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Feeling the Weight of the World? You're Not Alone Anxiety and depression aren’t just bad days or mood swings—they can feel like you're stuck in a never-ending loop of worry, hopelessness, or just plain numbness. If you’ve been trying to “push through it” or “shake it off,” but nothing seems to work, it might be time to talk to someone. Therapy isn’t just for crises—it's a safe, supportive space where real change begins. In this post, we’re unpacking how therapy helps people n

Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail: A Therapist’s Perspective Every January, countless people feel pressured to create a list of New Year’s resolutions. Social media feeds, productivity culture, and wellness trends all push the same message: “New year, new you.” But as a therapist, I see something different. Many clients arrive in sessions feeling defeated, ashamed, or overwhelmed because their resolutions didn’t “stick.” And it’s not because they’re unmotivated — it’s because t

Holiday anxiety, seasonal depression, and feeling overwhelmed this time of year are more common than people realize. While the holidays are often portrayed as joyful and magical, many individuals experience emotional exhaustion, stress, and sadness instead. If you’re noticing increased holiday stress, anxiety symptoms, or a dip in mood, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. This blog explores why mental health symptoms intensify during the season and how to su

As the seasons shift and daylight fades earlier, many people notice changes in mood, energy, and sleep. If you’ve ever felt more tired or less motivated in winter, you’re not alone. These experiences are often linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or milder seasonal mood changes — and research shows these shifts can affect different groups in unique ways. At PACE Counselling & Wellness in Mississauga, we see how the rhythm of the seasons impacts clients across all life

As therapists, we often carry the weight of our clients' struggles with us long after our sessions end. The emotional demands of this work can be overwhelming at times, leaving us vulnerable to compassion fatigue  and burnout . These challenges are common in our field, but they don’t have to define our careers. In fact, with the right tools and strategies, we can not only survive but thrive in the work we do. The Invisible Toll: Compassion Fatigue and Burnout Being a therapis

As both a therapist and a mom, I often see how everyday activities can support emotional regulation—especially in children with ADHD. One of the most powerful tools? Swimming. This blog explores how bilateral stimulation supports the nervous system, why swimming is especially helpful for kids with ADHD, and how both children and adults can use movement to improve regulation. What Is Bilateral Stimulation and Why Does It Help? Bilateral stimulation (BLS) refers to repetitive,

When seeking therapy, you might come across professionals who mention they are "under supervision." This phrase is a standard part of the journey for many therapists early in their careers. It simply means the therapist works under the guidance and oversight of a more experienced practitioner known as a clinical supervisor. Supervision ensures that clients receive quality care while the therapist continues developing their clinical skills. The College of Registered Psychother

Finding the right therapist is crucial for your mental health and overall well-being. The therapeutic relationship can significantly influence your progress, making it essential to choose someone who meets your needs and with whom you feel comfortable. This guide will help you understand what to look for in a therapist, ensuring you make an informed decision. Before you start looking for a therapist, it's important to understand your own needs and goals for therapy. Are you d

It's that time of year! Where the snow quietly falls, fireplaces roar with heat, yummy treats waft from the oven and let's not forget - the holidays! Last week, we took some time to reflect on what you and your family are prioritizing this holiday season. We asked questions around what you value, and how you’d like to welcome in the holidays this year as a family unit. This week, we want to take some time to dig in and understand what your capacity is between A.) making time

We hope you enjoyed our November blogs around building connections within our families. We enjoyed delving into facilitating playfulness and sinking into joy at the pace and curiosity of a child! We had fun unpacking connection; bringing awareness to celebrating our children for who they are! We also built some deeper understanding around what is realistic to expect from young children and how we can nourish their learning, in a supportive way! This month, we want to focus on

We live in a society where it can be easy to get bogged down by negativity, self-doubt and self-criticism. Stating positive self-affirmations, either out loud or in our heads, has the ability to help us mitigate stress, improve self-esteem and experience improved wellbeing. Affirmations can also help us build clarity around what is important to us, what our goals are and what our intentions may be for the day ahead, the week ahead or the year ahead. What are affirmations? Aff

What is burn out? Burnout is a state of emotional exhaustion, brought on by prolonged and unmanaged stress. Career burnout, specifically, can start when we don’t get satisfaction out of our work but feel like we have no choice but to continue doing it (CAMH). THis can make every work day feel bad, and bring about feelings of uselessness, hopelessness and even resentment. According to Boston University Dr. XX, career burnout can be divided into three categories: energy depleti

We can all relate to that feeling of knowing we need support but not knowing where to begin or where to start. How do we find a counsellor? Where do we look? What do I actually need in a counsellor? How much does it cost? Accessing therapy for the first time can be daunting and overwhelming, on top of navigating the rush of emotions and thoughts you're coping with, day to day. It's important to know that you’re not alone! Here at PACE Counselling, we recognize the uncertainty

I have been mulling over writing this post over the past month since the one-year anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a therapist, my role is to convey empathy and inspire hope for those who are experiencing despair, anger and confusion due to the increased risk of variants and changing restrictions. But I am human too and I have been experiencing many of these same emotions. As a result I’ve put off writing this post numerous times. So how do we cope? Self-

Do you notice that your mood changes as the summer ends and we transition into the fall season? As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, you may notice some changes in your daily mood. For some this just feels like “the winter blues” but there is a more debilitating kind called Seasonal Affective Disorder which is a form of clinical depression. Approximately 2 – 6% of Canadians experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, while 15% experience a milder form of winter mo

More and more often through word of mouth, social media platforms, books and research studies gratitude and its benefits are being discussed. It sounds pretty simple and straight-forward, be thankful for what you have and give thanks to those around you. So what are the positive outcomes of gratitude on one’s overall well-being and how does one incorporate practicing gratitude in our daily lives? There have been numerous research studies completed and research journals writt

We have all done it. We have all thought it. We are not enough. This messaging is everywhere around us and it can really take a toll on our perception of ourselves and what is going on around us. Since the beginning of our lives, striving for more has been at the centre of what we do. Let’s really explore this, how often is your first thought in the morning “I didn’t get enough sleep” or “there isn’t enough time” while you’re rushing yourself out the door in the morning. You

Psychotherapy and counselling often have a lot of myths associated with it; around who it’s for and often people might believe it’s not for them. So, let’s spend a minute exploring what psychotherapy is. Traditionally, psychotherapy is a treatment for anyone experiencing mental health challenges through psychological means. Right away when reading this, some people will think they don’t have any mental health. I would like to challenge that in that anyone with a brain has men