The Holidays as a Double-Edged Sword Every December, I (Monica) hear the same paradox in my therapy office. One client told me, “I love the holidays — but I dread them at the same time.” She was looking forward to lights, traditions, and family dinners, but also carried grief for her father, who had died…
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The Honest Truth About Cost Not long ago, someone called me and whispered: “I know I need help, but I just don’t know if I can afford therapy.” Her words stuck with me because they reflect what so many people in Ontario are feeling right now. The truth is: the cost of living in Ontario…
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The Question Everyone Asks Almost every new client I (Monica) meet eventually asks: “So… how long will this take?” It’s an understandable question. We live in a fast-paced world, where apps deliver food in minutes and emails demand instant replies. Therapy, though, doesn’t follow that same pace. Why There’s No One Answer The length of…
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A Day to Pause and Reflect Every year on October 10, World Mental Health Day comes around. For some, it might feel like just another awareness day. But as I (Monica) reflect on the conversations I’ve had in my therapy office, I realize how important it is to stop and mark this day. Mental health…
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The Subtle Shift From Stress to Something More When friends or clients ask me about therapy, I (Monica) often hear: “I thought I was just stressed.” I get it. Most of us feel stressed these days. Work deadlines pile up, family responsibilities weigh heavy, and our phones rarely stop buzzing. Stress is part of life.…
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From Summer Chaos to September Structure By mid-September, many of us feel the clash between summer freedom and September structure. I (Monica) know this well. During the summer, mornings in my household were slower… more time for tea, walking the Mochi (our Havanese puppy), more spontaneous outings, more flexibility. Then September arrived, and suddenly there…
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The Stress of September Is Real Every September, I (Monica) hear: “We finally got into a summer rhythm, and now everything is changing again.” I know the feeling personally too. As a parent, the start of the school year brings excitement: new outfit, sharpened pencils, the sense of a fresh start. But it also brings…
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Why Family Time on Vacation Matters for Mental Health I (Monica) just came back from vacation with my family… and to be honest, I felt more tired afterwards than when I left. Between packing, planning activities, keeping everyone happy, and managing meltdowns, it was more like “work in a different place.” This is a common…
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Life transitions—whether it’s changing careers, moving to a new city, or starting a family—can be exciting but also overwhelming. Resilience is what helps you navigate these transitions with a sense of balance and adaptability. Embrace Uncertainty Life transitions often come with a lot of unknowns. Embracing uncertainty, rather than fearing it, is a key aspect…
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Conflicts are an inevitable part of any relationship. Whether it’s with a partner, friend, or family member, how you handle those conflicts can make or break your connection. Resilience in relationships helps you navigate challenges and come out stronger on the other side. 1. Communicate Openly and Honestly Resilient relationships thrive on open communication. When…
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