New Moon Counselling
16 John Street, West Waterloo, ON, Canada

Are you telling yourself daily, what you should be doing? We are constantly met with shoulds: We should be grateful; we should be able to be productive; we should be able to do nothing. But have we ever checked in to see what we want?... So much of our behavior is driven by "should," that we start to lose our ability to distinguish what we really "want. We have been taught what we "should" want, but we no longer know what we actually want, and can often confuse the two. When we lose touch with what we want, we lose the intimacy and connection we have with ourselves. Ask yourself: "Am I doing this because I want to or because I should?" If you answer that it’s because you "should," then ask yourself Why do I believe I should?" "What do I fear will happen if I don't do it?" Set aside some time to only focus on what you want, and if a should comes up, write it down to complete it later. Get back in touch with the things you want to do, and detach from the things you feel obligated in doing ______________ #newmooncounselling #whatyouwant #cognitivedistortion #unhelpfulthinking #itsoknottobeok #mentalhealth #boundaries #comparison #itsok #human #selfcare #selfworth #acceptance #selfacceptance #selfcompassion #shame #wearehuman #therapy #socialwork #psychotherapy #mentalhealthsupport #waterloo #kitchenerwaterloo #dtk #wrawesome #uptownwaterloo See more

Self-compassion refers to extending the same kindness, patience and understanding towards ourselves as we often, so freely, offer to others. Self-compassion refers to responding to ourselves with more empathy, rather than harsh self-judgment and recognizing that even when we stumble and fall, we are worthy of being kind and gentle with ourselves as we pick ourselves back up. This holiday season, and always, remember to extend this same level of conscientiousness and mi...ndfulness towards yourself. We say it is cool to be kind but that needs to start with ourselves. You are worthy of compassion today, tomorrow, and always Need some help building up your self-compassion? Click the link in bio to book a free consult with us and begin your journey to improved wellness - Amanda (@loveis_spokenhere) ________________ #newmooncounselling #youareworthy #itsokaynottobeokay #mentalhealth #negativethinking #empathy #selfjudgment #vulnerable #nobodyisperfect #perfectlyimperfect #selfworth #selfcare #feelings #therapy #emotions #itsok #human #selfcare #selfcompassion #shame #wearehuman #counselling #socialwork #mentalhealthsupport #waterloo #dtk #kw #uptownwaterloo #wellness See more

With news of a second lockdown for the Waterloo Region, I started rethinking about the things I miss. Going to a matinee movie with my son, or alone. Signing along and loosing my voice at a concert. ... Crying, laughing, and clapping after a Broadway show. Being at the airport and seeing loved ones come together... maybe even clapping when the airplane lands safely. Shaking hands. I’m hopeful we’ll be able to do all this again soon, but we need to work together. It’s ok to feel exhausted, to miss things, to have mixed feelings about it all. We have had a lot thrown at us in the last 9 months; let’s remember to be gentle with ourselves, and others What do you miss? ______________ #newmooncounselling #pandemiclife #pandemic #thingsimiss #quarentine #lockdown2020 #mentalhealth #mentalhealthsupport #depression #anxiety #trauma #selfcompassion #selfcare #therapy #healingjourney #burnout #psychotherapy #waterloo #dtk #uptownwaterloo #kitchener #regionofwaterloo See more

You made it to the Friday before Christmas! Yay! You may be focused on what you can do or get for others, so I’m reminding you to take a moment to check in on yourself! Grab yourself a coffee or treat, on us! You’re doing a great job and need a break.... Enjoy your warm (or cold) drink and have a moment for you... you deserve it ____________ #newmooncounselling #takeabreak #celebratethelittlethings #focusonyou #coffee #socialwork #psychotherapy #growingtogether #selfcare #selflove #waterloo #kitchener #dtk #kwawesome #kwlove #wrawesome See more

Self-esteem, self-confidence and self-worth are so important and often talked about... but do you know the difference between them? The way I describe self-confidence is the version of ourselves others see. We may be very confident in our work, the sport we play, or feeling confident in our new haircut or outfit. Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves that we don’t let others see... the beliefs we have about ourselves: I’m so ugly, I’m the worst at this job, I... can’t make friends. Now the trickier and most important self word is self-worth, because our self-worth is the value we give ourselves. Our ability to see and know that we are good people who deserve good things. Often times we determine our self-worth by comparing ourselves to others, and deciding that we are less than because we don’t have what someone else has, or not where someone else is in life. But really, self-worth is about our own self-evaluated abilities that we deem valuable. I know it can be easy to get caught up in chasing likes, followers, money, status and popularity especially when society holds such value to it so I encourage you to take a step back, and think about what truly matters to you when determining people’s worth. Is it the amount of followers they have on social media? Or their kindness, compassion and how they treat others around them? How do you define your self-worth? _____________ #newmooncounselling #selfworth #selfesteem #selfconfidence #definition #itsoknottobeok #mentalhealth #comparison #itsok #human #selfcare #acceptance #selfacceptance #selfcompassion #value #wearehuman #therapy #socialwork #privatepractice #mentalhealthadvocate #therapistsofinstagram #emotionalhealth #psychotherapy #mentalhealthsupport #waterloo #kitchenerwaterloo #dtk #wrawesome #uptownwaterloo See more

How do I know if this applies to me? Good question! Substance use issues are not black and white, they exist on a spectrum. It’s possible only one of the C’s applies to you, or only in a mild way. The good news is, the earlier you can identify substance use problems and implement different, healthy coping strategies, the easier it is to make change. ... Below are descriptions of each C and how they could apply to you: - Can be described as an impulse to do something despite not really wanting to (i.e. feeling the need to use a substance when we don’t really want to) - A strong desire that, if unfulfilled, produces strong physical and mental suffering. When these feelings occur frequently enough, it can be a source of misery. - Loss of control typically falls into one of two categories: 1. Using more than intended (amount) - maybe you set out planning on having a drink or two, but find yourself consistently consuming more than that once you begin, finding it challenging to stop once you start. 2. Using longer than intended (time) - similar to amount, this could look like a plan to join friends for an hour and finding that hour turns into a full night of substance use, once again finding it challenging to stop once you start. - Commonly, this might look like continuing to use a substance despite knowing it is negatively impacting relationships, health, sleep, productivity, work, or self-esteem. Sometimes the more these life areas are impacted negatively, the desire to use substances to relieve discomfort increases, creating a cycle that feels difficult to pull out of. It takes courage, self-reflection, and often a little help to pull out of this cycle. If substances are negatively impacting your life, you deserve support and to know that you are not alone. If you have questions or want to talk, please feel free to reach out to me, Daniel at [email protected], send us a DM, or click the link in bio to schedule a free consultation! _____________ #newmooncounselling @ Ontario See more

Therapy is your space where you can work collaboratively with a therapist to achieve the goals you set for yourself. The most important thing to remember is that it is YOUR therapy session, where you choose what you want to work on, and who you want to work with. Therapy can be all these things when you find a therapist that you feel comfortable with ... What is therapy to you? Looking for a therapist? We offer free 30-minute consultations to see if we are a good fit for you. Send us a DM or click the link in bio to book your free consult with one of our therapists. ___________________ #newmooncounselling #therapy #therapyworks #emotionalhealth #therapyiscool #psychotherapist #socialworker #emotionalsupport #mentalillness #safe #therapistsofinstagram #therapistsofinsta #selfcare #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #smallbusiness #kitchener #regionofwateroo #kitchenerwaterloo #dtk #wrawesome #uptownwaterloo See more

Do you find you have a difficult time managing and regulating your emotions? Or perhaps this is something others have mentioned/noticed? Amanda here We can have so many, often conflicting, feelings all at once and it can be tough to manage them all. This is why it’s important that we provide ourselves with some time, space and permission to process and regulate them bit by bit each day. ... These can be difficult skills to build and implement in our daily lives, but it is so important for our relationships with others, and our relationship with ourselves! Click the link in the bio to download the "All About Emotion Regulation Handout" that I have created. It includes: a brief explanation of what emotion regulation is, the benefits and purpose, some quick tips on how to shift your thought processes towards digesting and discussing information, versus reacting and responding, and some daily coping strategies to use to help manage and regulate your emotions to reduce the frequency in which you feel dysregulated. I'm thrilled to share this resource with you and hope you find it valuable! ( , !) If you need more support regulating your emotions, please send us a DM or click the link in bio to book an appointment with Amanda. _______________ #newmooncounselling #emotionregulation #emotions #feelings #mentalhealth #mentalhealthadvocate #selfcare #selfhelp #copingskills #copingtools #emotionalhealth #selfdiscovery #selfdiscovery #mentalwellness #therapistsofinstagram #psychotherapist #therapy #tools #emotionalsupport #kitchener #waterloo #dtk #uptownwaterloo #wrawesome #guelph #cambridge #wellness @ Ontario See more

Be messy and complicated and afraid and show up anyway. Glennon Doyle *an old post, but I felt like we need the reminder ___________ #newmooncounselling... #itsokaynottobeokay #mentalhealth #boundaries #perfectlyimperfect #glennondoyle #quotes #therapy #emotions #itsok #human #selfcare #selfcompassion #shame #wearehuman #counselling #socialwork #mentalhealthsupport #waterloo #dtk #kw #uptownwaterloo #wellness See more

In case you needed a reminder

No one is perfect... we cant do everything right all the time. Im a therapist, and I struggle with my own anxieties. Im a therapist, and sometimes have a hard time setting boundaries. ... Im a therapist, and sometimes fight with my partner. Im a therapist, and feel overwhelming emotions about where the world is. Im a therapist, and Im human .... Im a therapist and Im scared sharing this human and vulnerable post (negative thinking taking over).... See more

Im excited to announce that New Moon Counselling is growing! Join me in welcoming Daniel Burkett to the NMC team! Daniel is a Registered Psychotherapist, with a Masters Degree in Addictions and Concurrent Mental Health Disorders. He has experience working with individuals, couples and families.... Daniel is passionate about working collaboratively with clients to identify the change they want to see in their lives, and find personalized strategies to help get them there. Once you work with him, you will see his calming and down-to-earth personality shine through, as he creates a safe, respectful and non judgmental space. Starting October 1st, Daniel will be available Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. To book an appointment with him, please send us a DM or click the link in bio to send us a confidential message See more

How do you spend your time? Think of your time as money, where do you want to spend it? With who? Doing what? Your time is important and should be respected ... (Thank you to person who commented adding Time to my post on the 6 Types of Boundaries) See more

HAPPY FIRST DAY/WEEK OF SCHOOL! School looks different this year, and there can be a lot of mixed emotions from children, parents and teens/young adults around back to school. Thinking about all the children going to school for the first time ever, those going to new schools, online learning, those starting high school and college/university, and those returning back to their school either online or in person

There are 6 types of boundaries: pertain to your personal space, privacy and body. To give a handshake or a hug; to whom and when. protect our feelings and privacy. Distinguishes youre emotions and responsibility for them, from someone elses.... protects your comfort level with sexual touch and activity - what, where, when and with whom. applies to your thoughts, beliefs, values and opinions. Allows us to take in information from the world, scrutinize it and decide whether to accept it. determines whether you give or lend things, such as money, clothes, food, books, etc. relates to your beliefs and experiences in connection with higher power. Allows us to choose a path that is right for us. Ask yourself how you feel about each type of boundary. Is there a type that you feel is lacking boundaries? Is there a type that you feel is being violated more often? ___________________ Reminders: Follow @newmooncounsellingkw for more on Boundaries this week If youre looking for further support and guidance on how you can set boundaries in your life, send me a DM or click the link in bio to book a free consult! ********* #boundaries #healthyboundaries #settingboundaries #set boundaries #boundary #boundariesarehealthy #selfcare #feelings #therapy #emotions #boundariesarebeautiful #selfcompassion #selflove #counselling #socialwork #mentalhealthsupport #wrawesome #waterloo #dtk #kw #uptownwaterloo #wellness #newmooncounselling See more

When we are growing up and assert boundaries that are not respected, we may not know how to address this, or assert our boundaries. This can cause us to believe in our right to them. However, by virtue of being human we have many rights When you set boundaries with others its important to do it in an assertive and respectful way. Its helpful to be clear and firm with regard to what you will and wont accept. A simple no is a boundary, long explanations or justificat...ions are not necessary. Your responsibility is to communicate your boundaries. You are not responsible for the other persons reaction to the boundaries you set. You have a right to your boundaries, speak up and make them clear ___________________ Reminders: Follow @newmooncounsellingkw for more on Boundaries this week If youre looking for further support and guidance on how you can set boundaries in your life, send me a DM or click the link in bio to book a free consult! ********* #boundaries #healthyboundaries #settingboundaries #mentalhealth #itsokaynottobeokay #boundariesarehealthy #selfcare #feelings #therapy #emotions #youhavearight #assertive #selfcare #selfcompassion #respect #wearehuman #counselling #socialwork #mentalhealthsupport #privatepractice #wrawesome #waterloo #dtk #kw #uptownwaterloo #guelph #cambridge #wellness #newmooncounselling See more

Did you know there are 4 styles of boundaries? Interpersonal boundaries can be broken up into: soft/weak, rigid/inflexible, permeable/pours and flexible/healthy boundaries. Boundaries are learned. If your caregivers had weak or rigid boundaries then it can be more difficult to set boundaries with them. ... Any form of abuse violates your personal boundary. When abuse (verbal, mental, emotional or physical) occurs repeatedly, especially in childhood, some people lose their ability to understand that they have a right to their own boundaries... and this can often go into adulthood. Recognizing what style of boundary we have, can be the first step to noticing what boundaries we have, or need to have in our lives Which of these four styles most accurately describes your own personal boundaries? ___________________ Reminders: Follow @newmooncounsellingkw for more on Boundaries this week If youre looking for further support and guidance on how you can set boundaries in your life, send me a DM or click the link in bio to book a free consult! ********* #boundaries #healthyboundaries #settingboundaries #mentalhealth #trauma #childhoodabuse #itsokaynottobeokay #perfectlyimperfect #selfcare #feelings #therapy #emotions #itsok #human #selfcare #selfcompassion #shame #wearehuman #counselling #socialwork #mentalhealthsupport #privatepractice #wrawesome #waterloo #dtk #kw #uptownwaterloo #guelph #cambridge #wellness #newmooncounselling See more

Setting boundaries can be uncomfortable and difficult. But its so worth the discomfort. Its part of self-care, its protecting yourself from any possible negativity and it is a way to honor yourself and your feelings. Here are some FAQ about Boundaries ... What other questions do you have about Boundaries? ___________________ Reminders: Follow @newmooncounsellingkw for more on Boundaries this week If youre looking for further support and guidance on how you can set boundaries in your life, send me a DM or click the link in bio to book a free consult! ********* #boundaries #healthyboundaries #settingboundaries #mentalhealth #itsokaynottobeokay #perfectlyimperfect #selfcare #feelings #therapy #emotions #itsok #human #selfcare #selfcompassion #shame #wearehuman #counselling #socialwork #mentalhealthsupport #privatepractice #wrawesome #waterloo #dtk #kw #uptownwaterloo #guelph #cambridge #wellness #newmooncounselling See more

Ive been feeling heavy, heavy with emotions that feel all over the place. Grounding and being present, helps me untangle the mixture of emotions Im feeling. Hand on chest, take a few deep breathes. Allow your body to do what it needs... cry, loudly sigh at the exhale, rock back and forth... do what you need. ... This year has been full of grief and pain, but also moments of relief and gratitude. Allow yourself to feel both, mixed emotions are completely normal ______________ Need someone to talk to? Click the link in bio to book a free consultation. Im here and happy to help you organize your emotions, I hope to hear from you. See more

I love it when a client tells me about their week and it includes a small success. Sometimes they arent aware of the change... the boundary that they set, the way they were able to recognize and label their emotions, the ability to easily give themselves a break, so I reflect this back to them. Sometimes we think therapy will make us not feel a certain emotion anymore. But our emotions are normal, therapy helps to understand them better, learn tools to notice and... cope with them so that we will be better equip to handle strong emotions when they come up again. So I celebrate the small victories, the small changes that may go unnoticed. You set a boundary, yay, I know that may have been hard to do You were able to label your emotions when communicating with your partner, amazing! You were kind to yourself when you made a mistake, Im so proud of you! You paid attention to your body and mind when it craved a break, way to go! Celebrate the little things, because they lead to big changes What are you proud of? See more

I am so excited to finally share with you all that I am moving offices!!! Starting October 1st, 2020 I will be in a beautiful new space, with two big windows, free parking, close to uptown and practically beside @vincenzoswaterloo (where Ill be lunching at most days!) Ill be sharing more information on my stories today, and take you along with me as I shop yo furnish this space. I cant wait for you to see it!

A reminder that its normal to have multiple emotions about the loss of a relationship. You can be glad to have left the toxic relationship, while also feeling sad and missing the relationship. You had the strength and courage to leave, and missing the relationship does NOT make you weak or stupid.... it makes you human

In love with our new logo and branding! Thank you Meredith @mywolfdesign Let me know what do you think?

When we judge our own emotions, we can end up having feelings of guilt and shame... which end up making us feel worse. If we meet ourselves with compassion (as we would a friend) and validate our own emotions it helps us accept the emotion, and in turn, makes it easier for us to process them. When you notice youre judging yourself for your emotions, try to respond with a validating statement, such as its Ok for me to feel this way, and notice the difference it mak...es What other validating statements are you using? ___________ Need some help accepting and processing emotions? Contact me to book a free consult! See more

Emotions have a purpose... instead of judging yourself for feeling a certain way, give yourself permission to feel and reflect on why that emotion may have come up for you

When you start taking care of your wellness and mental health, others may see that they can no longer get away with what they were doing in the past. In our healthy relationships, change and growth will be praised; in unhealthy relationships change can be a threat to all the dysfunction that was previously allowed. Despite the changes in your relationships, have the courage to continue to grow and be the person you want to be

Why be anyone else, when you can be yourself

Youre in the middle of a conflict or disagreement with your partner, they say something and suddenly you feel a rush of rage, hurt, panic and fear... all your rational thoughts are knocked down and your partners voice suddenly goes on mute. Does this sound familiar? John Gottman explains emotional flooding as the hallmark of our nervous system in overdrive. Something happens in our interaction with our partner that sets off our internal threat-detection system. This ...is the sympathetic nervous system in action, preparing us for battle or flight. In this state, we lose some of our capacity for rational thought. Science describes this is as a decrease of activity in our pre-frontal cortex, the center of higher cognition. Here are some things you can do to help find your way back, when emotional flooding has derailed you. try to self-soothe by speaking to yourself kindly, telling yourself youre ok visualize a time your partner was at their best; be as detailed as possible to capture your experience of being loved and cared for. This helps shift your focus from the negative story you are creating about them. hit the pause button in your argument. This time allows you to turn your attention inward, how youre feeling and calm yourself down to be able to return and have a conversation about the issue at hand. notice what happens to your body. Being aware of what thoughts and sensations in your body come up when youre becoming flooded, can help you create distance between you and the thoughts feelings that appear. use grounding techniques to keep you in the present moment. Most importantly, dont get down on yourself if youre unable to cope through the storm of emotions right away. Be kind to yourself, and try again Need some support with managing conflict in your relationship? Send me a DM or click the link in bio to schedule a free consult! See more

Feeling anxious? Are your thoughts taking over and overwhelming you? You are not alone. Ive been feeling anxiety come up for me, around what school will look like for my oldest, who will be starting next month. I was a bit anxious about it pre-COVID, and now its coming up again. What will social distancing look like in the classroom? Will it get in the way of him making friends? Will it be scary for him to see his teacher in a mask and face shield all day?... But when my anxiety comes up, the APPLE Technique helps me cope through it. A - I acknowledge the fear of uncertainty, the possible impact it may have on my son. P - I pause and try not to react, meaning I dont push it down and suppress it instead I practice boxed breathing. P - I pull back, I cant control the future or how things will impact my son. L - I give myself permission to let this thought, and feeling of fear pass. E - I explore the present. In this moment, my son is so excited for school, and all is good. I stay present by listening to his excitement. I hope this technique can help you process and cope through anxiety, and I hope that by sharing Im also normalizing anxiety as an emotion we all experience, especially during these times. If you feel you need more support with your anxiety, send me a DM! Id be happy to work with you See more

A reminder (that I needed too)... You can do what you love and feel tired. You can do what youve always dreamed of and still need a break. This doesnt make you ungrateful or unappreciative of the things you have.... You can feel more than one way about something. Be kind to yourself and notice what your emotions are saying... you are deserving of a break too See more

Failing is a sad and heartbreaking experience, at least its been that way for me. It can make you question things, your negative thoughts can start being harsh, and you might not want to feel that heartbreak again. But you are not a failure, simply someone who has experienced failure (welcome to the club!). Our failures dont define us, what we do with our failures can motivate us to do greater things!... Feel the emotions that come with failure, its completely OK to be disappointed, angry, sad... notice what youre saying to yourself and reframe it if its negative. Make a gratitude list, look at past failures that you survived before and learned from it, take care of yourself by practicing self-care and reflect back at what you learned from this failure... Then get up, dust yourself off and try again Need some help getting over your fear of failure? Contact me to book a free consultation! See more

When we fear failure, it can cause us to avoid anything thats challenging, or we undermine our own efforts to avoid potential of failure. Our definition of failure will vary, because we all have different benchmarks, values, belief systems, and family experiences. Fear of failure can be linked to many different causes. Having critical or unsupportive parents can be a cause for some; because they were undermined and humiliated as children, they carry those negative fee...lings in adulthood. Experiencing a traumatic event can also be a cause. For example, you may have given an important presentation in front of a big group, and it went very poorly. Or you studied really hard for a test, and failed it. The experience may have been so terrible that you become afraid of failing other things. Having a fear of failure can stop us from living, and learning from our mistakes. I encourage you to be aware of when these symptoms come up for you. Reflect on the times in your life that you avoided something something for fear of failing See more

Whether its an upcoming exam, job interview, difficult conversation, date, family reunion, doctors appointment or just another day, Im thinking of you and cheering you on. Were thinking of you and sending some positive thoughts your way Lori Gottlieb says: Its impossible to get to know people deeply and not come to like them

Do you feel anxious thinking about Monday? As Monday nears, our anxiety can increase as we think of all the tasks we need to do for work and home. Here are somethings that can help make the start of a work week a bit smoother:... . Try to notice a pattern in the anxious thoughts that are coming up for you. If your thoughts are focused on not getting enough done the week before, you can plan to be more productive at the start of the week by prioritize the bigger tasks. - on Sunday night for things you want to get done the next morning. Putting your tasks down on paper can help take some of the stress away by getting them out of your mind and into words. - . Sleeping in and having a lazy Sunday sounds great, but it can actually make Mondays much harder. Set your alarms to wake up a bit closer to your work-week time, this helps you later in the evening when its time to sleep. Also getting to bed a little earlier on Sunday nights can help you have a more restful night and have you bright and ready for the morning. . I know this can be impossible, but what I mean is to set boundaries and limits with your time. Maybe you give yourself 15 minutes to check your work emails on Sunday, so you can be prepared for Monday. Limiting time on social media can be helpful - we can get bummed out while we scroll through our feed, especially when we compare our weekends with others. Setting your phone aside before bed can also help improve your sleep. - . You dont need to schedule all the fun for the weekends, having something to look forward to (i.e. dinner with a friend, a movie, gym class) during the week can feel like little treats making your workweek fun. You deserve some fun time, so schedule that into your calendar too! What do you do to help with anxious Mondays? See more

A reminder to be gentle with yourself today, youre doing the best you can and thats enough

Youre imperfect, and youre wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging - Bren Brown

The third, and last type of grounding is Soothing. Soothing grounding focuses on talking to yourself in a very kind way. Thinking of your favourites can include your favourite colour, animal, season, TV show or food. Looking at photographs of people or pets you care about can bring up happy memories.... Having a coping statement to say to yourself like I got this! or this feeling will pass can sooth you and center you back to the present. The coping statement can include affirmations. ? Grounding is a set of simple strategies that can help you full away from flashbacks, unwanted memories and emotional pain. These strategies help distract you by focusing outward on the external world, rather than inward towards the self. Grounding has also been called centering, a safe place, looking outward or healthy detachment. ? When we feel overwhelmed with emotional pain, detaching from our emotions can help us gain control over our feelings and stay safe; grounding anchors you to the present and to reality. For many people go experienced trauma, struggle with feeling either too much (overwhelming emotions and memories) or too little (numbness and dissociation). In grounding, you attain a balance between the two - conscious of reality and able to tolerate it. Remember that pain is a feeling; its not who you are, when you get caught up in it, it feels like you are your pain, and that is all that exists. But it is only one part of your experience, the others are just hidden and can be found again through grounding. Remember that you may find that one type works better for you, or all types may be helpful Which grounding type are you more comfortable with? See more

Our second type of grounding is Physical. Physical grounding focuses on your senses (i.e. touch, hear). Having a small grounding object in your pocket (like a small rock, clay, a piece of cloth) that you can touch whenever you feel triggered. Noticing your body, the weight of it on a chair, wiggling your toes in your socks, feeling your back against the chair.... ? Grounding is a set of simple strategies that can help you full away from flashbacks, unwanted memories and emotional pain. These strategies help distract you by focusing outward on the external world, rather than inward towards the self. Grounding has also been called centering, a safe place, looking outward or healthy detachment. ? When we feel overwhelmed with emotional pain, detaching from our emotions can help us gain control over our feelings and stay safe; grounding anchors you to the present and to reality. For many people go experienced trauma, struggle with feeling either too much (overwhelming emotions and memories) or too little (numbness and dissociation). In grounding, you attain a balance between the two - conscious of reality and able to tolerate it. Remember that pain is a feeling; its not who you are, when you get caught up in it, it feels like you are your pain, and that is all that exists. But it is only one part of your experience, the others are just hidden and can be found again through grounding. Ill be sharing with you 3 different types of grounding this week, mental, physical and soothing grounding. You may find that one type works better for you, or all types are helpful Have you tried these types of grounding strategies before? See more

? Grounding is a set of simple strategies that can help you full away from flashbacks, unwanted memories and emotional pain. These strategies help distract you by focusing outward on the external world, rather than inward towards the self. ... Grounding has also been called centering, a safe place, looking outward or healthy detachment. ? When we feel overwhelmed with emotional pain, detaching from our emotions can help us gain control over our feelings and stay safe; grounding anchors you to the present and to reality. For many people go experienced trauma, struggle with feeling either too much (overwhelming emotions and memories) or too little (numbness and dissociation). In grounding, you attain a balance between the two - conscious of reality and able to tolerate it. Remember that pain is a feeling; its not who you are, when you get caught up in it, it feels like you are your pain, and that is all that exists. But it is only one part of your experience, the others are just hidden and can be found again through grounding. Ill be sharing with you 3 different types of grounding this week, mental, physical and soothing grounding. You may find that one type works better for you, or all types are helpful. Today we focus on mental grounding which means focusing your mind Have you tried these types of grounding strategies before? See more

Put your hands up if you love movies Did you know watching movies can impact your mental health? , while you watch a movie it can make you laugh, cry, or show your emotions more freely, which you may not feel comfortable doing on your own.... , watching a tragic and sad story play out in film, can remind you of the things you have in life and appreciate the relationships you have. -, stories have a history of helping us make sense of our real lives. Stories can engage our emotions, curiosity and imagination, it helps us see things things from a different perspective. , movies transport you to a different world, and gives your brain a chance to rest and recharge. Movies add a form of mental distraction which can be a healthy coping strategy when used appropriately. , scary movies can recreate the same physical affects as anxiety, but in a planned setting which can make it more manageable. There is also a part of us that knows it is not real, and that can bring a sense of calmness, of being able to let go of the nerves following the scary movie. , , your brain releases cortisol (the stress hormone), when you watch something tense or suspenseful happen in the movie. However, at the resolution of the story, you get a hit of dopamine, a naturally produced opioid that causes feelings of pleasure. So next time youre watching a movie, notice the impacts it has on your mental health Do you have a go to movie depending on how youre feeling? See more

Anger is an indicator that something is wrong. Listen to that anger, to the emotions under that anger

We ask our son one of these questions before bed. It helps him reflect on his day, and the highlights from it. I ask myself the same questions before I go to bed. Reflect on what I enjoyed, what I learned and what made me laugh. Today my favourite part was having a water fight with my toddler. I learned to have patience and be flexible when things go differently than planned/expected; and I laughed reminiscing with my mom about camping years ago and having to move... our whole tent, fully set up, to another site because we were at the wrong one What was your favourite part of the day? See more

Do you go out if your way to avoid people being mad at you? People-pleasers often want to be liked by others, cant stand the idea of someone being mad at them or hurting someones feelings. Sometimes as a defense mechanisms, people-pleasers extend themselves to avoid the negative behaviors of someone being mad with them (i.e. being ignored, yelled at, or being threatened that the relationship will end). This can lead to people-pleasures experiencing anxiety, burnout, ...low self-esteem and lack of self-care. What can you do? - Question why youre feeling the need to go out of your way for someone else. - Say no when you dont want/have the time to do something. - Figure out what you want from your relationships and ask for what you need - dont assume that people wont accept you or that youll hurt others Taking care of yourself and your needs is not selfish, its necessary Struggling with people-pleasing behaviours and want some help? Contact me for a free consultation! _________________ #peoplepleasing #peoplepleaser #anxiety #depression #cyclebreakers #boundaries #selfcare #selfworth #selfesteem #burnout #selffocus #mentalhealth #therapyiscool #therapy #socialwork #counselling #cbt #priorities #waterlooregion #kw #uptownwaterloo #dtk #cambridge #guelphontario #wellness #newmooncounselling See more

Its those tiny steps that give us the biggest lessons. Lets pay attention to them _____________ ... #smallsteps #transformation #mentalhealthawareness #patience #patiencequotes #differences #kindnessquotes #mentalhealh #mentalillness #therapy #itsokaytonotbeokay #anxiety #kitchenerwaterloo #counsellingpsychology #cbt #socialwork #letstalkaboutit #emotions #feelings #lorigottlieb #awareness #understanding #dtk #maybeyoushouldtalktosomeone #newmooncounselling See more

During these times of uncertainty we can experience a number of feelings, some of which include anxiety and depression. Therapy is a safe place to talk about whatever you need. Im always accepting new clients, so if you have been curious about therapy contact me, or click the link in bio to schedule a Free Consultation to meet me and see if New Moon Counselling is a good fit for you. ... Now offering in-person, as well as virtual sessions ________________ #therapy #acceptingnewclients #alwaysacceptingnewclients #counselling #therapyiscool #therapyisnotadirtyword #socialwork #waterloo #regionofwaterloo #dtk #kitchenerwaterloo #kitchenerwaterloocambridge #uptownwaterloo #kw #cambridge #guelph #guelphlife #guelphontario #stratford #perthcounty #fergusontario #kitchenerontario #newmooncounselling See more