Notes On Mental Health
Marleen writes about the things that matter most in psychotherapy today.
The newly renovated lounge at Oakville’s women’s shelter is more than a fresh coat of paint, it’s a refuge for teens navigating trauma and family stress. Safe spaces like these matter, now more than ever.
September brings excitement and change, but also stress for many families.
From rushed mornings to new routines, the shift can feel overwhelming.
You’re not alone in this.
Your first therapy session doesn’t begin with a spotlight on you or a demand to share your deepest struggles. It starts with something much simpler: a welcome, a conversation, and the space to take a breath.
Many people arrive feeling a mix of curiosity and nerves. What if I don’t know what to say? What if I cry? What if therapy doesn’t work for me? These questions are more common than you might think, and part of the first session is easing those worries.
Self-compassion is the ability to look at your own physical and emotional distress, realizing that you are experiencing some form of human suffering, and asking yourself, what do I need in this moment to make my suffering less?
Given the stresses we all experienc, cultivating strong relationships is more crucial than ever. But did you know that the way we relate to ourselves can deeply impact the boundaries we set in our relationships?
In Canada, mental health support is provided by professionals with different qualifications, training paths, and legal scopes of practice. Here we explain each profession in a straightforward way, with a focus on how these roles are defined in Ontario.