Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.

02/13/2026

Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress

Stress is a natural part of life—but how we respond to it matters. Healthy coping isn’t about avoiding stress; it’s about supporting your nervous system and giving your mind and body what they need to reset.

Some healthy ways to cope with stress include:
• Pausing to breathe deeply and intentionally
• Moving your body in ways that feel good
• Setting boundaries and saying no when needed
• Talking things through with someone you trust
• Creating small moments of rest and grounding throughout your day

There’s no “perfect” way to cope—what works is what helps you feel more regulated, present, and supported. Small, consistent practices can make a big difference over time. 💛

02/12/2026

Valentine’s Day Isn’t Just for Couples 💗

For many, this season brings love and celebration. For others, it can stir up loneliness, grief, comparison, or mixed emotions — especially during seasons of change.

In our latest blog, Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC, reflects on love after loss, parenting transitions, and the very human experience of holding both gratitude and grief at the same time. She shares how psychotherapy can support you through emotionally charged seasons — and offers gentle ways to reclaim Valentine’s Day, whether you’re single, healing, or simply in a new chapter.

Love isn’t limited to romance. It can be friendship, growth, memory, self-compassion, or quiet moments by the ocean.

If this day feels heavy, you’re not behind — you’re in a season that deserves care.

Read the full reflection on our blog and honour yourself exactly as you are.

By Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCCRegistered Counselling Therapist | Founder & Clinical Director, Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.Posted: February 12, 2026When a Holiday Brings Mixed FeelingsValentine’s Day is often marketed as a celebration of couples. Restaurants fill with candlelight, socia...

02/11/2026

The Role of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a gentle, evidence-based approach that helps the brain process difficult experiences in a way that feels safer and more manageable. Using guided eye movements and imagery, ART supports the brain’s natural ability to resolve distress—without needing to relive or retell painful details over and over again.

ART can be especially helpful for trauma, anxiety, grief, and overwhelming life experiences. Many people find it empowering because it focuses on relief, choice, and restoring a sense of control—allowing the emotional charge of memories to soften while keeping the facts intact.

Healing doesn’t always have to be long or retraumatizing. Sometimes, with the right support, the brain already knows how to move toward resolution. 💛

02/10/2026

February is Heart Month ❤️

When we talk about heart health, it’s more than numbers and checkups—it’s about how we live, connect, rest, and manage stress. Our emotional well-being and our physical heart are deeply connected. Chronic stress, isolation, and burnout don’t just weigh on the mind—they affect the heart too.

This month is a reminder to slow down, check in with yourself, move your body gently, nourish it well, and make space for connection. Small, consistent acts of care—toward yourself and others—can make a powerful difference.

Take care of your heart, in all the ways it works for you. ❤️

02/09/2026

🖤✨ Black History Month ✨🖤

This month, we celebrate the brilliance, strength, creativity, and lasting contributions of Black communities—past, present, and future. Black history is rich with resilience, leadership, innovation, and culture that continues to shape our world in powerful ways.

At Venture Counselling & Therapy, we honor the importance of representation, community, and culturally responsive care. We celebrate Black voices and remain committed to creating an inclusive, affirming space where everyone feels seen, respected, and supported.

Today and always, we celebrate Black excellence.

🖤✨

02/06/2026

The Role of Community in Healing 🤍

Healing is not meant to happen alone. Humans are wired for connection, and supportive relationships help calm the nervous system and reduce emotional overwhelm.

Community offers belonging, understanding, and shared strength. Being seen and supported reminds us that we don’t have to carry everything by ourselves.

Connection is not a weakness —
it is an essential part of healing.

02/05/2026

What Blog topics would you like to read about? 💭

02/05/2026

✨ International Play Therapy Week ✨

This week, we’re celebrating the power of play. Play therapy gives children a safe, supportive space to express feelings they may not yet have words for—through creativity, imagination, and connection.

Play isn’t “just play.” It’s how children communicate, process experiences, build emotional regulation, and strengthen resilience. With the guidance of a trained therapist, play becomes a meaningful pathway to healing, growth, and confidence.

We’re proud to recognize the incredible work of play therapists and the profound impact this approach has on children and families. 💙

02/05/2026

In a world that celebrates noise, what if the quiet seasons matter most?
In this week’s blog, therapist and mother of five Rose Degenhardt reflects on learning to trust silence—from post-separation stillness to a sacred hour rocking her granddaughter. Quiet doesn’t mean stagnant. Often, it’s where healing, safety, and deep integration happen.
✨ A gentle reminder: you don’t have to perform to be worthy.
Read more on the blog.

By Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCCRegistered Counselling Therapist | Mother of FivePosted: February 5, 2026We live in a world that celebrates noise.Productivity. Progress. Big announcements. Milestones that can be measured, posted, andapplauded. We are often taught—directly or indirectly—that if s...

02/04/2026

The Cognitive–Emotional Connection 🧠💛

As therapists, we often see how closely our thoughts and emotions are connected. What we think shapes how we feel, and our emotions influence how we interpret the world around us.

When thoughts become rigid or self-critical, emotions like anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm often follow. Strong emotions can also make it harder to think clearly or see alternative perspectives.

In therapy, we work at this intersection — helping clients gently explore their thoughts while learning to understand and regulate their emotional responses. When both are supported together, the brain becomes more flexible, and emotional intensity begins to soften.

At Venture Counselling & Therapy, we believe healing happens when thoughts and feelings are met with curiosity, compassion, and care.

Understanding the connection between mind and emotion is a powerful step toward change.

02/03/2026

The Neuroscience of Compassion

In our work as therapists, we often see how powerful compassion can be — not just emotionally, but neurologically.

When we experience kindness or offer it to ourselves, the brain begins to feel safer. Compassion helps quiet the amygdala, the part of the brain that scans for threat, and supports the release of oxytocin — a hormone linked to connection, calm, and trust. As this happens, the nervous system can gently shift out of survival mode and into a state of regulation.

Compassion also supports the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain involved in reflection, emotional balance, and empathy. When this part of the brain is supported, it becomes easier to slow down, respond with intention, and stay present with difficult emotions.

From a therapeutic perspective, kindness is not something extra — it is foundational. A calmer brain creates space for insight, growth, and healing.

At Venture Counselling & Therapy, we believe compassion is not a weakness. It is a science-backed pathway to safety, resilience, and meaningful change.

Healing begins with kindness — toward others and toward yourself.

01/29/2026

Late January can feel especially heavy—low energy, low mood, and motivation that’s hard to find. ❄️ In our latest blog, The Midwinter Slump, we explore why this time of year affects us so deeply and share gentle, practical ways to bring light back into your days. From small moments of movement to self-compassion and connection, this post is a reminder that little steps can carry us through the darkest stretch of winter. 💛
Read more on the blog and take one small step toward light this week.

By Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCCFounder & Clinical Director, Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.Posted: January 29, 2026The Midwinter SlumpBy the end of January, many of us feel the weight of winter more deeply. The glow of the holidays has faded, resolutions may already feel hard to keep, and the da...