The Christmas season, like any holiday, is a time that brings both our fortunes and losses to the forefront. If we’re honest, it’s a season of joyful indulgence, rest, and connection, and also one of self-recrimination, exhaustion, and loneliness for those with fragmented relationships in the spotlight. With that can come the challenge of reconciling a mix of…

Generally speaking, until more recently, Western psychology has focused on cognition and behaviour, whereas Eastern psychology has placed a greater emphasis on working with inner emotional states. Thankfully, more and more, contemporary mental health approaches are putting it all together and recognizing the interdependence of thoughts, behaviours, and emotions without having to claim the importance…

This week, I’m sharing a tool that I work with more than any other when it comes to supporting clients in building skillfulness in mindful awareness and self-compassion. Mindful self-compassion is a practice that lands at the intersection of Eastern and Western psychology, blending the wisdom of the former with the scientific rigour of the latter. The…