Dr Kate McLellan MEd LCT Counselling & Consulting Services
101 Coburg Street E2L 3J8 Saint John, NB, Canada

Feb 22, 2021 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Human trafficking is an epidemic that is affecting our community, and we can be stronger together when... we recognize the signs that someone may be at risk. A common misconception about sex trafficking is that it starts with an abduction off the streets. But victims are often groomed, lured, and recruited through someone that develops a trusting relationship with them. More than a third of survivors in Canada report that they were recruited by men that they considered to be in a relationship with, and another 25% were lured through people they thought were their friend. Traffickers prey on people from all walks of life through tactics of emotional manipulation. As a community we can work together to end modern day slavery by being aware of the signs that someone may be groomed for trafficking: -Sudden interest in a boy or man who is several years older -New clothing, jewelry or gifts without having the money to purchase these items -Frequent sleepovers at a friend’s house -Change in style of dress or makeup -New circle of friends and isolation from old group of friends -Change in attitude toward school, regular activities, friends and family -Grades are dropping -Unexplained cuts and bruises -Using two cell phones If you or someone you know may be a victim of Human Trafficking, contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010 or live chat https://www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca/chat/. The hotline is a confidential space to access support, services and offers other reporting options.

Tuesday, February 23: 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Depression (English) FREE WEBINAR MUST PRE-REGISTER CAPACITY OF 100 Click here to register (English webinar): https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fLLjOSRQTjeY-iFovBSbBA

I thought this was a lovely peaceful thought for today and appreciated it.

Repair is less about fixing what is broken and more about getting back on track. Dr. John Gottman refers to repair attempts as the secret weapon of emotional...ly intelligent couples. What separates stable couples from others is not that their repair attempts are necessarily more skillful or better thought out, but that their repair attempts get through to their partner. Because repair attempts can be difficult to recognize, it's important to listen for them before a conflict conversation is engulfed in negativity. Are you utilizing repair attempts in your relationship? Take the Gottman Relationship Coach: Dealing with Conflict program to learn how to effectively send and receive repair attempts: http://bit.ly/3iaoR1K

https://saintjohn.lokol.me/s/211-nb-now-accessible-across-t

"Virtual Craving Change" Starting Oct.19th for 4 weeks. If you have any questions, would like to know more or to join please call 632-5537

Thanks to Gentle Path for this thoughtful post.

This is what grief is. A hole ripped through the very fabric of your being. The hole eventually heals along the jagged edges that remain. It may even shrink in ...size. But that hole will always be there. A piece of you always missing. For where there is deep grief, there was great love. Dont be ashamed of your grief. Dont judge it. Dont suppress it. Dont rush it. Rather, acknowledge it. Lean into it. Listen to it. Feel it. Sit with it. Sit with the pain. And remember the love. This is where the healing will begin. * This heartbreakingly beautiful sculpture is called Melancolie. It was created by Albert György (living in Switzerland, but born in Romania) and can be found in Geneva in a small park on the promenade (Quai du Mont Blanc) along the shore of Lake Geneva.*

Wow! This video was one of the most honest Ive heard and it hit quite hard. I didnt look further so I dont necessarily endorse any of his resources or products. Ive seen this from personal experience and I see it so often in my clients; intelligent, loving,empathic women who are manipulated and degraded for being just who they are. Wonderfully compassionate and caring people. It hurts my heart to see it. Some woman are not able to extricate themselves from this situation. The best way to help is to be a listening ear; keep telling them that they are loved and cared about; and be a supportive soft place to fall should something happen. Heartbreaking.

Thanks to Marilyn Williams for sharing this.

My thanks to Pam Drury for posting this. Clinically diagnosed anxiety is not just being a bit worried, you can't just "chill out a bit" or "get over it". It eats into your well being, your confidence, your health and your life and it is 24/7. When someone cancels, or ducks out, or makes a pathetic excuse please understand that it isn't personal, it isn't laziness, it isn't being rude. It's because they can't physically do it. When someone needs supporting/encouraging/ hand h...olding it isn't pathetic, it isn't attention seeking, it isn't childish - it's because they are desperate to beat it but can't do it alone. Anxiety sucks, being isolated and believing your friends don't care sucks even more. How many of you have had a night out planned, or arranged coffee or a beer with friends and suddenly the 4 walls you inhabit seem the only safe haven because it's the only place you don't have to pretend you are ok, so you cancel. Or when you are invited out you tell them how terribly sorry you are, but you're already booked up that weekend, when you are actually just really busy holding it together in your safe box. So the first problem starts, all by itself. People stop asking you and the isolation that at first wasn't true becomes your only truth. Please don't give up on your friends. Ring them if they don't reply to a message. They really do want to talk, they just don't know how to say it some days. And in work every passing comment is a negative, you constantly do more to get over the feeling you are not good enough. The exhaustion from not sleeping because you panic all night over what you cannot influence means you make mistakes, you live in a fog and it is a vicious circle. Please raise awareness of this pervasive mental health issue. Mental Health Awareness

The man doesnt know that there is a snake underneath. The woman doesnt know that there is a stone crushing the man. The woman thinks: I am going to fall! And... I cant climb because the snake is going to bite me! Why cant the man use a little more strength and pull me up! The man thinks: I am in so much pain! Yet Im still pulling you as much as I can! Why dont you try and climb a little harder!? The moral is you cant see the pressure the other person is under, and the other person cant see the pain youre in. This is life, whether its with work, family, feelings or friends, we should try to understand each other. Learn to think differently, perhaps more clearly and communicate better. A little thought and patience goes a long way. You might not know what it is, but everyone we meet is fighting their own battle. Be kind. Be loving. Be patient. Be understanding.

Be Mindful... Pause... Connect!

Be Mindful! <3 John

Don't beat yourself up www.sketchesinstillness.com

Mindfulness is about being fully aware of what is happening in the present moment, without filters or the lens of judgment. It can be brought to any situation. Put simply, mindfulness consists of cultivating awareness of the mind and body living in the here and now. <3

I thought this was lovely.

This is why counselling is important.

A Mental Health Moment- a message from Dr. Jennifer Russell. For information on mental health resources please visit: bit.ly/2JjVqtn

A.D.H.D Take my hand and come with me, I want to teach you about ADHD. I need you to know, I want to explain, I have a very different brain.... Sights, sounds, and thoughts collide. What to do first? I can't decide. Please understand I'm not to blame, I just can't process things the same. Take my hand and walk with me, Let me show you about ADHD. I try to behave, I want to be good, But I sometimes forget to do as I should. Walk with me and wear my shoes, You'll see its not the way I'd choose. I do know what I'm supposed to do, But my brain is slow getting the message through. Take my hand and talk with me, I want to tell you about ADHD. I rarely think before I talk, I often run when I should walk. It's hard to get my school work done, My thoughts are outside having fun. I never know just where to start, I think with my feelings and see with my heart. Take my hand and stand by me, I need you to know about ADHD. It's hard to explain but I want you to know, I can't help letting my feelings show. Sometimes I'm angry, jealous, or sad. I feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and mad. I can't concentrate and I lose all my stuff. I try really hard but it's never enough. Take my hand and learn with me, We need to know more about ADHD. I worry a lot about getting things wrong, Everything I do takes twice as long. Everyday is exhausting for me... Looking through the fog of ADHD. I'm often so misunderstood, I would change in a heartbeat if I could. Take my hand and listen to me, I want to share a secret about ADHD. I want you to know there is more to me. I'm not defined by it, you see. I'm sensitive, kind and lots of fun. I'm blamed for things I haven't done. I'm the loyalist friend you'll ever know, I just need a chance to let it show. Take my hand and look at me, Just forget about the ADHD. I have real feelings just like you. The love in my heart is just as true. I may have a brain that can never rest, But please understand I'm trying my best. I want you to know, I need you to see, I'm more than the label, I am still me!!!! ~Author Unknown Copy and paste this as your status if u know someone with A.D.H.D or know the struggle yourself. When people tell you it's an excuse just read them this.

Wonderful speaker.