Positive Choices Counselling

Home
Positive Choices Counselling

Coparent/Parent/Stepparent Coaching, Litigation Support, Child Welfare Advocacy, Parenting Coordination, Therapy, & New Ways for Families® programs.

Registered Social Workers are often covered by health benefits. Offering service in Alberta, Canada.

16/03/2026

Conflict does not damage relationships… unrepaired conflict does.

Two people in a relationship are not the same person. You bring different histories, different nervous systems, different communication styles, and different ways of understanding the world.

It is natural that perspectives will sometimes clash. Conflict is often just the moment when those differences become visible.

The strength of a relationship isn’t measured by how little you argue. It is measured by how willing you are to repair after things go sideways because they WILL go sideways at some point.

When couples learn how to come back together after tension, misunderstanding, or emotional overwhelm, it builds trust, safety, and resilience over time.

Conflict is inevitable.

Repair is what keeps relationships strong.

15/03/2026

Growth is not about becoming someone new… it is about becoming MORE you.

It is about slowly uncovering the parts of yourself that may have been hidden under expectations, survival, stress, or old patterns. It is learning what your values are, what your boundaries need to be, and what actually feels aligned with the life you want to live.

Let me be clear though: growth is rarely linear.

Life has a way of challenging us just as we start to feel steady. We move forward, we stumble, we learn something new about ourselves, and then we rest.

Sometimes we take a step back so we can integrate what we have learned.

Sometimes we pause because life asks more of us for a while.

That pause or step back doesn’t mean you are failing.

It means you are human.

Over time, those cycles of growth, challenge, reflection, and rest start to build something important: trust in yourself.

You begin to recognize your own resilience. You become more confident in your ability to navigate hard moments, make aligned choices, and return to yourself when things feel uncertain.

Growth is not a straight line.

It is a process of becoming more aware, more grounded, and more authentically you… one season at a time.

14/03/2026

You can love someone and still need better boundaries with them.

It does not have to be one or the other, it can be both.

Love doesn’t mean unlimited access to your time, energy, or emotional capacity.

It doesn’t mean tolerating behaviours that hurt you, drain you, or repeatedly cross your limits.

Boundaries are not punishments, ultimatums, or acts of rejection. They are acts of clarity and self-respect.

They help define what is safe, sustainable, and healthy for you within a relationship.

Sometimes people believe that setting boundaries means they care less.

In reality, boundaries often make relationships more honest and more stable. When expectations are clear, resentment has less room to build.

You can care deeply about someone and still recognize that certain patterns need to change. You can hold compassion for them while also protecting your own wellbeing.

Healthy relationships make space for both connection and limits.

13/03/2026

Stepparenting is one of the most emotionally complex roles in a family system. It often requires showing up with patience, care, and consistency, without the same recognition, authority, or history that biological parents may have.

For many stepmothers in particular, the experience is further complicated by societal misogyny. Cultural narratives often portray stepmoms as “too much,” “not enough,” or inherently suspicious. The old “evil stepmother” stereotype still shows up in subtle ways today: through criticism, unrealistic expectations, and the assumption that a stepmom’s care is less authentic or less valuable.

Stepmothers are often expected to love like a parent, sacrifice like a parent, and show endless patience, all while simultaneously being reminded that they are “not the real mom.” That double standard places stepmothers in an impossible position and can make their emotional labour massive AND largely invisible.

Support matters. Validation matters. Recognizing the complexity of this role matters.

Stepparents deserve spaces where their experiences are acknowledged without judgment and where the challenges of blended family life can be talked about honestly.

If you are navigating the complexities of stepparenting, you don’t have to do it alone. Support and guidance can make a meaningful difference.

12/03/2026

Did you know social workers are among the largest providers of mental health services in Canada?

According to the Canadian Association of Social Workers, social workers play a key role in delivering counselling, therapy, and psychosocial support across healthcare, community, and private practice settings.

11/03/2026

Progress in counselling does not always feel good.

Growth is not always comfortable, and it doesn’t always look the way people expect.

Sometimes progress looks like increased awareness: noticing patterns, triggers, or relationship dynamics that you once moved through on autopilot.

That kind of insight can feel unsettling at first, because seeing things clearly can also bring up hard emotions.

Sometimes growth looks like grief: mourning the relationships, expectations, or versions of yourself that didn’t receive the care they needed.

Processing that grief can be an important part of making space for something healthier.

Sometimes progress is also quieter. It looks like learning to pause instead of react, taking a breath before responding, or recognizing your emotions without immediately acting on them.

These small moments of regulation and reflection are powerful indicators that change is happening.

Counselling isn’t about feeling good all the time. It is about building awareness, compassion for yourself, and the skills needed to move through life more intentionally.

10/03/2026

You don’t have to be “in crisis” to benefit from counselling.
Support is allowed at any stage of growth.

Counselling isn’t only for moments when life feels overwhelming. It can also be a space to reflect, build insight, strengthen relationships, and develop tools that support your everyday wellbeing.

Many people come to counselling to work on communication, navigate family dynamics, manage stress, or better understand themselves. Growth, healing, and self-awareness are valid reasons to seek support.

Taking care of your mental health is not a last resort: it is a meaningful investment in yourself.

If you have been considering counselling, this might be your reminder that support is available when you’re ready.

08/03/2026

On International Women’s Day, we recognize the strength, resilience, and dedication of women in every part of our communities.

Every day, many women are doing the quiet and powerful work of becoming the best versions of themselves, while also carrying the mental load of families, relationships, careers, and community responsibilities. At the same time, they are navigating powerful societal expectations about who they should be and how they should show up.

This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” highlights the importance of collaboration and addressing the legal and systemic gaps that continue to impact women’s safety, equity, and opportunity. Meaningful change happens when we work together as professionals, communities, and systems: sharing knowledge, advocating for fairness, and strengthening the supports available to women and families.

In our work as social workers, we see the courage it takes for women to reflect, set boundaries, heal from past experiences, and build healthier relationships. That work matters. When women support one another and systems commit to closing gaps, we all gain stronger families and healthier communities.

Today we celebrate the progress women are making every day and the collective work still ahead.

Happy International Women’s Day.

08/03/2026

🌿 2026 Women’s Healing Gathering 🌿

Join Shauna Livesey and Monique Hommy for a powerful few days of connection, reflection, and renewal on the land. ALL women are welcome in this healing journey 🌼

📅 July 9–12, 2026
📍 Goodfare, Alberta

During this gathering we will share in:
• Energy work & spiritual renewal
• Guided healing experiences
• Sisterhood circles & shared reflection
• Gentle grounding practices
• Time for rest, intention, and reconnection

This retreat is for women at any stage of their healing journey who feel called to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves in a supportive community.

📲 Registration is required. Scan the QR code on the poster to register.
📧 For details and cost please email: miwasinconnections@gmail.com

We look forward to gathering in circle with you. ✨

07/03/2026

Strong relationships are not built on mind reading.

They are built on clear communication, curiosity, and emotional honesty.

In healthy relationships, partners ask questions instead of making assumptions. They stay open to understanding each other’s experiences, even when those experiences are different.

Communication is not just about talking. It is about listening, slowing down, and responding with care rather than reacting in frustration.

When couples learn to express their needs clearly and approach conflict with curiosity, connection grows stronger… even during difficult conversations.

Healthy communication is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned and strengthened.

If you and your partner are feeling stuck in the same arguments or struggling to feel heard, support can help.

06/03/2026

Burnout doesn’t always look like exhaustion.

Sometimes it shows up as irritability, disconnection, brain fog, or feeling emotionally numb. You might find yourself snapping at people you care about, feeling unmotivated to do things you normally enjoy, or moving through your day on autopilot.

Burnout is not a personal failure… it’s often a signal that your nervous system has been carrying too much for too long.

For many parents, caregivers, and professionals, burnout can build quietly under the pressure of responsibility, conflict, and constant emotional labour.

Noticing the signs early can make a difference. Support, boundaries, and space to regulate can help restore balance.

If you have been feeling this way, you are not alone and you don’t have to navigate it by yourself.

05/03/2026

Stepparenting is one of the most complex roles in family life and it is okay if it feels hard. This is especially true for stepmoms.

You are often stepping into a family system that already has history, loyalties, routines, and unresolved emotions. There may be grief, shifting boundaries, or uncertainty about where you fit. It can take time to build trust and connection.

Difficulty doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re navigating something layered.

Healthy stepparenting isn’t about replacing anyone or getting it perfect. It is about patience, clear boundaries, realistic expectations, and building relationships slowly over time.

If you are a stepparent feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone and support can make a difference.

Address

Telephone

+14038626543

Website

https://positivechoicescounselling.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Positive Choices Counselling posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Positive Choices Counselling:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic?

Country:

City:

16/03/2026

15/03/2026

14/03/2026

13/03/2026

12/03/2026

11/03/2026

10/03/2026

08/03/2026

08/03/2026

07/03/2026

06/03/2026

05/03/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share