{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Bear Creek Counselling and Psychology","home_page_url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca","description":"Bear Creek Counselling and Psychology","author":{"name":"Bear Creek Counselling and Psychology"},"items":[{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/yearly-rhythms","html_content":"

I don’t know about you, but there’s always a bit of a lull after the holidays at our house. The flurry of busyness that surrounds Christmas and New Year’s Eve settles into something quieter, softer. Maybe, if I were to b...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/yearly-rhythms","title":"Yearly Rhythms","summary":"I don’t know about you, but there’s always a bit of a lull after the holidays at our house. The flurry of busyness that surrounds Christmas and New Year’s Eve settles into something quieter, softer. Maybe, if I were to b...","date_modified":"2026-01-21T21:24:31Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/texting-condolences-%E2%80%93-does-relationship-matter","html_content":"

I received a text last night from a dear, long-time friend which said, “I didn’t get a chance to share this with you” – accompanied by a screen shot of an announcement that his Uncle had died very suddenly and tragically...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/texting-condolences-%E2%80%93-does-relationship-matter","title":"Texting Condolences – Does Relationship Matter?","summary":"I received a text last night from a dear, long-time friend which said, “I didn’t get a chance to share this with you” – accompanied by a screen shot of an announcement that his Uncle had died very suddenly and tragically...","date_modified":"2025-09-24T16:54:28Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/the-im-fine-lie","html_content":"

In 2014 I was at a grief seminar in Calgary when the facilitator and author of the Grief Recovery Method, John W. James, asked the audience to raise their hands if, “… they hate being lied to?” Everyone laughed and hands...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/the-im-fine-lie","title":"The \"I'm Fine\" Lie","summary":"In 2014 I was at a grief seminar in Calgary when the facilitator and author of the Grief Recovery Method, John W. James, asked the audience to raise their hands if, “… they hate being lied to?” Everyone laughed and hands...","date_modified":"2025-08-20T22:41:03Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/melancholy","html_content":"

The emptiness that incapacitates us through grief.

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/melancholy","title":"Melancholy","summary":"The emptiness that incapacitates us through grief. ","date_modified":"2025-07-22T15:37:26Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/exercise","html_content":"

I have been aware for many years that exercise is helpful when an individual struggles with depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance misuse, high blood pressure, and/or various other health related illnesses. There has been ...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/exercise","title":"Exercise","summary":"I have been aware for many years that exercise is helpful when an individual struggles with depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance misuse, high blood pressure, and/or various other health related illnesses. There has been ...","date_modified":"2025-06-11T19:44:56Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/failing-forward","html_content":"

Have you ever given something your best attempt but you did not achieve the outcome you were hoping for? What did you tell yourself in these moments? It’s easy to allow an inner critic to take over. This is the term for ...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/failing-forward","title":"Failing Forward","summary":"Have you ever given something your best attempt but you did not achieve the outcome you were hoping for? What did you tell yourself in these moments? It’s easy to allow an inner critic to take over. This is the term for ...","date_modified":"2025-04-02T21:29:17Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/gottmans-four-horsemen","html_content":"

John Gottman is a highly sought after marriage therapist who has researched couples arguing for many years. He started out monitoring couples’ blood pressure as they became more and more argumentative. He began to predic...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/gottmans-four-horsemen","title":"Gottman's Four Horsemen","summary":"John Gottman is a highly sought after marriage therapist who has researched couples arguing for many years. He started out monitoring couples’ blood pressure as they became more and more argumentative. He began to predic...","date_modified":"2025-02-06T19:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/january-blahs","html_content":"

Have you ever felt the "January Blahs?" Although this is not a clinical term, it is very common. January is a month with colder temperatures, less sunlight, and it sometimes contains the reality of December interactions ...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/january-blahs","title":"January Blahs","summary":"Have you ever felt the \"January Blahs?\" Although this is not a clinical term, it is very common. January is a month with colder temperatures, less sunlight, and it sometimes contains the reality of December interactions ...","date_modified":"2025-01-14T17:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/understanding-anxiety","html_content":"

Most of us are fairly familiar with the feeling of anxiety, but for the sake of clarity I'll include Brené Brown's description from her book Atlas of the Heart. She describes anxiety as the feeling of escalating loss of ...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/understanding-anxiety","title":"Understanding Anxiety","summary":"Most of us are fairly familiar with the feeling of anxiety, but for the sake of clarity I'll include Brené Brown's description from her book Atlas of the Heart. She describes anxiety as the feeling of escalating loss of ...","date_modified":"2024-12-11T18:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/stress-vs-overwhelm","html_content":"

Stress and overwhelm are both really familiar emotions. Especially during the busier times of year, like when fall begins to run into winter and holidays begin to loom ominously on the horizon.

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/stress-vs-overwhelm","title":"Stress vs Overwhelm","summary":"Stress and overwhelm are both really familiar emotions. Especially during the busier times of year, like when fall begins to run into winter and holidays begin to loom ominously on the horizon. ","date_modified":"2024-11-27T17:05:25Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/in-between-and-waiting","html_content":"

Waiting is such a difficult experience. Especially when it's waiting for something that could be big news: a court settlement, a CAT scan, a university application, a promotion at work. Did you know there's such a thing ...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/in-between-and-waiting","title":"In Between and Waiting","summary":"Waiting is such a difficult experience. Especially when it's waiting for something that could be big news: a court settlement, a CAT scan, a university application, a promotion at work. Did you know there's such a thing ...","date_modified":"2024-11-05T21:28:59Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/embodiment-of-experiences","html_content":"

There's been more talk in recent years about our experiences being "embodied," but rarely have I seen anyone break down what this means. Let me give you an overview.

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/embodiment-of-experiences","title":"'Embodiment' of Experiences","summary":"There's been more talk in recent years about our experiences being \"embodied,\" but rarely have I seen anyone break down what this means. Let me give you an overview. ","date_modified":"2024-08-28T16:42:09Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/feeling-your-feelings","html_content":"

You often hear how important it is to feel your feelings. But what does that actually mean? Our central nervous system has a window of tolerance where we can feel the physical sensations caused by our emotions without ei...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/feeling-your-feelings","title":"Feeling your Feelings","summary":"You often hear how important it is to feel your feelings. But what does that actually mean? Our central nervous system has a window of tolerance where we can feel the physical sensations caused by our emotions without ei...","date_modified":"2024-08-14T19:30:14Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/understanding-stress","html_content":"

People frequently talk about the damaging effect of long-term stress on our bodies - but what does that even mean? The stress response is a predictable pattern in how our bodies behave when something isn't right. Let me ...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/understanding-stress","title":"Understanding Stress","summary":"People frequently talk about the damaging effect of long-term stress on our bodies - but what does that even mean? The stress response is a predictable pattern in how our bodies behave when something isn't right. Let me ...","date_modified":"2024-07-26T17:25:26Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/relationship-building","html_content":"

Relationships often go through periods of strain or tension, especially when work issues or finances are causing extra stress. Of course the key to a good relationship is communication, but what happens when communicatio...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/relationship-building","title":"Relationship Building","summary":"Relationships often go through periods of strain or tension, especially when work issues or finances are causing extra stress. Of course the key to a good relationship is communication, but what happens when communicatio...","date_modified":"2024-03-22T16:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/loneliness","html_content":"

Since the lockdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a resurgence in people's desire for connection and authentic community. Perhaps it was because partially due to how isolated everyone felt. Or maybe polarizing...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/loneliness","title":"Loneliness","summary":"Since the lockdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a resurgence in people's desire for connection and authentic community. Perhaps it was because partially due to how isolated everyone felt. Or maybe polarizing...","date_modified":"2024-02-14T17:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-improvement","html_content":"

Figuring out how to "hack" your brain and actually make progress on a new goal (or in stopping a bad habit!) can be tricky business. Usually around this time of year, people are disappointed because they've already made ...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-improvement","title":"Self Improvement","summary":"Figuring out how to \"hack\" your brain and actually make progress on a new goal (or in stopping a bad habit!) can be tricky business. Usually around this time of year, people are disappointed because they've already made ...","date_modified":"2024-01-31T18:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/but-is-it-a-problem","html_content":"

A lot of a people experience episodes of depression or anxiety, which means it can be tough to know when it might be time to ask for help. Sometimes it's easier: if you're experiencing suicidal ideation or either conside...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/but-is-it-a-problem","title":"But is it a problem?","summary":"A lot of a people experience episodes of depression or anxiety, which means it can be tough to know when it might be time to ask for help. Sometimes it's easier: if you're experiencing suicidal ideation or either conside...","date_modified":"2024-01-17T18:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/resolution","html_content":"

New year's resolutions often draw out mixed reactions. Some people are gung-ho and love having a yearly excuse to do some self-reflection and goal-setting. Others cringe at the idea of making a new resolution because all...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/resolution","title":"Resolution","summary":"New year's resolutions often draw out mixed reactions. Some people are gung-ho and love having a yearly excuse to do some self-reflection and goal-setting. Others cringe at the idea of making a new resolution because all...","date_modified":"2024-01-04T18:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/being-a-playful-adult","html_content":"

There is so much value in being playful. Unfortunately, especially in our current society, there’s a lot of social pressure to set aside our more playful, childlike activities in favour of being more responsible. While t...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/being-a-playful-adult","title":"Being a Playful Adult","summary":"There is so much value in being playful. Unfortunately, especially in our current society, there’s a lot of social pressure to set aside our more playful, childlike activities in favour of being more responsible. While t...","date_modified":"2023-12-15T17:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/holidays-and-grief","html_content":"

Making it through the holiday season when someone’s missing is incredibly difficult. This person could be missing because they have passed away, are experiencing medical difficulties, or have significant mental health is...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/holidays-and-grief","title":"Holidays and Grief","summary":"Making it through the holiday season when someone’s missing is incredibly difficult. This person could be missing because they have passed away, are experiencing medical difficulties, or have significant mental health is...","date_modified":"2023-12-06T18:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/mirror-neurons","html_content":"

One of the most fascinating things I've learned about the brain is the role of mirror neurons. We've been studying mirror neurons for about 20 years at this point, and a lot of data has been collected on how they functio...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/mirror-neurons","title":"Mirror Neurons","summary":"One of the most fascinating things I've learned about the brain is the role of mirror neurons. We've been studying mirror neurons for about 20 years at this point, and a lot of data has been collected on how they functio...","date_modified":"2023-11-24T19:49:32Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/off-beat","html_content":"

Between having less snow than we usually do, seasonal illnesses, and the usual busyness of the fall season, it's easy to feel as though things are a little off beat. Losing our typical rhythm often feels like it shouldn'...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/off-beat","title":"Off Beat","summary":"Between having less snow than we usually do, seasonal illnesses, and the usual busyness of the fall season, it's easy to feel as though things are a little off beat. Losing our typical rhythm often feels like it shouldn'...","date_modified":"2023-11-17T18:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/bundling-up","html_content":"

The first snowflakes tend to bring on two different reactions people: either deep annoyance and resentment, or a flurry of anxious preparation. Both reactions are an effort to "push through" the difficulty well so that o...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/bundling-up","title":"Bundling Up","summary":"The first snowflakes tend to bring on two different reactions people: either deep annoyance and resentment, or a flurry of anxious preparation. Both reactions are an effort to \"push through\" the difficulty well so that o...","date_modified":"2023-10-25T15:47:56Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/art-therapy","html_content":"

Have you ever thought about trying therapy but the idea of putting words to your emotions just seems too overwhelming to consider? You’re not alone. The act of sitting and identifying emotions, and then sorting out what’...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/art-therapy","title":"Art Therapy?","summary":"Have you ever thought about trying therapy but the idea of putting words to your emotions just seems too overwhelming to consider? You’re not alone. The act of sitting and identifying emotions, and then sorting out what’...","date_modified":"2023-10-18T16:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/doing-whats-important","html_content":"

Have you ever been sitting at home with no planned activities or tasks to complete, and you find yourself feeling lethargic, tired, an unmotivated? I have, many times, felt this way. Sometimes it’s great to have a day li...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/doing-whats-important","title":"Doing What's Important","summary":"Have you ever been sitting at home with no planned activities or tasks to complete, and you find yourself feeling lethargic, tired, an unmotivated? I have, many times, felt this way. Sometimes it’s great to have a day li...","date_modified":"2023-10-12T16:49:06Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-mediators","html_content":"

Are you the peacemaker in your family or group of friends? Do you sometimes fall into the role of mediator because you can genuinely see things from every angle and place a lot of personal value on helping people reconci...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-mediators","title":"Self Care for Mediators","summary":"Are you the peacemaker in your family or group of friends? Do you sometimes fall into the role of mediator because you can genuinely see things from every angle and place a lot of personal value on helping people reconci...","date_modified":"2023-10-04T16:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-protectors","html_content":"

Are you the protective one in your circle of friends and family? Do you tend to read the good (or bad) intentions off of someone before anyone else can? Can the responsibility of looking out for everyone else sometimes f...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-protectors","title":"Self Care for Protectors","summary":"Are you the protective one in your circle of friends and family? Do you tend to read the good (or bad) intentions off of someone before anyone else can? Can the responsibility of looking out for everyone else sometimes f...","date_modified":"2023-09-27T22:33:47Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-optimists","html_content":"

Are you usually the first one to see the upside to something? Do you love being out with people, seeking new and fun experiences? When you see a way to improve yourself, do you thoroughly embrace the challenge? Have frie...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-optimists","title":"Self Care for Optimists","summary":"Are you usually the first one to see the upside to something? Do you love being out with people, seeking new and fun experiences? When you see a way to improve yourself, do you thoroughly embrace the challenge? Have frie...","date_modified":"2023-09-20T16:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-guardians","html_content":"

Are you always prepared for any circumstance? Do you have a deep sense of loyalty, maybe even to a fault? Is ensuring the safety and well-being of others one of your values? Maybe because you have painful past experience...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-guardians","title":"Self Care for Guardians","summary":"Are you always prepared for any circumstance? Do you have a deep sense of loyalty, maybe even to a fault? Is ensuring the safety and well-being of others one of your values? Maybe because you have painful past experience...","date_modified":"2023-09-13T17:08:23Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-observers","html_content":"

Do you tend to sit back and watch before interacting with anything, especially when it involves people-dynamics? When things get too busy, are you the kind of person who needs to withdraw and have some space to yourself?...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-observers","title":"Self Care for Observers","summary":"Do you tend to sit back and watch before interacting with anything, especially when it involves people-dynamics? When things get too busy, are you the kind of person who needs to withdraw and have some space to yourself?...","date_modified":"2023-09-06T20:26:17Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-creatives","html_content":"

Do you have a unique perspective on the world, its pain, and the beauty that can come from that? Have you always felt misunderstood – and rejected because of it? Does “inauthentic” feel like the worst sin? And maybe you’...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-creatives","title":"Self Care for Creatives","summary":"Do you have a unique perspective on the world, its pain, and the beauty that can come from that? Have you always felt misunderstood – and rejected because of it? Does “inauthentic” feel like the worst sin? And maybe you’...","date_modified":"2023-08-30T16:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-achievers","html_content":"

Do you feel driven for success? Are you invested in making a good impression on others? Do you feel like you wear so many layers of masks that you're afraid that there might not be much of a real person underneath? Perha...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-achievers","title":"Self Care for Achievers","summary":"Do you feel driven for success? Are you invested in making a good impression on others? Do you feel like you wear so many layers of masks that you're afraid that there might not be much of a real person underneath? Perha...","date_modified":"2023-08-23T16:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-givers","html_content":"

Are you the kind of person who needs to be needed? Maybe out of a deeper fear that others might not want you, so at least you can be really helpful? Does it feel shameful to express what you really want or need? Do you b...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-givers","title":"Self Care for Givers","summary":"Are you the kind of person who needs to be needed? Maybe out of a deeper fear that others might not want you, so at least you can be really helpful? Does it feel shameful to express what you really want or need? Do you b...","date_modified":"2023-08-16T16:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-reformers","html_content":"

Are you a little bit of a perfectionist? Do you find that you can't let something sit, but rather you'll keep tweaking it until it's just right? And do you tend to be quite self-critical? And making a mistake is the wors...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/self-care-for-reformers","title":"Self Care for Reformers","summary":"Are you a little bit of a perfectionist? Do you find that you can't let something sit, but rather you'll keep tweaking it until it's just right? And do you tend to be quite self-critical? And making a mistake is the wors...","date_modified":"2023-08-10T15:34:29Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/a-different-pros-and-cons-list","html_content":"

Several people use a pros and cons list to help them in their decision-making process; it can be very useful to systematically lay out all of the factors and identify whether they end up providing a net positive or net n...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/a-different-pros-and-cons-list","title":"A Different Pros and Cons List","summary":"Several people use a pros and cons list to help them in their decision-making process; it can be very useful to systematically lay out all of the factors and identify whether they end up providing a net positive or net n...","date_modified":"2023-08-02T15:48:08Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/mid-year-check-in","html_content":"

If you're like me, you're finding it hard to believe we've hit the halfway point of our year already. Often, when we're plowing forward with our head down, it's easy to miss the passage of time.

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/mid-year-check-in","title":"Mid-Year Check In","summary":"If you're like me, you're finding it hard to believe we've hit the halfway point of our year already. Often, when we're plowing forward with our head down, it's easy to miss the passage of time. ","date_modified":"2023-07-26T16:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/ch-ch-ch-ch-changes","html_content":"

Recently, I went through something of a transition with my work. It wasn’t easy – many transitions that we go through aren’t – but the more I thought about the change I was making, the more it made sense why going throug...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/ch-ch-ch-ch-changes","title":"Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!","summary":"Recently, I went through something of a transition with my work. It wasn’t easy – many transitions that we go through aren’t – but the more I thought about the change I was making, the more it made sense why going throug...","date_modified":"2023-07-18T19:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/routines-and-habits","html_content":"

This is the type of post most people would see around the new year - so many people jump on board the New Year's Resolution train, it's become an easy association. But what about when you're trying to create a new habit ...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/routines-and-habits","title":"Routines and Habits","summary":"This is the type of post most people would see around the new year - so many people jump on board the New Year's Resolution train, it's become an easy association. But what about when you're trying to create a new habit ...","date_modified":"2023-07-12T19:40:47Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/values-based-decisions","html_content":"

How do you decide whether to take advantage of an opportunity or not?

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/values-based-decisions","title":"Values-Based Decisions","summary":"How do you decide whether to take advantage of an opportunity or not? ","date_modified":"2023-07-05T16:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/bite-sized-living","html_content":"

It's easy to feel overwhelmed when there are a million things to do, and some of them are bigger projects or take more mental energy than others. For those of you who are used to using the energy and momentum of a busy l...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/bite-sized-living","title":"Bite-sized Living","summary":"It's easy to feel overwhelmed when there are a million things to do, and some of them are bigger projects or take more mental energy than others. For those of you who are used to using the energy and momentum of a busy l...","date_modified":"2023-06-28T15:35:41Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/halt","html_content":"

I think HALT has become one of my favourite acronyms for in-the-moment checking in with yourself. Sudden, unexpected emotional outbursts of crying, anger, or moodiness are the perfect time for this kind of self-check. Th...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/halt","title":"H.A.L.T.","summary":"I think HALT has become one of my favourite acronyms for in-the-moment checking in with yourself. Sudden, unexpected emotional outbursts of crying, anger, or moodiness are the perfect time for this kind of self-check. Th...","date_modified":"2023-06-21T17:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/oxygen","html_content":"

If you’ve flown internationally, chances are high that you’ll have heard the in-flight safety instructions about oxygen masks: “Keep the mask on until you are advised otherwise. If a child or other passenger needs your h...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/oxygen","title":"Oxygen","summary":"If you’ve flown internationally, chances are high that you’ll have heard the in-flight safety instructions about oxygen masks: “Keep the mask on until you are advised otherwise. If a child or other passenger needs your h...","date_modified":"2023-06-14T17:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/lack-of-enjoyment","html_content":"

One of the tell-tale signs of experiencing a depressive episode is the inability to enjoy the activities that you'd typically find pleasant or satisfying. It's fairly common for us to experience occasional depressive epi...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/lack-of-enjoyment","title":"Lack of Enjoyment","summary":"One of the tell-tale signs of experiencing a depressive episode is the inability to enjoy the activities that you'd typically find pleasant or satisfying. It's fairly common for us to experience occasional depressive epi...","date_modified":"2023-06-09T19:37:03Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/walking-away","html_content":"

It can be so tough to know when to stay involved and when walk away from someone or something, especially when we're feeling a lot of compassion or sympathy and want to help or fix or correct a situation. Before we can l...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/walking-away","title":"Walking Away","summary":"It can be so tough to know when to stay involved and when walk away from someone or something, especially when we're feeling a lot of compassion or sympathy and want to help or fix or correct a situation. Before we can l...","date_modified":"2023-06-02T18:14:33Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/thresholds","html_content":"

Change can be difficult. Sometimes it's really difficult.

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/thresholds","title":"Thresholds","summary":"Change can be difficult. Sometimes it's really difficult.","date_modified":"2023-05-24T20:35:08Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/breathing-room","html_content":"

The unpredictability created by recent fires has been leaving a lot of people with fewer mental and emotional resources than expected - perhaps you're one of them. Even if you don't live in one of the evacuated areas. Ev...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/breathing-room","title":"Breathing Room","summary":"The unpredictability created by recent fires has been leaving a lot of people with fewer mental and emotional resources than expected - perhaps you're one of them. Even if you don't live in one of the evacuated areas. Ev...","date_modified":"2023-05-18T16:24:06Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/combatting-your-inner-critic","html_content":"

Not everyone has an inner critic but for those who do, life can be miserable. An inner critic is that voice that echoes in your mind with persistent putdowns or criticisms. It informs you that you can't, you aren't good ...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/combatting-your-inner-critic","title":"Combatting your Inner Critic","summary":"Not everyone has an inner critic but for those who do, life can be miserable. An inner critic is that voice that echoes in your mind with persistent putdowns or criticisms. It informs you that you can't, you aren't good ...","date_modified":"2023-05-10T21:27:46Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/in-the-moment","html_content":"

Mindfulness practice is just a shorter way of saying "practice trying to thoroughly enjoy that moment until you create a little bit of a habit out of it." Many people really struggle with mindfulness and being still - so...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/in-the-moment","title":"In The Moment","summary":"Mindfulness practice is just a shorter way of saying \"practice trying to thoroughly enjoy that moment until you create a little bit of a habit out of it.\" Many people really struggle with mindfulness and being still - so...","date_modified":"2023-05-04T21:16:44Z"},{"id":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/distress-tolerance","html_content":"

One of the most frustrating experiences in life is to very unexpectedly feel completely incapable - and it often comes on for no apparent reason. This emotional rollercoaster can be set off by something as simple as not ...

","url":"https://bearcreekcounselling.ca/our-blog/f/distress-tolerance","title":"Distress Tolerance","summary":"One of the most frustrating experiences in life is to very unexpectedly feel completely incapable - and it often comes on for no apparent reason. This emotional rollercoaster can be set off by something as simple as not ...","date_modified":"2023-04-26T16:30:07Z"}]}