MindFul Space Counselling
1892 West Broadway V6J 1Y9 Vancouver, BC, Canada

When things get busy taking time to give ourselves a mindful moment can re-energize and invigorate. . Getting caught up in the go - go mindset often means we mis our own bodies signs and cues. . How to take a mindful moment below;... . Breathing exercise: . Relaxed breathing happens lower down in the belly rather than the chest. You can check where your breath is coming from by using your hands - putting one hand on your chest and the other on your belly, noticing which hand is moving more. You can play with making the hand you wish to rise, rise. . Try and breathe through your nose where possible. . Deliberately slow your breathing down. . Breathe in to a count of 4, pause for a moment, then breathe out to a count of four. "In ... two ... three ... four ... pause ... Out ... two ... three ... four ... pause ... . Make sure that your breaths are smooth, steady, and continuous - not jerky. . Pay particular attention to your out-breath - make sure it is smooth and steady. . 5-10 mins most see results - some report feeling calmer, more relaxed and able to think clearer. The problem may not go away but you are in a much better place to decide what to do next. . If you notice it hard to do the above and you are getting agitated it might be helpful to explore. . Part of wisdom is knowing when to reach out for external help and being able to do that. . . #breathingexercises #mindfulness #slowingdown. #virtualcounsellor #virtualtherapist #virtualcouplescounseling #onlinetherapist #onlinetherapy #onlinecounseling #telehealth #telementalhealth #selfhealers #personalgrowth #selfdevelopment #selfawareness #psychology #mindfulspacecounselling #counseling #therapy #psychotherapy #psychoeducational #counselorsofinstagram #couplestheraphy #couplescounseling #familycounseling #prenatal #parentinghelp #mentalhealth #theraphyworks See more

Still operating in a virtual space. . Some things that keep me going. . The beautiful people I work with. ... . Being part of one’s healing journey and witnessing the transformation is a big part of why I love being a counsellor. . Community of Support from Peers, Mentors and my own Counsellors. . Being in contact with others who inspire, motivate and encourage me, has been hugely important this year. . Being in Nature. . Going for walks down to the beach. Sitting and watching the waves. Smelling and soaking in the raw beauty. Keeps me grounded and present. . Being Present. . Allowing myself to just be in the moment. . Letting Go. . I noticed when I get really attached to certain outcomes the ease goes. I have been experimenting with just letting go of an idea, thought, expectation in that moment and it really has helped free me up. . Regular massage treatments & epsom salt baths. . Helping me unwind and relax tense muscles. These two combined have been a powerhouse for me this year. . . What has helped you this past year? . . . Photo credit - Isabelle Serimento - @thisisitstudios . . . . . #virtualcounsellor #virtualtherapist #virtualcounseling #virtualcouplescounseling #onlinetherapist #onlinetherapy #onlinecounseling #telehealth #telementalhealth #selfhealers #personalgrowth #selfdevelopment #selfawareness #psychology #mindfulspacecounselling #counseling #therapy #psychotherapy #psychoeducational #counselorsofinstagram #couplestheraphy #couplescounseling #familycounseling #prenatal #parentinghelp #mentalhealth #theraphyworks

Part of becoming whole is seeing all parts of us as connected; Emotions, thoughts and the physical. . The body - meaning ALL of us - has its own wisdom and learning how to consciously tap into and read/understand that wisdom provides safety, guidance/direction in decision making. . Allowing our bodies natural wisdom to work is optimal. This wisdom works optimal in a state of homeostasis. ... . As a counsellor I look at homeostasis within one's mental and emotional "body". . Below I have some guidelines on how you can support your own mental homeostasis: . - First knowing what it feels like in your body, to be in homeostasis...it is the time your body feels that all is well and functioning as it "should". You feel calm, thoughts are more quiet - Some recognize this state just before falling asleep or in the morning when you are leisurely waking up from a restful sleep. . - Second is to recognize or notice the times when you feel out of homeostasis. This could happen when we get news that upsets us, things don't go the way we were expecting. There are often unpleasant feelings, a sense of dis-ease, being unsettled, things just seeming off. . Third, Breathe. In these moments, stopping and taking a breath is the first step in bringing you back. Breathing may seem overly simple and is often brushed off by many because it doesn't fit into the "I need to do something... I need to fix it...." left brain, do, do do, mentality. It can seem counterproductive but it is the complete opposite - when things get us riled up for the first instance slowing down and just pausing to take some conscious breaths has huge benefits, both a psychological and mental level. . If you are having difficulty with any of the above please reach out for help. Part of wisdom is knowing when to reach out for external help and being able to do that. . . . #Selfsupport #selfhealers #personalgrowth #selfdevelopment #selfawareness #psychology #mindfulspacecounselling #counseling #therapy #psychotherapy #psychoeducational #counselorsofinstagram #couplestheraphy #couplescounseling #familycounseling #prenatal #parentinghelp #mentalhealth #theraphyworks

Don’t cry, don’t be upset, calm down, cut it out. . The message these types of words send is.DON’T FEEL!. You’re a nuisance. There is no room for your feelings here. You are on your own. I can’t handle you. You are too much. . Sending the message out to not feel. is like telling someone not to have a bowel movement when they feel it coming. They may be able to hold it in for a while but eventually it has to come out. ... . The same is with emotions - they are energy in motion and are totally toxic to hold onto. They need to come out! . If you have ever been the receiver of any of those words, for some it started at childhood - you will be well aware of how infuriating, disconnecting and frustrating it is to hear that. . In couples therapy I often hear a spouse say - Calm down to another and it actually works in two ways..either the spouse gets more escalated or those feelings go underground and you can be sure they will come out later. . There are words that make things better and there are words that make things worse. . Choosing your words carefully - Getting yourself grounded and connected first so you can access the words of your choosing, that align with your values. . . . #wordsmatter #couples101 #selfhealers #personalgrowth #selfdevelopment #selfawareness #psychology #mindfulspacecounselling #counseling #therapy #psychotherapy #psychoeducational #counselorsofinstagram #couplestheraphy #couplescounseling #familycounseling #prenatal #parentinghelp #mentalhealth #theraphyworks

Often we reject in others what we reject in ourselves. . Looking inwards is a delicate process. . Counselling provides a safe, compassionate, caring environment that can support and guide you going inwards. ... . I am often asked, when is a good time to start counselling?... which I answer anytime there is a genuine desire to seek out help is the best place to start. . Some further thoughts. . When you have more time on your hands that can also be a helpful addition. . Having supportive people in your life that support your decision to be in counselling. . . . . . #selfhealers #personalgrowth #selfdevelopment #selfawareness #psychology #mindfulspacecounselling #counseling #therapy #psychotherapy #psychoeducational #counselorsofinstagram #couplestheraphy #couplescounseling #familycounseling #prenatal #parentinghelp #mentalhealth #theraphyworks

I like to think of being intentional as putting your best foot forward and leading with that. . Some examples of what that might look like is below. . Creating your own rituals.... . Might look like . After work before coming home to your loved ones - take a few minutes to pause, breathe and release the busyness of the day. Using words like I release myself from my work commitments then Visualize taking off the so called work robe and leaving it/hanging it there along with any worries and cares that go along with work. . Next think about your next role - is it partner, parent, child, sibling... Visualize putting on that new robe aka role. I encourage you to play with the robe - maybe you imagine a soft fluffy bath robe or a fur coat. For a partner maybe it is a silky sensual robe - then imagine putting that on. . Next focus on your intention. What type of person do I want to be when I see my partner, child, parent.. etc...Maybe something like I want to be present and available for the ones I love and for myself. Finding your own words that resonate for you. . What would get in the way of executing on our intentions? Our own big emotions. . For example you come home after doing the rituals and all is going well then your child has a huge temper tantrum because there are no more cookies to be had, things are being thrown, crying, screaming...you notice your internal alarm bells going off, angry rising, frustration banging at the gates...those good intentions are slipping away.it is in this moment that an internal time out needs to happen. . Slowing things down for yourself - stopping action and taking a couple of conscious breaths may be enough to access the other feelings in you of love and acceptance for your child. If not enough a physical time out may be needed..to let that steam out..until you can access those other feelings. . Having two opposing feelings or parts of you present at the same time is key - aka one part of me wants to yell at that kid but the other part of me sees the suffering and wants to comfort/hold space for. Once we have access to both we can make a decision. . , . #consciousparents #psychoeducation #mindfulspacecounselling