Family of Origin
And What We Can Do About It When we hear the word “patriarchy,” most of us think about how it impacts women. But have you ever paused to consider how this age-old system harms men and sabotages their relationships? I’ll be doing a two-part series on patriarchy. This week’s focus is on how patriarchy […]
From Bitter to Sweet Part 1: The Bitter I remember growing up dreading Mother’s Day. I had a tumultuous relationship with my mom and the last thing I wanted to do was to celebrate her. Every Hallmark card I read felt insincere. “Thanks for being a great mom.” “You’ve always been there for me.” or […]
And Instantly Feel Better Many of my clients come from families where they were regularly criticized or shamed for doing something that their parents deemed “wrong” or “bad”. Parents would often explain that criticizing or shaming was how they “taught” their children to do better in life and not make the same mistakes. Unfortunately, parents […]
5 Little Known Facts about Attachment Attachment is the buzz these days. Everyone seems to be an expert on the subject, teaching people about attachment styles and giving advice on how to develop healthier attachment. Some of the information is sound, but often, it is mixed with pop psychology trends, hearsay, and misinformation. Such misunderstandings […]
Recognizing and Overcoming Hypersensitivity Has anyone ever told you that you’re too sensitive? Or that you overthink things? Do you second guess your interactions with others, and afterwards, replay the scene over and over again with different versions of what you could have done differently? Do you overexplain to make sure people don’t misunderstand you […]
How Childhood Emotional Neglect Influences Adult Attachment Styles Were you abused in childhood and don’t even know it? Most of us are aware of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and even verbal abuse. But the most “neglected” type of abuse is emotional neglect. It is defined as a relationship pattern in which a child’s emotional needs […]
You might and not even know it. Do you have a loved one (e.g., partner, parent, friend, family member) who does or says things to you that you don’t like, but you don’t do anything about it? Do you excuse their poor behaviour by saying things like, “Sometimes you have to look beyond the behaviour […]
As human beings, we are constantly shaped and influenced by our environment, experiences, and relationships. However, some of us carry the heavy burden of intergenerational trauma, passed down through generations like a dark inheritance. It can manifest in different ways, affecting our mental and emotional health, relationships, and overall well-being. But there is hope. You […]
Have you ever felt like there’s something standing in the way of true intimacy with your partner? Something that you just can’t seem to shake, no matter how hard you try? It’s possible that intergenerational trauma is to blame. As a therapist and relationship expert, I’ve seen firsthand how past experiences can negatively impact our […]
(This is part 5 of 5 in the Attachment Series. If you missed the others, you could find them on my this page) As human beings, we are wired for connection, yet not all connections are created equal. Some connections are nurturing and fulfilling, while others can be toxic and damaging. The quality of your […]
(This is part 4 of 5 in the Attachment Series. If you missed the others, you could find them here in the blog area.) Your relationships are one of the most important aspects of your life. They give you a sense of purpose, belonging, and love. However, what happens when the very thing you need […]
(This is part 3 of 5 in the Attachment Series. If you missed the others, you could find them on my website) As human beings, we are wired for connection. From the moment we are born, we crave and seek out relationships with others. However, for some of us, the relationships we form can be […]
