Woodstar Counselling & Consulting
75 Elgin Street P6A2Y4 Sault Sainte Marie, ON, Canada

Keep persisting, stay curious

Happy Valentine’s Day! Reposted from @adoseofreminders This is to anyone who needed this today, whether you struggle to love yourselves or whether you’re feeling alone. This is for you. You are so deserving of the same love you give to other people. ... #happyvalentinesday #valentinesday2021 #selflove #selfcompassion #griefandloss #traumatherapy #socialworker #psychotherapist #mentalhealth #selfcaresunday #loveday

Beautiful Check on your people. We all need community, even in a pandemic!

It’s #bellletstalk Day! Let’s get talking AND doing This day has been criticized in the past because it emphasizes awareness and talking about mental health issues rather than taking action to improve the situation. But I don’t think that we should throw it away altogether. I do think that it serves a purpose. Because the more that we think about something and the more that we talk about some thing, the more likely we are to do something about it. We don’t need to just kn...ow about the mental health struggles of our children, youth, adults, and older adults -which are at an all-time high- we need ACTION. We need funds to hire more staff and to cover the educational and training costs to so that people in all fields can support other people more effectively and efficiently. We need more prevention services so that our healthcare system isn’t overwhelmed with the mental healthcare needs of our population. We do need to talk about it, this is important and should not be whispered in the shadows. But we also need to DO something about it. So today, let’s talk about it and let’s also do something about it. . . #bellletstalk #bellletstalk2021 #mentalhealthawareness #talkaboutit #takeaction #socialworker #socialjustice #psychotherapist #traumatherapist #mentalhealthrecovery #traumahealing

If you are working through your own grief and bereavement, check out this fantastic blog by an old friend of mine. She has experienced the loss of her mom and is learning and growing through the pain to be able to help others heal and grow

The social isolation measures necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic are making it more difficult for those who are at risk of abuse or violence to safely reach out for help. Signal for Help is a simple one-handed sign someone can use on a video call. It can help a person silently show they need help and want someone to check in with them in a safe way. https://youtu.be/AFLZEQFIm7k

I was nominated by my friend Jess (@lilydots_feltballs) to do an 8 random facts post, which has been floating around on IG. But life was busy and it just kept not happening. Today I realized that I have never really done an introduction post either, so here is my 8 random facts & introduction of me 1. I am a social worker, proud mama to 3 beautiful little children, and wife to an awesome husband. . 2. I grew up in a stone house in the country surrounded by farms in southwe...stern Ontario. Deep down, I’m a country girl at heart . 3. I am a classically trained vocalist with my grade 8 conservatory level and growing up, I dreamed of becoming a musical theatre performer. . 4. I love taking and enjoying beautiful photos Before having kids, my husband and I spent much of our free time canoeing, backcountry camping, and hiking. He would lead the way, while I trailed behind snapping photos of everything. . 5. I love coffee. It reminds me of my dad and it is delicious . 6. I love travelling and learning about different cultures and languages. I’ve slowed wayyy down since having kids, but before that, I had travelled to 14 different countries and I minored in Spanish in my undergraduate degree. . 7. I have worked in a variety of social service and health care settings over the years. Between my undergrad and masters degrees, however, I worked at a major accounting firm. I’m a fan of spreadsheets . 8. My favourite colours are green and purple. Green reminds me of the outdoors and when I wear it, it brings out the green in my eyes. . #8randomfacts #socialworker #mompreneur #psychotherapist #counsellor #countrygirl #huroncountyproud #singer #amateurphotographer #coffeelove #adventureseeker #writingmystory See more

Parenting is HARD. But it’s even harder if you’re feeling overwhelmed with your own thoughts and feelings!

Looking for counselling? Unfortunately at this time my schedule is full, but I hope to have availability again soon. If you are interested in accessing counselling with me, please visit my website (woodstarcounselling.ca) and click on book an appointment. Create an account with my online platform, then I will send you some forms to complete. After the forms are complete, I will add you to my wait list. I hope to have some spots open up in 4-6 weeks, but stay tuned for more updates. Thank you for an amazing first 6 months!

Nature can have hugely positive effects on your mental health, but intentionally being mindful to what you see, hear, smell, and touch while you are outside is even more impactful. Spend some time outside in awe!

Today is Orange Shirt Day . Today is a day for awareness of the inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools. A day to reflect on our collective responsibility to take steps towards reconciliation. A day to listen to the stories of survivors and their families, and to remember those who didn't make it . It's an opportunity for our children to develop compassion, empathy and resilience as they learn about a traumatic part of our past, to ensure that it is never... repeated . An orange shirt because of six year old Phyllis Webstad who was proud to wear the orange shirt her grandmother bought her for her first day at St. Joseph's School in Williams Lake B.C. On arrival at the Mission, however, she and all the other children were stripped of their clothes, and Phyllis never saw that orange shirt again. "The colour orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn't matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing," she said. "All of us little children were crying and no one cared." Today is a reminder that "Every Child Matters" . Reposted from @qualiacbt . #orangeshirtday #everychildmatters #buildcommunity #mentalhealth #OrangeShirtDay2020

Great new option for Covid-19 testing here in the Soo

Being happy now and living happily ever after comes from a couple’s ability to manage the conflicts that are INEVITABLE in any relationship.

Take care and hang in there!

Happy Fall . My favourite season. Change is really hard sometimes (or if you’re like me, MOST of the time lol ). During times of transition, or loss, or change we have to let go of things and sometimes that’s painful. But it can also be beautiful when you embrace it. When you lean into the discomfort and awkward side of change. Then it becomes an opportunity for you to grow and become something new.

My family and I went on a little impromptu adventure today . We mostly followed a well worn path, but decided at one point to explore an open meadow that was filled with lichen (my almost 6 year old’s recent fascination). Shortly after we left the path, we realized that the meadow was also filled with beautiful, ripe, wild blackberries! . #berrypicking #wildberries #delicioussurprise #lifeisinthedetails #momentsinmotherhood #followyourownpath #adventuring #naturetherapy #familytime #selfcare #northernontario #saultstemarie #socialworker #psychotherapist #counsellor #mentalhealth #wellness #traumatherapy