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There's a meme making the rounds: a close-up of a goose with the thousand-yard stare. The caption reads: "CARRY ON. Life is occasionally beautiful. Occasionally complete carnage. Waddle through both." I laughed. Then I thought about it. Here's what's true about the goose: the waddle never changes. Beautiful day, same waddle. Complete carnage, same waddle. The goose isn't waiting for conditions to improve before it gets moving. It has somewhere to be, so it goes — one determin

Somewhere along the way, happiness became the assignment. We're told to pursue it, optimize for it, build a life that looks like it. And yet many of the most accomplished, most "together" people I sit with describe the same challenge: I have everything I was supposed to want. Why doesn't it feel like enough? Here's a thought that doesn't get enough airtime: maybe happiness was never the right goal. Happiness, the way we tend to chase it, is a moving target. It's a spike — the

Stressful periods in life can feel overwhelming, leaving you drained and disconnected from your well-being. When challenges pile up, it’s easy to overlook your own needs. Yet, self-care plays a crucial role in helping you navigate these tough times with resilience and balance. Taking intentional steps to care for yourself is not a luxury—it’s a necessity that supports your mental, emotional, and physical health. Why Self-Care Matters During Stressful Times Stress triggers a c

Struggling to fall asleep because your mind won’t stop racing is a common problem. When anxiety takes over, it can feel impossible to quiet those thoughts and get the rest you need. I’ve been there myself, and I know how frustrating it is to lie awake, staring at the ceiling while your brain replays worries or what-ifs. The good news is that there are practical ways to manage anxious thinking and improve your sleep quality. Understanding the Link Between Anxiety and Sleep Anx

Musicians face unique pressures that can take a serious toll on their mental health. Long hours, irregular schedules, financial uncertainty, and the emotional demands of creativity often lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. Recognizing these challenges, the not-for-profit group Backline has stepped in to provide vital support tailored specifically for musicians. I've been fortunate enough to work with Backline for the past few years and value working with musicians and ot

The holiday season is often a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. Yet for those coping with grief and loss, this time of year can feel heavy, isolating, and overwhelming. The traditions, gatherings, and reminders of loved ones who are no longer here can stir up deep emotions, making it difficult to engage in the festivities around us. Why the Holidays Can Be Hard Memories feel sharper: Holiday rituals can highlight the absence of someone we love. Social pressure: The

I'm a big music fan and one of my favorite artists is Tom Petty....I was fortunate enough to see him live a view times before his way-to-early passing in 2017...I love this tune...for it's simple, yet powerful lyrics about facing adversity and moving forward....

Life often surprises us with challenges when we least expect it. From the heartbreak of losing a loved one to the professional setbacks that leave us reeling, these moments can test our strength and resolve. However, what truly defines us is not the challenges we face but our response to them. Resilience—the ability to bend without breaking—enables us to navigate life's storms and emerge stronger. In this post, we will explore resilience, its importance, and specific strategi

Defusion in ACT Defusion is a core skill from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that teaches you to change your relationship with thoughts so they have less control over your behaviour. Rather than trying to argue with, suppress, or eliminate unwanted thoughts, defusion helps you notice thoughts as mental events—words, images, or sounds—so you can act in line with your values instead of being driven by every passing idea.Cognitive fusion versus cognitive defusion Cognit

Anxiety can often feel like a storm raging in your mind. You might be trapped in a cycle of worries and fears, making it hard to find...

The article “The Misery of Chasing Happiness” by Mark Lipton explores how the relentless pursuit of happiness can ironically lead to dissatisfaction. Drawing on research from Stanford and insights from Viktor Frankl, it highlights the contrast between happiness and meaning—showing that while happiness is tied to pleasure and comfort, meaning often involves struggle, purpose, and deeper fulfillment. Key takeaways include: People who chase happiness alone often experience short

Embracing Change: A Gateway to Growth Change is at times intentional, but often arrives uninvited.... in either case.... change can be...

Effective communication is vital in any healthy relationship, whether personal or professional. Healthy assertive communication is...

Self-care is more than just a trendy term; it's a crucial practice for maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Many people may...

What is Loving Kindness Meditation? Loving Kindness Meditation, also known as Metta Bhavana , means “developing loving-kindness.” At its...

We are taught about the "stages" of grief as though it is a linear and timed process. We now understand it is not. I came across this pic a while ago and share it with clients who are processing a loss and/or experiencing grief.....I think it is spot on!

Exercise! Numerous studies over the years have highlighted the positive effects of exercise on mental and emotional well-being. In my sessions with clients, I frequently advise them to add some form of exercise to their weekly routine if they haven't already. This doesn't need to be intense—even chair exercises can be beneficial! Here is a link to a 2023 Mayo Clinic article that outlines some of the mental health benefits of exercise: Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases sy

Self-care is a "buzz phrase" we have all heard! What it entails is unique to each of us. But - having a deep library of self-care options can be pretty helpful since we might need different resources depending on the day, week, hour! We might be having a super stressful day with only a few moments to spare...so going to the gym for an hour might not be an option! I know for me, listening to even one song can help recharge my battery or chill me out....so thought I would share

Greetings! Here, I hope to share a variety of topics related to mental health and wellness. These might be my own thoughts, links to...