Rebecca Flanagan Psychotherapy

Helping our children to build a strong healthy sense of self that is not reliant on their expectations of other people is so important!

Rebecca Flanagan Psychotherapy is officially launching today! I am so ready to serve the wonderful people of Chatham-Kent, and bring expertise in trauma and addiction to our community. I'm always open for questions and consultation. I can be reached via facebook, instagram @rebeccaflanaganpsychotherapy, my website www.rebeccaflanagan.ca or by email: [email protected]. ... Be well. <3

"My chest is tight. It feels like I can’t breathe. I’m shaking. I’m sweating. My heart is racing. I can’t think straight. What is happening??" Your brain has an alarm system within it that detects and orients to threatening stimuli in the environment. Sometimes, our alarm systems become extra sensitive because of certain experiences in our lives. It perceives non-threatening information as being dangerous and signals the body to prepare for fight, flight, or freeze in attempt...s to protect itself. This part of the brain is referred to as the mammalian brain, or the limbic system. It helps us to survive by releasing certain chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline to respond to threatening situations. But what happens when there is no threat? When we’re sitting in our living room or at our workplace, and all of a sudden the alarm goes off? We experience the symptoms commonly known as anxiety, and sometimes post traumatic stress. The problem with this part of the brain is that it has no regard to time or logic. It doesn’t understand that the threat that once existed (that tripped the alarm) is over. We have to help ‘re-calibrate’ the brains alarm. We do this by understanding what has made the alarm trip more easily, and working with the body to activate the para sympathetic nervous system. The system that helps to shut the alarm off. Working with the mind and the body as one entity is integral to healing. I’m here to help.

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it just may save your mental health. What am I feeling right now? What am I reacting to? What does this situation mean to me? ... These questions help us to bring our thinking brain online which in turn regulates our emotion brain. It also helps to give distance between ourselves and our emotion, and ultimately help us to react differently. When we experience stress, trauma, loss etc, sometimes our thinking brain starts to disconnect, and we are ruled by our emotion brain. We can work to bring the thinking brain back online. Be curious about your emotions.

I’m Rebecca. My friends call me Becca. I was born and raised in Chatham-Kent, and I am proud to reside in my hometown with my husband and three boys! I love spending time with my family, chasing around my twin toddlers and learning about life from my 4 year old! ... I love all things hockey, and was born and raised to have a piece of my heart dedicated to the Montreal Canadiens. I am obsessed with the brain and neuropsychology, and drive my husband crazy with my constant desire to learn. I love to travel, and have dreams of owning property in Ireland one day! I love connecting, exploring and understanding my clients lives with them. It’s a dynamic process that I feel honoured to have the ability to accompany people in. I look forward to connecting with all of you, and hope to use this space to share the knowledge and inspiration that I gain from my work and clients!