Alison Bell & Associates Counselling Group
5446 152nd Street #304 V3Z 5J9 Surrey, BC, Canada

Know that it is okay to take things slowly. Give yourself that time, space and kindness to grow and move forward. One day at a time, one moment at a time. you've got this.

Happy Lunar New year to all those who celebrate! This New Year, may you find peace from within, and be abundant in health!

What are you looking forward to most when all of this has passed? In all this uncertainty, we may be hoping for a return to normal, whatever that may be or look like for you. It is okay to want that, we can be here and now and still look forward and hope.

This year has been incredibly difficult for so many reasons. Families with a child struggling with an Eating Disorder are facing unique challenges due to impacts of the pandemic, availability of resources, the struggle and isolation this year has brought. We are aware that families are often unsure of how best to help and navigate the complex behaviours and emotions involved in their child’s eating disorder and may be facing waitlists for services. We want to help bridge this... gap and provide some much needed support. If your child, adolescent or young adult is struggling with an eating disorder, this workshop will provide the essential skills for you to support their recovery. Behavioural and emotional support from family members are the foundation for the important changes that you hope to see in your child. Please contact us at alison@alisonbellcounselling for more information and assistance in registering.

This whole year feels like Groundhog Day indeed! I bet the groundhog was bit expecting this when he peeked out to see what’s going on this year. We will get there and perhaps the groundhog will have some good news for us in general.

You are strong. And that is a beautiful thing. We have needed to be strong, we’ve needed to rely on ourselves and we’ve needed to rely on others. You may have surprised yourself how strong you can be. There may be times when you haven’t felt strong and that’s beautiful too.

We have faced a year of change, unknowns, stress and struggle, and we mare still going through this uncertain time. I know it can be hard but I also know that you’re stronger than you know. It’s OK if it doesn’t feel like that right now but trust that strength inside you. Take a moment to thank yourself, and remind yourself that you have made it this far.

You don’t always need a plan, no New Years resolutions are required, you are allowed to just be. Take a breath, take a moment, loosen you hold and see what happens

What are you taking with you into this New Year?

Be still...This year has been hard and this Christmas brings a mix of feelings, and that's okay. Do your best to bring your awareness to this moment. To be still, to breathe, to take a moment to be present and grateful to all the things you have that bring you love, peace and joy.

Oh 2020! You definitely been a wild ride. There’s so much going on let’s focus on what’s really important in this holiday season. Stay safe, be with the ones you love, take the time to re-nourish and take good care of yourself. Even with all that’s going on some of us are still feeling the pressure of presents and obligations. Try to think of what Christmas really means to you and how you want to be present. . . .... #Onlinecounselling #Counselling #Familytherapy #Familytherapist #Connectedchange #Letstalkaboutit #Traumatherapy #EFFT #Emotionfocusedtherapy #Counsellingservices #surreycounsellor #Langleycounsellor #Whiterockcounsellor #Southsurreycounsellor #selfcare #mentalhealthawareness #mentalwellness #emotionalwellbeing #emotionalwellness #mentalhealthtips #selfcareishealthcare #anxietysupport #mentalhealthisimportant #counselorsofinstagram #therapistsofinstagram #findyourcalm #emotionalhealth #selfdiscovery #bepresent #Christmas

New Years Eve is often a time of reflection. What a year 2020 has been. What have you learned most about yourself in all of this?

This year has brought so many changes. The way Christmas is going to be is one of them. Is anyone else caught up in the weird feeling and disbelief that it’s actually Christmas next week? It’s common (but not always best for you) to avoid things that are hard to take on fully. Maybe the way Christmas is as one of them. Or maybe it’s just me! Whatever you’re needing to get through, however you’re needing to cope, whatever it is you’re leaning into to make the very best of th...is Christmas.... You’re going to get through. Enjoy the very best parts in the very best way you can and if there’s lots of grief, frustration or anything else that’s OK too . . . . . . #Onlinecounselling #Counselling #Familytherapy #Christmas #Familytherapist #Connectedchange #Letstalkaboutit #EFFT #Change #Emotionfocusedtherapy #Counsellingservices #surreycounsellor #Counsellor #Langleycounsellor #Whiterockcounsellor #Southsurreycounsellor #mentalhealthawareness #mentalwellness #emotionalwellbeing #emotionalwellness #mentalhealthtips #selfcareishealthcare #anxietysupport #mentalhealthisimportant #denial #counselorsofinstagram

This year has been a challenge in so many ways. We have adapted to so much uncertainty and change. This is your reminder that you are strong, you are brave, and you can overcome hard things. This year is evidence of that.

There will never be another Christmas like this. At least that’s the hope. Even though some things feel very much like Christmas there still lots of things that do not. There’s been so much change, grief and struggle this year. Take good care and know that whatever you’re feeling in this incredibly unusual, hard and complicated year is absolutely OK . . . ... . #togetherisbetter #Onlinecounselling #Counselling #Familytherapy #Familytherapist #Connectedchange #Letstalkaboutit #Traumatherapy #EFFT #Emotionfocusedtherapy #Counsellingservices #surreycounsellor #Langleycounsellor #Whiterockcounsellor #Southsurreycounsellor #positivevibes #mentalhealthawareness #mentalwellness #emotionalwellbeing #emotionalwellness #mentalhealthtips #selfcareishealthcare #anxietysupport #mentalhealthisimportant #Findyourcalm #Emotionalhealth #mentalhealthadvocate #whiterockbc #langley #southsurrey

Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my favourites. She was wise, clever and challenged so many. Let’s be a like more like Eleanor ...do what you feel is right. Maybe worry a little less about what others think and know that regardless of how others react you’ll be true to yourself. Be true to your heart. You will never keep everybody happy so listening to yourself and what’s coming from deep inside you is always a good bet.

Take time today to remember. Remember the sacrifices, grief and struggles that have brought our freedom. So many lives were lost so we can have ours today. There has been more loss this year and I know it’s been so difficult but take time today to observe some quiet, be grateful, hold your loved ones close. Remember that from sacrifice we will move forward together. Sending love to you all #RemembranceDay #LestWeForget

Happy World Adoption Day to all the special families who have come to each other by choice and through love and commitment. Sending so much love and care to families who have chosen each other. #WorldAdoptionDay

It’s a big weekend! Today is World Mental Health day and Thanksgiving weekend. We are reflecting on how much we’ve gone through this year and how it’s impacted our mental health and well-being. So many people are struggling. If you’re one of them know that you’re not alone. Let’s take some time to be grateful for getting through and to remember that it’s OK not to be OK. For anyone who needs support, compassion, care reach out to the supports around you. Let’s all remember we are in this together

Loving yourself the way you needed as a child is an incredible gift. You’ve learned so much along your way so now with all your wisdom and love turn it towards yourself.

Take time to take care of you. Today is stress awareness day, and its a great reminder to check-in with ourselves. Do your best to bring your awareness to this moment. To be still, to breathe and be present. We will get through. Show yourself kindness and love in this moment. . #Stressawarenessday

Feeling truly seen and heard is a gift. Seeing and hearing others is also a gift and important to building deep connections with each other. What does truly being seen feel like to you? How do you know in your heart and in your mind when that is happening? How do you intentionally show someone else that you are really listening? So many of us thrive in the space of being truly heard, seen and in connection with others. Take a minute to think about what that feels like when you have it in your own life and when you’re offering it to someone else.

We can do hard things! As September draws to a close, we might still feel in that season of transition, we can acknowledge that it’s hard and confusing. We have done lots of hard things this year and will keep doing them in the best possible way. Being a big person supporting little people is always full of responsibility, stress as well as other amazing gifts. If you’re exhausted and unsure please know that is a reflection of your love and care as well as this particularly unusual, challenging and unpredictable year. You can do hard things! you’re made for it...you’re a big person who loves a little person... it’s part of your superpowers.

It’s really not what has happened It’s what happens next! We spent so much time wishing things had been different or beating ourselves up for things that we’ve said or done. We are often filled with regrets and wishes for how things could’ve been. That is absolutely normal and it’s important to honour those feelings but it’s also really important to look forward to what’s happening next. That’s what we have input into and control over so it’s a much more powerful place to p...ut your energy. Just for today loosen up your grip on what has already happened and move forward to what happens next. What happens next is yours to shape. . . . #Onlinecounselling #Counselling #Familytherapy #Familytherapist #Connectedchange #Letstalkaboutit #Traumatherapy #EFFT #Emotionfocusedtherapy #Counsellingservices #surreycounsellor #Langleycounsellor #Whiterockcounsellor #Southsurreycounsellor #mentalhealthawareness #mentalwellness #emotionalwellbeing #emotionalwellness #mentalhealthtips #selfcareishealthcare #anxietysupport #mentalhealthisimportant #counselorsofinstagram #healing #personalgrowth #positiveaffirmations #mindsetshift #mindsetmatters See more

Good reminder to not let others have power to make you feel badly about anything you are, anything you say, or anything you do! No one can make you feel inferior without your consent". Thank you dear Eleanor Roosevelt for your wise words. Next time you find yourself feeling less than because of someone else’s words or actions try to remember you can take away your permission to let them impact you in that way.

Wise words from the brilliant RBG. Let’s all be a little more like her.... she knows what’s she’s talking about! Often when lead with her anger or annoyance then our messages are lost. People don’t hear what we are truly trying to share. They just see the anger. They just see the annoyance. They don’t hear your heart or your message. They won’t be persuaded. Allow the anger to be there. Allow the annoying to be there but breathe deep and look at what is below those reactions and speak from that place. It will be hard but your true message will be much easier to hear.

US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a passionate, astute and outspoken advocate of women's rights, civil liberties and the rule of law. As serious as she was about these subjects, she also had a way of highlighting critical issues with humour, embracing her nickname "Notorious RBG" and commenting that she and rapper Notorious BIG had something in common: "We were both born and bred in Brooklyn, New York." This article takes a look back at some of Ginsburg's most memorable quotes on gender equality, law and being remembered. http://ow.ly/zEP550BAG7j

We are here. We’re here to stay with all of our diversity. Thanks to women like RBG there is more room to take up space and stay. This week we will be sending our love and gratitude to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She may have left this world but she did so much for so many while she was here. I love it when compassionate, clever and empowered women make change and hold us all up higher. I was just reading that she officiated a wedding, was doing yoga and living every minute in the last two weeks before she passed. May we all contribute and live with some of her spirit. RIP RBG

Sometimes people really need you to be OK and you know what... that’s their stuff! Feel free to hand that back to them wrapped in compassion and understanding, but don’t hold it. However you are feeling is OK and don’t let other tell you otherwise. Be in the moment. Be honest with yourself about where you’re at and how you’re feeling. If it makes others uncomfortable, makes them upset, makes them disconnect from you then let that be theirs. It’s always OK not to be OK.

It’s true! No one ever calmed down by being told to do so! It’s a natural reaction to want to calm and soothe the feelings of someone who’s upset, but it often just serves to increase their frustration and make them upset with you. Instead of telling someone to calm down validate and support their feelings. Your loved one will probably be more likely to calm down with that support. Once they calm, you can attend to what it is they’re feeling and how you can support their need.

ONLINE PARENTING WORKSHOP! Saturday September 26th. Please join me for an online parenting workshop to support the the big emotions, coping struggles, meath health concerns and challenging behaviours in your children. It has been a tough year and with the return to sxhool many things will be rising to the surface. This workshop will build skills to navigate through the challenges, understand your own reactions and support the emotions and behaviours in your children. We look forward to seeing you there. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/online-emotion-focused-parentin

This year just keeps evolving and changing to bring more unknowns, stress and struggle. I know it can be hard but I also know that you’re stronger than you know. It’s OK if it doesn’t feel like that right now but trust that strength inside you, take it one day at a time and know that this may be how it is today but it won’t be like this forever.

Teachers really are superheroes. Sending lots of love, respect and gratitude to the teachers who are now taking on a new and challenging way of being in the classroom and how they teaching and caring for students. None of them signed up to be teachers in a pandemic but they will be there doing just that. That is a very big thing and they deserve all of our energy sent to them and their students

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Let's raise awareness and make sure no one is alone to fight the emotional pain that threatens their life. We can support those in our lives by asking the hard questions, educating ourselves and others, being there, getting help and holding onto hope even when they cannot. #suicideprevention #letstalk #endthestigma

If you are a parent, as I am, or know a parent, then the choices and feelings associated with going back to school are going to be feeling very big right now. Sending so much love and care. There are no right or wrong choices, there are just children needing an education and parents doing their best to choose what that will look like right now. Remember we’re all in this together and it’s been such a hard year!

Are you starting to feel more uncertainty in the air as we transition yet again? It’s been a tough year on so many levels and I think something many of us has learned is that all we really know is that all we have is now. Do your best to bring your awareness to this moment. To be still, to breathe and be present. We will get through. Even with all this uncertainty around us the truth is all we ever really have is now.