Originally written in 2023, updated with new reflections. I recently learned something that really shifted how I experience one of my favourite places: Point Pleasant Park: where I live, work, play, and offer nature-informed therapy sessions and group workshops. I learned that this park was originally called Amntu’kati, meaning “place for spirits” in Mi’kmaq. Before…
Mandalas have been used for centuries in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jewish mystical traditions as tools for meditation, reflection, and connection to the sacred. Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and one of the founding fathers of the field of psychology, introduced mandalas into Western psychology. He studied comparative anthropology and noticed that certain symbols & figures…
I recently completed an intensive 3-day Wilderness First Aid certification training with Halifax Search and Rescue, and I wanted to share my experience with my readers and clients here. The training was challenging but incredibly valuable. We covered a wide range of topics, including wound care, infection prevention, hypothermia treatment, allergic reactions, seizures and CPR.…
Rituals are an important part of life regardless of one’s beliefs. Psychology research has shown that we need rituals to regulate emotions and foster social connections. Whether it’s moving into a new home, losing a friend or welcoming the winter solstice, we feel good when we can externalise the shift that we are grappling with…
Let’s face it: being human can be hard. Especially in the throes of fear, shame or anger. Most people are not taught how to navigate psychological challenges in healthy ways, and even if we do know, sometimes we are pushed to our limits and exhaust our own inner resources. How do we learn to deal…
Forest bathing is an emerging therapeutic intervention with 40 years of research behind it, proving our overwhelming need for time outside. What is Forest Bathing?Forest bathing is defined as “immersing oneself in nature by mindfully using all five senses.” Also known as Shinrin-Yoku in Japanese, forest bathing surfaced as a prevention and treatment technique in…
Don’t you love the feeling you get when you drive out of the city, the skyscrapers and traffic sounds fade away and you find yourself surrounded by crisp air, lush trees, and chirping birds? Ahh…the peace, the quiet, the release. If you’ve had this type of experience, you’re not alone: increasing research demonstrates the many…