Understanding EMDR

One of the hardest questions to answer when seeking out psychotherapy is “what type of therapy is right for me?” There are so many evidence-based modalities to choose from, and it can quickly become overwhelming to decide which one you should seek out. One approach that can be incredibly beneficial – while also being very…

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…

Is Sex Therapy For Me?

What is Sex Therapy?  Sex therapy is a type of talk therapy designed to help individuals and couples address medical, psychological, personal, and interpersonal factors impacting sexual satisfaction and sexual health. The broad goal of sex therapy is to address any physical or emotional challenges impacting sexual health, and create a path for people to…

The Six Principles of Sexual Health and How to Create Your Best Sexual Self

Have you ever taken time to reflect on what your sexual health means to you? Depending on our personal histories and our access to resources (educational, medical, etc.), we may not have an idea of what exactly sexual health means. Historically, sexual health has been understood as simply avoiding unwanted pregnancy or contracting a sexually…

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 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Can Help Challenge Mental Health Stigma in Pregnancy

Mental Health Stigma During Pregnancy Pregnancy is a transformational period in life. You may experience joy, comfort, or excitement as you navigate your pregnancy journey, which are emotions that may feel welcomed and special. Additionally, a myriad of less pleasant emotions can also surface during pregnancy including sadness, loneliness, anxiety, discouragement, anger, and fear. Pregnant…

What is Dyspareunia and the Underlying Diagnoses of Sexual Pain

Addressing unwanted sexual pain is a key component of sexual health. The presence of unwanted sexual pain, also known as dyspareunia, can make engaging in sex become quite stressful. Dyspareunia can vary based on the person, and can occur before, during, or after sexual intercourse. It can sometimes even happen while using female hygiene products—such…

Learning About Therapeutic Modalities: What Is the Unified Protocol (UP)?

Source: photo by Eneko Uruñuela on Unsplash Psychotherapy is a rich and vibrant field that is continually evolving. This means there is a great variety of therapeutic approaches practiced by mental health professionals. Some, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, are well-known and widely researched. Today we’d like to introduce you to a promising, newer modality…

Negative Automatic Thoughts: How to Reframe Them and Take Back Your Power

Source: Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash What are automatic thoughts? Automatic thoughts are something you may or may not be aware of when going about your daily life. These come up when your mind naturally takes in stimuli throughout your day and makes an attempt to interpret that information. There tend to be many…

Making the Most of “Me Time” During the Holiday Season

Source: Photo by Audrey Fretz on Unsplash Despite the pervasive message that the media and society in general send about being with family and friends during the holidays, we recognize that this isn’t the case for many people. Please know that you are NOT alone in that, whether it be due to logistical or personal…