beginning to shine through. Spring is in the air and we’re making it to the other side! The frozen ground slowly softens, the snow turns […]
Growing up can be hard. Children are faced with the tasks of learning to make sense of the world around them, adapting to inevitable changes, and within all that, trying to find a sense of belonging. Some children seem to navigate through serious life challenges easily, while others get overwhelmed by small changes. Resilience makes a big difference in how one responds to challenges, whether it be every day stress […]
Credit card bills are in, New Year’s resolutions have slipped, the work responsibilities that were nudged into the New Year are awaiting your attention, and it’s another school snow day leaving you to scramble for child care. It is not uncommon to feel discouraged and in need of creature comforts this time of year. However, there may be a downside to indulging in typical ‘hibernating’ activities to cope with the […]
The holidays can bring big feelings to the surface for anyone, but this is especially true for children. Many children rely on a predictable routine to feel confident and safe, but the holidays can significantly disrupt that routine. For this reason, even positive events can cause stress in children. Often, children will need help to learn how to handle stress so that it doesn’t cause misbehaviour problems. Here are five […]
November is Adoption Awareness month and the perfect time for us to look at the unique needs that families may have if adoption or permanency is part of their journey. Adoption is a way for families to form and provide a permanent reality for children whose birth parents were not able to parent them. This experience means that a family is formed from a place of loss and this loss […]
Our own Michael McCleery, who runs the Eldercare Counselling service at the Kanata Psychology and Counselling Centre was recently interviewed about this topic for the Kanata Kourier, Stittsville News and West Carleton Review. Click the link, or read below to learn more about some common questions people ask when faced with the challenge of caring for aging relatives. Ottawa Community News Eldercare Counselling Article “Is there support for me as […]
Does your child need a Psychoeducational Assessment? Most kids struggle in school from time to time, whether it’s difficulty mastering fractions or learning to read. How do you know if your child’s difficulty is just a bump in the road or whether it is a sign of something more serious, like a Learning Disability or ADHD? An assessment may be needed if: Your child is falling significantly behind classmates She […]
