What is gaslighting? Is someone gaslighting you?

“Gaslighting” has become one of the most popular psychological terms recently. But what does it indeed mean? According to Psychology Today, gaslighting is an insidious form of manipulation and psychological control. It often occurs in abusive relationships; it is considered a covert type of emotional abuse in which the target is misled by creating false…

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History and Use of Expressive Arts in Counselling

What are the expressive arts in counselling? Expressive arts in counselling combine psychotherapy and the creative process. They allow for non-verbal self-exploration, expression, understanding, and emotional connection. They accomplish these through: The use of artmaking or self-expression to facilitate non-verbal communication and emotional processing The use of artmaking or self-expression through metaphors, symbols, expressive use…

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Boundaries

What are boundaries, and how to implement them?  In the modern day, the term boundary has been globally popularized and is now more than ever part of various conversations. However, what is the definition of this word, and how can we apply it in our life? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a boundary indicates or…

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Grief and How to Live With It

Grief is a natural and normal response to loss. The death of a loved one can cause it, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, a home, or even a pet. Grief can also be caused by a significant change in one’s life, such as a move or a change in health.…

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Abandonment Anxiety

Abandonment Anxiety – by Jiaqi Zhao Recalling your current or past relationships, do you need to control or be controlled by your partner? Do you feel anxious and stressed in a relationship and need frequent praise and reassurance?  Do you tend to feel insecure without knowing why and thus stay hyper-vigilant? If the above sounds…

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How is your sleep affecting you?

Unbeknownst to most people, sleep quality affects their daily productivity. Many things affect it, and many ways to work towards restoring restful sleep. The first thing to do is look at our sleep quality and hygiene. Do you have a good sleep? Do you have a sleep hygiene routine that allows you to fall asleep…

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Self-Care and the Holidays

When many of us think of the holidays, we think of a time we have been looking forward to all year. For many of us, this time might include warm gatherings with friends and family, delectable meals, time away from the office, gorgeous decorations, and time to relax. This all sounds like a dream, but…

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Self Care – It Might Not Be What You Think It Is

Imagine you have a bad day and things are not going the way you hoped them to. Your friends, family, and the (eerily accurate) social media algorithm are all pointing you in the direction of this elusive practice of “self-care”. So, you decide to jump into a bubble bath, have a glass of wine, binge…

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Self-validation

Self-acceptance and self-validation, terms that seem to have been forgotten in today’s world. We are taught to behave, speak, and function in certain ways, and if you think about it, our own thoughts are intimidated by our perception of societal judgments. Why express a thought if we know we will be rejected for it, why…

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