Reflection Counselling Services

11/03/2025

Thanks to Heather from Behind the Plate for writing this great article on Intuitive Eating!

When it comes to food and our bodies, many people feel stuck between two extremes: on a diet or not on a diet. But what if there was a third option—one that focused not on restriction or rules, but on trust and self-care?

09/02/2025

A very vulnerable sharing about the impact of trauma-informed teaching in schools. (TW: Murder of a sibling and death of parent)

Re-thinking how we relate to and build relationships with students who have social-emotional needs, as well as connect with students who may have experienced...

08/20/2025

ChatGPT has been a useful but controversial tool for many folks, including for mental health support. If you’re curious about the pros and cons of using it in this way, check out this month’s newsletter. Not signed up? Link is in the bio. 😊

06/16/2025

Time to tackle some therapy lingo! “I let the intrusive thoughts win” has been floating around for a while now, but a lot of content uses it incorrectly. So if you’re curious what intrusive thoughts actually are and how to spot them, check out this month’s newsletter. (Link in bio).
[ID: A cartoon brain who is thinking has the words “I let the intrusive thoughts win” above him and “This month’s newsletter: How to spot an intrusive thought” below him].

04/17/2025

I often hear the stories of the appointments and interactions that have gone poorly and have been triggering for clients. These types of experiences can deter individuals from reaching out to much needed services, asking for help, or receiving adequate treatment. They can also lead to retraumatization, relapses of substance use or eating disordered behaviour, flashbacks, dissociation, shame, self-harming behaviours, and suicidal ideation.

While my work has involved creating self-care and safety plans, it would be exponentially easier for clients if they knew they were interacting with professionals who are aware of not only the possibility of trauma, but also how it might impact their presentation and needs. (It ‘s likely to make it easier for the service provider, as well!)

If you think this would be beneficial for you or your team, feel free to reach out for more information.

03/27/2025

"... I believed an old-fashioned narrative, which I think a lot of us are taught, about how desire works. We’re told it’s all passion and “spark” early in a relationship, and that lasts a couple of years maybe; then we have kids or buy a fixer-upper house or generally get busy with work and life, and the spark fizzles out, especially after 50, when apparently every hormone we ever had floats away on a sea of aging and we’re left, s*xless and neutered, to hold hands at sunset. Our options, we’re told, are either to accept the fizzling of our desire for s*x or to fight against it, to invest our time, attention, and even our money in 'keeping the spark alive.'" - Emily Nagoski

Great s*x over the long term is not about how much you want s*x; it’s about how much you like the s*x you’re having.

02/25/2025

I’m all for setting goals and working hard to achieve them, but sometimes perfectionism gets in the way of self-recognition and positive experiences and just stresses us out instead.

Check link in bio for an article on “Aiming for Perfection” to learn four reasons why we try to be perfect and four subsequent pitfalls.

02/07/2025

If you work with, coach, teach, or care for adolescents, this animation offers a brief introduction to co-regulation support rooted in evidence-informed stra...

01/16/2025

While the days are starting to get longer, this is still a really rough time of year. In case you weren’t aware, Canada has a newer resource that offers the option to both text and call for crisis support 24/7/365.

Check out their website for more information, including frequently asked questions and ways for deaf and hard of hearing callers to connect.

What to expect from a 988 responder, as per their website:

“1. They will listen. The person you connect to will listen with compassion and without judgement, and give you space to talk.

2. They will engage with empathy. Whatever you are going through, they want to understand.

3. They will support you. 9-8-8 responders can help you explore ways to create safety when things are overwhelming.”



[ID: A grey slide emulating the screen shot of a phone call being made. Content reads: Su***de Crisis Helpline. Call or text 9-8-8 for 24-hour support for yourself or a loved one].

***dePrevention

01/10/2025

We're so excited to share our vision for Friendship Village with you.

This new affordable and supportive housing project will be created on our former shelter location on Charles Street and provide homes for 100 individuals leaving homelessness behind.

These homes will also have built-in, onsite health, mental health and addiction supports for its residents and serve as a “village” or community hub; a place where they can truly belong and thrive.

We invite you to learn more about this lasting solution and transformational approach to ending homelessness in Waterloo Region. https://ow.ly/BKtb50UC9Uw

01/10/2025

The weight of grief by Celeste Roberge. How would you describe grief?

01/10/2025

Respecting a person's pronouns is su***de prevention.

Statistics from Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/facts-about-lgbtq-youth-su***de/ #:~:text=According%20to%20The%20Trevor%20Project's,considered%20su***de%20and%2019%25%20attempted.