When I was a kid (and I’m dating myself here), there were public service ads that came on T.V. that stated the time and asked if you knew where your children were. Apparently it started in the 60’s as a public service announcement to help remind parents to keep their kids off the street at night. If you’re parenting a youth these days, you may be affected or concerned about Cannabis use in teens in Ontario. Legalization of Cannabis has not helped the situation. For a variety of reasons, Cannabis use is more dangerous than ever - while legal in Ontario, it carries significant short- and long-term health risks, particularly for youth, pregnant individuals, and those with pre-existing conditions. The primary dangers include mental health issues, impaired brain development, respiratory harm, addiction, and driving accidents. On today, 4/20 I thought it would be pertinent to discuss this important topics for families. 4/20 or 4:20 - another term, created in the 70s (pronounced four-twenty), is cannabis culture slang for cannabis consumption, especially smoking around the time 4:20 p.m., and annual cannabis-oriented celebrations held on 4/20.

At Choosing Health Counselling we are very passionate about sharing evidence-based practices for our clients. Gottman Method Couples Counselling offers sound advice to help you heal, support, and thrive in your most important relationships.

We recently welcomed Jodie Pappas, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, to our clinic for her workshop on the Connection between the GUT, Mind, & Body! We learned A LOT! Jodie offers a wealth of information and sent us on our way with greater insights and understanding about the powerful interplay between our Gut Health, Mental Health, and Physical Health.

Getting results from therapy is something we at Choosing Health Counselling, are very passionate about! You’re seeking support for a reason and are looking for results.  One of the best ways to achieve those results is to be clear on what exactly you’re hoping to achieve.  This is why your initial sessions (and later sessions periodically down the road) should include a discussion around your hopes, expectations and goals for working with us.  

If you feel like you’ve been talking about your issues forever but not getting any further ahead to relieve anxiety, depression or the challenges you’re facing over and over again, EMDR is an excellent alternative to traditional talk therapy.

In some of the hardest times of my life, I’ve cultivated a mantra that comforted me and supported me through fears and doubts. Some of my favourites include: “I am not the first person and I won’t be the last to go through this” (this one helps to feel less alone in our struggles). With a loved one who was fighting some health concerns, we came up with this together: “I am healthy. I am strong. I am ok”. “This too shall pass”, is a commonly used one.

Choosing a therapist is an important and deeply personal decision. Whether you are seeking support for anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, burnout, or a major life transition, the right therapeutic fit can make all the difference. Here are some key things to consider as you begin your search. 

Journaling is often recommended for anxiety—but if you’ve ever tried it and felt more overwhelmed afterward, you’re not alone. As a social worker and psychotherapist, I frequently hear clients say things like, “I tried journaling, but it just made my thoughts louder,” or “I don’t know if I’m doing it right.”

Teen anxiety is at an all time high. If you’re wondering if you as a teen or your teen child has anxiety, this blog post will share the symptoms and signs of teen anxiety, how we can support teens with anxiety, and how therapy can help teen anxiety.

Lift your mood with this simple and always available tool. Take a moment and try it now!