Sullivan + Associates Clinical Psychology
960 Alloy Drive P7B 6A4 Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

Approximately 18% of people struggle with an anxiety disorder every year. Of all the mental health challenges, anxiety is the most common, but it is also highly treatable. Yet, only 37% of people struggling with anxiety will seek treatment. Many different strategies can help manage anxiety. Here is one simple but effective strategy.

Check out these festive colouring pages from the great folks at Chronicle Journal!

If you see faces in objects such as tree bark, rocks, houses, clouds, and possibly even toast, you are experiencing what is known as face pareidoliadefined as the illusory perception of non-existent faces (or more simply, seeing faces in inanimate objects). A recent study published in the journal Psychological Science found that we process pareidolia faces using the same visual mechanisms of the brain that we use to process real faces. But why do we so readily perceive f...aces in everyday objects? Dr. Colin Palmer, a researcher at the University of South Wales, helps answer this question by first explaining what face perception involves. He notes, While human faces all look a bit different, they share common features, like the spatial arrangement of the eyes and the mouth. Palmer explains, This basic pattern of features that defines the human face is something that our brain is particularly attuned to, and is likely to be what draws our attention to pareidolia objects. Simply put, our brains are primed to perceive the visual pattern of human faces to such an extent that we are drawn to noticing and perceiving everyday objects with a similar spatial pattern. Face pareidolia is a product of our evolution, Palmer theorizes. He believes that our brain has evolved to facilitate social interaction, and this shapes the way that we see the world around us. Palmer expounds on this theory: There is an evolutionary advantage to being really good or really efficient at detecting faces, it’s important to us socially. It’s also important in detecting predators. So if you’ve evolved to be very good at detecting faces, this might then lead to false positives, where you sometimes see faces that aren’t really there. Another way of putting this is that it’s better to have a system that’s overly sensitive to detecting faces, than one that is not sensitive enough.

It's a common sceneyou stub your toe, hit your finger with a hammer, get a paper cut, or any number of other painful self-mishapsand instantaneously, you blurt out a swear word. Psychologist Richard Stephens was interested in this widespread phenomenon. He set out to understand if swearing made pain worse, as was the commonly held belief in the field of psychology, or if it actually was an adaptive coping response. His results were quite clearswearing helped to withstand... pain. In his study, when study participants used a swear word, they were able to keep their hands submerged in ice water much longer than when they used a neutral word. Further, participants perceived lower levels of pain when swearing. Steven noted that "pain is very much psychological," explaining that "the same level of injury will hurt more or less in different circumstances." So, next time you accidentally hurt yourself, don't feel bad if you blurt out a swear wordit's your brain's way of coping with the pain!

Don’t let the grinch (or COVID) steal your Christmas this year! Check out my article for some fun ways to get together virtually with family this year.

33% of individuals over 45 struggle with this mental health problem. If you guessed anxiety, depression, or self-esteem, those are great guesses. But, the answer is a little more unexpected.... Read the full article: https://drsullivan.ca//33-people-over-age-45-struggle-ment

This week is part 6 in our 8-part series, #ThisCouldBeYourTime. The idea for this series came about from the many inquiries we have received at our clinic about how psychotherapy/counselling could be helpful during this difficult time in history. For this week’s post, we will be discussing the importance of having a timely first appointment.... Studies show that when individuals have a mental health issue that needs to be addressed, waiting for treatment can result in negative consequences (i.e., the problem worsens). At Sullivan + Associates Clinical Psychology, one of our most important goals, since we opened in 2007, has been to book new clients as quickly as possible and to maintain a consistent appointment schedule after the first appointment. In fact, we take this goal so seriously that we have grown from 2 to 25 therapists over the past 13 years in an effort to continually meet the needs for mental health services in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. If you are interested in learning more about our clinic, or you are interested in accessing a 30-minute Free Consultation with a Registered Clinical Psychologist, please click the link below: https://drsullivan.ca/services/thiscouldbeyourtime6

Greek philosopher Heraclitus reasoned that we cannot step in the same river twice, as the river is in a constant state of change. Of course, the river may look the same, but once you get past the outward appearance, you realize it is not the same. The water is different from the water flowing past last time, as are numerous aspects of the riverthe riverbed, floating or settled debris, fish and other aquatic life moving about, etc. The same is true with us humans. At times, t...he changes we undergo may be rapid and noticeable to those around us. But more often, we are changing in very slow, even imperceptible, ways. So the next time you feel like you aren’t making any progress towards a goal, or in therapy, or in your lifeask yourself, What would Heraclitus say?!

Today, we honour those who served and sacrificed, so that we could have our freedom. We sincerely thank all our veterans, including my grandpa, who served (and survived) in WWII. We are fortunate to have this photo of him from the war, as well as a letter he wrote to his mother from overseas. Lest we forget. ~ Jennifer

Here are a few members of our team wearing orange today in honour of residential school survivors and their families. #OrangeShirtDay2020 #EveryChildMatters

We recognize and honour residential school survivors and their families. #OrangeShirtDay2020 #EveryChildMatters

In their study published in Science, titled Civil Honesty Around the Globe, Cohn and his colleagues reported some pretty counterintuitive findingspeople are more likely to return wallets with money in it than those without. Even more startling, the more money in the wallet, the higher the rate of return. We all know how honest Canadians are, but this finding holds true in 38 of 40 countries. ... What could be accounting for this behaviour? The researchers were determined to find out. Follow up studies showed that the higher the amount of money in the wallet, the more people felt like they would be stealing if they did not return it. Overall, the researchers concluded that although altruism was a factor in returning the lost wallets, an even greater motivator had to do with self-imagepeople did not want to see themselves as thieves! #phschology #didyouknow #honesty

It has been a little over six months since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of our lives in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, and around the world. With the realization that the pandemic will be here for some time, we are all moving forward in this new normal of masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing. Many children and teens have gone back to school for in-person instruction. People are doing their best to safely and positively cope with the pandemic’s fallout and m...ove forward into an uncertain future. At this critical juncture in our history, you might be wondering how to best move forward or what moving forward should even look like. Over the next 2 months, we will be producing weekly posts for our latest series #ThisCouldBeYourTime. We have created these posts in response to several inquiries we have received at our clinic about what is involved in psychotherapy/counselling and how it can help during this difficult time. In the meantime, if you are wondering if psychotherapy/counselling could be helpful for you now, we are happy to offer a Free 30-minute Consultation with a Registered Clinical Psychologist at our clinic. To schedule a Free Consultation, please contact us by email at [email protected] or call us at (807)768-0660. If you are interested in learning more about what is involved in a free consultation, please click the link below: https://drsullivan.ca//free-consultation-thiscouldbeyourti

Similar wisdom is contained in other popular inspirational quotes, such as, "Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength, and "Worrying is a waste of time. It doesn't change anything, it just messes with people's state of mind and steals happiness." So why do people tend to worry so much, when it is at such a great cost to our mental health and well-being? Well, the answer may have something to do with living in our "future-obsessed" soc...iety. We look ahead, plan, schedule, and set goals--many of which are long-term. Our goals often involve such things as obtaining a degree or diploma, getting a good job, buying a house, starting a family, getting a promotion, and retiring. In the article, "Why People Worry So Much more Than They Need To" author Mark Leary explains: "... we rarely receive ongoing feedback about our progress toward our important goals. Prehistoric people knew day-to-day whether they were achieving the important outcomes that dominated their lives (particularly obtaining food and avoiding danger), whereas much of our lives, like those of the earliest farmers, focus on distal, uncertain outcomes and events. No matter how hard you work today, you have no assurance whatsoever that you will achieve your long-term goals." In our society, setting goals and focusing on the future is necessary. But it is very important to be mindful of excessive, irrational, and unhelpful thoughts about the future--those that steal your joy and make you feel anxious and miserable!

December 2nd is National Special Education Day. This is an important day to acknowledge, as approximately 1 in 5 students receives additional support in school for learning-related challenges. Identifying learning difficulties is important to provide children with the support they need to achieve their potential. This workshop will provide parents with an understanding of how LD’s may present at different stages of development, an overview of the assessment process, and some ...key ways that parents can help children who are struggling with learning. To learn more about this workshop, click on the link below: https://drsullivan.ca/services/workshops

According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, suicide is one of the leading causes of death for adolescents and adults. In recognition of the Darryl Stubbings Memorial Golf Tournament, which was unable to run this year due to the current pandemic, this is the perfect opportunity to continue their mission by promoting awareness about suicide, reducing stigma and providing necessary education about how to recognize and support someone who is struggling with depression an...d suicidal ideation. With Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4 October 10) fast-approaching, we are pleased to partner again with the Canadian Mental Health Association to offer a free workshop on Wednesday, October 7, from 7:00 9:00 pm called, "Changing The Conversation About Depression And Suicide." If you are interested in attending this workshop in-person or online, or would like to know more about it, please click on the link below: https://drsullivan.ca/services/workshops

So, what is this wonderful technique, you ask? It must be some new cutting-edge technique that has just reached the pages of one of the most prestigious scientific journals. Nope.... The technique I’m referring to dates all the way back to 1500 BCE (Before Common Era).

It's not uncommon for people to be uncomfortable in social settings, especially when there's a lack of familiarity with the group. And if you become increasingly self-conscious and assume that people aren't interested in talking to you, the problem is likely to get worse. Especially if being anxious and avoidant results in fewer people engaging with you.

Parents... have you ever caught yourself saying I’m terrible at math, I can’t do math, I was never good in math, or something of the like in front of your child? Unfortunately, we could be passing on our complicated relationship with math to our kids. Time to change the dialogue to something more strength-based, such as, We can do hard things!

Looks like we could all benefit from therapy... even the Disney Princesses!

Great campaign by CMHA National! Buddy Up is a suicide prevention campaign by men for men, encouraging them to have real conversations with their buddies and to support them if they’re struggling with thoughts of suicide. www.buddyup.ca #buddyup #WSPD2020

As parents or future parents, we all want to give our children every opportunity to succeed in life. And for many people, this starts with providing our children with opportunities to learn and succeed in school, so they can go on to find a good job or start a successful business. If you’re thinking that way, you are on the right track!

Hi Parents, here is my article in today’s Chronicle-Journal. Well, I managed to get my daughter, who is starting grade 4, off to school without a hitch! I hope her day goes well. Tomorrow, the teenager heads back to school... fingers crossed that she will handle all the changes okay!

Sleep is incredibly important, and in my opinion, likely the most underrated aspect of mental health. Most adults struggle to get the appropriate amount of sleep at night. And when it comes to children and teens, when was the last time you heard your child ask to go to bed?... https://drsullivan.ca//impact-sleep-mental-health-children See more

it’s back to school again, but this will be a back to school like no other. - Mandatory masks for children from grades 4 to 12 - Physical distancing - Spending the day with the same groups of students (known as cohorting). And there’s a very strong possibility that there will be continued changes along the way, as government and school officials respond to the evolving nature of the pandemic.... As a general rule of thumb, change is difficult, especially when we are forced to cope with difficult, unexpected changes. And if we as adults find change difficult, chances are good that your child or teen is going to find change just as difficult. Especially, if they struggle with feelings of stress or anxiety. As a parent, it is important to know how to prepare your child as best you can for the upcoming return to school in the fall. We are offering a free 10-part video series (with short 5 - 7 minute video clips) to help you do just that!

Everyone can make a difference in this world. Of course, making a difference doesn't mean one has to discover the cure for cancer or develop an immunization for COVID-19! There are many small but powerful ways to make a difference. Be kind to others. Spread joy. Be a loving parent. Help the less fortunate. Stand up for causes you believe in. Treat others with respect, dignity, and kindness. And, as the famous quote by Marvin J. Ashton goes, "Leave people better than you found them."

In just a week or so, it’s back to school again, but this will be a back to school like no other. Mandatory masks for children from grades 4 to 12, physical distancing, and spending the day with the same groups of students (also known as cohorting), are just a few changes with more likely to come. As a general rule of thumb, most people don’t like change.... And if we as adults find change difficult, chances are good that your child or teen is going to find change just as difficult. So, today I’m going to talk about a 6-step plan to help prepare children and teens to return to school.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, approximately 20% of children will experience a mental health issue. And roughly 70% of all mental health issues have their onset before the age of 18. So, it's essential to identify and treat these issues as soon as possible.... https://drsullivan.ca//common-physical-symptoms-could-indi

Approximately 20% of all teenagers struggle with depression before adulthood. And at any one time, roughly 10 to 15 percent of teenagers are struggling with depressive symptoms. So, it's essential to be aware of the most common depressive symptoms that adolescents experience.

In her article titled "A 500-Year Plan for Humanity's Mental Health, Psychologist and Happiness expert, Elisha Goldstein, wrote the following: "Author Nelson Henderson said, "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." What does this mean? There's a depth of meaning that we can bring to our lives when we take action for something greater than ourselves. Henderson's quote, in particular, is about doing things in this life that will... benefit people far after the time we have passed." Goldstein explained that we benefit psychologically and in terms of our well-being by doing things that have nothing to do with us. A more general question, according to Goldstein, might be, "Is there anything you're doing to make this world a better place for the generations to come?" Do you believe that altruistic acts need to be introduced into our mental health plans? Do you agree with Goldstein's premise that if you choose some way to help future generations and you're involved on an ongoing basis, you will "absolutely benefit psychologically"? Please let me know in the comments section below.