“Do we need couples therapy?” That’s the question we started to address in Part One of this two-part series. If you haven’t read that yet, by all means give it a look. To sum it up, what did we learn in the first “session?” You should seriously consider going to couple’s therapy if: One…
What brings LGBT youth and their families to counselling? If someone is gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual or otherwise identifies in the ever-expanding LGBT*TQIA+ acronym set, what issues do they face? And what’s different about those issues, as compared to anyone else who comes to see one of our family counsellors? While the LGBT (we’ll use…
Those moments where everyone in the family is grinning ear to ear are what Pat Tanner Nelson, professor of Human Development & Family Studies at University of Delaware, calls “family glue”. It goes without saying that memorable moments are what build healthy, strong relationships that deeply connect you with the rest of your family members for…
Snow is falling, the tree top is glistening, and thick, down outerwear has made its annual debut. Winter is here and the most festive of holidays is just around the corner. While of course you’re appreciative of wintertime for bringing the family together, you might be having flashbacks that bring a less than jolly feeling. Something about…
Supposedly, family means that no one gets left behind. Sometimes, however, there is often a black sheep within the family, and someone feels left out, distant, and does not come home very much. Maybe mom and/or dad are not talking to one of the kids: maybe one adult child feels disconnected; maybe it is an…
Ahh, Summer vacation. Long weekends spent at the beach followed by evening barbeques and watching the fireworks on Parliament Hill in the company of your loving family. While this may describe the occasional blissful weekend in your home, chances are your summer looks more like this: summer camps, sunburns, overbooked work schedules. No matter how…
Often a fact that we miss in our North American emphasis on the individual is how deeply we are connected, how each of our actions and reactions impact one another. The deeper our connections are, such as family relationships, the deeper the impact. This is the rationale behind family therapy—a type of therapy…
While Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate your partner, it can also very easily be a time of bonding for the whole family. What better holiday than the one of love to remind each family member how valuable they are, and to be intentional about showing love to others. Here at Capital Choice…
Written by: Dr. Martin Rovers, Psychologist with Capital Choice Counselling Group in Ottawa, ON. As Joe and Mary leave for work, each is cold and distant from each other. The arguments last evening over their youngest son’s behaviour and how it impacts their family is still echoing in their minds. These fights and their son’s behaviour seem…
Written By: Erika DeSchiffart, a psychotherapist with Capital Choice Counselling Group. September can be a time of chaos and routine, with usually the chaos preceding the new routine. This is normal, especially as summer tends to be less scheduled and more laid back. Yet, do you find your child is still dragging their feet in…