Finding Yourself After Choosing to Be Childfree or Childless A look at rediscovering who you are beyond the parenthood you imagined, or the path you once thought you would take. As we recognize World Childless Week (September 14–20), we make space to acknowledge the experiences of those navigating childlessness, infertility, and the journey of creating an identity beyond parenthood. For some people, the decision to be childfree is intentional. For others, becoming childless i

For many people experiencing infertility, there comes a point when treatment options have been exhausted. The appointments, procedures, medications, waiting, hoping and uncertainty may finally come to an end. But reaching the end of treatment does not necessarily mean reaching the end of the grief. There can be a profound sense of loss when the path to parenthood you imagined is no longer possible. You may be grieving a pregnancy that never happened, losses you experienced, a

Going back to university can bring a strange mix of emotions. You may be excited to see friends, start new classes, or have a fresh opportunity to work toward your goals. At the same time, you may feel anxious, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what the year will bring. For some students, the anxiety begins before they even return to campus. You might find yourself thinking: Will I be able to keep up? What if I fall behind? What if I don't make friends? What if I don't do well

Relationships can be exciting, confusing, comforting, and sometimes painful—especially when you are still figuring out who you are and what you need from other people. Whether it is a friendship, romantic relationship, relationship with a parent, or a new relationship at university or work, one of the most important things we can learn is how to create safe and connected relationships. A secure relationship doesn't mean that you never disagree, feel hurt, or worry about losi

Couples often seek therapy when they are experiencing a rupture in the romantic attachment bond. EFT therapy can help with an exploration of unmet needs and longings for each partner in the relationship. Some questions that can assist both partners in understanding how they experience each other's accessibility are identified using the acronym A.R.E. : Is the partner - Accessible (Can I reach you?) An example is being present for your partner rather then shutting down. Is

Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is a type of short-term treatment used to improve attachment and bonding in adult relationships. Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg developed EFT in the 1980s. More currently, the therapy focuses on Sue Johnson's expansion of EFT. EFT has also been adapted for families and individuals. The couples therapy approach is based on research about love as an attachment bond. This treatment can help people form more secure emotional bonds, which can pr

The change process through EFT has three stages. The EFT process guides the therapist and helps them track progress when working with a...

I've noticed an increase in clients seeking a therapist who understands a child-free lifestyle. The decision to remain child-free or being childless not by choice are becoming more prevalent. Additionally, an increasing number of couples are opting not to have children. Although some may understand this choice, individuals and couples might still face social and cultural pressures. Others left childless by circumstance may have disenfranchised grief and other emotions to work

Whether you're experiencing a crisis or just looking to enhance and strengthen your communication, it could feel like you and your partner are stuck in a repetitive cycle of conflict or misunderstanding, leading to frustration and uncertainty about finding a solution. If you're considering therapy as a couple, you might be curious about the process. As a couples and family therapist, my expertise lies in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). This premier approach to couples ther

A kindness meditation can help to increase self-compassion and emotional resilience. It can also cultivate positive emotions. This type...

If you've exhausted all options and reached the end with infertility you might feel an uncertainty about what comes next. My experience of accepting childlessness after infertility started by recognizing and addressing the disenfranchised grief that accompanies the experience of being childless following infertility. I didn't do that work alone, therapy helped me move forward and remember that grief and happiness can coexist together. As you begin on the path of acceptance,

I always recommended to set up a consultation call sometimes called a discovery call, before having a therapy appointment. The call is free with no obligation to schedule an appointment and we discuss what has brought you to considering therapy and any goals you may have. To book a consultation look for the booking link at the top of the website or send me a contact form here on the contact page of the website. You can also click here for the consultation link: https://oab.o

This brief video illustrates how you might feel during episodes of panic or anxiety. While you may sense danger or be in "fight or flight" mode when anxiety strikes, these sensations will eventually diminish. What you're experiencing is your nervous system's natural reaction to stressful situations. Watch more here: Understanding anxiety symptoms:

Okay, so for most of us the idea of self- esteem is something we pay a little amount of attention to, for instance, we may be aware that...

This is a video intro I posted back in 2016 around the time I opened the practice, click on the link below to view, UPDATED video coming...

One of the most important things we can do for stress is challenge the way we think, and this can be done using awareness and therapeutic...

As a social worker and therapist (and human:), I understand how challenging these difficulties can be. Many families seek out therapy when children or teens are having difficulty adjusting to family changes, when they are making changes, having difficulty at school, having challenges with emotional regulation, behavioural issues, health issues, or stress management. In therapy sessions, the family will be able to work on problem-solving while learning coping tools and havi

Infertility treatments and the journey to building a family can be difficult for some. Some women may be waiting to start the journey...

So you may be asking what the heck is Acceptance & Commitment Therapy? “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) gets it name from one of...

For some people, the thought of having that initial therapy session may be especially difficult. In that case, using virtual sessions may...