The postpartum period is filled with many physical, psychological, and emotional changes. Matrescence is a term that aptly captures this experience. It is defined as the physical, social, hormonal, and identity shifts associated with becoming a mother and is a distinct stage of life (Sacks, 2017). In reflecting on matrescence, Ignacz (2018) states, “Life will…
Anxiety and Depression
Expanding Your Window of Tolerance: Understanding the Optimal State for Emotional Well-being and Healthy Relationships
Have you ever experienced a day when a seemingly minor inconvenience suddenly morphs into an unbearable burden? Perhaps you have been consumed by an intense rage that caused you to take out your frustration on a loved one inadvertently. Alternatively, you may have felt emotionally numb and disconnected during a crisis. If any of these…
Flexibility of the Mind: The Present of Presence
In Part 1 of this webzine series, we defined psychological flexibility, asked some hard-hitting questions to see if we lean more toward psychological inflexibility, and began to explore how our thoughts, feelings, and ongoing pursuit of happiness may leave us feeling disconnected from what matters to us most – here, right now. If you need…
Myth Busting Grief and Taking Ownership of Your Healing
Grief can be one of the heaviest experiences, and it is often experienced as a myriad of emotions. In my experience of working with people who are navigating grief, I have discovered that they often are not well-equipped to cope with grief, through no fault of their own. Grief is a subject that is frequently…
How Psychological Flexibility Can Help You Live Your Best Life
When you hear the word flexible, what comes to mind? A quick Google Image search will show you pictures of people in yoga pants posing in various positions, stretching and lengthening their limbs and bodies. We often associate the word flexible with exactly this – the body. What we don’t usually consider in this…
Preventive Measures for Seasonal Depression
What is seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder)? As the end of January arrives, we find ourselves in the doldrums of winter. The winter blues are a common experience for many people living in certain climates, and the lack of sunlight, limited time outside, and potential disdain for cold weather create the perfect winter storm that…
Seasonal Depression – Is it more than just the winter blues?
For some, the change in season from fall to winter is a welcome one––the air is crisp, the snow is beautiful, winter sports season begins, the world quiets. Others experience a shift in their mood, perhaps feeling sadder or more tired or more withdrawn than usual. And for some, the intensity and severity of the…
How to Find Your Anchor in an Emotional Storm
Have you ever had a time where your thoughts and feelings have gotten the best of you? Take this for example: You arrive home from work and you see your partner after a long day. You say “Hi honey!” to them, and they don’t respond (not even a nod)! How might you react? You may…
How to Cope with Election Anxiety
How to Cope with Election Anxiety The 2022 Midterm Elections are right around the corner. Do you have a voting plan? How about a “coping with election anxiety” plan? Election season can stir up anxiety for many of us because electing new public leaders can offer us hope for a better future or leave us…
Being a Psychotherapist in a Post-2020 World
Source: Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash What does it mean to be a psychotherapist in a post-2020 world? What does it mean to work in reproductive mental health at a time when rights are being systematically attacked and birthing people lack bodily autonomy and the resources to parent? In the past months, this probably…
