Swabey Family Counselling

Swabey Family Counselling Visit www.swabeycounselling.com to learn more. WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR FAMILY JOURNEY? Finding time for yourself seems impossible and at times pointless.

Maybe your child/teen’s emotional health is filled with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. You have tried every strategy you know and are at a loss of what to do next. ~ We will teach insight and awareness skills that help your child take steps to regulate emotions and build confidence. Maybe you are a parent who is concerned about your child/teen’s behavior, and you are feeling frustrated with the number of calls from the school. ~ We will work closely with the school to open the lines of communication and build consistent, effective strategies that help your child succeed. Maybe you are a Mom who feels overwhelmed with the daily practicalities of parenthood. You feel alone and disconnected from your partner, and you feel like you are just not doing a good enough job as a Mom or a wife. ~ We will support you in finding balance and calm by understanding the connection of your emotions, thoughts, physiological responses, and actions. Maybe you are new parents who are in the thick of this new parenthood journey. You are exhausted and your ability to communicate with each other is going down hill. You feel disconnected from each other and are beginning to worry about your relationship. ~ We will teach new communication skills and provide strategies that strengthen your friendship and respect for each other. Wherever you are in your family journey, whatever challenge you are facing, as Family Counsellors we are here to help. Let’s build a strong foundation for your family to grow from. Let’s develop a different understanding of behavior. Let’s teach your kids the skills they need to be their best version of themselves. Let’s strengthen relationships with those you love. Want to learn more about our work with families? Head over to the website at www.swabeycounselling.com. Want to book an appointment? Call 226-774-3939 or email info@swabeycounselling.com.

Today, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice, and compassion of those who served—and those who continue to serve—s...
11/11/2025

Today, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice, and compassion of those who served—and those who continue to serve—so that we can live in peace.

For families, Remembrance Day can also be an opportunity to talk with children about empathy, gratitude, and the ways people care for one another in hard times. These conversations help kids build compassion and perspective—important parts of emotional growth and connection.

As we honour this day, may we all take a quiet moment to reflect, remember, and teach the next generation what it means to choose kindness and peace.

🌺 Lest we forget.

It’s the perfect weekend to slow down, explore something new, and enjoy a few local favourites. From festive markets and...
11/08/2025

It’s the perfect weekend to slow down, explore something new, and enjoy a few local favourites. From festive markets and nostalgic finds to relaxed community events and a cozy Sunday hangout — there’s a little something for everyone.

Save this post + tag someone to make weekend plans!

When a child tells you they’re being bullied, their nervous system is already on high alert. If we rush to fix it—callin...
11/07/2025

When a child tells you they’re being bullied, their nervous system is already on high alert. If we rush to fix it—calling the school, confronting the other child—their brain can feel even more overwhelmed and powerless.

Start by grounding first: your calm voice signals safety, which helps their stress response settle.
Then, listen.
Reflect what you hear so their brain registers, “I’m understood.”
Only after calm returns can the thinking part of the brain problem-solve effectively.

When kids feel safe, seen, and supported, they’re far more likely to share—and to trust that you’ll handle it together.

✨ At Swabey Family Counselling, we help families navigate big emotions, hard conversations, and school challenges with calm confidence.

📧 info@swabeycounselling.com
| 🌐 swabeycounselling.com

After-school meltdowns aren’t about defiance—they’re your child’s nervous system finally letting go after a long day of ...
11/05/2025

After-school meltdowns aren’t about defiance—they’re your child’s nervous system finally letting go after a long day of holding it together.

All day, their brain works to manage social rules, transitions, and expectations. By the time they walk through the door, their emotion centers take over while the thinking brain needs a break.

You can help by offering calm, connection, and gentle ways to release stress first—conversation comes after the system has reset.

✨ Understanding the brain behind behaviour helps parents respond with patience and confidence, not frustration.

📧 info@swabeycounselling.com
| 🌐 swabeycounselling.com

When kids seem unmotivated — avoiding homework, resisting chores, or melting down when things get hard — it’s easy to wo...
11/05/2025

When kids seem unmotivated — avoiding homework, resisting chores, or melting down when things get hard — it’s easy to wonder how to help them get back on track.

Many parents try sticker charts, consequences, or rewards… and while those can bring short-term results, they don’t build the kind of motivation that lasts.

At Swabey Family Counselling, we help parents understand what actually fuels motivation from the inside out — so kids want to try, learn, and grow even when things feel hard.

✨ Here’s the truth:
Lasting motivation isn’t about prizes or pressure. It’s built when children feel three things:
💬 a sense of Autonomy (I have some choice),
🤝 Belonging (I’m safe and supported), and
🌱 Competence (I can do hard things).

These three ingredients — what we call the ABCs of Motivation — help children build confidence, independence, and emotional resilience that carry far beyond childhood.

If you’ve ever wondered why reward systems stop working or how to help your child stay motivated without power struggles, we’ve created a new resource just for you.

🧠 Learn more about the ABCs of Motivation and how to use them at home on our Resources page.

👉 Visit https://swabeycounselling.com/resources/ to read the full article.

Cyberbullying & online peer conflict can feel invisible until it suddenly isn’t.Most kids don’t tell their parents right...
11/04/2025

Cyberbullying & online peer conflict can feel invisible until it suddenly isn’t.

Most kids don’t tell their parents right away — not because they don’t trust you, but because their brain is wired to protect social belonging above all else. Feeling left out, embarrassed, or targeted online triggers the same stress response as physical pain.

💭 What helps:
Stay calm and listen first. Your regulation helps theirs.

Avoid rushing to take devices away. It can increase shame and isolation.

Focus on safety, not punishment. Work together to block, report, and document.

Check in on their nervous system. Changes in sleep, appetite, or mood can signal overwhelm.

Model digital empathy. Talk openly about kindness, accountability, and when to take a break from online spaces.

These conversations don’t need to happen after something goes wrong — small, ongoing check-ins build trust so your child knows you’re a safe place to turn when it does.

💬 Save this for later or share it with a parent who might need it today.

Team Anniversary: Celebrating Briana!Today we’re celebrating Briana's anniversary with Swabey Family Counselling— and wh...
11/01/2025

Team Anniversary: Celebrating Briana!

Today we’re celebrating Briana's anniversary with Swabey Family Counselling— and what a difference she’s made since joining our team!

Bri brings warmth, positivity, and grounded energy to everything she does. She’s always willing to jump in and help, keeps us accountable in the best way, and brings laughter and calm to even the busiest days.

We’re so grateful for her steady presence, her care for the families she helps support, and the heart she brings to our team every single day.

Happy Anniversary, Bri — we’re so glad you’re part of the Swabey Family Counselling team! 💙

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual — and when worry, conflict, or big emotions start to take over, it’s easy to feel l...
11/01/2025

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual — and when worry, conflict, or big emotions start to take over, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing.
You’re not. You’re doing your best with the tools you have.

Sometimes, what families need most isn’t to “try harder,” but to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.
That’s where we come in.

At Swabey Family Counselling, we help kids, teens, and parents navigate the messy, emotional moments with brain-based strategies that build calm, connection, and confidence — at home and within each relationship.

Because when you understand the why behind your child’s behaviour, everything starts to shift.
Fewer power struggles. More cooperation. Stronger relationships.

🌿 We’re here to help.
Now accepting new clients in LaSalle and across Windsor-Essex.

📍 In-person and virtual sessions available.
💻 Fill out an intake form https://swabeycounselling.com/take-the-first-step/

✨ Calm the chaos. Reconnect as a family.

🎃 Let Teens Be Kids — Why It Matters More Than You ThinkIt’s easy to wonder if your teen is “too old” to trick-or-treat....
10/30/2025

🎃 Let Teens Be Kids — Why It Matters More Than You Think

It’s easy to wonder if your teen is “too old” to trick-or-treat. But before you say no or roll your eyes, here’s something to consider:

Halloween isn’t just about candy. For teens, it’s about belonging, play, and identity.
During adolescence, their brains are still developing key pathways related to emotional regulation, social connection, and creativity. Dressing up, laughing with friends, and being silly — even if it looks “immature” — are all ways their nervous system practices feeling safe while taking healthy risks.

🧠 In other words: it’s not childish, it’s developmental.
Play is still an essential part of emotional growth, even for teens who look and sound like adults in the making.

So if your teen wants to trick-or-treat, dress up, or walk the neighbourhood with friends — let them. Smile, take the picture, offer the costume advice, and remember: these moments matter.

And if you’re handing out candy this year — welcome the teens, too. A kind smile, a bit of candy, and a reminder that they still belong in the fun can mean more than you realize.

You’re not just giving them candy — you’re giving them connection, safety, and a little more time to grow. 💙

When Halloween Feels “Too Big” — Helping Kids Regulate After the FunYesterday, we talked about why Halloween can be a lo...
10/29/2025

When Halloween Feels “Too Big” — Helping Kids Regulate After the Fun

Yesterday, we talked about why Halloween can be a lot for children — today, let’s look at what to do next.

After all the excitement, sugar, and sensory input, many kids experience what’s called a nervous system rebound — their brains shift from high alert (adrenaline and dopamine) to a crash in energy and mood.
This is why tears, irritability, or “attitude” often show up after the event.

🧠 Here’s what helps the brain recover:
Predictability: Keep the next day slow and familiar — that sense of safety restores balance.
Movement: Gentle play or a walk helps release leftover adrenaline.
Connection: Snuggle, read, or simply sit together — your calm presence tells their brain “you’re safe again.”
Rest: Early bedtime and hydration help regulate blood sugar and mood.

These aren’t just nice add-ons — they’re neuroscience in action. You’re helping your child’s body and brain return to calm after an intense experience.

Save this for later — post-Halloween might feel bumpy, but it’s a normal part of regulation, not a parenting failure.

When Halloween feels a little too much. Loud noises, flashing lights, unfamiliar costumes — for an anxious child, Hallow...
10/28/2025

When Halloween feels a little too much.

Loud noises, flashing lights, unfamiliar costumes — for an anxious child, Halloween can feel less like fun and more like sensory overload.

If your child struggles with big feelings around excitement, surprise, or change, you’re not alone — and it doesn’t mean they’re “overreacting.” Their nervous system is doing its job: scanning for safety in a world that suddenly looks and sounds different.

🧠 Here’s how to help their brain feel safe again:

Preview what to expect: Show pictures, walk through the route, and talk about what they might see or hear.

Keep choice in the mix: Let them help choose their costume, decide how long to stay out, or opt to hand out candy instead.

Have an exit plan: Knowing they can take a break or go home helps the brain relax — which often means they’ll last longer than expected.

Regulate before you go: A snack, deep breaths, or quiet time can help balance their nervous system before the excitement begins.

And if your Halloween looks quieter this year — that’s okay too. Feeling safe is the foundation for having fun.

✨ You’re not overprotective for honouring your child’s limits — you’re helping them build the confidence and resilience they’ll carry into every new experience.

📍Swabey Family Counselling | Supporting families across Windsor-Essex

When your child feels left out It’s one of the hardest moments for any parent — watching your child come home sad becaus...
10/27/2025

When your child feels left out

It’s one of the hardest moments for any parent — watching your child come home sad because they weren’t included.

You can’t control every social circle or playground dynamic, but you can give your child what their brain needs to recover and grow: connection, empathy, and belonging.

🧠 Here’s what helps:
When kids feel excluded, their brain registers it like physical pain. The antidote isn’t fixing the situation — it’s helping them feel safe again.

Listen before you problem-solve (“That must’ve really hurt.”)

Validate their feelings (“It makes sense you felt left out.”)

Remind them of where they do belong — family, friends, teams, or even just at home with you.

These small moments of co-regulation strengthen your child’s emotional resilience and social confidence over time.

✨ If this is something your family is navigating, know that you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our counsellors help kids and parents build the tools to handle friendship challenges with confidence and calm.

📍Swabey Family Counselling | Supporting families across Windsor-Essex
💙 Save this for the next tough conversation — or share it with a friend who might need the reminder.

Address

1765 Sprucewood Avenue, Unit 400
Lasalle, ON
N9J1X7

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 7pm
Tuesday 1pm - 7pm
Wednesday 1pm - 7pm
Thursday 1pm - 7pm
Friday 1pm - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+12267743939

Website

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Jessica Swabey Family Counselling

HI, I’M JESSICA SWABEY...

I’m a Family Counsellor, a Mom, and a family communication enthusiast. Parenting is HARD, but it doesn’t have to be so draining and exhausting. I’m confident that I can help you have strong relationships with your kids while setting clear boundaries on behaviors and expectations.