Some lucky people seem to sail through life without doubt. For many of us, though, a negative voice whispers in our ear, telling us how bad, wrong, stupid, crazy, or worthless we are. And even though we know it’s unfair, it can be a real struggle to get clear of it! Doubt, self-blame, self-sabotage, anxiety, lack of confidence can hamper us. How do you value yourself and make good changes when your inner voice is unsupportive? You can learn to support yourself! Counselling can be a safe place to learn this skill, find new ways to appreciate yourself, and rediscover your confidence.

Your immune system works hard to protect you from injury, illness, and disease. This process usually involves inflammation, a natural response to stress, tissue damage, and harmful stimuli like viruses, bacteria, and toxins. Inflammation functions similarly to an engine warning light, alerting you to the presence of a problem through symptoms such as heat, pain, redness, swelling, and/or loss of function. 85% of the immune system is located in our gut. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral selenium provides your gut with the ingredients it needs to bolster immunity and achieve optimal mental and physical health.

Listen to your gut? Processed foods, chemicals, allergies, stress, trauma, pharmaceuticals and surgeries can all affect your bodies digestive abilities. Chron’s, colitis and other digestive issues are becoming more common. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been proven to encourage remission and decrease incidents of bleeding, inflammation, bloat, constipation and weight gain associated with various inflammatory bowel diseases. Importantly, HBOT encourages long term healing of digestive tissues by decreasing inflammation, increasing stem cells and improving intestinal tissue health. HBOT is a safe, effective therapy, especially when combined with good nutrition and exercise.

It is really difficult for most of us to get through the grey, dark winter days of November to March. Feeling changes such as a loss in energy, focus, concentration, passions, and hope, and increases in feelings of stress, worry, and guilt are typical symptoms of depression. If this is your experience, you have to live through a lot of invisible pain that many people cannot understand. Knowing about Seasonal Affective (or Adjustment) Disorder (SAD) may be a key to happier days. Contact a counsellor, your GP, or the Canadian Mental Health Association (www.cmha.bc.ca) to learn about SAD treatment.

Are you sick and tired of fights about homework? Is your child in his own world or struggling with anxiety? Does she have dyslexia, ADHD, or difficulty with math? All of these kinds of challenges are perpetuated by dysregulation in the brain. Imagine trying something new. Brain Gym exercises act as simple energy switches that release the blocks in the brain. They also activate different areas and functions of the brain. This can result in immediate, far-reaching, and lasting changes. Consider giving your child a revolutionary chance to experience more ease in learning and in life… merely through movement!

All types of acne can scar; some mild, some severe…but all scars are like diamonds; they are forever.
Modern acne scar therapy with skin resurfacing by lasers, radio frequency, and microneedling can reduce the scarring, but usually a 50 percent improvement is seen as a good result, and the cost can be significant. It follows then that early, active treatment of acne to prevent scarring makes the most sense. Yet it is hard to see a dermatologist, even to get a referral, until the acne is advanced, and scarring has been established. The impact of acne is not limited to physical scarring; the emotional and psychological scars can run much deeper…with social, self-esteem, and even employment consequences. Seek help with acne as soon as you can.

Sometimes we can feel able to handle whatever life brings. But life can bring challenges! When we’re stressed or overwhelmed, it can be hard to bounce back. Maybe we feel disappointed in ourselves – or sad and anxious. Or maybe we feel misunderstood and undermined. What do you do when there’s little left to give? When you aren’t sure you can rely on yourself? What do you do at a practical level, and what do you do with your uncomfortable feelings? Counselling provides a safe and non-judgmental place to talk, to consider options, and to help you proceed with confidence.