Kelly Davison Counselling

How to improve your reactions to the oh-so-human-thing of making mistakes: https://www.psychologytoday.com//its-hard-admit-mistakes-h

Stonewalling aka Shutting Down aka Freeze Response aka being flooded, unfortunately communicates an uncaring facade to our loved ones. This article has some great info and tips on how to get out of that response if you're the one that experiences it. Also, I hope that others who don't shut down when they get flooded will read so they can understand better that their shut-down loved one does care--they're just trying to manage a difficult moment! https://www.gottman.com//conversational-boundaries-withou/

I've been wanting to see "Marriage Story" but thought it might be too much, considering I'm a therapist with a good percentage of clients who see me as couples. After reading Dr. Sue Johnson's take on the movie, however, I feel like it would be instructive in terms of divorce and how the legal system gets in the way of healthy processing: http://www.drsuejohnson.com//the-message-of-marriage-stor/

Awesome ideas for managing symptoms of bi-polar with routines, and a link at the bottom of the article for a test that indicates whether or not there's concern and if you should go for a professional assessment: https://psychcentral.com//building-a-routine-when-you-have

If we get what we all need, we don't need substances as a substitute: https://www.psychologytoday.com//the-opposite-addiction-is

Beautiful story of discovery and healing: https://www.huffpost.com//middle-high-school-bully-depress

Great article that explains accurately, in my opinion, exactly what emotionally-based therapeutic approaches accomplish! https://www.goodtherapy.org//how-psychotherapy-retrains-br

Marriage used to be more of a work or political contract, then came romantic love (nothing to do with marriage) and, after that, we thought it'd be a good idea if we combined the two. Now spouses have to be EVERYTHING to one another and we're living longer, so the demands can sometimes outstrip a couple's emotional resources. Still, marriage can make you a better person if you're in it for the right reasons and have a good approach. This article speaks to that: https://www.nytimes.com//should-your-spouse-be-your-best-f

I received exciting news from my regulatory body on Mar 8, 2021: Registered Counselling Therapists can provide services to clients in all provinces and territories with the exception of Quebec! This is great news, especially for clients who are relocating or have residence in more than one province. So, wherever you are in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut, please feel free to reach out for virtual sessions if you have access to a secure telephone line or high-speed Internet.

Life is hard from the get go and we're going to have emotions, so here's a great article on how to help your kiddos every step of the way: https://www.gottman.com//age-age-guide-helping-kids-mana/

Yes to everything in this article! An Affair Does Not Have to Mean the End https://www.gottman.com//an-affair-does-not-have-to-mean/

Hard to believe we're coming up on a year in isolation. I dearly hope you're managing this challenging time with deeper connections to your loved ones and your local environment, but I know it's been hard for many. This article helps explain why we need healthy relationships and how to create those. Most informative quote: "Those who reject depending on others and embrace extreme or complete autonomy can actually push themselves toward self-isolation" https://www.gottman.com//healthy-dependence-healthy-rela/

At a loss for what to make as a New Year's resolution? Dr. Sue Johnson has an idea: https://www.mindbodygreen.com//the-1-way-to-build-a-strong

For many couples, it's a challenge to keep the passion and intimacy alive in a long-term relationship. It does take a bit of 'work,' but really, when you look at the returns on the bit of effort outlined in this article, the dividends are amazing! https://www.gottman.com//3-steps-reconnect-feel-disconne/

Has the pandemic negatively affected your sleep habits? This might help: https://www.psychologytoday.com//curing-coronasomnia-four-

Humans are wired for connection. If we can't form close, healthy relationships, we are vulnerable to addictions: https://www.psychologytoday.com//the-opposite-addiction-is

Who doesn't enjoy a bit of nostalgia once in a while? No problem, unless it stops you from enjoying the present or moving forward: https://www.rewire.org//romanticizing-past-relationships-/

As Dr. Strang points out, we need sports and performing arts for our "physical, mental, and social well being". This is a big step forward. Let's hope we do well and can keep making these types of forward strides: https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/nova-scotia-to-increase-gatheri

Dogs are getting stressed emotionally because their humans are: https://theconversation.com/mans-stressed-friend-how-your-m

From discussions with couples and individuals, it seems that this fading of the honeymoon period is not commonly known, but IS common. Here's an article that explains it and offers some ways through this 'awkward stage': https://www.womenshealthmag.com//a2/honeymoon-phase-over/

If you're looking to raise your awareness for Suicide Prevention Month and only have time to read one thing, this article is a 'must' read--very comprehensive and up to date! #suicidepreventionmonth #suicideawareness https://www.psychologytoday.com//the-myths-and-warning-sig

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and September is Suicide Prevention Month--both bring awareness to a critical issue, especially during a time when our lives have been turned upside down. The theme this year is focusing on community and support--I'm very pleased to see this. It takes a village to keep us all healthy! https://www.ndtv.com//world-suicide-prevention-day-2020-su

Emotions are there as signals to show us what we need and what we value. Sitting with and exploring our emotions is not an act of self-indulgence (as many of us have been taught), but an act of self-love that promotes self-awareness. https://www.goodtherapy.org//painful-feelings-emotional-in

This school year is going to be like nothing parents, teachers, and students ever experienced before. Here's some tips on how to help adolescents through it: https://www.nytimes.com//fa/teens-mental-health-needs.html

Here's a funny one! Gungor's advice might provide a tweak that helps any relationship where individuals find themselves thinking radically different from their partner (not just male/female relationships); however, I do think that the EFT approach appreciates hard-wired differences while allowing that fundamental brain 'wiring' can change! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XjUFYxSxDk

Seems I've posted this before (somewhere on FB!), but it's worth repeating because becoming aware that one of these dynamics, or a few, are creeping habitually into our important relationships is essential if we want to create more satisfying connections: https://www.gottman.com//the-four-horsemen-recognizing-cr/

Helicopter parents...snowplow parents...and NOW lawnmower parents--oh my, what a judgmental world it can be, especially for parents. Perhaps this article will eliminate the idea that parents aren't doing a good job unless their kids are constantly involved in stimulating activities: https://newyork.cbslocal.com//study-benefits-of-boredom-c/

Striving for no conflict ever in relationships = fantasy Knowing how to deal with conflict in a non-blaming way = satisfying life! https://www.gottman.com/blog/softening-startup/

So happy to see the general consensus is forming around accepting emotions, rather than "it's all good" mentality. Our emotions are there for a reason. Paying attention to what we're feeling and working through those emotions is the way to a happy and healthy life. https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-should-say-no-to-positivity-a/

Long-term relationships have their bumps, for sure. Here's a great little animated video to explain one reason why and what to do about it! https://www.gottman.com//the-grass-is-greener-where-you-/

This! https://www.gottman.com//repair-secret-weapon-emotionall/

Loving and affirming article on grief: how it's different from individual to individual; what these differences look like; and, how some people have managed to keep walking through the deepest emotional pain imaginable: https://www.webmd.com//g/20190711/the-many-stages-of-grief

Studies are suggesting that video communications are having a negative effect on our brains. What do you think: are you experiencing 'Zoom Fatigue' or noticing that you crave more face-to-face interaction now? https://www.cbc.ca//business/zoom-trust-business-pandemic-

It's been a long, difficult stretch for most of us. If you feel you need a jump start, here are some helpful tips put out by the Canadian Mental Health Association: https://cmha.ca/blogs/16-strategies-to-help-you-thrive

I think a big stumbling block for couples deciding whether or not to come in for counselling is that many partners aren't exactly on the same page around 'when' the right time to attend is. As for all therapy, I believe a good time to make an appointment is as soon as you start thinking that it might be a good idea. From my own experience working with many couples over the years, I've seen so many relationships that could have survived if they had just come in earlier. As... this article shows, however, many couples wait SIX years before finally making the decision to invest in their relationship! PS Once you have both decided to look into couples counselling, be sure to find a registered mental health professional who has had training in a well-established approach for couples counselling. https://www.gottman.com//5-steps-to-inspire-your-partner/

A lot of us know this already but tend to forget when the stress hits (AND saying things have been stressful lately is a bit of an understatement!): https://www.cnn.com//natural-ways-to-improve-m/index.html

It's a difficult time for all of us right now, but especially for those who have lost their jobs. Here's a good article with tips on how to help a partner who's lost employment: https://www.vice.com//what-to-do-if-your-partner-loses-the