ANCHORIDGE COUNSELLING BLOG
Welcome to our blog! Scroll down to see all the different topics we are talking about and click the 'Read more' button to read the full post. New blogs are added weekly!
HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH?
March 30, 2023
Social media can act as a catch 22, where there is no escape. If you think about it, social media has a reinforcing nature in which we get rewarded with “feel-good chemicals” like dopamine when we engage in fun activities. Often, this means that we can’t really stop ourselves from going on social media.
HEY LONDON STUDENTS! ARE YOU LOOKING FOR COUNSELLING?
March 16, 2023
We are excited to announce the opening of our newest office, located in the heart of downtown London, Ontario at 233 Hyman Street! We know how difficult it can be finding a counselling professional nearby who you feel comfortable, safe, and understood speaking to about what may be going on, so wherever you are in your counselling journey, we welcome you here at Anchoridge Counselling. Whether you are a student, working professional, or someone who is simply looking for a little extra support, you are welcome. We are here to help you improve your mental health and overall well-being, one step at a time!
WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY AND INFORMED CONSENT IN COUNSELLING?
February 23, 2023
At the end of the day, our main goal is to keep you safe and ensure you feel supported and heard. We never want you to feel as though you can't talk to us about your experiences or feelings. When we inform you of the limits of confidentiality we are doing it so you know what to expect if that were to ever happen, we don’t want you to feel blindsided! If you ever have any questions or want to learn more you can always ask your clinician for more information and they will be happy to explain things to you in more detail. The more comfortable you feel, the more you will gain from your sessions!
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO STAY IN THERAPY?
February 9, 2023
The word “therapy” can often be a daunting word and for many, it is associated with long-term commitment and costs. The questions of “how many sessions will I need?” Or “how often do I need to come in?” are not uncommon. In fact, during the intakes we conduct they are typically the number one question being asked.
HOW DO I FIND THE BEST THERAPIST FOR ME?
January 19, 2023
When it comes to your therapeutic relationship with your therapist, feeling safe, comfortable and heard are the foundation for creating that secure relationship. The bond you create with your clinician will allow you to fully express your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. For many individuals, fear of judgement is what can often stand in the way of reaching out to a professional, so knowing and feeling like you will not be judged is really important.
HOW DO I DEAL WITH GRIEF AND LOSS OVER THE HOLIDAYS?
December 29, 2022
The holidays can be a time of togetherness and celebration with friends and family, reflecting on the year behind us and exploring our hopes for the new year. The holidays can however be a challenging time of year for many, particularly those of us dealing with loss and grief. This may come in many forms: the death of a family member or friend, going through a divorce, receiving a difficult health diagnosis, the loss of a family pet, etc.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PRIORITIZE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON?
December 15, 2022
As we begin to approach the holiday season I wanted to take some time to discuss the importance of prioritizing your own mental health. While the holiday season can bring positive feelings, it can also bring up feelings of anxiety, depression and stress. Taking some time for yourself and your mental health this holiday season is important, especially when you may be surrounded by social events, gift giving, and travelling.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FOR MY FIRST THERAPY SESSION?
December 1, 2022
“I’m afraid to open up, how do I know I won’t be judged”, “I’m feeling all sorts of things about my first session”, “Is there a way I can prepare beforehand”, “I might be seen as weak if I start counselling”. All these thoughts are completely normal when it comes to counselling and if you relate to any of them, I am here to tell you it is okay and I am here to walk you through the process!
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HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR COUNSELLING?
November 17, 2022
Insurance can be stressful and at times confusing. Finding a clinician who is covered under your insurance plan can be a timely process but will provide you with a sense of comfort knowing you are covered.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SOCIAL WORKER, PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND PSYCHOLOGIST?
October 27, 2022
Taking that initial step towards counselling can be nerve-racking, but it is also something you should be very proud of! The first question clients typically ask at the start of their journey is “what are the different types of mental health care providers?” and I am here to give you that answer!
HOW DO I CREATE A SELF-CARE PLAN THAT WILL WORK FOR ME?
September 18, 2021
Just like meal planning or figuring out what workout is best for you, self-care also takes planning and requires setting goals that work for you. In the beginning, I strongly recommend creating a self-care plan to help you achieve your goals. Read on for how to do this.
WHAT DOES SELF-CARE MEAN & HOW CAN I IMPLEMENT IT INTO MY DAILY LIFE?
September 11, 2021
There is a lot of buzz around the term self-care. And while I think self-care is very important in promoting a healthy lifestyle, I think there is an important distinction between self-indulgence and self-care. Read on to explore the differences.
WHAT DOES AN ANCHOR SYMBOLIZE?
September 8, 2021
Life can be really tough sometimes - especially over the past year. There have been large amounts of uncertainty, challenges, and obstacles that each and everyone of us have had to face.
WHAT IS ART THERAPY & DO I HAVE TO BE ARTISTIC TO PARTICIPATE?
September 4, 2021
Maintaining our mental health is similar to taking care of our physical health; it requires work, practice, and at times help from professionals. However, it can be challenging to express how we are feeling mentally to a therapist. So you may be thinking “But how am I supposed to express how I feel when words are simply not enough?”. To answer that question I would like to introduce you to the power of creativity that is used in art therapy.
WHY DO MY THOUGHTS AFFECT MY MOOD?
September 1, 2021
Do you notice your thinking influences your moods, behaviour and physical reactions? Is your thinking influenced by your life experiences or your environment? If you want to understand the problems in your life and feel better, our thoughts are often the best place to start.
AMI I GOOD ENOUGH? - HOW DIETS BREED SHAME
January 7, 2021
If you were to walk into a room of ordinary people, how many people do you think wish they could lose a little weight. At least half would raise their hands. Imagine how many are ashamed of their weight. Self-conscious? Angry for having rolls, or a pouch, or large thighs. How many do you think would raise their hand? Now imagine you ask yourself. Do you raise your hand?
July 3, 2020
I regularly hear from people that they ‘want to be happier’. It's an understandable desire for sure. However, if someone is feeling low, the next step is not to feel happy, but it is to feel. And rarely do I hear anyone say, “Can you help me feel more sadness, more anger, more fear?” along with their request to feel more happiness.
June 22, 2020
Body positivity is a term that is thrown around a lot on social media. But what does it mean? For me, initially, it simply was changing your mindset and seeing your body in a positive view rather than always thinking about it in a negative one. Take a minute to think about what it means to you.
HOW DO I COPE WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF COVID-19?
June 9, 2020
If somebody told me last year that we would be facing a major health challenge impacting the whole world, it would have been unimaginable. Yet here we are.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET ANCHORED
June 2, 2020
Welcome to Anchoridge Counselling Services! We started this blog to be able to provide free information that will help you advance towards your wellness goals, and will go through a wide array of topics, including self-care, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, loneliness, problematic eating, substance-related harms, relationship concerns and many more.
