Providence Therapy
113-970 Burrard Street V6Z 2R9 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Yes, it's that time of year again when your feed is flooded with sales and discount codes from numerous brands and businesses. Instead, we'd love to offer you something a little different let's take a moment to slow down, pause, and celebrate you! Indeed, this Christmas season is like no other. And while many of our holiday plans have changed, we're still here to acknowledge (from a friendly and masked 6-foot distance) your healing and growth over 2020. Whether you've been working towards your goals in counselling for months, or you've just started your journey, cheers to you and all of your milestones! We're so proud of you! From all of us at Providence Therapy, we wish you a very Happy Holidays!

An important mental health reminder for anyone who needs to hear it. Healing is a process don't forget to extend yourself grace and compassion along the way. You totally got this! Looking for someone to talk to? Give us a call at 778-999-7375 or visit providencetherapybc.com for more information.

NEW ON THE BLOG: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. In our latest post "Finding Hope During a Holiday Pandemic," Owner & Clinical Director Christen McCallum explores hope and how we might be able to find resiliency, self-compassion, and meaning during the challenging seasons of our lives particularly 2020. Read now: https://bit.ly/3aawUJX

What if you could harness and enhance the way your brain and nervous system responded to stress? At Providence Therapy, we recognize and emphasize the Neuro-Psycho-Physiological Mind-Body relationship when it comes to mental health recovery and stress reduction, and believe cutting-edge technologies and treatments should be an accessible and customizable option for all our clients. That's where The Brain Bar by Providence Therapy Inc. comes into the picture! We get it! Not... everyone is ready for or interested in counselling. Maybe you've had a bad experience with counselling in the past and want to explore something different. Maybe what you're dealing with is more physiological, like symptoms from a concussion or TBI. Or perhaps you're already seeing an awesome therapist but want to take your brain's and nervous system's performance to the next level. Whatever your reasons, let The Brain Bar elevate your brain's potential! To learn more, visit thebrainbar.ca or give us a call at 778-999-7375 today.

HOW IS LENS DIFFERENT? OK, so we've talked about what LENS is, but how does it stand out from Biofeedback or Direct Neurofeedback? Well, Biofeedback systems are used to train the brain to behave in a certain way utilizing operant conditioning, not unlike teaching a dog to sit by repetition. Training the brain in this way requires many lengthy sessions, several times a week, over the span of months.... The LENS, however, uses a system based on resetting the brain’s own neural-connectivity, which works faster and requires much less session time than attempting to train a dysfunctional brain. Alternatively, the LENS resets the neural-connectivity of the brain, allowing the brain to communicate better with itself, and in doing so optimizing its own function. And guess what!? The LENS system can even be used on the body to treat pain and inflammation! Want to learn more or book a LENS session today? Give us a call at 778-999-7375 or visit providencetherapybc.com for more information.

An affirmation to carry you through this week and beyond. Looking for someone to talk to? Call our team at 778-999-7375 or head to providencetherapybc.com for more details.

A few of us at Providence Therapy are participating in a mental health video summit later this year! It's a one-day conference where people will be able to access video lectures on mental health from many experts around Vancouver. Exciting, right?! If you're interested in joining us, stay tuned for more details! The summit will be taking place sometime this Winter. Want to see if our mind-body approach is the right fit for you? Give us a call at 778-999-7375 or go to providencetherapybc.com for more details.

Love this self-honouring invitation and practice by Lisa Oliveria. "...regularly question the stories you hold about yourself and ask if it's actually you that's the 'problem,' or if you are often responding understandably to your circumstances, experiences, and the world around you. How might shifting the lens with which you view your experience from change the way you relate to and treat yourself? How might adding the word 'maybe' shift things a little?" Ready to take the next step on your healing journey? Give us a call at 778-999-7375 or visit providencetherapybc.com for more information.

WHAT IS EMDR THERAPY? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the Adaptive Information Processing Model of recovery and neurological integration is an extensively researched integrative psychotherapy approach proven effective for the treatment of trauma and PTSD, anxiety, compulsive behaviours, addiction, phobias, complex grief, and many other mental health problems. Want to learn whether EMDR is right for you? We recommend checking out a book called The... EMDR Revolution by Tal Croitoru! You can buy a copy here: https://amzn.to/2FBfM3l Also, Martina and Priya completed their EMDR training at end of September and are now booking EMDR sessions! If you'd like to book a session with either of them, please call our team at 778-999-7375, go to providencetherapybc.com, or click the links below. Book with Priya: https://bit.ly/3k7UclN Book with Martina: https://bit.ly/3nXUaiW

I don't know about you but I just love the Fall! It's a beautiful pocket of time when the breeze is crisp on our cheeks, the sun still warmly shines, and there's a special energy in the air as we enter a new season. I've always seen the Fall as a symbol of a fresh start. A chance to set new goals, adjust our mindset, and take those next steps forward. And yet, this Fall also looks a lot different for many of us. The traditions of the season we hold dear have changed this ...year, as we can't congregate in large groups like we used to. The cooler weather has also forced us indoors and can make us feel more isolated. And, for many, the goals, hopes, and dreams we had planned for ourselves have been put on pause. We're indeed in the midst of a slew of contradictory experiences and emotions, learning how to hold space for both simultaneously. And it's for this reason that mental health is so important, possibly even more relevant than ever, for many of us. Seeking support is often the first step when it comes to attending to our mental health, and at Providence Therapy we're here for you as you take those steps this season. Whether you're carrying a weight too heavy to manage alone, looking to better manage your stress, or needing a tangible change in how you're feeling and interacting with the world around you, we're here to help. We look forward to seeing you, in person or via Telehealth, soon! Interested in booking? Give us a call at 778-999-7375 or visit providencetherapybc.com for more information.

Guess what? We're growing! Say hello to Sarah Newland the newest addition to the Providence Therapy team! Sarah is an Art Therapist registered with the Canadian Art Therapy Association. Art therapy is the combination of psychotherapy and the expressiveness of the arts. Through art making, individuals are invited to express their feelings and give voice to their inner conflicts with their therapist as a support and guide. Keep an eye out for Sarah's offerings in the next few months, which will include Individual Counselling, Individual Art Therapy, Play Therapy and Family Therapy, and Art Therapy groups! To book with Sarah today, please call 778-999-7375 or email [email protected]. More details coming soon! In the meantime, would you help us give her a warm welcome by dropping an encouraging comment below?

"There is no health without mental health." CMHA 2020 NEW ON THE BLOG: Today we're sharing our latest post with you, just in time for the last day of Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day! In this blog, Martina explains the various factors that influence our mental health and well-being, shares tips and resources to help ourselves and others, and offers some ideas to spread a little kindness this week and beyond. Make sure to check it out, or save for la...ter! Read now: https://www.providencetherapybc.com//mental-illness-awaren Interested in booking with Martina? Call us at 778-999-7375 or go to providencetherapybc.com for more details.

WHAT ARE OUR VALUES AT PROVIDENCE THERAPY? EXPERTISE: We're a collective of Registered Clinical Trauma Counsellors with graduate-level training in a variety of holistic approaches grounded in neuroscience. We educate ourselves in ongoing training. ACCESSIBILITY: We're located in an accessible location in the heart of downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. We maintain diverse ways to book and receive counselling services based on what works best for you (including T...eletherapy and Virtual EMDR)! ALL ARE WELCOME: YOU belong here. We strive for inclusivity, and welcome all peoples from diverse backgrounds, orientations, and experiences. Ready to take the next step? Give us a call at 778-999-7375 or go to providencetherapybc.com to meet our multidisciplinary team! We can't wait to journey with you. See more

It's never too late to make a change, face what you're afraid of, and learn to love yourself through it. We'll be right here when you're ready to take that first courageous step. Looking for someone to talk to? Call our team at 778-999-7375 or go to providencetherapybc.com for more details.

WHAT IS LENS NEUROFEEDBACK? The Low Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS) is a form of direct neurofeedback that allows the brain to reset itself for optimal performance. In its most basic sense, LENS is training in self-regulation, a necessary part of optimal brain performance and function that allows the nervous system to function more adaptively. The LENS is a specific kind of neurofeedback that operates much more rapidly than traditional systems. Using a very low-pow...er electromagnetic field, like the ones that surround digital watches, the LENS facilitates tiny feedback stimulations that result in brainwave changes. The result is greater relaxation, sense of ease, and improved emotional resilience. LENS Neurofeedback is not diagnosis specific. It is not a treatment for any specific condition. It is a generalized process that optimizes brain function. The LENS works well with problems of the Central Nervous System, which can be numerous. These include: Cognition Mood Motor Motivation Anxiety Fatigue Reactivity Pain Addictions/Dependencies Performance Optimization Organic Brain Conditions Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury Clients usually report feeling clear, calm, and fully present immediately after neurofeedback. The progression of states experienced by clients follows a predictable pattern that parallels traditional meditation benefits. These benefits include letting go of sticky emotional states like malice and wanting, balancing energy between emotional and behavioural extremes, and knowing what can and can’t be done. When this initial centring has cleared the big distractions away from being fully present, clients progress through increased awareness, clarity, energy, joy, calm, focus, and contentment. Interested in booking a LENS session? Give us a call at 778-999-7375 or visit providencetherapybc.com for more information.

Healing is a process but you don’t have to walk through it alone. Providence Therapy is a multidisciplinary counselling and neurofeedback practice, specializing in holistic trauma and mental health recovery with a focus on the neuro-psycho-physiological mind-body connection. If you’ve been thinking about starting counselling, what better day than today to take that first step! Visit providencetherapybc.com to learn more and book your free 15 min consultation now.

Connection is one of the most basic of human needs...and yet, in the raw vulnerability of being human, it can also be a difficult thing to attain. It is in an environment of genuine connection that we can actively and securely explore the stories of our lives, and where growth and healing can flourish. Retrospect is the act of exploring and gaining insight into the ways certain events in our lives have shaped who we've become. In retrospect, we can see how the intricately w...oven patterns of our life's journey have formed the bigger picture, which can then provide us with foresight as we move into the future. The manifestation of genuine care, healing, and guidance that becomes known through this retrospective process is the nature of Providence Therapy. Our hope for you is that by exploring your story in an environment of therapeutic connection, you may come to recognize patterns of thought, behaviour, and emotion; find effective tools to manage your symptoms; and make meaning of your circumstances through healing. Ready to take the next step on your journey? Give us a call at 778-999-7375 or visit providencetherapybc.com for more information.

Some Sunday thoughts. Looking for someone to talk to and support you on your journey? Give us a call at 778-999-7375 or go to providencetherapybc.com for more details. We're here for you.

WHAT IS PHOTONIC STIMULATION INFRARED LIGHT THERAPY? Photonic Stimulation is a low-level infrared light therapy that utilizes diffused light stimulation on tissues. Similar light therapies have been used since the 1960s, especially throughout Europe, but this technology is now gaining more popularity in North America. Research shows that this therapy is effective to promote tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, regulate sympathetic nervous system responses, and reliev...e both acute and chronic pain. The use of low levels of visible or near-infrared (NIR) light for reducing pain, inflammation and edema; promoting healing of wounds, deeper tissues and nerves; and preventing tissue damage has been known for almost 40 years since the invention of lasers. Originally thought to be a peculiar property of laser light (soft or cold lasers), the subject has now broadened to include photobiomodulation (PBM) and photobiostimulation using non-coherent light. In addition to its application in the above-mentioned areas, PBM can also been applied to the head to treat diverse brain diseases such as stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. Recent research has also demonstrated that PBM delivered to the abdomen can alter the gut microbiome in a potentially beneficial way by modulating circadian rhythms. The effect has shown to be beneficial in treating diseases related to metabolism, obesity, cardiovascular disorders, IBS, autoimmunity, and even brain disorders! Cool, right!? Want to learn more? Call us at 778-999-7375 or visit providencetherapybc.com for more information.

The negative effects of poor sleep are well-documented, including the profound impact on mental health and emotional well-being. Poor sleep may often be a symptom or consequence of an existing psychological condition, but sleep problems are also thought to cause or contribute to the onset of different mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. For this reason, addressing sleep problems early on is important to help protect your overall health and wellness. Mak...ing lifestyle changes that promote good sleep can help, but talk to your doctor if your sleep problems persist. An underlying sleep disorder or a medical condition might be playing a role in your sleep issues. In addition to seeking help from your doctor, there are also steps that you can take on your own to improve your sleep and well-being. Having good sleep hygiene, or practices that support sleep, are critical to staying rested and avoiding daytime sleepiness. Here's some things you can try: Limit napping. Too much sleep during the day can have an effect on your ability to fall or stay asleep at night. Naps of 20-30 minutes a day can help you feel more alert and rested without interrupting your nightly sleep. Establish a nightly routine. Stick to a set of habits that help prepare you for rest each night. Repeat these routines each night to help set the mood for a solid night’s sleep. Avoid caffeine or stimulants too close to bedtime. Consuming coffee, soda, or other caffeinated products in the late afternoon or evening can make it difficult to fall asleep. Turn off your devices. Watching TV or playing on your phone can make it more difficult to relax and settle down for sleep. Try setting limits on when you quit using your devices before bed. Talk to your counsellor if you suspect that your sleep problems might be caused by or contributing to a mental health condition. Depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders can interfere with sleep but addressing your sleep problems may also have a positive impact on your psychological symptoms. (Source: Kendra Cherry, VeryWell Mind)