Victoria Assessment and Therapy Institute

01/21/2026

New series alert 👀 Our clinicians share their go- to coping skill 🏋🏽

01/12/2026

Monday's reflection 🩵

01/05/2026

01/02/2026

01/01/2026

As we close 2025 and enter 2026– the VATI team 💙

12/24/2025

December 24th, 2025

From the desk of Dr. Miller

As I finish off the final hours of practice, before I enter the warmth of my home, with some good food- and my own family (including- 2 special grandchildren)- I feel present with a deep sense of knowing the connection of within my own family. There is a time in our lives where we can look backwards, forwards and integrate everything into our celebrations as we give thanks for it all. As I walked to work this morning, I marvelled at the snow- and how amazing it felt to know- in my lifetime, there has been a lot of opportunity- created and received because of the work I do. I remember walking in the snow as a child- not sure- as life was less abundant. For this phase of my life, I give gratitude.

It does not go unnoticed – the resilience of our clients, their families and the communities we serve in Alberta, BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia. My deepest sense, and commitment is to the importance of self-determination for others-and the human resilience and want for something better in our lives than suffering. Over the years as I have taught, researched and practiced, I have noticed the social longing- the want to belong, to be seen and to live with some sort of connection with others.

We know at this time of year- things can get difficult for many reasons. As I enter my next few days- and accept the connections with my own adult children- and their children, I know the power of connection- and the joy of smaller moments; a puzzle finished, skating at the community rink and some stories shared. My hope and wish for all are that somewhere, each person- is known – even if it is being seen as you get offered a cup of coffee- or some gesture grander. The practice of life- and caring is not only in the moments we have together- but in the spaces in-between, where we practice the art of compassion and care to someone, who matters to us- and who we may not be with in this moment.

As we enter 2026- even with uncertainty across the world; what is very certain in my own mind and heart is the power of the human spirit. I see it in the university classroom, when I teach, I hear it in my office as I support people in their healing, I see it within my staff- and interns- it is viable and has the potential to help us deal with and correct what is wrong in the world. With hope- compassion, kindness and intelligence- we can make anything happen.

From my home to yours- the staff at the Calgary Therapy Institute and the Victoria Assessment and Therapy Institute- wish you well during this holiday season. Thank-you for trusting us- with your care, your families and allowing us into your communities.
We look forward to continuing to do our work with you in 2026.

Happy Holidays- Dr. Miller, 2025

12/22/2025

Dreading family crossing your boundaries during the holidays? End up feeling exhausted and drained? 🙍🏻‍♀️

❄️ Dr. Raquel Martin’s break-down presents a new way to looking at boundaries:
- boundaries guide your own behavior
- rules try to control others behaviour
- standards are what you allow in your life
- expectations are what you hope others will do

She encourages us to ask what we will do (boundary), what we want others to do (expectation), what you will allow (standard), and what you are trying to control (rule).

🎄Examples:
“I told my brother to stop joking about what I eat,” = expectation

“I told my brother that I will leave the conversation if he continues to joke about my weight” = boundary

12/18/2025

1. Acknowledge their loss
- Avoiding talking about their loss does not make grief go away. Most grievers want to talk about their person beyond their death

2. Validate their feelings
- Grief can include sadness, anger, guilt, despair, or loneliness. Acknowledge their feelings are natural and expected after a death

3. Hold space without trying to fix
- “I’m here with you.”
- “I appreciate you sharing that with me.”

3. Allow them to decide what they do and do not want to participate in during the holidays

3. Offer practical support
- Grief is exhausting
- Offer specific ways you can support, such as cooking a meal or getting groceries, rather than offering general support

5. Offer to honor their person who died
- Share a memory, create a space for them at the dinner table, or play their favourite song

5. Continue support after the holidays
- Healthy grief spans throughout the lifetime, constantly changing

12/15/2025

Spiraling thoughts can feel overwhelming and impossible to disrupt at times 🌀 Rather than trying “make it go away,” re-centering ourselves can help gain perspective and soothe 🌿

1. Name what is happening 🧠
- Try “I am spiraling right now” or “my brain is trying to think it’s way around something”

2. Notice the sensations in your body 🫀
- When our mind is spiraling, our nervous system is most likely activated
- This could surface as tingling, pressure, or dryness

3. Regulate your nervous system 🧘🏽‍♀️
- Try calming techniques, such as box breathing, or use temperature (cold water, stepping outside, ice cubes)

4. Ground yourself in the present 👀
- Try noticing all items in the room that are blue or feel 5 items around you

5. Interrupt the Loop ✋🏼
- Use distraction that involves your 5 senses
- Imagine the thoughts floating by on clouds in the sky

12/08/2025